cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fixed distortion, variable rate subband coding of images

Most image coding systems are designed for transmission over constant bit rate channels. Such systems usually achieve varying coded image quality, depending on the inherent "compressibility" of the transmitted image. From a user's perspective it is desirable to have a codec which achieves a prescribed level of fidelity regardless of the image sent. The encoder output in this case is necessarily variable rate, making it difficult to reconcile with constant bit rate channels. However, the impending availability of high performance packet switched networks compatible with variable rate sources will make variable rate coding feasible. The codec design in this paper is based on a new method of allocating distortion rather than bits among the subbands. Judicious selection of subband quantizers compatible with the allocation procedure produces a simple four band encoder structure. Several four band structures are then nested in a hierarchical fashion for better compression performance; the resulting image codec achieves mean square distortion within 1.5 dB of the user specified value for a variety of images and over a wide range of distortions. Its rate-distortion performance rivals fixed rate systems of similar complexity. The design can be configured to take best advantage of datagram networks or prioritized packet-switched networks and the encoder output is suitable for progressive image transmission applications.
Rapid and reproducible single-stage phosphopeptide enrichment of complex peptide mixtures: Application to general and phosphotyrosine-specific phosphoproteomics experiments

Reversible protein phosphorylation is an essential regulatory component of virtually every cellular process and is frequently dysregulated in cancer. However, significant analytical barriers persist that hamper the routine application of phosphoproteomics in translational settings. Here, we present a straightforward and reproducible approach for the broadscale analysis of protein phosphorylation that relies on a single phosphopeptide enrichment step using titanium dioxide microspheres from whole cell lysate digests and compared it to the well-established SCX-TiO2 workflow for phosphopeptide purification on a proteome-wide scale. We demonstrate the scaleabilty of our approach from 200 μg to 5 mg of total NCI-H23 non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma cell lysate digest and determine its quantitative reproducibility by label-free analysis of phosphopeptide peak areas from replicate purifications (median CV: 20% RSD). Finally, we combine this approach with immunoaffinity phosphotyrosine enrichment, enabling the ...
Mechanical Factors in the Design of Chronic Recording Intracortical Microelectrodes

To obtain chronic recordings from single nerve cells in the cerebral cortex it is necessary to prevent motion of the microelectrode tip with respect to the adjacent neural tissue. This paper presents an engineering analysis to estimate these motions in terms of the geometry and material properties of the electrode, its lead wire, and the cortex. The results are used to gain an understanding of a recently reported successful recording system, and to thereby provide a design guide for future systems. In addition, a buckling analysis is presented for a class of microelectrodes to enable a minimum size to be achieved with an adequate safety margin.
Effects of Dietary Functional Ingredients and Packaging Methods on Sensory Characteristics and Consumer Acceptance of Irradiated Turkey Breast Meat

Raw and cooked breast patties from turkeys fed 8 different diets [control; 200 IU/kg of vitamin E (VE); 0.3 mg/kg of Se; 2.5% conjugated linoleic acids (CLA); 200 IU/kg of VE + 0.3 mg/kg of Se; 200 IU/kg of VE + 2.5% CLA; 0.3 mg/kg of Se + 2.5% CLA; and 200 IU/kg of VE + 0.3 mg/kg of Se + 2.5% CLA] were treated with 2 irradiation doses (0 and 1.5 kGy) and 2 packaging methods (vacuum and aerobic). Raw and cooked samples from 32 treatments were tested by 8 trained sensory panelists for turkey aroma and irradiation off-aroma. Based on the sensory scores, the 3 dietary treatments producing the most and the least off-aroma were selected and used for a consumer acceptance study. Sensory results of raw meat showed that turkey aroma was intense in aerobically packaged meat, whereas irradiation off-aroma was intense with vacuum packaging. Raw meats from dietary treatments containing CLA (CLA, VE + CLA, Se + CLA, VE + Se + CLA) had greater turkey aroma scores, whereas those containing VE (VE and VE + Se) had lower scores than the control. Dietary treatments containing VE (VE, VE + Se, VE + Se + CLA) significantly lowered (P < 0.05) irradiation off-aroma in raw turkey breast meat, whereas CLA increased it, especially when the meats were packaged aerobically. In cooked meat, however, irradiation and packaging had no effect on turkey meat aroma and irradiation off-aroma. Cooked meat from turkeys supplemented with VE (VE and VE + Se) had less (P < 0.05) irradiation off-odor than other dietary treatments. Dietary CLA increased the irradiation off-aroma in cooked meat, which could not be reduced, even when VE and Se were combined in the diet. Irradiation off-aroma of raw meat was not pleasant for most consumers, and dietary supplementation of VE and VE + Se improved consumer acceptance of irradiated raw meat. For cooked meat samples, consumers preferred both color and flavor of irradiated meat to nonirradiated meat.
Non-axisymmetric matrix cracking in unidirectional brittle matrix composites

