cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proposal for a common currency among rich democracies

This paper proposes the creation of a common currency for the industrialized democracies, notably the United States, the European Union, and Japan. A common currency implies a common monetary policy; institutional arrangements for which are discussed. The rationale rests on the assumption that asymmetrical financial shocks will become more important than asymmetrical real shocks for these large, diversified economies, and that one of the growing sources of financial shocks will be changing expectations about exchange rate movements among national currencies. These financial shocks will in turn disturb real economies, such that flexible exchange rates among major currencies will increasingly become sources of shock more than shock absorbers. Such a common currency would also make it much easier for emerging markets to frame their monetary and exchange rate policies.
The use of blue native PAGE in the evaluation of membrane protein aggregation states for crystallization.

Crystallization has long been one of the bottlenecks in obtaining structural information at atomic resolution for membrane proteins. This is largely due to difficulties in obtaining high-quality protein samples. One frequently used indicator of protein quality for successful crystallization is the monodispersity of proteins in solution, which is conventionally obtained by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) or by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Although useful in evaluating the quality of soluble proteins, these methods are not always applicable to membrane proteins either because of the interference from detergent micelles or because of the requirement for large sample quantities. Here, the use of blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN–PAGE) to assess aggregation states of membrane protein samples is reported. A strong correlation is demonstrated between the monodispersity measured by BN–PAGE and the propensity for crystallization of a number of soluble and membrane protein complexes. Moreover, it is shown that there is a direct correspondence between the oligomeric states of proteins as measured by BN–PAGE and those obtained from their crystalline forms. When applied to a membrane protein with unknown structure, BN–PAGE was found to be useful and efficient for selecting well behaved proteins from various constructs and in screening detergents. Comparisons of BN–PAGE with DLS and SEC are provided.
The role of steric effects in the adsorption of chemically similar probes to a poly(methyl methacrylate) surface

The role of steric effects in the adsorption of chemically similar acidic probes to the model basic surface of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was examined using the technique of inverse gas chromatography (IGC). The results were expressed in terms of the acid-base contribution to the Gibbs free-energy change upon adsorption. The acid-base component of the adsorption free energy, computed on the basis of theoretical modes of adduct formation, was found to depend strongly on the molecular structure of the adsorbate, suggesting the importance of steric effects. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Current status and future directions of personalized medicine

A report on the Keystone Symposia on Human Genomics and Personalized Medicine convened July 17-21, 2013, in Stockholm, Sweden.
Can Social Entrepreneurship Researchers Learn from Family Business Scholarship? A Theory-Based Future Research Agenda

AbstractSearching for a balance between social mission and financial viability is a distinguishing feature of social business ventures. This quest might lead to complex challenges and conundrums, similar to those that arise in family businesses composed of closely intertwined systems of ‘family’ and ‘business’. Therefore, we question whether drawing on family business scholarship can help social entrepreneurship researchers move the field forward. Relying on a systems model, we conceptually frame three organizational challenges of social business venture management that can be addressed by insights from the family business literature: aligning multiple stakeholders, achieving competitive advantages and enacting sustainable solutions. To analyse these, we turn to three main theories drawn from family business research – organizational identity theory, resource-based view and stewardship theory. As a result, we formulate research questions relevant for future social entrepreneurship research. By doing so, w...
On-chip absorption measurements using an integrated waveguide

Square hollow waveguides are used to integrate measurement of absorption with chip-based electrophoresis. The 50×50 µm liquid channel and 50×50 µm waveguide are etched as a negative pattern into a silicon master and replicated as a positive in poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The uniform refractive index of the chip prevents guiding by total internal reflection. Instead, light at 488 nm is guided by reflection at the air-PDMS interface. The waveguide has a 60% efficiency over a distance of 3.2 cm. Separation of fluorescein and the dye BODIPY is demonstrated. A detection limit (S/N=3) of 200 µM fluorescein is obtained using a 50 µm pathlength and a simple photocell detector.
Studies on Tanapox virus.

Abstract Virus characterization studies were performed to meliorate the taxonomic status of three currently unclassified, serologically related viruses: Tanapox virus (causes vesicular skin lesions in humans), Yaba-like disease (YLD) cirus (causes vesicular skin lesions in monkeys), and Yaba monkey tumor virus (YMTV, causes epidermal histiocytoma). These studies included (1) microscopic observations of Tanapox virus cytopathic effect and morphogenesis during its 6-day cytolytic-type growth at 35° in CV-1 monkey kidney cells; (2) resolution of Tanapox virion proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of nonenveloped and double-enveloped virus particles purified by velocity sedimentation in sucrose and CsCI density gradients; and (3) restriction endonuclease DNA comparison of the three viruses. DNA analysis showed that six recent Tanapox virus isolates from patients in Zaire, Africa, were identical to Tanapox virus, Kenya strain, from 1957 from a patient in the Tana River Valley. In addition, BamHI, MIuI, and PstI cleavage sites mapped on the DNA of Kenya Tanapox virus, and PstI sites mapped on DNA of YLD virus differentiated YLD and Tanapox viruses as separate strains. On the other hand, YMTV shared few restriction endonuclease sites with Tanapox and YLD viruses, although all three cross-hybridized extensively. These studies along with published viral characteristics, support the formation of a new poxvirus genus: the suggested name is Yatapoxvirus, and the genus currently comprises two species, Tanapox virus and YMTV.
Circadian 5-HT production regulated by adrenergic signaling

