cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hurricane clean-up activity in the Gulf of Mexico, 2004–2013

Abstract The offshore oil and gas industry is susceptible to natural and man-made disasters. From 2004 to 2008, five major hurricanes-destroyed 181 structures and 1673 wells in the Gulf of Mexico. State and federal regulatory agencies were forced to deal with an unprecedented number of applications to Rigs-to-Reef Programs because operators wanted to permit their toppled structures as reefs. In 2009, the Minerals Management Service issued a moratorium on reef proposals outside of established planning areas in response to public criticism and NGO assertions that Rigs-to-Reef was becoming a de facto “Ocean Dumping Program”. In 2013, the moratorium was lifted, and in a recently released Rigs-to-Reef Interim Policy Document 2013-07, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement specified that no departures from regulatory requirements will be granted for toppled structures. The purpose of this article is to describe the status of hurricane clean-up activity in the Gulf of Mexico, and to identify the challenges associated with unconventional decommissioning operations. Through 2013, 141 hurricane-destroyed structures and 1537 wells have been decommissioned. Remaining structures that await regulatory approval are likely to be more expensive and difficult to decommission relative to previous activity. Federal regulatory responses in the aftermath of the hurricane destruction are described.
International cooperation against piracy: China's role, problems, and prospects

While there are some non-contentious issues about which states can cooperate, most must be molded around the demands of national interest. Piracy is a case where suppression would appear to be in the interest of all states; after all, pirates have been regarded as the enemies of all since Roman times. Despite this, states have often been more ambivalent as they have found piracy to be a useful cloak behind which to hide their wider geo-strategic ambitions. This paper notes that Somali piracy has attracted the interest of China whose citizens have been attacked and hijacked. It asks if this deployment demonstrates that China is committed to the protection of shipping in the context of the existing maritime order or if it has a wider purpose to advance Chinese interests in the Indian Ocean region.
Receptor-mediated effects on ligand availability influence relative mitogenic potencies of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor α

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) elicit quantitatively different cell proliferation responses even though they act via a common receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We hypothesized that differential cellular trafficking of available ligand is responsible for the different mitogenic responses elicited by EGF and TGF alpha. Mitogenesis and ligand depletion were determined simultaneously in NR6 mouse fibroblasts expressing either wild-type (WT) or internalization-deficient cytoplasmic domain-truncated (c'973) EGFR. Thus we could determine the effects of both ligand-induced and low level constitutive ligand/receptor processing. For a given initial amount of growth factor, TGF alpha is a weaker stimulus than EGF in cells expressing either form of the EGFR. This difference in the mitogenic potencies correlates with increased depletion of TGF alpha observed during the growth assays. When this difference in ligand depletion is accounted for, or minimized, EGF and TGF alpha elicit quantitatively similar growth responses. Therefore, the relative mitogenic potencies of EGF and TGF alpha depend on ligand availability, as determined by the cellular trafficking of these ligands in conjunction with environmental circumstances. Interestingly, our data demonstrate that TGF alpha can be a less potent mitogenic stimulus than EGF under conditions where ligand availability is limited. Further, in our assays, differences in ligand processing are sufficient to explain the different mitogenic potencies of these growth factors in either of the receptor trafficking scenarios. Our results suggest a model of regulation of hormone responsiveness which favors dissociative ligands (such as TGF alpha) in receptor-limited situations and non-dissociative ligands (such as EGF) in the face of high receptor levels.
Automating access to computing services

When computer services were more limited in scope and users, providing those services could be handled manually by a minimum of staff. Over the years computer access has gone from a few researchers using a mainframe to nearly the entire University community using e-mail, computer labs, modem pools, and the World Wide Web. In addition, new initiatives have created on-line access to course scheduling, benefits revisions, and other critical operations. With this increase in the need for access to centrally provided computer services, the task could have become daunting. Without hiring additional staff, our Information Technology Services Accounts Office now provides access to 120,000 users. In addition, we can provide specifically requested access to certain services based on class registration or any aspect of a user's affiliation with the University.At Penn State, we've created an Oracle database system - Central Account Coordination Tracking of User Services or CACTUS - to provide and remove services based on official University student and employee data. Without hiring additional staff, our Information Technology Services Accounts Office now provides access to 120,000 users. In addition, we can provide specifically requested access to certain services based on class registration or any aspect of a user's affiliation with the University.Best of all, the structure of CACTUS allows us to look toward the future. We expect to further automate special requests so that manual entry will be a thing of the past. Also, we are now in a position to be able to expand our services to even more users. Our future plans are to extend some degree of services to potential applicants of the University, alumni, and anyone else who may wish to connect with Penn State electronically.
MEDICAL STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARD THE GERIATRIC PATIENT