Abstract A model is presented for the analysis of a composite cylinder subjected to an axial tensile load in the fiber direction and containing a non-axisymmetric matrix crack. Considering the non-axisymmetry of the crack within the matrix, a three-dimensional stress analysis based on the consistent shear-lag theory is introduced into the above model. The variational approach founded on the principle of minimum potential energy is applied to the above model to obtain the numerical results for the stress and displacement fields. On the basis of the Irwin-Kies compliance calibration formulation and the strain energy release rate criterion, the fracture analysis of the matrix cracking is carried out. The critical loads for various crack sizes and configurations are presented. Some observations on the role of various model parameters on the matrix cracking are made. It is shown that the crack may grow in two stages; the crack first grows unstably in the radial direction up to the interface, then extends through the entire matrix cross-section around the fiber. It is also found that during the transition from the first to the second stage, the crack growth may be arrested.
Development of a Label-free Imaging Technique for the Quantification of Thrombus Formation.

The characterization of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation typically requires the use of fluorescent labels followed by fluorescent confocal microscopy. However, fluorescent labels have been suspected to affect platelet function. We have developed a label-free imaging technique to characterize the volume and surface area coverage of platelet aggregates and thrombi formed under shear. Platelet aggregates were formed by perfusing anti-coagulated whole blood over fibrillar collagen. Thrombi were formed by perfusing recalcified whole blood over fibrillar collagen in the presence of coagulation. Platelet aggregates and thrombi volume and surface area coverage were quantified using a Hilbert transform differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy technique (HT-DIC). Our data indicate that platelet aggregates and thrombi formed at a shear rate of 200 s−1 had similar volume and surface area coverage. At a shear rate of 1000 s−1, both the volume and surface area coverage of platelet aggregates significantly increased as compared to low shear conditions. In contrast, the volume of thrombi formed in the presence of coagulation appeared to remain the same at both low and high shear rates. Utilization of this HT-DIC imaging technique can allow for insights into the kinetics and mechanisms by which thrombi are formed under various shear conditions in a label-free manner.
The effect of the reference frame on the thermophysical properties of an ideal gas

The effect that the frame of reference has on the thermophysical properties of an ideal gas is examined from a fundamental theoretical standpoint based on the Boltzmann equation. In continuum mechanics, the principle of material frame-indifference forbids the thermophysical properties of a fluid or solid to depend in any way on the motion of the reference frame. It is demonstrated that the Boltzmann equation is only consistent with material frame-indifference in a strong approximate sense provided that the gas is not highly rarefied and, thus, well within the limits of classical continuum mechanics. Estimates of the mean free times for which material frame-indifference can be invoked in the modeling of gas flows are provided from an analysis of the problem of heat conduction in a rigidly rotating gas. Applications of these results in obtaining asymptotic solutions of the Boltzmann equation for the continuum description of an ideal gas are discussed briefly.
Satellite Symposium on “Haemostasis, Vascular Biology, and Infectious Agents”, September 3, 2006, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Satellite Symposium on “Haemostasis, Vascular Biology, and Infectious Agents”, September 3, 2006, Maastricht, The Netherlands -
Hard X-ray spectrum of Cygnus X-1

Long-term measurements of the hard X-ray spectrum from 3 keV to 8 MeV of the black-hole candidate Cygnus X-1 in its low state are reported. Observations were made from October 26 to November 18, 1977 with the A2 (Cosmic X-ray) and A4 (Hard X-ray and Low-Energy Gamma-Ray) experiments on board HEAO 1 in the spacecraft's scanning mode. The measured spectrum below 200 keV is found to agree well with previous spectra which have been fit by a model of the Compton scattering of optical or UV photons in a very hot plasma of electron temperature 32.4 keV and optical depth 3.9 or 1.6 for spherical or disk geometry, respectively. At energies above 300 keV, however, flux excess is observed which may be accounted for by a distribution of electron temperatures from 15 to about 100 keV.
Nanoengineering Opens a New Era for Tungsten as Well

For the past century, tungsten has been exploited for numerous applications due to its unique properties, including its extremely high melting point, mass density, and mechanical strength. One specific potential application of tungsten (owing to its high mass density and strength) is the replacement of depleted uranium within kinetic energy antiarmor penetrators. Strenuous efforts in this direction have had limited success. However, nanoengineering has been applied recently to tailor the microstructure and properties of tungsten, leading to dramatic improvement with regard to this application. This paper provides some recent results on nanoengineered tungsten and discusses the underlying principles. It appears that nanoengineering is opening a new era for tungsten.
On the road to success

Our young students and graduates are all faced with difficult career-related questions: Where do I start? How can I get noticed? How can I succeed? Federico Rosei and Tudor Johnston tackle these problems and offer some advice.
Immediate Intervention for Sexual Assault: A Review with Recommendations and Implications for Practitioners