Using on-line microdialysis, we have characterized in vivo dynamics of pineal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) release. Daily pineal 5-HT output is triphasic: (i) 5-HT levels are constant and high during the day; (ii) early in the night, there is a novel sharp rise in 5-HT synthesis and release, which precedes the nocturnal rise in melatonin synthesis; and (iii) late in the night, levels are low. This triphasic 5-HT production persists in constant darkness and is influenced strongly by intrusion of light at night. We demonstrate that both diurnal 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT release are activated by sympathetic innervation from the superior cervical ganglion and show that these processes are controlled by distinct receptors. The increase in 5-HT synthesis is controlled by β-adrenergic receptors, whereas the increase in 5-HT release is mediated by α-adrenergic signaling. On the other hand, the marked decrease in 5-HT content and release late at night is a passive process, influenced by the extent of melatonin synthesis. In the absence of melatonin synthesis, the late-night decline in 5-HT release is prevented, reaching levels roughly twice as high as that of the day value. In summary, our results demonstrate that 5-HT levels display marked circadian rhythms that depend on adrenergic signaling.
Community-Focused Apologia in International Affairs: Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama's Apology

The author examines community-focused apologies within international affairs. Specifically, he argues that this form of rhetoric functions as a rhetorical first step to healing relationships that have been hurt by the transgressions one group committed against another. In international affairs, transnational actors, typically nation-states through their political leaders, articulate community-focused apologia to mend relations between peoples, which may serve build a common path toward peace and deepen relationships between these actors. To illustrate this idea, he uses Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama's 1995 apology for crimes Japan committed during its wartime past. Murayama's apology was an important step in mending relations between Japan and its neighbors. This article provides a better understanding as to the motives and options rhetors may use in apologizing for past injustices and serves to broaden the way we conceptualize the rhetorical genre of apologia.
Case Reports: Acetabular Damage After Mild Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common hip problem in adolescents that results in a cam-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) deformity. Although the treatment for mild (slip angle of 0°–30°) and moderate (slip angle of 31°–60°) SCFE has historically been in situ fixation, recent studies have demonstrated impingement-related articular damage, irrespective of slip severity. Our series confirms previous reports that acetabular chondral injury occurs in mild to low-moderate (slip angle of ≤ 40°) SCFE. We retrospectively reviewed five patients who underwent arthroscopy and femoral osteoplasty within 18 months after in situ stabilization. All had labral and/or acetabular damage. Osteoarthritis rates after SCFE range from 24% to 92% at 11 to 28 years, depending on how osteoarthritis is defined. Long-term followup suggests patients have acceptable outcomes, but these studies are limited by heterogeneity and a ceiling effect from the instruments used to assess function. Although the femoral deformity remodels, it is unclear what secondary changes occur in the acetabulum. Recent investigations suggest patients are functionally limited after SCFE owing to FAI compared with controls. MRI findings and surgical reports document impingement-related joint damage after SCFE, even in the absence of symptoms. Based on this, some advocate timely correction of the cam deformity inherent in SCFE. Further study is warranted to determine whether immediate osteoplasty after in situ fixation of mild SCFE is beneficial to limit articular damage and improve long-term outcomes.
New integrable systems: hydrogen atom in external fields

Abstract We report the discovery of two new three-dimensional conservative Hamiltonian systems which are completely integrable. In both cases, two additional integrals of motion in involution are generators of purely dynamical symmetries, i.e., they do not follow from any apparent geometrical symmetry of the system and are fairly complicated functions of canonical coordinates. Physically, the obtained Hamiltonian functions are good approximations for the description of the hydrogen atom in a circularly polarized microwave field (for low frequencies) or in crossed magnetic and electric fields (for low magnetic field). More formally, they correspond to the hydrogen atom in the presence of both a circularly polarized laser field and a generalized Van der Waals potential.
CHARACTERIZATION OF ARABINOSYLGUANINE (AraG) RESISTANCE IN A LYMPHOBLASTOID CELL LINE: 188

