cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in port-wine stains

Objective To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGF-R2) in port-wine stains (PWSs). Design An immunohistochemistry (IHC) study on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. Methods Representative sections from surgical resection specimens of 12 PWS patients and 12 control specimens stained with routine IHC by using polyclonal anti-VEGF and anti–VEGF-R2 antibodies. Slides were evaluated semiquantitatively for the intensity of staining for VEGF and VEGF-R2 by using a scoring system varying from 0 to 3+. Results PWS specimens showed statistically significant overexpression of both VEGF and VEGF-R2 molecules when compared with control specimens (P Conclusions VEGF and its receptor may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PWS. It is possible that PWS may progress by hyperplasia in addition to hypertrophy. VEGF-R blockade may have a potential role as a targeted approach in the treatment of this disfiguring condition in the future.
Reconceptualizing rhetorical history: Eisenhower's farewell address

Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address is an artistically structured piece of strategic discourse. The subject of the speech is balance, a subject underscored and illustrated by the balances found in the text itself. Far from being a prophetic vision of the future, Eisenhower's speech is grounded intertextually in his oratorical past and strategically in the political present. His memorable phrase about the military‐industrial complex is thus read not as a prophetic warning about the future actions of the military, but as a warning about the abilities of the chief executive to withstand the intensive lobbying that comes from many sources, including the military‐industrial complex and the scientific‐technological elite. What worried Eisenhower was not the military‐industrial complex, per se, but the ability of a rash and inexperienced chief executive—‐John F. Kennedy—to withstand the pressures for increased funding sure to be brought by the munitions makers.
The non-comparability of the “comparable worth” doctrine: An inappropriate standard for determining sex discrimination in pay

This article critically evaluates the legal doctrine of “comparable worth,” including recent federal court decisions related to it. The doctrine mandates equal pay for jobs requiring comparable—but not equal—skill, effort and responsibility. As a standard for determining whether sex discrimination in pay has occurred, comparable worth is an economically defective concept and inappropriate to the task.
Applications of expansions in powers of a small parameter

During the last 35 years there has been an explosive interest in the problem of solving nonlinear differential equations. The purpose of this paper is to provide an historically oriented expository introduction to an analytical method of solving certain nonlinear differential equations in which a series expansion in powers of a small parameter is used. These series expansions turn out frequently to be asymptotic series.
Use of a Colonization-Deficient Strain of Escherichia coli in Strain Combinations for Enhanced Biocontrol of Cucumber Seedling Diseases

Seed treatments containing combinations of Escherichia coli S17R1 and Burkholderia cepacia Bc-B provided significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) suppression of cucumber seedling pathogens in a field soil naturally infested with Pythium and Fusarium spp. than seeds treated individually with strains Bc-B, S17R1, or Enterobacter cloacae 501R3. Although strain S17R1 had no effect on disease severity when applied alone and did not colonize cucumber rhizosphere, it enhanced the biocontrol effectiveness of strain Bc-B.
Ouabain-induced changes in aqueous humour outflow facility and trabecular meshwork cytoskeleton

Background: Inhibition of the Na,K-ATPase by ouabain results in decreased intraocular pressure (IOP), by mechanisms that are not completely understood. Cellular mechanisms that regulate aqueous humour outflow through the trabecular meshwork (TM) include changes in the TM cytoskeleton. Because inhibition of the Na,K-ATPase by ouabain alters the cell’s cytoskeleton, the role of the ouabain in regulating aqueous humour outflow and TM cytoskeleton was investigated. Method: Porcine anterior eye segment and low-passage porcine TM cells were used. Outflow facility was measured using perfused anterior eye segment organ culture. Changes in TM cytoskeleton were assessed by rhodamine-phalloidin and anti-paxillin antibody staining and imaged with confocal microscopy. Results: Ouabain (30 nM to 300 μM) increased outflow facility in perfused eye anterior segments. The time course for ouabain-induced changes in outflow facility correlated with morphological changes in the cytoskeleton of TM cells exposed to ouabain (30 nM to 300 μM). Morphological changes in TM cells include changes in actin filaments and focal adhesions. Conclusions: These data suggest that ouabain, at non-toxic concentrations, increases aqueous humour outflow facility possibly by altering the TM cell cytoskeleton.
A method for ray tracing a wide class of generalized cylinders with straight line trajectories

Abstract Generalized cylinders with straight line trajectories are discussed for modeling objects of various kinds. For these kinds of generalized cylinders the sweeping cross-section is allowed to change shape, size, and orientation in an arbitrary way as a function of the parameter describing the location of the sweeping cross-section along the trajectory of the generalized cylinder. The sweeping cross-section may even fail to intersect the trajectory of the generalized cylinder for all or a fraction of its range. The only restriction is that the parametric function describing the variation of the sweeping cross-section as a function of the location along the axis should be invertible. For the purpose of rendering the image, the problem of line-surface intersections is reduced to that of curve-curve intersections in a plane. A complete methodology for calculating and rendering ray-traced images of such objects is presented. The method provides for a unification of several special cases discussed in the past and more.
Changes in DNA binding by purified simian RNA polymerase II under transcribing and nontranscribing conditions