Rape crisis centers provide vital early intervention services to sexual assault survivors. The history and current status of these services are reviewed in light of the current literature on early trauma intervention. The authors suggest approaches for rape crisis centers that are likely to be most effective and identify supporting evidence for these practices from the available literature. The role of other mental health practitioners in early sexual assault intervention is discussed, with recommendations for how practitioners may work with rape crisis services to coordinate delivery of the best service. Finally, a collaborative research agenda is proposed to further our knowledge and expertise in coordinating the delivery of immediate intervention for sexual assault.
A mayer-vietoris sequence for modules over a small category

The category Modub C of left C-modules whose objects are covariant functors from a small category C to the category 2lb of abelian groups and whose morphisms are additive natural transformations of functors is well known to be abelian. In this paper, the Mayer-Vietoris sequence for the group cohomology of an amalgamated group is extended to a Mayer-Vietoris sequence for the cohomology of an amalgamated small category. That is, if C is the amalgamation of the categories C 1 and C 2and over the category D1 then the sequence is exact
Developing an Integrated Strategy to Reduce Ethnic and Racial Disparities in the Delivery of Clinical Preventive Services for Older Americans

Objectives. To determine the optimum strategy for increasing up-to-date (UTD) levels in older Americans, while reducing disparities between White, Black, and Hispanic adults, aged 65 years and older.Methods. Data were analyzed from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, quantifying the proportion of older Americans UTD with influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, mammograms, Papanicolaou tests, and colorectal cancer screening. A comparison of projected changes in UTD levels and disparities was ascertained by numerically accounting for UTD adults lacking 1 or more clinical preventive services (CPS). Analyses were performed by gender and race/ethnicity.Results. Expanded provision of specific vaccinations and screenings each increased UTD levels. When those needing only vaccinations were immunized, there was a projected decrease in racial/ethnic disparities in UTD levels (2.3%–12.2%). When those needing only colorectal cancer screening, mammography, or Papanicolaou test were screened, there wa...
Exploring Case Managers' Advance Care Planning Practices

Abstract Community-based geriatric case managers handle increasing caseloads of frail older adults with future care needs that can be anticipated; however, little is known regarding their advance care planning practices with their clients. This qualitative study conducted 4 focus groups throughout the state of Florida in 2005 to explore case managers' (N =27) perceptions of their advance care planning practices. Findings suggest that case managers hold ambiguous views regarding advance care planning, perceive divergent roles in this area, and engage in a range of primarily informational advance care planning practices. Implications include the need to clarify the role and importance of advance care planning for older adults and better understand factors associated with practitioners' divergent advance care planning practices in order to enhance professional practice in this area.
Concurrent activation events based trajectory propagation in smart environments

In the past 10 years, the concept of smart homes and buildings has become progressively mainstream with the introduction of several commercial solutions and available sensor technologies. One of the most important aspects of a smart home system is sensing, which is typically leveraged to observe, understand and predict the daily behavior of the occupant. This sensing of a smart home’s occupant extends to personal location estimation, behavior detection, and activity monitoring. However, there is always a trade off between the amount of information that can be sensed and the loss of privacy of the occupant. Cameras coupled with state of the art computer vision algorithms can provide much more nuanced and rich information than binary sensors, like motion sensors, door sensors and so on. Unfortunately, cameras are not well tolerated by people in their homes and other private areas for privacy protection reasons. In this article, an intensive study was performed on a dataset gathered in a smart home test bed equipped with binary motion sensors. Leveraging our previous works in a concurrent activation model that describes an occupant’s mobility along with the newly defined continuity property of a occupant’s mobility, we propose a bipartite sensor graph with intersection sensor nodes that models a occupant’s high level mobility. We then developed a trajectory propagation algorithm, which can generate an occupant’s most probable trajectories and locations. We show that by using the concurrent activation events of a binary motion sensor network we can extract useful high level details of an occupant’s behavior.
When might hemispheric favouring of epileptiform discharges begin

Abstract Purpose: EEG studies based on adult populations report interictal epileptiform discharges (EDS) favour the left hemisphere. It is not clear when favouring becomes apparent as similar paediatric studies have not been performed. Methods: The authors reviewed 1579 paediatric EEG interpretations for evidence of hemispheric favouring of focal epileptiform discharges. Analysis focused on first-time EEG results. Results: Right hemispheric favouring of interictal epileptiform discharges occurs in childhood, it remits around 5 years of age whereupon left-sided favouring occurs more frequently ( P =0.004, Fisher's Exact). Conclusion: Hemispheric vulnerabilities to interictal focal epileptiform activity may display discrete age-related favouring. These findings are discussed in context of normal hemispheric maturation.
IDEOLOGY AND THE THEORY OF FINANCIAL ECONOMICS