Questionnaires designed to test attitudes toward old people were given to both the freshman class and the senior class of students in the University of California School of Medicine. Results of the study showed that these two groups shared most of the general societal conceptions and misconceptions about the aged. In addition, these students adhered to a set of medical stereotypes about aging to a degree surprisingly unmodified by the much-vaunted medical socialization process; freshmen and seniors agreed on many aspects of the subject. The results of this attitudinal status were manifested in a medical prejudice against old patients, as expressed in the replies given to the questionnaire. How much of the difference observed between the attitudes of the freshmen and the seniors was due to non-medical acculturative influences (such as the demographic characteristics unique to each group) and how much to the medical socialization procedure, was difficult to ascertain. More significant, however, was the lack of difference between the two student classes and the failure of three years of medical education to mitigate factors injurious to a major and growing segment of the population—aged patients.
Transplantation of adipose tissue and stem cells: role in metabolism and disease

Humans and other mammals have three main adipose tissue depots: visceral white adipose tissue, subcutaneous white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue, each of which possesses unique cell-autonomous properties. In contrast to visceral adipose tissue, which can induce detrimental metabolic effects, subcutaneous white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue have the potential to benefit metabolism by improving glucose homeostasis and increasing energy consumption. In addition, adipose tissue contains adipose-derived stem cells, which possess the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages, a property that might be of value for the repair or replacement of various damaged cell types. Adipose tissue transplantation has primarily been used as a tool to study physiology and for human reconstructive surgery. Transplantation of adipose tissue is, however, now being explored as a possible tool to promote the beneficial metabolic effects of subcutaneous white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue, as well as adipose-derived stem cells. Ultimately, the clinical applicability of adipose tissue transplantation for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders will reside in the achievable level of safety, reliability and efficacy compared with other treatments.
Mechanical Coupling of the Endothelial Cytoskeleton and Nucleus with VEGF Stimulation

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and a host of cellular responses that are necessary for angiogenesis. The effects of VEGF on gene expression in endothelial cells have been well characterized, and many of the chemical pathways have been elucidated. Similarly, VEGF is known to impact cytoskeletal structure and cellular motility. Here, we show that VEGF influences cytoskeletal-nuclear interaction by imaging human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with VEGF. We visualize increased actin fibers present at the nucleus in VEGF treated cells. We also quantify increased fluctuations at the nuclear envelope with VEGF-treatment. This manifests itself as both a gross nuclear fluctuations, quantifiable as changes in nuclear area, and fine fluctuations, which can be visualized over several hours. Further, we observe an increase in intranuclear velocity of chromatin-bound probes. Our findings suggest enhanced mechanical coupling between the cytoskeleton and nucleus under VEGF treatment, which may have implications in the mechanobiology of altered gene expression during angiogenesis.
Interaction of amfonelic acid with antipsychotic drugs on dopaminergic neurons.

The effects of two inhibitors of dopamine (DA) reuptake, amfonelic acid and GBR 12909, on the clozapine-and haloperidol-induced increases in DA synthesis, release, and metabolism were investigated in the rat. In the striatum, as well as in the nucleus accumbens, the haloperidol-induced increase in tissue concentrations of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) or the accumulation of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) was potentiated or unaltered, respectively, in rats treated with amfonelic acid. In contrast, amfonelic acid attenuated the stimulatory effects of clozapine on DOPAC concentrations and DOPA accumulation in both brain regions. GBR 12909 also differentially affected the haloperidol- and clozapine-induced increases in DOPAC concentrations. However, the clozapine-induced increase in DOPA accumulation in the median eminence was not significantly altered by treatment with amfonelic acid. The haloperidol-induced increase in the extracellular concentrations of DA and DOPAC in the striatum also was potentiated by amfonelic acid, whereas the increase elicited by clozapine was suppressed. The increase in extracellular DA produced by the administration of morphine or the coadministration of ritanserin, a 5-HT2 antagonist, and haloperidol also was potentiated by amfonelic acid. The ability of amfonelic acid to distinguish between the actions of clozapine and haloperidol on nigrostriatal and mesocorticolimbic DA neurons does not appear to be related to differences in the effects of the drugs on DA autoreceptors or 5-HT2 receptors. Moreover, the mechanism, through which clozapine activates tuberoinfundibular DA neurons may differ from that which is involved in the activation of nigrostriatal or mesocorticolimbic DA neurons. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of Fopius arisanus as a biological control agent for the olive fruit fly in California