AraG is a deoxyguanosine (dGuo) analog which exhibits selective cytotoxicity for T relative to B lymphoblasts. This drug is metabolized intracellularly to the 5'-triphosphate, araGTP, which is associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis. In order to investigate the enzymes responsible for the selective araG metabolism, we have isolated an araG-resistant clonal cell line (designated line 24B3) from MOLT-4 T lymphoblasts which exhibits a 600-fold and 36-fold increase in IC50 values for araG and dGuo, respectively. In contrast, this cell line is only 3- to 4-fold less sensitive to arabinosylcytosine (araC) relative to unselected MOLT-4 cells. Following a 4 hr incubation with araG, dGuo and araC, the intracellular accumulation of the active metabolites araGTP and dGTP is decreased 8- and 9-fold, respectively, compared to only a 3-fold reduction in araCTP accumulation in the resistant cells. Similar decreases in nucleotide accumulation are observed in cell-free lysates of the 24B3 cell line. The degradation of araG is the same in both sensitive and resistant cell lines. In addition, the HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line is 300-fold less sensitive to araG than are T lymphoblasts, and the ability of the promyelocytes to accumulate araGTP is similar to that of the 24B3 cell line. These data suggest that sensitivity to araG is mediated through a cell-specific kinase which is more selective for dGuo analogs than for a deoxycytidine analog such as araC.
Elasticity of dense helium

Brillouin scattering measurements have been conducted on crystals of $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ at high pressure using diamond anvil cells. Complete sets of elastic moduli, aggregate sound velocities, adiabatic and isothermal equations of state, and other thermodynamic properties were obtained up to $32\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ at room temperature. Although He adopts a hexagonal close-packed structure over the measured $P\text{\penalty1000-\hskip0pt}T$ range, its elasticity is close to that of a cubic material. The Cauchy condition is violated to an increasing degree with pressure and indicates an increasing role of noncentral forces such as many-body exchange interactions. The results provide detailed constraints on the density dependence of interatomic interactions and the associated lattice dynamics of this quantum solid.
Dielectric Properties of Electrospun PVP and PAN Nanocomposite Fibers at Various Temperatures

Dielectric properties of electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanocomposite fibers were determined as a function of temperature and concentration in order to explore the possibility of using them as dielectric materials in different industrial applications. Multiwall carbon nanotubes and Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 (NiZn ferrite) were individually dispersed into the polymeric solutions of PVP and PAN and were then electrospun at various conditions. Thin layers of films were placed between two parallel Al electrode plates of the capacitance bridge prior to the measurements. We determined that nanoscale inclusions and temperature mainly affect the dielectric properties of the nanocomposite fibers. The dielectric studies can provide critical information for many electronic applications, such as loss of a cable insulator, the impedance of a substrate, and the frequency of a dielectric resonator.
Trends in industrial usage for vegetable oils — symposium overview

Vegetable oils are firmly established components of many industrial products and contribute a small but important share to the oleochemical and chemical industries-about 2% of total organic chemicals produced. The oleochemical industry is a mature one with low profit margins and in need of novel products and product applications, the development of which will require both basic and applied research. Several symposium participants identify areas that could add significantly to existing markets for unmodified vegetable oils, such as a diluent or enhancing agent in the application of pesticides and as an energy or heat source. Others show that considerable potential exists for new chemicals and modified vegetable oils and unique chemicals derived therefrom in value-added products such as coatings, polymers, lubricant additives or food additives, sometimes involving unique oils other than the traditional commodity mix. Without doubt, this is a time for the oleochemicals industry to invest in the future with nontraditional approaches to research and development. The oleochemical industry can and should expand its horizons, but with the realization that vegetable oils will have a lesser role compared to that of other renewable resources, such as wood and agricultural residues.
The Regular Education Initiative and School Reform Lessons from the Mainstream

This article develops two mainstream education perspectives on the Regular Education Initiative (REI). The first perspective draws on 20 years of research and practice about school improvement and the implementation of innovations. Nine understandings about school improvement are documented and discussed. The second perspective is grounded in the current movement to restructure schools. Similarities between the restructuring movement and the REI are discussed. In the final section, the author argues for the development of a partnership between classroom teachers and special education aimed at a fundamental rethinking and redesign of the organization of schools and the way in which teaching and learning occur.
On a dynamically accelerating crack in an achenbach-chao viscoelastic solid

Abstract A closed form solution is presented for a dynamically accelerating, semi-infinite, anti-plane shear crack in a Achenbach-Chao linear viscoelastic solid in the limiting case of a vanishing equilibrium shear modulus. Simple expressions for the crack-face displacement and the stress intensity factor are constructed for arbitrary time dependent crack-face traction and crack-tip velocity, ( t ), subject only to the restriction that 0 $ = (t) , where c is the short time (glassy) shear wave speed. The extent of material memory in the stress intensity factor and crack-face relative displacement during the transition from an initial accelerating crack growth phase to a constant crack speed regime are compared for loads travelling with the crack-tip and for stationary loads. The viscoelastic and elastic stress intensity factors are shown to exhibit the same degree of limited dependence upon the initial acceleration phase whereas the viscoelastic and elastic crack-face displacements behave quite differently with the former exhibiting a persistent and the latter a limited memory of the initial acceleration phase.
Biological countermeasures for the control of hazardous material spills