Abstract The paradigms of modern finance are the result of a type of academic thinking inspired by a positivist philosophy. Philosophers of science argue that this positivism of Milton Friedman is ‘value-neutral’; that is, it is not influenced by any particular political view of the world. In this paper, using the ubiquitous Efficient Markets Hypotheses as an example, we argue that both the ontology and the epistemology of financial economics are decidedly value-impregnated, however well the methodology masquerades as perfectly objective. It is important that scientists (researchers) recognize the ubiquity of ideology in finance and admit and understand the values implicit in its neoclassical methodology. With different beliefs and their attendant methodologies, the concept of ‘market efficiency’ would be quite different, if it at all existed.
Internal mammary artery implantation: effect on myocardial lactate utilization.

Twenty-three subjects with angiographically documented coronary heart disease were studied by means of arterial and coronary sinus catheterization before and one year after internal mammary artery implantations. The pre- and postoperative patterns of lactate extraction at rest and after isoproterenol stress have been determined and correlated with clinical improvement and angiographic patency of the implant. In group I 13 subjects had implants that were angiographically seen to fill some portion of the coronary circulation. Eight of 11 who produced lactate preoperatively reverted to normal lactate extraction. Two extracted lactate at both studies. All but two had clinical improvement. No deaths occurred over a mean follow-up period of 40 months (range 20 to 64). In group II ten subjects bad implants with no visible connection to the coronary circulation. Only one subject had reversion of lactate production to extraction and two from extraction to production. Seven of ten did not improve clinically. Three deaths occurred over a mean follow-up period of 39 months (range 17 to 53). Agreement has been found between reversion to normal lactate metabolism, angiographic patency, and clinical improvement following internal mammary artery implantation.
Can spinal cord injury patients show a worsening in ASIA impairment scale classification despite actually having neurological improvement? The limitation of ASIA Impairment Scale Classification.

Can spinal cord injury patients show a worsening in ASIA impairment scale classification despite actually having neurological improvement? The limitation of ASIA Impairment Scale Classification
Patterns of vertical stratification in a subtropical constructed wetland in south Florida (USA)

Abstract The South Florida Water Management District (District) has built large treatment wetlands, known as Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs), to reduce excess phosphorus loading to the Everglades. The District conducted research in a prototype treatment wetland, the Everglades Nutrient Removal Project (ENRP), to study biogeochemical processes that are important to treatment performance. Vertical profile measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were made in open-water areas and sites dominated by emergent, floating or submersed vegetation over an annual cycle. Relative thermal resistance to mixing was used to infer the strength of thermal stratification. Long-term diel variation in temperature at the surface and bottom of an open-water and a vegetated site also was measured. Open-water sites were nearly isothermal and had minimal thermal stratification, while vegetated sites were all thermally stratified to some degree. The highest surface water temperatures (>35 °C) occurred in submersed vegetation where much of the light absorbed by leaves and stems was reflected as heat. Oxygen was uniformly low ( −1 ) in emergent and floating vegetation and attributed to shading, high biological oxygen demand and limited reaeration at the surface. Depressed oxygen levels at open-water areas were attributed to high sediment oxygen demand. The highest oxygen concentrations occurred in submersed vegetation beds. Water column pH was unstratified and near circumneutral in the open water and at emergent and floating vegetation sites, while pH was markedly stratified in submersed vegetation, where surface values at times exceeded 9.0. High surface oxygen and pH levels in submersed vegetation were consistent with intense photosynthesis. Conductivity increased at the bottom of emergent and submersed vegetation but not at open-water or floating vegetation sites. PAR transmission was strongly reduced at all sites due to shading and/or absorption by dissolved organic carbon. Light extinction coefficients were markedly higher at vegetated sites compared to the open water. Peak irradiance shifted to longer wavelengths (538–643 nm) and both short ( 700 nm) wavelengths were largely attenuated at 60 cm relative to the surface. Long-term monitoring at a vegetated site revealed periods of inverse thermal stratification and dampened diel variation in temperatures at the bottom compared to open water.
Plasma streaming in the magnetosphere

Abstract Steady state streaming of the ‘cold’ magnetospheric plasma in the plane of the magnetic equator is discussed. The stream lines coincide with the lines of constant plasma density ( N ) if the value of |grad N | tends to infinity and/or if the vector grad N is parallel (or antiparallel) to the vector grad ( BB p ), ( B is the total strength of magnetic field and B p is irrotational part of B ). It is suggested that plasma streams across the plasmapause mainly in the region of the ‘dusk bulge’. The plasma flow across the plasmapause is stronger during geomagnetically quiet periods than during the time periods with high geomagnetic activity.
Revelation and revolution: Basic writings of Thomas Müntzer

(1995). Revelation and revolution: Basic writings of Thomas Muntzer. History of European Ideas: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 133-134.
Comparison of outcomes between living donor and cadaveric lung transplantation in children.