1 The egg-prepupal parasitoid Fopius arisanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was evaluated in quarantine facilities as a potential biological control agent for the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in California, U.S.A. 2 Nontarget testing of two weed biological control agents confirmed that F. arisanus will not attack Tephritidae that feed in inflorescences or galls. It may, however, pose risks to native Tephritidae that feed in fruit. 3 Females preferentially oviposited in eggs, although first-instar B. oleae were also attacked. Low lifetime reproductive potential and high rates of direct mortality inflicted on host eggs indicate that rearing on B. oleae may prove difficult. 4 In multiparasitized B. oleae, F. arisanus prevailed in competition against two species of larval–pupal parasitoids, Diachasmimorpha kraussii and Psyttalia concolor (both Hymenoptera: Braconidae). 5 The broad host-range of F. arisanus with respect to fruit-feeding Tephritidae may preclude its introduction to California, as may its low fecundity and its intrinsic competitive superiority over larva l–pupal parasitoids, which include specialists on B. oleae that are currently being introduced to California. High rates of direct mortality, however, point to potential uses in augmentative biological control. Whether or not F. arisanus is released in California, its biology as a parasitoid of B. oleae has been little studied to date and the results herein may be applied in other regions worldwide where B. oleae is a problem.
Potassium and sodium self-diffusion in alkali feldspar

The rate of potassium self-diffusion in pure microcline was measured between 600° and 800° C using K40 as a tracer. Transport of K40 by processes other than volume diffusion was insignificant or minimal. Isotropic diffusion coefficients were calculated assuming spherical grains. The data are well fit by the Arrhenius relation and yield a pre-exponential factor (D0) of 133.8 cm2/sec and an activation energy (Q) of 70 kcal/mole. Similar experiments on the self-diffusion of Na22 in a pure low-albite (exchanged microcline) yield D0 of 2.31×10−6 cm2/sec and Q of approximately 19 kcal/mole for the temperature interval from 200° to 600° C. The large difference in these activation energies suggests that the atomic mechanisms for sodium and potassium diffusion are different.
Influence of the ratio of styrene and acrylonitrile in crosslinked polymeric binders for use in high‐temperature polymer concrete composites

The feasibility of using a monomer composition based on a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer as a binder in high-strength and chemically resistant polymer concrete was demonstrated earlier. From this work it is clear that properties of the polymer concrete composite are dependent on the styrene/acrylonitrile ratio. This paper deals with the study of the effect of the styrene/acrylonitrile ratio in styrene-acrylonitrile-acrylamide-trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate monomer formulations on the thermomechanical properties of polymer concrete composites. 6 figures.
CHRONOLOGY AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF LARGE MAMMAL BONES IN PIT 91, RANCHO LA BREA

The Rancho La Brea tar pits represent a collection of Pleistocene fossils from an unusual sedimentary environment. A taphonomic analysis of a single tar seep, Pit 91, reveals a complex history of deposition and diagenesis for specimens found there. Radiometric dating of 46 bones from Pit 91 documents at least two episodes of deposition, one from 45,000 to 35,000 yr and another, shorter interval from 26,500 to 23,000 yr. Interestingly, the law of superposition was not upheld consistently in this case study, as some younger bones were found at a greater depth than older bones, implying that taphonomic time averaging took place. Bones are distributed as disarticulated elements in two large concentrations that span both depositional episodes. In general, long bones are oriented horizontally, with little or no preference for cardinal orientation. Degree of weathering or abrasion is not correlated with depth. Bone-on-bone contact (pit wear), however, increases with depth, suggesting possible compaction of bones through time. These results, combined with the disarticulation common to nearly all recovered specimens, suggest a postentrapment journey for the bones unique to asphalt deposits.
Information Structure and Software for Processing and Storing Data on Operating Environment and Parameters

A structure and software for processing data on operating environment and parameters of power objects and pools are presented. A information model employing object and temporal approaches is suggested. The model permits classification of equipment and objects and storage of operating states of equipment with binding the measured parameters to them. The model is used as a base for developing “Energostat” software for processing data at some power enterprises in Russia.
Fixed-effects and related estimators for correlated random-coefficient and treatment-effect panel data models

I derive conditions under which a class of fixed-effects estimators consistently estimates the population-averaged slope coefficients in panel data models with individual-specific slopes, where the slopes are allowed to be correlated with the covariates. In addition to including the usual fixed-effects estimator, the results apply to estimators that eliminate individual-specific trends. I apply the results, and propose alternative estimators, to estimation of average treatment in a class of nonlinear unobserved-effects models.
Design and Synthesis of a Series of (2R)-N4-Hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxybenzyl)-N1- [(1S,2R)-2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden- 1-yl]butanediamide Derivatives as Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Aggrecanase Inhibitors†

A pharmacophore model of the P1' site, specific for aggrecanase, was defined using the specificity studies of the matrix metalloproteinases and the similar biological activity of aggrecanase and MMP-8. Incorporation of the side chain of a tyrosine residue into compound 1 as the P1' group provided modest selectivity for aggrecanase over MMP-1, -2, and -9. A cis-(1S)(2R)-amino-2-indanol scaffold was incorporated as a tyrosine mimic (P2') to conformationally constrain 2. Further optimization resulted in compound 11, a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of aggrecanase.
Intermorph breeding and the potential for reproductive isolation in polymorphic mole salamanders (Ambystoma talpoideum)