Abstract A study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of using microbiological processes to mitigate hazardous material spills in watercourses. A literature search, screening tests, laboratory-scale tests, and small-scale, simulated spill tests were conducted. Objectives were to (1) identify microorganisms capable of degrading selected hazardous materials, (2) identify their growth requirements and environmental factors affecting them, (3) determine the fate of selected hazardous materials in water, sediment, and biota, (4) develop methods for production, storage, reculture, and deployment, (5) investigate response requirements, and (6) evaluate the feasibility of biological countermeasures. Study results showed that microorganisms can effectively remove certain hazardous materials since most significant ones are biodegradable. Potentially harmful secondary effects should be minor since microorganisms are a natural part of the aquatic environment. Furthermore, pathogenic bacteria are not likely to constitute a significant part (if any) of the countermeasure, and noxious sludges should not persist because the microorganisms should oxidize themselves following consumption of the hazardous material.
What has intravascular ultrasound taught us about plaque biology

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has a defined role in the cardiac catheterization laboratory to assess lesion severity and the procedural success of vascular interventions. However, IVUS has also contributed to our understanding of the biology of atherosclerosis and restenosis. In acute coronary syndromes, IVUS has revealed varying degrees of stenosis, thrombosis, and plaque derangement typical of the plaque disruption seen in many pathologic studies of patients who have died of this condition. IVUS has demonstrated that the culprit lesions of patients surviving acute coronary syndromes also tend to be softer, with less calcium, and tend to have more plaque with positive arterial remodeling (compensatory enlargement) than lesions causing stable coronary syndromes. Arterial remodeling is also an important component of restenosis after coronary interventions. IVUS has suggested that interventions that reduce restenosis tend to have a greater impact on preventing negative remodeling (constriction) rather than reducing neointimal proliferation. Oxidant stress may be an important contributor to negative remodeling, as IVUS has demonstrated this anatomy at sites of coronary artery spasm. Positive remodeling seen by IVUS is also associated with impaired endothelial vasomotor dysfunction, and IVUS studies have demonstrated the contribution of vasomotor tone to arterial elasticity. Future directions include integrating IVUS with other imaging modalities, such as angiography, to study the interaction of anatomic and physiologic factors in atherosclerosis progression, and using the raw ultrasound signal to distinguish plaque components and differences in wall strain that may identify vulnerable plaques.
Metabolic oligosaccharide engineering as a tool for glycobiology

Oligosaccharides transact information exchange at the cell surface and modulate the activities and distribution of proteins within cells. Recently, the ability to modify monosaccharide structures within cellular glycans through metabolic processes has offered a new avenue for biological studies. The technique of metabolic oligosaccharide engineering has been used to disrupt glycan biosynthesis, chemically modify cell surfaces, probe metabolic flux inside cells, and to identify specific glycoprotein subtypes from the proteome.
Transient abnormal neurologic signs (TANS) in a longitudinal study of very low birth weight preterm infants

Objective and methods: In the Bonn Longitudinal Study (BLS), the course of neurologic development was analysed with regard to transient abnormal neurologic signs (TANS). Abnormal neurologic signs (ANS) are defined when present in at least one developmental area at one examination. From birth to adulthood (mean 23 years) 108 preterm infants, 81% of very low birth weight (VLBW) were examined with regard to their psychological, neurologic and physical development: 62 appropriate for gestational age (AGA), 46 small for gestational age (SGA), 27 with postnatal catch-up growth of head circumference (group A) and 19 without catch-up (group B); 73 full terms served as controls. The dropout rate was 7.6%. Results: ANS showed a great inter- and intraindividual variability. Episodes of neurologic abnormalities changed with those of normality. ANS reappeared when new abilities developed. ANS were observed mainly during the first year. The incidence was higher in preterms (AGA 49%, SGA A 63%, SGA B 61%) than in full terms (15%). Transient ANS (TANS) were diagnosed in 42% of AGA, 63% of SGA A, 33% of SGA B preterms and 12% of full terms. The recovery rate, i.e., the TANS to ANS percentage, was higher in AGA (86%), SGA A (100%) and full terms (82%) than in SGA B (55%) preterms. Conclusion: It is impossible to predict early on whether ANS will be transient, i.e. TANS. Longitudinal analyses are needed. The outcome depends on recovery from or persistence in ANS.
Polarization Clues to the Structure of Broad Absorption Line Quasi-stellar Objects