Abstract Background . Long-term survival in lung transplant is limited by bronchiolitis obliterans (BOS). We compared outcomes in pediatric living donor bilateral lobar (LL) vs cadaveric lung transplant (CL). Methods . Children were studied who had LL or CL with at least 1 year follow-up. Data collected included acute rejection episodes, pulmonary function tests (PFT), BOS, and survival. Mean age was 13.36 ± 3.16 years in LL and 12.00 ± 4.19 years in CL patients ( p = 0.37, ns). Results . There was no difference in rejection ( p = 0.41, ns). CL had rejection earlier (2.48 ± 3.84 months) than LL (13.60 ± 10.74 months; p = 0.02). There was no difference in 12 month PFT. But at 24 months, LL had greater forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) ( p = 0.001) and FEF 25–75% ( p = 0.01) than CL. BOS was found in 0/14 LL vs 9/11 (82%) CL after 1 year ( p = 0.04). After 2 years, 0/8 LL and 6/7 (86%) CL had BOS ( p Conclusions . Pediatric LL had less BOS and better pulmonary function than CL. As BOS is a determinant of long-term outcome, we believe LL is the preferred lung transplant method for children.
Queering relationships: toward a paradigmatic shift.

This article exposes, and is critical of, the blatant and insidious ways in which a specific brand of heterosexual relationship has been promoted as the ultimate relational form at the expense of others who neither believe in nor practice such idealized relationships. To uncover this multilayered and deeply imbedded ideology, this piece turns to a description and analysis of how various institutions (e.g., organized religion, medicine, education, law, politics, and the family) perpetuate heteronormative practices in general. Next, specific traits considered to constitute the best and most respectable relationship style are identified. Then, notions of how heteronormativity is marketed and reproduced to create a sexual relationship hierarchy--with a certain form of heterosexuality elevated to the top, as the most revered and cherished relational form--are described and analyzed. Turning to the results of such a well-established and entrenched "marketing campaign," the author offers some notes regarding attitudes about sexual relationships gleaned from teaching a course, "Sex and Relationships," for over a decade. Finally, the author explores the merits and potential drawbacks of a paradigmatic shift toward queering relationships and possible directions for theoretical interventions.
Racial differences and other risk factors for incidence and progression of age-related macular degeneration: Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) Project.

Purpose To evaluate risk factors for the incidence and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a racially heterogeneous, geriatric population. Methods Subjects (n = 2240) aged 65 to 84 years underwent 2 examinations separated by 2 years, of which 1937 subjects (85%) were included in this report. Fundus photographs were performed at each examination and were graded by trained readers. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, race, and clustering between eyes were used to evaluate risk factors for AMD incidence and progression. Results Smoking was a strong, dose-dependent, risk factor for progression from medium size drusen to large drusen or pigmentary abnormalities within the central 1500-microm macular zone. Smoking was also a strong risk factor for development of incident focal pigmentation within 3000 microm of the foveal center. White participants were significantly more likely than blacks to develop large drusen and focal pigmentation and to progress from medium- to large-sized drusen or pigment abnormalities within the central 1500 microm macular zone. However, whites did not have an increased risk of progression from large drusen or pigment abnormalities within the central 1500-microm perimacular zone to foveal GA or CNV when compared with blacks. Conclusions Smoking and race are important risk factors for progression from medium to large drusen or to pigment abnormalities within the central 1500-microm macular zone. Limitations in the power of this study preclude assessment of the roles of smoking and race on the ultimate progression to foveal GA or CNV once central large drusen or pigment abnormalities are present.
Improving handwashing habits in the newborn nurseries

In five separate sessions over a 13-month period, the authors monitored the handwashing habits of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in the nursery. Compliance rates regarding three specific items related to handwashing prophylaxis were noted by a group of observers without the knowledge of the subjects involved. Good handwashing prophylaxis was carried out by the doctors only 37.5% prior to handling infants, and 29.2% after contact with inanimate objects, whereas for these items the nurses complied 53.9% and 29.2%, respectively. Wrist ornaments were removed prior to handwashing in 72.7% and 75.3% of contacts. The data for other healthcare professionals were generally similar. The information from this study was used for educational purposes, which seemed to have had an impact on handwashing habits. The compliance rates during the later part of the study for the first two items combined improved from 28.4% to 62.6% (p < 0.001). The authors conclude that in the newborn units, the compliance with handwashing is generally poor. They believe that with continued monitoring and educational efforts, it may be possible to improve habits regarding handwashing prophylaxis.
Laser-initiated chain reactions and microexplosions in solid solutions of methylcyclopropane and chlorine

Abstract Ultraviolet laser photolysis of glassy solid solutions of chlorine and methylcyclopropane yield hydrogen chloride and chloromethylcylopropane as free radical reaction products. At 77 K. photochemical quantum yields as high as 500 have been recorded depending on the laser fluence and mole ratio of the two reagents in the sample. Increasing the laser fluence and/or decreasing the sample temperature can lower the yield by more than three orders of magnitude. At 10 K, the reaction is characterized by a sudden burst of reactivity (a microexplosion) after exposure to a cumulative laser fluence of only 8.0 mJ/cm 2 at 337 nm. As much as 9% of the reactants are converted to products during the microexplosion.
Expression of neurotrophin receptor TrkA inhibits angiogenesis in neuroblastoma.