The study of reproductive isolation as a prerequisite to sympatric speciation has been limited by the focus on species that have already experienced such isolation. However, a complete understanding of how such processes evolve depends on observing taxa before they complete the speciation process. We studied the potential for sexual isolation in the polyphenic mole salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum, using a series of laboratory and field experiments. This species consists of aquatic paedomorphic adults and terrestrial metamorphic adults which are exhibited by both sexes and which mate in the same aquatic habitat. Previous field studies on this species suggested that intermorph breeding would be less common during the winter months, because paedomorphic adults begin breeding in early autumn and thus may have less energy available for reproduction in the winter. Laboratory experiments conducted during the winter showed that the mating behavior of paedomorphic males occurred at a much lower frequency than that of metamorphic males. In contrast, field experiments that best mimicked natural conditions revealed symmetric intermorph breeding and included multiple paternity shared among males of each morph. This and other studies suggest that there is little evidence of sexual isolation among morphs based on behavioral interactions alone. However, the potential for partial isolation still occurs because of temporal and spatial differences in the frequencies of each morph in nature. Our results suggest that further studies on this system, and other similar polyphenisms, may provide valuable insight into the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of reproductive isolation.
Evaluation of peripheral and central venous pressure in awake dogs and cats

Objective—To determine whether peripheral venous pressure (PVP) was correlated with central venous pressure (CVP) when measured by use of different catheter sizes, catheterization sites, and body positions in awake dogs and cats. Animals—36 dogs and 10 cats. Procedures—Dogs and cats with functional jugular and peripheral venous catheters were enrolled in the study. Peripheral venous catheters (18 to 24 gauge) were placed in a cephalic, lateral saphenous, or medial saphenous vein. Central venous catheters (5.5 to 8.5 F) were placed in the jugular vein and advanced into the cranial vena cava. Catheters were connected to pressure transducers and a blood pressure monitor capable of displaying 2 simultaneous pressure tracings. For each animal, the mean of 5 paired measurements of PVP and CVP was calculated. The relationship between PVP and CVP when measured by use of different catheter sizes, catheterization sites, and body positions was determined. Results—Mean ± SD PVP was 5.7 ± 5.8 mm Hg higher than CVP in ...
A Chance of a Cure for HIV

Antiretroviral therapy suppresses HIV replication and is associated with remarkable improvements in morbidity and mortality. However, even with therapy HIV persists in reservoirs by integrating into the DNA of immune cells in infected persons, requiring lifelong treatment to control the virus. One previously reported patient was able to discontinue antiretroviral therapy with long-term control of the virus. This person had been treated for leukemia with a stem cell transplant from a donor whose cells were naturally resistant to HIV. This case and other research have resulted in tremendous efforts toward the possibility of eradicating HIV. Persaud and colleagues now report the case of a child who was born to an HIV-infected woman who had not received prenatal care and thus had not received antiretroviral medications at the time of delivery. At 30 hours of age, the infant was started on a three-drug regimen of antiretroviral medications. The HIV RNA levels in the infant’s blood plasma and the presence of HIV DNA in the infant’s immune cells suggested that the infant was HIV-infected, likely during gestation rather than delivery. With therapy, the infant’s HIV RNA levels declined as expected to undetectable levels by 29 days. However, between 18 and 23 months of age the child was lost to follow-up and did not receive therapy. Nonetheless, despite not receiving therapy the child has not had any detectable HIV RNA in the blood plasma for the 5 months since returning to clinic. Using tests to detect HIV viral reservoirs by measuring HIV DNA inside immune cells, the authors found small traces of HIV genetic material in the child’s cells, but no virus with the ability to replicate or infect other cells. The child tested negative for genetic and immune markers that could have helped control HIV infection and has since had normal growth and development. This report of one case suggests that very early multidrug antiretroviral therapy may modify the establishment and persistence of HIV infection in immune cells of infants exposed to HIV. However, longer follow-up of this child and larger studies are needed to determine whether this strategy will work to prevent establishment of long-term infection and eliminate the need for lifelong therapy in other HIV-infected infants. D. Persaud et al. , Absence of detectable HIV-1 viremia after treatment cessation in an infant. N. Engl. J. Med. , published online 23 October 2013 (10.1056/NEJMoa1302976). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1302976
A System to Generate Test Data and Symbolically Execute Programs

This paper describes a system that attempts to generate test data for programs written in ANSI Fortran. Given a path, the system symbolically executes the path and creates a set of constraints on the program's input variables. If the set of constraints is linear, linear programming techniques are employed to obtain a solution. A solution to the set of constraints is test data that will drive execution down the given path. If it can be determined that the set of constraints is inconsistent, then the given path is shown to be nonexecutable. To increase the chance of detecting some of the more common programming errors, artificial constraints are temporarily created that simulate error conditions and then an attempt is made to solve each augmented set of constraints. A symbolic representation of the program's output variables in terms of the program's input variables is also created. The symbolic representation is in a human readable form that facilitates error detection as well as being a possible aid in assertion generation and automatic program documentation.
Hidden black: coherent enhancement of absorption in strongly scattering media.