Spectropolarimetry of two broad absorption line (BAL) QSOs, PHL 5200 and H1413+117, is presented. In both cases we find that the continuum polarization rises gently to the blue, and the emission lines are polarized less than, but at the same position angle as, the continuum. This implies that scattering is the polarization mechanism. In H1413+117 we also find a dramatic rise in polarization through the absorption troughs, which suggests that the scattered light is less absorbed than the direct light. We are led to a picture in which the scatterers lie near the equatorial plane of the QSO and are physically associated with either the broad emission line region (BELR) or broad absorption line region (BALR). The direct light and the emission lines appear to be attenuated by passage through the BALR and/or scattering region. The scattered light passes through a region with less absorption, both in the continuum and in the BAL troughs.
Global Warming: The Psychology of Long Term Risk

Beyond its objective basis in natural science, understanding, discussion, and resolution of the policy issue labeled “global warming” also depends on the way it is framed by various groups (Haas, 1992), and ultimately, viewed by members of the general public. Accordingly, there are several prisms, not entirely independent, through which to consider the global warming problem. In public discussion, natural scientists tend to frame the issue through the answers to questions like “what is the probability that global mean temperature will increase by 3 ◦C by 2100?” Based in part on the resulting scientific picture, economists pose additional questions like “what is the cost to the national economy of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 10% by year 2010?” Policy makers are attentive to both these frames of reference (and others) but consider further issues like “how will climate change and emissions mitigation affect the major constituencies of my political party?” It would be a mistake to assume that physical scientists and economists ask the basic questions while policy makers and others simply absorb the answers before developing additional questions. Over time, each group frames the issue with an eye toward responding to the questions raised by the other groups (Funtowicz and Ravetz, 1992). But experts in particular often seem to ask and answer such questions almost independent of the views of the general public. This disconnection must be of concern to anyone seriously interested in solving the global warming problem. At least with regard to democracies, it is unlikely that a stealth solution, developed and implemented without broad public engagement, could be imposed. What does the general public make of the global warming problem? How does the public view the risks entailed by greenhouse gas emissions? What is the correspondence, if any, between the scientific picture and the public view, between the professional assessment of risk and the lay public’s perception? While considerations of the social, ethical, and cultural context for evaluating the long term risk of climate change are emerging, relatively little attention has been paid to psychological aspects (Dessai et al., 2004; Lorenzoni et al., 2005). This special issue of Climatic Change follows from a workshop that was convened on 12 November 2004 at Princeton University1 with a view toward addressing the psychological dimension. The workshop was motivated by the notion that environmental policies that target human behavior should incorporate insights about behavioral change and decision-making, topics central in behavioral sciences. The objective of the workshop was to inform climate scientists about the current state
Investigation of Lubricity Characteristics of Biodiesel in Petroleum and Synthetic Fuel

The lubricity of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and synthetic fuel (S8) blended with different levels of cotton seed oil, soybean oil, or poultry fat based biodiesel was evaluated using a high-frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR). The lubricity of ULSD and S8 blends increases sharply as the biodiesel blending level increases and then levels off at ∼2 vol %. The effects of individual minor components of biodiesel, free fatty acids (FFAs), glycerol, antioxidants, phospholipids, and water, on lubricity enhancement of ULSD were investigated. Among the minor components, polar compounds achieved better lubricity improvement. The order of the effect was FFA > soy biodiesel > phospholipids > antioxidant > glycerol > distilled soy biodiesel > individual FAME. Lubricity of the residues of distilled cotton seed oil and yellow grease biodiesel was also compared to the distillates. The effect of the temperature with 2 vol % soybean oil (SBO) blend with ULSD was examined. This biodiesel mixture shows better lubricity, attributed to boundary film formation, at temperatures greater than 70 °C.
Using a GIS to Quantify Patterns of Glacial Erosion on Northwest Iceland: Implications for Independent Ice Sheets

Abstract Glacial erosion patterns on northwest Iceland are quantified using a Geographic Information System (GIS) in order to interpret subglacial characteristics of part of northwest Iceland affected by ice sheet glaciation. Ice scour lake density is used as a proxy for glacial erosion. Erosion classes are interpreted from variations in the density of lake basins. Lake density was calculated using two different methods: the first is sensitive to the total number of lakes in a specific area, and the second is sensitive to total lake area in a specific area. Both of these methods result in a value for lake density, and the results for lake density calculated using the two methods are similar. Areas with the highest density of lakes are interpreted as areas with the most intense erosion with the exception of alpine regions. The highest density of lakes in the study area exceeds 8% and is located on upland plateaus where mean elevations range from 400 to 800 m a.s.l. Low lake density (0–2%) is observed in st...
Comparison of Linear and Nonlinear Regression for Modeling the First-Order Degradation of Pest-Control Substances in Soil