Background Mechanisms regulating the expression of angiogenic factors in tumor cells are largely unknown. High expression of the neurotrophin receptor TrkA in neuroblastomas (NB) is associated with favorable prognosis, whereas TrkB is expressed on aggressive, MYCN-amplified NB. Procedure To investigate the biological effects of TrkA and TrkB expression on angiogenesis in NB, we examined the expression of angiogenic factors in the human NB cell line SY5Y and its TrkA and TrkB transfectants. Results In comparison to parental SY5Y cells, mRNA and protein levels of angiogenic factors were significantly reduced in SY5Y-TrkA cells, whereas SY5Y-TrkB cells did not demonstrate a significant change. Conditioned medium (CM) of parental SY5Y and SY5Y-TrkB cells induced endothelial cell proliferation, but this effect was completely absent in SY5Y-TrkA cells. TrkA expression also resulted in severely impaired tumorigenicity in a mouse xenograft model, and was associated with reduced angiogenic factor expression and less vascularization of tumors, as determined by immunohistochemistry and an in vivo Matrigel assay.
Influence of stand age and physical environment on the herb composition of second‐growth forest, Strouds Run, Ohio, USA

Aim Historical land use in eastern North America and much of Europe has created a mosaic of successional forest stands of widely varying age. An estimate of the rate of successional community development would allow the conservation value of individual stands to be assessed. We estimate the rate of herb community development in secondary forests in our region, and the extent to which physical gradients determine herb distributions. Location Second-growth forest in the Appalachian Oak section of the Central Hardwoods Region, southeastern Ohio, USA. Methods Thirty-five plots were surveyed in old (82–193 years) and young (35–40 years since pasture) deciduous forest stands and pine plantations. In each plot, herb species cover and environmental factors were measured. Results Herb community composition was clearly distinguishable between oak-dominated upland sites and mixed mesophytic stands in moist ravines. In both community types, young stands were compositionally distinct from old stands. Species lacking obvious seed dispersal mechanisms were disproportionately uncommon in young stands, implying dispersal limitation in the process of recolonization. Among old stands, distributions of many species showed significant regressions on the environmental variables, whereas few showed significance in young stands. Species with weak dispersal tended to be more frequently linked to environmental gradients in old stands than in young stands. Main conclusions Early arriving forest species appear to assort rapidly along physical gradients, defining communities early in the successional trajectory. The re-assembly of the full forest community continues over a longer period as individual species assort on environmental gradients at rates determined by their dispersal abilities. Thus, long-established stands show more spatial variation than successional stands, and offer greater opportunities for conservation of the forest community.
Wave splitting of the telegraph equation in R3 and its application to inverse scattering

The technique for splitting waves into up and down components is applied to solutions of the generalized wave equation in three dimensions. In particular, the splitting associated with the principal part of the equation is applied to the fundamental solution (Green function). The equations for the up and down wave components are obtained and the singular parts removed. The use of these reduced wave components together with their equations, boundary data and initial data, in the inverse problem (where the reflected field is produced by a point-impulse source, exterior to the scattering medium) is discussed.
Qualitative and numerical analyses of the effects of river inflow variations on mixing diagrams in estuaries

Abstract The effects of river inflow variations on alkalinity/salinity distributions in San Francisco Bay and nitrate/salinity distributions in Delaware Bay are described. One-dimensional, advective-dispersion equations for salinity and the dissolved constituents are solved numerically and are used to simulate mixing in the estuaries. These simulations account for time-varying river inflow, variations in estuarine cross-sectional area, and longitudinally varying dispersion coefficients. The model simulates field observations better than models that use constant hydrodynamic coefficients and uniform estuarine geometry. Furthermore, field observations and model simulations are consistent with theoretical ‘predictions’ that the curvature of propery-salinity distributions depends on the relation between the estuarine residence time and the period of river concentration variation.
The determination of conjugatedcis-trans andtrans-trans methyl octadecadienoates by infrared spectrometry

Pure conjugated methylcis-trans andtrans-trans octadecadienoates have been prepared and used to develop a method for the determination of these compounds by infrared spectrometry.Cis-trans compounds alone or in the presence oftrans-trans conjugation may be determined directly by the absorption at 10.55 μ. In the absence ofcis-trans isomers conjugatedtrans-trans octadienoates may be determined directly from the absorption at 10.11 μ. When both types of compounds are present however, a correction must be applied for the contribution of thecis-trans isomers to the 10.11 μ absorption of thetrans-trans material.
Demonstration and analysis of a frequency-agile photonic beamformer