We show that a weakly absorbing, strongly scattering (white) medium can be made very strongly absorbing at any frequency within its strong-scattering bandwidth by optimizing the input electromagnetic field. For uniform absorption, results from random matrix theory imply that the reflectivity of the medium can be suppressed by a factor $\ensuremath{\sim}({\ensuremath{\ell}}_{a}/\ensuremath{\ell}){N}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, where $N$ is the number of incident channels and $\ensuremath{\ell}$, ${\ensuremath{\ell}}_{a}$ are the elastic and absorption mean free paths, respectively. It is thus possible to increase absorption from a few percent to $g99%$. For a localized weak absorber buried in a nonabsorbing scattering medium, we find a large but bounded enhancement.
Manipulation following regional interscalene anesthetic block for shoulder adhesive capsulitis: a case series.

Adhesive capulitis (AC) of the glenhumeral joint, commonly known as ‘‘frozen shoulder’’, is a prevalent condition that is frequently treated by physical therapists (Dockrell and Wiseman, 1995; Holmes et al., 1997; van der Heijden et al., 1997; Winters et al., 1997; Connolly, 1998; Pearsall and Speer, 1998; Schwitalle et al., 1998; van der Windt et al., 1998; Siegel et al., 1999; Sandor, 2000; Bentley and Tasto, 2001; Green et al., 2001; Vermeulen et al., 2000). AC is more prevalent in women and in middle-aged individuals (Nevaiser, 1983,1987; Siegel et al., 1999), in the diabetic patient population, with a rate of 2–5% in the non-diabetic population and 10–20% patients with non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (Siegel et al., 1999; Carette, 2000; Bentley and Tasto, 2001). Patients with glenohumeral AC typically suffer from significant pain and progressively diminishing shoulder function (Nevaiser, 1983,1987; Roubal et al., 1996; Placzek et al., 1998; Sandor, 2000). In a recent review on interventions for shoulder pain by the Cochrane Collaboration, Green et al. (2001), define AC as the presence of shoulder pain with restriction of passive and active glenohumeral motion. However, in their review of the literature, these same researchers found no standardized definitions for AC and reported conflicting criteria defining AC in the clinical trials reviewed. The recommended course of treatment for patients with adhesive capsulitis is highly variable (Thomas et al., 1981; Nevaiser, 1983,1987; Parker et al., 1989; Grubbs, 1993; Dockrell and Wiseman, 1995; Holmes et al., 1997; van der Heijden et al., 1997; Winters et al., 1997;
Reinventing vs. Restoring Sustainability in the Maine Woods: Narratives of Progress and Decline

In Maine, narratives of sustainability have emerged in response to a proposed national park to be located on forestland traditionally owned and managed by private forest products companies. These r...
K+ depolarization induces RhoA kinase translocation to caveolae and Ca2+ sensitization of arterial muscle

KCl causes smooth muscle contraction by elevating intracellular free Ca2+, whereas receptor stimulation activates an additional mechanism, termed Ca2+ sensitization, that can involve activation of ...
On hydromagnetic oscillations in a rotating cavity

Time-dependent hydromagnetic phenomena in a rotating spherical cavity are investigated in the framework of an interior boundary-layer expansion. The first type of wave is a modification of the hydrodynamic inertial wave, the second is a pseudo-geostrophic wave and is involved in spinup, and the third is related to the MAC waves of Braginskii (1967). It is shown that the MAC waves must satisfy more than the usual normal boundary conditions, and that reference must be made to the boundary-layer solution to resolve the ambiguity regarding which conditions are to be taken. The boundary-layer structure is investigated in detail to display the interactions between applied field, viscosity, electrical conductivity, frequency and latitu de.
TFII-I Regulates Vβ Promoter Activity through an Initiator Element

In our effort to understand the transcriptional regulation of naturally occurring TATA-less but initiator (Inr)-containing genes, we have employed the murine T-cell receptor Vβ 5.2 promoter as a model. Here we show by transient-transfection assays that the Inr binding transcription factor TFII-I is required for efficient expression of the Vβ promoter in vivo. Mutations in the Inr element that reduced binding of TFII-I also abolished the Vβ promoter activity by ectopic TFII-I. We further biochemically identified a protease-resistant N-terminal DNA binding fragment of TFII-I, p70. When ectopically expressed, recombinant p70 bound to the Vβ Inr element with a specificity similar to that of wild-type TFII-I. More importantly, p70, which lacks independent activation functions, behaved as a dominant negative mutant that inhibited Inr-specific function of wild-type TFII-I. However, the activation functions of p70 were restored when fused to the heterologous activation domain of the yeast activator protein GAL4. Taken together, these data suggest that TFII-I functions in vivo require an intact Inr element and that the Inr-specific transcriptional functions of TFII-I are solely dictated by its N-terminal DNA binding domain and do not require its own C-terminal activation domain.
Adaptive fractionally spaced blind equalization