First-order kinetic models are often used to profile the degradation of pest-control compounds in soil. This approach is based on enzyme theory and is often favored due to its simplicity and its requirement by regulatory agencies. Here, linear and nonlinear regression approaches to modeling first-order decay are compared. Composite residual plots of many soil degradation data sets are presented on a normalized scale. These plots illustrate the general error structure for the data and are useful for detecting common mis-specifications of the models. Results indicate that a nonlinear regression approach to modeling first-order decay of compounds in soil more accurately describes most data sets when compared with a linear approach. Specifically, the observed error structure does not support the broad use of a logarithmic transformation to stabilize the variance. In addition, models generated using the linear approach generally exhibit more dramatic systematic deviations from the observations as compared with models generated using the nonlinear approach. The analysis methods described here may be useful for comparing alternative models in this and other research areas.
Reduction of PMD transmission impairments by optical reshaping using a 10 Gb/s EA-modulator

Summary form only given. PMD compensation techniques have been proposed to improve transmission performance. Most of the PMD compensation techniques require in-line monitoring of relevant PMD parameters. Typically, an electronic feedback circuit is necessary to control the compensation mechanism optically or electronically. We propose a simple PMD mitigation method by using an optical reshaping technique. No feedback circuit is needed for this operation.
The effects of neuronal uptake blockade on the cardiac responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation and norepinephrine infusion in anesthetized dogs.

In anesthetized dogs, cocaine ( COC ) was administered intravenously in order to block the neuronal uptake of norepinephrine (NE) by the heart. COC had relatively little effect on the magnitudes of the inotropic and chronotropic responses to sympathetic stimulation, but it did prolong the decay times, especially those of the chronotropic responses. The marked prolongation of the decay times of the chronotropic responses indicates that neuronal uptake must be the main mechanism for dissipating the adrenergic transmitter in the sinus node. However, this mechanism appears to be less important in the ventricular myocardium. At all dosage levels, COC increased the overflow of NE into the coronary sinus blood during cardiac sympathetic stimulation. The extraction of exogenously infused norepinephrine by heart tissue varied inversely with the dose of COC , indicating that the extent of neuronal uptake blockade increased with the dose. Nevertheless, NE overflow into the coronary sinus blood after a relatively large dose (5.7 mg/kg) of COC was less than that observed after a much smaller dose (0.5 mg/kg), suggesting that relatively large doses of COC also tend to inhibit the neuronal release of NE. These results indicate that the effects of COC on the cardiac responses to sympathetic stimulation depend on the balance between its influences on the release and dissipation of neurotransmitter in the neuroeffector gap.
A study of a self-generated stratospheric sudden warming and its mesospheric-lower thermospheric impacts using the coupled TIME-GCM/CCM3

[1] A stratospheric sudden warming episode was self-consistently generated in the coupled National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, and Electrodynamics General Circulation Model/Climate Community Model version 3 (TIME-GCM/CCM3). Taking advantage of the unique vertical range of the coupled model (ground to 500 km), we were able to study the coupling of the lower and upper atmosphere in this warming episode. Planetary wave 1 is the dominant wave component in this warming event. Analysis of the wave phase structure and the wave amplitude indicates that the wave may experience resonant amplification prior to the peak warming. The mean wind in the high-latitude winter stratopause and mesosphere decelerates and reverses to westward due to planetary wave forcing and forms a critical layer near the zero wind lines. The wind deceleration and reversal also change the filtering of gravity waves by allowing more eastward gravity waves to propagate into the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT), which causes eastward forcing and reverses the westward jet in the MLT. This also changes the meridional circulation in the upper mesosphere from poleward/downward to equatorward/upward, causing a depletion of the peak atomic oxygen layer at 97 km and significant reduction of green line airglow emission at high latitudes and midlatitudes. Planetary waves forced in situ by filtered gravity waves in the MLT grow in the warming episode. Their growth and interaction with tides create diurnal and semidiurnal variabilities in the zonal mean zonal wind.
The effect of spatially separated sound sources on speech intelligibility.

A series of five experiments was conducted to investigate the effects of spatial separation of speakers on the intelligibility of spondaic and PB words in noise and the identification of synthetic ...
Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage during Acute and Chronic Hypertension in Mice

Oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to hemorrhagic transformation after ischemic stroke and brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The goal of this study was to develop a new model of spontaneous ICH, based on the hypothesis that acute, superimposed on chronic, hypertension produces ICH. We hypothesized that increases in angiotensin II (AngII)-mediated oxidative stress and activation of MMPs are associated with, and may precede, spontaneous ICH during hypertension. In C57BL/6 mice, chronic hypertension was produced with AngII infusion and an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. During chronic hypertension, mice with acute hypertension from injections of AngII developed ICH. Oxidative stress and MMP levels increased in the brain even before developing ICH. Active MMPs colocalized with a marker of oxidative stress, especially on cerebral vessels that appeared to lead toward regions with ICH. Incidence of ICH and levels of oxidative stress and MMP-9 were greater in mice with acute hypertension produced by AngII than by norepinephrine. In summary, we have developed an experimental model of ICH during hypertension that may facilitate studies in genetically altered mice. We speculate that acute hypertension, especially when induced by AngII, may be critical in spontaneous ICH during chronic hypertension, possibly through oxidative stress and MMP-9.
Invited tutorial: Practical applications of asynchronous pipeline circuits