The interaction of RNA polymerase II from African Green Monkey liver tissue with SV40 DNA was examined by a DNAase protection technique. In the absence of nucleoside triphosphates, simian polymerase binds to nicked, linear SV40 DNA and protects 30 bp of binary complex DNA from DNAase I digestion. With the addition of nucleoside triphosphates to initiate transcription, polymerase protects 40 bp of the ternary complex DNA from DNAase I. Thus, a conformational change in either the polymerase, the DNA, or both occurs during the transition from binary to ternary complex, and this altered conformation allows a larger protection of template DNA. Similar results were seen with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme on SV40 DNA.
The Rebirth of Patronage: Have We Come Full Circle?

Current trends in the U.S. political system threaten an increase in patronage and a return to the political problems of the 1800s. Modern-day patronage is strongly related to two popular efforts to reform government: the rollback of the civil service system and the privatization of government services. These reforms, aimed at reducing the negative outcomes of bureaucracy, have had the unfortunate outcome of eliminating policies designed to protect civil servants from patronage politics and thus of ultimately reducing democratic accountability. Whether the main cause is forgetfulness about the past or simply the application of misguided principles, the dismantling of the civil service and increasing reliance on private contractors can endanger public values and the ability to engage in a thoughtful debate about public values. Professionalism in government—including civil service, open competition for jobs and contracts, and merit systems—remains the most effective and just means for combating patronage and...
Codimension One Minimal Projections Onto the Quadratics

Abstract We construct a minimal projection P : X → V 3 , where X =[1, t , t 2 , t | t | σ ] and V 3 =[1, t , t 2 ], for all σ ⩾1. This generalizes a result of G. J. O. Jameson.
Streamers in water and other dielectric liquids

Experimental results on the inception and propagation of streamers in water generated under the application of high electric fields are reviewed. Characteristic parameters, such as breakdown voltage, polarity of the applied voltage, propagation velocities and other phenomenological features, are compared with similar phenomena in other dielectric liquids and in gases. Consequently, parameters that are expected to influence the development of streamers in water are discussed with respect to the analogous well-established models and theories for the related mechanisms in gases. Most of the data support the notion that an initial low-density nucleation site or gas-filled bubble assists the initiation of a streamer. Details of this theory are laid out explaining the observed differences in the breakdown originating from the anode versus the cathode locations. The mechanisms can also be applied to streamer propagation, although some observations cannot be satisfactorily explained.
Intraoperative Jugular Venous Sampling Aids Detection of an Undescended Parathyroid Adenoma

Introduction: A missed parathyroid adenoma is an important cause of persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism. Despite the widespread use of preoperative localizing tests and the advent of the rapid intact blood parathyroid hormone assay (iPTH), difficult operative cases are encountered when abnormal parathyroid glands cannot be identified. Methods: Over a 5-year period, 466 neck explorations were performed for primary hyperparathyroidism. This retrospective report describes the use of intraoperative jugular venous sampling to locate and remove successfully undescended parathyroid adenomas in three patients. Results: Intraoperative jugular venous sampling for iPTH analysis was performed when a thorough neck exploration in combination with peripheral iPTH failed to reveal a source of hyperparathyroidism in patients with biochemically confirmed hyperparathyroidism. In all patients, a two- to fourfold iPTH gradient was observed between the affected and unaffected sides, and an undescended adenoma was located near the carotid bifurcation. Conclusions: Intraoperative jugular venous sampling with iPTH analysis may be a useful technique for successfully detecting an undescended adenoma when other, more routine measures have failed.
Fermi integration in the pion-nucleus optical potential

An efficient method for performing the Fermi integration required in the construction of the first order pion-nucleus optical potential is derived. The corrections to a factorized approximation are found to arise predominantly from the energy dependence of the pion-nucleon amplitude. The exact magnitude of these corrections and the quantitative features of cross sections are found to depend sensitively on the particular choice made for the dependence of the two-body energy on the pion and nucleon momenta.
De-clustering national and international inequality

One important contribution of the analysis presented by Volandes and Paasche-Orlow (2007) is to clarify the concept of health literacy in a manner similar to approaches to disability. On the medica...
Crystal structure and immunogenicity of the class C acid phosphatase from Pasteurella multocida.