The asymptotic behavior of the FSE-CMA (i.e., fractionally spaced equalizer adapted by the Godard algorithm) is studied. Under conditions on the channel and equalizer finite length that are known to allow perfect equalization, the authors show that the FSE-CMA cost-function admits only global maxima, global minima and saddle points. However, the set of global minima contains dense sets of infinite extent which can lead to numerical overflow. >
Tiotropium bromide for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Tiotropium bromide is a long-acting, once-daily inhaled anticholinergic approved for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Functional and kinetic selectivity for muscarinic (M) receptors, M1 and M3, in the lung permit sustained bronchodilation in moderate and severe COPD. Tiotropium is associated with increased lung function, health-related quality of life and exercise tolerance, and reduced dyspnea and acute exacerbations of COPD. It has been hypothesized that tiotropium may retard the accelerated decline in lung function associated with COPD, although a recent study does not support this notion. Tiotropium is safe and well-tolerated, with few side effects. Concerns about cardiovascular side effects and increased stroke risk have been alleviated by a recent, large, multicenter, prospective, randomized trial. Herein, we discuss the pharmacology, physiology and safety profile of tiotropium, as well as the clinical studies that have demonstrated its efficacy in COPD. Additional revi...
Psoriatic alopecia - fact or fiction? A clinicohistopathologic reappraisal

Background: The incidence of psoriatic alopecia in psoriatic patients is underwhelming, given the prevalence of psoriasis in the North American population. Recently, a 60-year-old Albanian female, lacking a significant medical history for psoriasis, presented to our clinic with a 1-year history of dandruff associated with itch, hair thinning, and histopathologic evidence consistent with prior reports of psoriatic alopecia. Aims: The absence of preceding or concomitant psoriasis suggests that the patient's alopecia is an antecedent manifestation of psoriasis, thus prompting this retrospective study to ascertain better the relationship between alopecia and psoriasis. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 33 scalp biopsies on 31 patients having histopathologic diagnosis of psoriasis belonging to 31 patients seen between 2007 and 2010. Results: Alopecia was a presenting feature in 48% of cases with definitive clinical and/or histopathologic diagnosis of psoriasis (scale crust with neutrophils, psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia, and hypogranulosis). The most common follicular-related changes were infundibular dilatation (87%) followed by perifollicular fibrosis (77%), perifollicular lymphocytic inflammation (68%), thinning of the follicular infundibulum (55%), and fibrous tracts (28%). Of interest, sebaceous glands were absent in 60% and atrophic in 25% of cases. Conclusion: While a major limitation of this study is that it is a retrospective one, given that these changes are common to varying degrees in all lymphocytic scarring alopecias, we posit that psoriatic alopecia likely represents a secondary clinical change to a primary process and is not a unique histopathologic entity. A prospective study with a control group that includes lymphocytic scarring alopecias from non-psoriatic patients is required to support our findings.
A uniform policy for handoff in mobile wireless ATM networks

In current handoff techniques in mobile wireless ATM networks the route is optimized only after the handoff is completed. Therefore the current handoff techniques do not optimize the usage of network resources and time the network resources are reserved while finding an optimal route. We propose a uniform policy, labeled Switch Selected and Initiated Handoff (SSIH), in which the switch initiates the handoff for the optimization of network resource use during handoff and the time the network resources are reserved in excess of the optimal handoff route. In SSIH the switch greedily selects the handoff technique which will be best suited for that case utilizing the route information of the call and the location of the mobile hosts at the time of handoff. Thus, the route is determined optimally.
Current practice and a direction forward in checkpoint/restart implementations for fault tolerance

Checkpoint/restart is a general idea for which particular implementations enable various functionalities in computer systems, including process migration, gang scheduling, hibernation, and fault tolerance. For fault tolerance, in current practice, implementations can be at user-level or system-level. User-level implementations are relatively easy to implement and portable, but suffer from a lack of transparency, flexibility, and efficiency, and in particular are unsuitable for the autonomic (self-managing) computing systems envisioned as the next revolutionary development in system management. In contrast, a system-level implementation can exhibit all of these desirable features, at the cost of a more sophisticated implementation, and is seen as an essential mechanism for the next generation of fault tolerant - and ultimately autonomic - large-scale computing systems. Linux is becoming the operating system of choice for the largest-scale machines, but development of system-level checkpoint/restart mechanisms for Linux is still in its infancy, with all extant implementations exhibiting serious deficiencies for achieving transparent fault tolerance. This paper provides a survey of extant implementations in a natural taxonomy, highlighting their strengths and inherent weaknesses.
Response of a Dry Storage Spent Fuel Cask to Hypothetical Loading

This paper addresses the analytical methods used to determine the response of a dry storage spent fuel cask to hypothetical loading. Because of the sensitive nature of the topic under discussion, the response of the cask is described in qualitative terms, and the paper is intentionally vague on the parameters and results. This research was sponsored by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Spent Fuel Project Office. The work was performed under contract from the Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), Transportation Risk and Packing organization. The analytical effort was performed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) facilities with loading specified by SNL.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
A randomized controlled trial of risperidone, lithium, or divalproex sodium for initial treatment of bipolar I disorder, manic or mixed phase, in children and adolescents.