In this work, the desirability of a true time-delay beamformer is briefly discussed. Experimental results are reviewed and fundamental systems calculations are reported. Results for both optical and radar performance specifications were obtained, based upon a mathematical model of the photonic delay line developed by the author. These results address the use of the photonic delay line in a standard radar beamformer. Future work will evaluate the performance of the photonic beamformer in adaptive processing.
‘Aqui estamos y no nos vamos!’ Global capital and immigrant rights:

The recent mass demonstrations by millions of Latino immigrant workers in the US, against planned legislation that could lead to the criminalisation and deportation of, literally, millions of workers shook the Bush administration and took commentators by surprise. The upsurge has been dubbed the new civil rights movement. It marks a new stage in globalisation and the phenomenon of mass, trans-national migration that such globalisation has engendered. Unprecedented in size and scope, the movement challenges the structural changes bound up with capitalist globalisation and points to the necessity of transnational popular and democratic struggles against it.
Unproven screening devices threaten the lives of police and military

In a world plagued with improvised explosive devices, drugs and dangerous people, the desire to field technology to protect our police and military is providing a fertile market for the proliferation of protection technologies that range from the unproven to the disproven. The market place is currently being flooded with detection equipment making inflated and inaccurate marketing claims of high reliably, high detection probabilities, and ease of operation—all while offering detection capabilities at safe distances. The manufacturers of these devices have found a willing global marketplace, which includes some of the most dangerous places in the world. Despite a wealth of contradictory performance and testing data available on the Internet, sales of these devices remain brisk and profitable. Rather than enhancing the security of police and military personnel, the reliance on these unproven and disproven devices is creating a sense of false security that is actually lowering the safety of front-line forces in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. This paper addresses the development and distribution history of some of these devices and describes the testing performed by Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, and other reputable testing agencies that illustrate the real danger in using this kind of unproven technology.
Actin Is a Component of the Compensation Mechanism in Pseudorabies Virus Virions Lacking the Major Tegument Protein VP22

Despite being a major component of the pseudorabies virus tegument, VP22 is not required for PRV replication, virulence, or neuroinvasion (T. del Rio, H. C. Werner, and L. W. Enquist, J. Virol. 76:774-782, 2002). In the absence of VP22, tegument assembly compensates in a limited fashion with increased incorporation of cellular actin. Infection of epithelial cell lines expressing fluorescent actin fusion proteins resulted in the incorporation of filamentous and nonfilamentous actin into individual virions that were predominately light, noninfectious particles. We conclude that cellular actin is incorporated in the tegument of wild-type virions and is part of a compensation mechanism for VP22-null virions.
Interspecific Aggression and its Relevance to the Concept of Territoriality in Reef Fishes

Territorial behavior is a conspicuous determinant of social organization in many reef fishes. Field observations have indicated that an accurate description of a given organization must consider not only conspecific encounters but also those involving members of the other species which make up the behavioral community. Data, relevant to the above consideration, were gathered on the reef for the three-spot damselfish, Eupomacentrus planifrons , at intervals throughout the year. Experiments determined (i) the greatest distance from its residence (“maximum distance of attack”) that a territorial male would initiate attacks on given individuals of various species, and (ii) number of nips that such a male directed at “intruders” when the latter were placed adjacent to its residence. The “maximum distance of attack” was found to be characteristic for each “intruding” species: conspecifics—farthest from, congenerics—slightly closer to, and the remaining species—closest to the residence. Territorial males appeared to ignore any given fish until it had reached its respective boundary. Over a broad range, size within a given species appeared unimportant. The number of attacks directed at “intruders” adjacent to the residence was, however, less clearly species-specific. Both parameters varied seasonally in a parallel fashion, this seasonality reflecting closely the annual reproductive cycle of E. planifrons . General observations on populations of E. planifrons and other damselfishes were carried out by SCUBA and the use of underwater television. Results demonstrated that territorial males of E. planifrons not only recognize different species of reef fishes, but also that they possess serial territories whose areas of defense vary depending on the particular species of intruder present at the time. Random observations on other species of reef fishes indicate that this important feature of interspecific aggression is not unique to the single species tested here.
Lung cancer and positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose

Over the past years, positron emission tomography (PET) with fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) has emerged as an important imaging modality. In the thorax, FDG-PET has been shown to differentiate benign from malignant pulmonary lesions and stage lung cancer. Preliminary studies have shown its usefulness in assessing tumor recurrence, and assisting in radiotherapy planning. FDG-PET is often more accurate than conventional imaging studies, and has been proven to be cost-effective in evaluating lung cancer patients. This review will discuss the current applications of FDG-PET as compared with conventional imaging in diagnosing, staging, and following patients with lung cancer.
Investigation of Chrome Ores Using X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Fluorescence, and Mössbauer Spectroscopy