Asynchronous circuit designs have shown great promise for overcoming synchronous timing overhead and power requirements of functionally equivalent, continuously-clocked circuit designs. In some instances, such as memory data path applications, speed independent, asynchronous pipelines are used to provide low-latency, high-throughput logic paths. Asynchronous pipelines use local handshaking to avoid the problems of clock skew, switching noise and switching power generated by global clock distributions found in synchronous circuit designs. Asynchronous pipelines that exhibit the property of speed independence provide functional tolerance to low supply voltage, and are modular in application, given proper adherence to interface protocol. The advantages of asynchronous circuits, relative to synchronous circuits, are not without cost. Asynchronous circuits can pose difficulties with testing, interfacing to synchronous environments, and a general lack of well-established, industry standard design and verification tools, which often forces asynchronous designs to be realized using full-custom design methodologies. This tutorial will present recent developments in the literature related to asynchronous pipeline protocols and circuits. Unique circuit constructs and applications will be presented with emphasis on interfacing asynchronous circuits to synchronous environments, controlling dynamic logic paths, and applications that call for the flexibility of varying forward path, inter-stage cycle times within an asynchronous logic pipeline.
Ultrasound evaluation of the thyroid.

Ultrasound provides a safe noninvasive means of imaging the thyroid gland. It affords a reliable method of distinguishing cystic masses from other types of hypofunctioning thyroid nodules that might require surgical exploration. Due to the reported small frequency of false positive ultrasonic diagnoses (i.e., solid or complex masses being misdiagnosed as cysts), all cystic masses should be confirmed by aspiration. With gray-scale two-dimensional imaging, high-frequency transducers, and careful attention to technique, a reduction in the number of incorrect diagnoses can be expected.
The preparation of high-surface-area Pt/SiO2 catalysts with well-defined pore size distributions

Thermally stable supported metal catalysts can be prepared by matching the metal particle size to the average pore diameter. Preparative variables aimed at achieving this match are presented. In the 3-8 pH range, blank silica gels prepared using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) were observed to have BET surface areas of 350-800 m{sup 2}/g and mesoporous structures with an average pore diameter of between 4 and 25 nm at a constant H{sub 2}O/TEOS ratio of 10. Silica aerogels have comparable BET surface areas, larger pore diameters, and pore volumes than xerogels. In the case of supported Pt catalysts prepared by sol-gel synthesis, the effect of preparative variables, including metal precursor, metal loading, reactant stoichiometries, and solvent removal, have been studied. The use of Pt(AcAc){sub 2} resulted in average pore diameters which could be varied in the 4-20-nm range by adjusting the H{sub 2}O/TEOS ratio during synthesis. BET surface areas in the 500-800 m{sup 2}/g and metal dispersions of 50-85% can be achieved. The H{sub 2}/n-hexane reaction was studied on these catalysts. Catalytic activities were found to be comparable or slightly superior to supported metal catalysts prepared by traditional methods. 26 refs., 10 figs., 11 tabs.
Novel high resolution readout for UV and X-ray photon counting detectors with microchannel plates

Until recently the spatial resolution of microchannel plate based photon/particle counting sensors has generally been limited by the accuracy of the readout technique. The accuracy of novel readouts, in particular cross strip anodes, have now reached the 6-10μm scale (the typical size of pores in a microchannel plate) and no longer determine the ultimate resolution limit of the detector. Although there are some issues (e.g. fixed pattern distortions seen on 5 μm scale) to be resolved for the cross strip (XS) anodes, one of the major drawbacks of the previous generation XS readouts is the low counting rate capability (10 KHz), determined by the processing electronics, in particular by the signal amplifier ASICs. In this paper we describe a new signal processing technique which should allow for high counting rates exceeding 1 MHz with the same high spatial resolution (<10 μm FWHM). The slow analog sample and hold signal processing is replaced by a fully parallel signal amplification followed by digital peak detection in each output channel. The charge values in each electrode are calculated from the digitized waveforms passed into a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) where the signal peak detection and event centroiding is performed continuously. A detailed model was developed in order to optimize the digital peak detection algorithms and to determine the acceptable parameters for the electronic elements for a given spatial resolution. The results of our Monte Carlo modeling indicate that the spatial resolution of fast XS anode encoding electronics will still be better than 10 μm FWHM.
Quality-of-Life, Health Service Use, and Costs Associated With Syncope