Context There was a paucity of comparative pharmacological research for initial treatment of bipolar I disorder, manic or mixed phase, in children and adolescents. Objective To investigate which medication to administer first to antimanic medication–naive subjects. Design, Setting, and Participants The Treatment of Early Age Mania (TEAM) study recruited 6- to 15-year-old children and adolescents with DSM-IV bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed phase) at 5 US sites from 2003 to 2008 into a controlled, randomized, no-patient-choice, 8-week protocol. Blinded, independent evaluators conducted all baseline and end-point assessments. Interventions Subjects received a titrated schedule of lithium, divalproex sodium, or risperidone. Medications were increased weekly only if there was inadequate response, and no dose-limiting adverse effects, to maximum doses of lithium carbonate (1.1-1.3 mEq/L), divalproex sodium (111-125 μg/mL), and risperidone (4-6 mg). Main Outcome Measures Primary outcome measures were the Clinical Global Impressions for Bipolar Illness Improvement–Mania and the Modified Side Effects Form for Children and Adolescents. Results There were 279 antimanic medication–naive subjects (mean [SD] age, 10.1 [2.8] years; 50.2% female) who had the following characteristics: 100% elated mood and/or grandiosity, 77.1% psychosis, 97.5% mixed mania, 99.3% daily rapid cycling, and mean (SD) mania duration of 4.9 (2.5) years. The mean (SD) titrated lithium level was 1.09 (0.34) mEq/L, and the mean (SD) divalproex sodium level was 113.6 (23.0) μg/mL. The mean (SD) titrated risperidone dose was 2.57 (1.21) mg. Higher response rates occurred with risperidone vs lithium (68.5% vs 35.6%; χ 2 1 = 16.9, P 2 1 = 28.3, P 2 1 = 6.4, P = .011). Increased weight gain, body mass index, and prolactin level occurred with risperidone vs lithium (F 1,212 = 45.5, P 1,212 = 39.1, P 1,213 = 191.4, P 1,212 = 34.7, P 1,212 = 45.3, P 1,213 = 209.4, P 62 = 11.3, P Conclusions Risperidone was more efficacious than lithium or divalproex sodium for the initial treatment of childhood mania but had potentially serious metabolic effects. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00057681
Emergency Medical Services and Sudden Cardiac Arrest: The "Chain of Survival" Concept

Early access to the EMS system helps insure early CPR, defibrillation, and advanced care. Early access is easiest to achieve with 911 systems and widespread community education and publicity. It may also be taught during citizen-CPR classes. Early CPR helps patients by slowing the process of dying, but its effectiveness disappears within minutes, and defibrillation must soon follow. A citizenry well-informed about cardiac emergencies and well-trained in CPR appears to be the best method to achieve early recognition and early CPR. The earliest possible delivery of defibrillation is critical and, almost by itself, sufficient for many sudden death cases. It has, therefore, emerged as the single most effective intervention for patients in nontraumatic cardiac arrest. Automated external defibrillators help accomplish this goal and now permit widespread implementation of a variety of early defibrillation programs. Early advanced care helps those who do not immediately convert to an organized cardiac activity or who do not achieve a spontaneous circulation following early defibrillation. Advanced care allows a system to approach its highest possible survival rate by respiratory and anti-arrhythmic stabilization and monitoring of patients in the post-resuscitation period. At present, early CPR and rapid defibrillation, combined with early advanced care, can result in long-term survival rates as high as 30% for witnessed VF. Because neurological and psychological recovery from cardiac arrest are tied to the time within which these critical interdependent treatment modalities are delivered (1, 87), high resuscitation rates will also lead to a high percentage of patients who recover to their pre-arrest neurologic level. The public health challenge is to develop programs that will allow recognition, access, bystander-CPR, defibrillation, and advanced care to be delivered as quickly as possible, ideally within moments of the collapse of a sudden death victim. Achievement of such a goal requires the deployment of multiple properly directed programs within an EMS system; each program lends strength to the chain of survival, thereby enhancing successful recovery and long-term survival. What benefits would occur if a majority of EMS systems in the United States could establish cost-effective programs with respectable survival rates? The AHA estimates that full implementation of potential life-saving mechanisms in the community may save 10,000-100,000 lives each year in the US (2). If the maximum survival rate for all nontraumatic cardiac arrests in mature EMS systems is about 20% (33) among the annual 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, 80,000 persons would be saved (33).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Expediting the biofuels agenda via genetic manipulations of cellulosic bioenergy crops.