The main mineral component of chrome ore that contains chromium is chromite. Certain legal and trade restrictions required the development of analytical techniques that would be useful in determining the country of origin of a chrome ore. Ores from 13 countries were examined by x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence for chromium and iron content, and Mossbauer spectroscopy of iron sites. The 13 countries could be divided into four groups based on the chromium and iron content via x-ray fluorescence. The x-ray diffraction spectra could be used to identify the country of origin within three of the groups. Within the fourth group of countries, the x-ray diffraction spectra can be used to differentiate three subgroups, one of which includes only one country. Mossbauer spectroscopy is used to differentiate the countries within the remaining subgroups. A schema is presented for the identification of the ores from the 13 countries.
An efficient heuristic to identify threshold logic functions

A fast method to identify the given Boolean function as a threshold function with weight assignment is introduced. It characterizes the function based on the parameters that have been defined in the literature. The proposed method is capable to quickly characterize all functions that have less than eight inputs and has been shown to operate fast for functions with as many as forty inputs. Furthermore, comparisons with other existing heuristic methods show huge increase in the number of threshold functions identified, and drastic reduction in time and complexity.
Systems Considerations In Mosaic Focal Planes

Two key reasons for pursuing the development of mosaic focal planes are reviewed and it is shown that rapid frame repetition rate is the only requirement that can be solved no other way than through mosaic focal planes. With the view that spaceborne mosaic focal plane sensors are necessarily "smart sensors" requiring a lot of onboard processing just to function, it is pointed out that various artificial intelligence techniques may be the most appropriate to incorporate in the data processing. Finally, a novel mosaic focal plane design is proposed, termed a virtual mosaic focal plane, in response to other system constraints.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Flow permissions for android

This paper proposes Flow Permissions, an extension to the Android permission mechanism. Unlike the existing permission mechanism our permission mechanism contains semantic information based on information flows. Flow Permissions allow users to examine and grant explicit information flows within an application (e.g., a permission for reading the phone number and sending it over the network) as well as implicit information flows across multiple applications (e.g., a permission for reading the phone number and sending it to another application already installed on the user's phone). Our goal with Flow Permissions is to provide visibility into the holistic behavior of the applications installed on a user's phone. Our evaluation compares our approach to dynamic flow tracking techniques; our results with 600 popular applications and 1,200 malicious applications show that our approach is practical and effective in deriving Flow Permissions statically.
A theorem on the number of Nash equilibria in a bimatrix game

We show that ify is an odd integer between 1 and 2n − 1, there is ann × n bimatrix game with exactlyy Nash equilibria (NE). We conjecture that this 2n − 1 is a tight upper bound on the number of NEs in a “nondegenerate”n × n game.
The Co-Relation of Alcoholics Anonymous Participation to Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Treatment Outcomes

A sample of 301 clients from a large substance abuse treatment facility was surveyed utilizing a pretest/posttest design. Participants completed measures both prior to participating in outpatient treatment and then approximately 7 months after discharge. Twelve-step participation was measured, along with effects of the individual 12 steps, to determine any contribution to treatment outcomes, including spirituality, health, mental health, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) outcomes. Analyses were conducted to determine if participation changed over the study period and whether it impacted outcomes after treatment. Results indicated that participation and the effects of the individual steps were not statistically significant in relation to many treatment outcomes. However, these factors were important in the development of client spirituality.
Allergic rhinitis: impact of the disease and considerations for management.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common yet underappreciated inflammatory condition of the nasal mucosa characterized by pruritus, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion. It is mediated by an IgE-associated response to indoor and outdoor environmental allergens. AR affects a large portion of the United States population at all stages of life. Onset of symptoms after age 20 should raise the suspicion that nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) is the primary diagnosis or contributes significantly to the nasal symptoms due to AR. Epidemiologic relationships and basic science support the concept that AR is part of a systemic inflammatory process and hence is associated with other mucosal inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, rhinosinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and otitis media with effusion. It is now recognized that AR can affect quality of life to a similar degree with asthma. The Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines have provided a pragmatic, stepwise approach to treatment of AR. Allergen avoidance remains one of the guiding principles of treatment, although it may be difficult to implement. Although an ever-increasing armamentarium of pharmacotherapeutic agents is available to the clinician, intranasal corticosteroids remain the single most effective class of medications for treating AR. Immunotherapy (allergy vaccination) is the only treatment modality with the potential to modulate the immune system permanently, leading to long-lasting improvement. It is somewhat time-intensive and carries a small risk of serious adverse reactions. New specific immunomodulating biologic agents will most likely become available. However, their role in the treatment of AR may be dependent on their cost.