Syncope is a prevalent condition that is associated with high morbidity, health service use, and costs. Syncope negatively impacts multiple domains of quality-of-life, including physical health, mental health, and functional status. The morbidity associated with recurrent syncope is equivalent to chronic conditions such as severe rheumatoid arthritis and low back pain. Frequency of syncope events is related to worse morbidity, suggesting that effective diagnosis and management can improve quality-of-life. There is a high incidence of health service use associated with syncope, including 740,000 annual emergency department visits and 460,000 hospital admissions in the United States. Rates of admission and inpatient diagnostic testing are characterized by high variance and low clinical utility. Finally, the evaluation of syncope is associated with high costs. Hospital costs associated with the inpatient evaluation of syncope exceed $2.4 billion per year in the United States. Improved diagnostic and treatment algorithms are urgently needed to improve patient quality-of-life, reduce health service use, and lower costs related to the evaluation of syncope.
Perfusion and molecular modification of idoxuridine to alter its cerebrospinal fluid metabolism

Two methods to deter the rapid intrathecal degradation of idoxuridine were investigated: (a) rapid drug perfusion through the ventricular system, and (b) modification of the molecule to its uronic acid derivative, 2′-deoxy-5-iodo-5′-uridinecarboxylic acid, to make it less susceptible to enzymatic digestion. Perfusion of idoxuridine through the ventricular system (ventriculocisternal) of dogs at 0.97 ml/min saturated the metabolic pathway so that the outflow solution yielded a single spot (Rf 0.76) on TLC indicative of the intact molecule. The 125I-labeled uronic acid was synthesized from the 125I-labeled parent compound, and the labeled compounds were compared after their individual intracisternal injection in dogs. Since there was no difference in the disappearance rates, the stability of the uronic acid was, in fact, no greater than that of the parent compound in vivo. Ventricular perfusion of idoxuridine, however, seems a suitable means for increasing the amount of active drug delivered to central nervous system tumors and viral infections.
Moles, warts and keloids

Abstract Moles, as a group, have a very slight tendency to malignant development. The black or blue-black mole is potentially very malignant and is a serious therapeutic problem. The types of moles are described with the various methods of treatment for each type. It is perfectly safe to treat the ordinary mole. The varieties of warts are described with the methods of treatment. The treatment of keloids is discussed. As a rule they should not be excised. Treatment is either with x -rays or radium, or a combination of surgery and irradiation.
Chemistry of the defensive secretion of the caddisflyPycnopsyche scabripennis (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)

From a pair of exocrine glands located on the fifth abdominal sternite, the caddisflyPycnopsyche scabripennis secretes a defensive exudate which containsp-cresol, indole, and skatole. This secretion effectively repels invertebrate predators such as ants. The probable significance of this secretion in the biology of these caddisflies is discussed.
Attitudes about abortion among second-year medical students.

To assess whether preclinical medical students hold liberal or conservative attitudes regarding abortion, we administered a standardized questionnaire to 72 second-year medical students at a large urban university. We enquired whether they considered abortion murder, or a legitimate personal choice, and under which circumstances they would perform abortions or refer patients for abortions. In general, students held more liberal attitudes toward abortion if they had had previous sexual experience, if they had been HIV tested, and if they were Jewish. Some 14% of students responded they would never perform or refer a patient for abortion under any circumstances. These findings raise the question of the degree to which physicians' personal beliefs about abortion may affect women's access to abortion as a therapeutic option, which is especially important in an era of increased limitation of physician choice.
Foreign antigenic peptides delivered to the tumor as targets of cytotoxic T cells.

Abstract Cytotoxic T cells (CTL) are readily activated by immunogenic peptides and they exert potent anti-tumor activity if the same peptides are displayed on class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the tumor cells. A handful of tumor-associated antigens have been identified and many of them are weak antigens. As an alternative strategy, strongly antigenic foreign peptides are delivered to the tumor, marking them for CTL recognition. To establish the principle of this new strategy, in vitro and in vivo tumor destruction was tested with BALB/c CTL to L d -associated beta-galactosidase (β-gal) peptide p876. In vitro, anti-p876 CTL destroyed tumor cells in a single-cell suspension or in 3-D tumor boluses when exogenous p876 was added. Exogenous IL-2 was required to sustain CTL activity for complete destruction of tumor boluses. In vivo, BALB/c mice were immunized with p876 and a CD4 activating Pan DR reactive epitope (PADRE). PADRE, which binds to several different MHC class II antigen and activates CD4 T cells, induced delayed-type hypersensitivity and stimulated T cell proliferation. Immunized mice were injected with tumor cells loaded with p876 and mixed with PADRE. Starting from the day after tumor injection, mice received five rounds of peptide injection at the tumor sites and all tumors were rejected. Injection with saline had no effect. Injection with PADRE had minor anti-tumor activity. Immunization and treatment with p876 alone was not protective. Therefore, by delivering CD4 and CD8 reactive foreign peptides to the tumor, peptide-specific T cells rejected the tumors as demonstrated by the in vitro and in vivo tests.