Cellulosic bioenergy crops are crops whose cellulosic matter could be converted into biofuels. The pe- troleum industry makes its profi t not only from petro fuels, but also from petroleum-derivative coproducts, such as lubricants and aromatic petrochemicals, that are used for production of other hydrocarbon compounds. This review explains how using the petroleum industry model in cellulosic biofuels industry could sharply increase profi tability via production of high-value, low-volume recombinant coproducts, such as biopharmaceuticals, and high-value industrial chemicals in cellulosic bioenergy crops. The two major expenses associated with the production of cellulosic biofuels include the costs of pre-treatment processes and the costs of microbial cellulases. This review summarizes the role of biomass crop genetic manipulations to reduce these costs. It also describes the challenges that farmers will soon face because of the monoculture of new bioenergy crops, such as perennial grasses, and how genetic manipulations of these crops could overcome such challenges. Finally, this review addresses concerns about the effect of cellulosic biomass removal from soil on the soil carbon reserve and the role that crop transgenic technology will play to assure suffi cient carbon sequestration in soil. It also addresses the role that modern crop genetic engineering technology plays in avoiding the presence of herterologous coproducts in the food chain to overcome consumer concerns. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
A software interface and hardware design for variable-precision interval arithmetic

This paper presents a software interface and hardware design for variable-precision, interval arithmetic. The software interface gives the programmer the ability to specify the precision of the computation and determine the accuracy of the result Special instructions for vector and matrix operations are also provided. The hardware design directly supports variable-precision, interval arithmetic. This greatly improves the accuracy of the computation and is much faster than existing software methods for controlling numerical error. Hardware algorithms are presented for the basic arithmetic operations, exact dot products, and elementary functions. Area and delay estimates indicate that the processor can be implemented on a single chip with a cycle time that is comparable to existing IEEE double-precision floating point processors.
HIV infection and tooth loss

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between HIV infection and tooth loss. Based on periodontal reports, we hypothesize HIV+ patients experience greater tooth loss than systemically healthy patients. Study design This was a retrospective cross-sectional chart study involving 193 HIV+ patients and 192 controls matched on age, race, gender, and smoking status. The relationships between tooth loss and age, race, gender, smoking, CD4+ cell count, and viral load were determined. This study used a 2-year follow-up/maintenance period and was conducted during the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Results Tooth loss between groups was not significantly different at any time point: (1) before dental treatment; (2) after initial periodontal and restorative treatment; and (3) following a 2-year maintenance period. Age, race, and smoking were risk factors for tooth loss. Among HIV+ individuals, CD4+ cell count and viral load did not influence tooth loss. Conclusions HIV infection, in the era of HAART, does not appear to be a risk factor for tooth loss. We also did not find any association between tooth loss and indices of HIV disease progression.
Generation of fluorescent silver nanoscale particles in reverse micelles using gamma irradiation.

Reverse micelles (RMs) containing aqueous solutions of Ag+ ions in their core produce fluorescent Ag species, upon exposure to gamma irradiation. A two-phase liquid system is used for RM formation. The RMs can be employed in novel gamma radiation detectors with appearance of fluorescence indicating that radiation was once present.
Prepare to Compete with the Muslim Brotherhood

The Great Arab Revolt of 2011 has moved swiftly from the peaceful overthrow of autocrats in the nation-states of Tunisia and Egypt to brutal repression in the tribal societies of Libya, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen. Meanwhile, the wired youth bulge of the Middle East that brought change is dissipating into an impotent diaspora while the organized interests of the old regimes and the once-suppressed Islamists charge ahead to power. This section examines the revolt, the reaction and the power struggles in its aftermath.
Method for continuous intravenous infusion of large amounts of oleic acid into rats

A method has been developed for the continuous intravenous infusion of large amounts of oleic acid into rats. The acid was infused in the form of an emulsion prepared by sonication and stabilized with albumin in low concentration. Fatty acid was infused at a rate equal to the turnover rate of endogenous free fatty acids and the infusion was continued for 3 hr. During this time there was no evidence of hemolysis or hemoglobinuria; only on occasion did a small clot form at the tip of the infusion catheter. The infused fatty acids became attached to the circulating albumin and were removed from the plasma and metabolized in the same way as endogenous free fatty acids. There was no evidence to indicate that the infused fatty acids lodged as emboli in the microcirculation or were phagocytized by the reticuloendothelial system. This method makes it possible to study the direct effects of an increased flux of free fatty acids upon such processes as formation and release of triglyceride by the liver, gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, ketone body production, glucose utilization, and insulin production.