Pasteurella multocida is a pathogen of veterinary and medical importance. Here, we report the 1.85A resolution crystal structure of the class C acid phosphatase from this organism (denoted rPmCCAP). The structure shows that rPmCCAP exhibits the same haloacid dehalogenase fold and dimeric assembly as the class C enzyme from Haemophilus influenzae. Formation of the dimer in solution is demonstrated using analytical ultracentrifugation. The active site is devoid of a magnesium ion due to the presence of citrate in the crystallization buffer. Absence of the metal ion minimally perturbs the active site structure, which suggests that the main role of the ion is to balance the negative charge of the substrate rather than stabilize the active site structure. The crystal lattice displays unusual crystal packing involving the C-terminal polyhistidine tag mimicking the substrate. Steady-state kinetic constants are determined for the substrates NMN, 5'-AMP, 3'-AMP, 2'-AMP, and p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The highest catalytic efficiency is observed with NMN. The production of polyclonal anti-rPmCCAP antibodies is demonstrated, and these antibodies are shown to cross-react with the H. influenzae class C phosphatase. The antibodies are used to detect PmCCAP in clinical P. multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica strains cultured from infected animals.
The Plant-Specific Database. Classification of Arabidopsis Proteins Based on Their Phylogenetic Profile

One of the main goals of the plant community is to determine the function of every Arabidopsis gene by the end of the year 2010 ([Chory et al., 2000][1]). Because many are not yet characterized and because they will not be studied in other model organisms, we believe Arabidopsis proteins that are
Combinatorial Optimization Problem in Designing DNA Self-Assembly Tile Sets

DNA self-assembly has been advocated as a bottom-up manufacturing technology (as applicable in the nano scales) and for algorithmic computation. However, previous research did not address the issue of designing a tile set for an arbitrary target pattern (as to ensure periodic repetition in its assembly) of finite size. This paper considers the synthesis of tile sets for DNA self-assembly and analyzes it as a combinatorial optimization problem. This problem is referred to as PATS (pattern assembling tile-set synthesis). A brief proof is provided for the NP-completeness of PATS.
General engineering model for linear and nonlinear photoconductive switches

A general microcomputer based engineering model for high voltage photoconductive switch operation in the linear mode (closure by high photon flux) and nonlinear mode (closure by low photon flux) has been devised and implemented. The engineering model has been used to predict nonlinear photoconductive switch closure times with reasonable accuracy. Using an interactive graphics 'shell' the model is being used to search for an improved switch design through the use of selective doping distributions. This paper presents an overview of the model and some simulated data results.
VIP receptors and content after bowel transplantation.

Abstract Advances in immunosuppressive therapy have renewed interest in small bowel transplantation. Little is known, however, about the functional capacity of transplanted intestine. To clarify the potential for normal function, we investigated whether elements of the enteric nervous system are preserved after denervation in our rat model of intestinal transplantation. We investigated whether VIP, a major peptide neurotransmitter of the enteric nervous system, and its receptors are preserved in the bowel after transplantation. In our model of transplantation, avascular fetal jejunum from term Fisher rats is transplanted to the subcutaneous tissues of host syngeneic rats. This “neogut” becomes vascularized and develops characteristics of native small bowel. VIP content was measured by RIA and the in situ distribution of VIP receptors was determined by the technique of receptor autoradiography. Neogut was studied 1 and 3 weeks after transplantation and compared with age-matched rat pup jejunum. Autoradiographs showed high silver grain density, representing VIP binding sites, in the mucosal layers of all tissues studied. VIP content in the transplanted bowel was comparable to that of native gut and showed a rise with developmental age similar to that of native gut. VIP levels (pmole/mg protein, x ± SEM) were neogut 1 week, 0.26 ± 0.14; jejunum 1 week, 0.25 ± 0.07; neogut 3 weeks, 0.60 ± 0.21; and jejunum 3 weeks, 0.69 ± 0.16. These results show that VIP receptors and content are preserved in this model of transplantation. This suggests that the enteric nervous system and receptors for peptide neurotransmitters remain intact after transplantation and may retain the potential for regulatory function.
Serum Sensitivity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: The Role of Lipopolysaccharide

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutant (FA5100) of a serum-resistant strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (FA19) was found to be highly sensitive to the bactericidal activity of normal human serum (NHS). Both strain FA5100 and an unrelated serum-sensitive clinical isolate (F62) were killed by NHS via the classical complement pathway since killing required C2 and Ca++. However, the fact that only strain FA5100 was sensitive to human hypogammaglobulinemic and cord serum suggested that this strain might activate the classical complement pathway in the absence of antibody. Anticomplementary concentrations of LPS from strain FA5100 inhibited the bactericidal activity of NHS against either strain FA5100 or strain F62. However, concentrations of LPS from strain FA5100 that exhibited marginal anticomplementary behavior also inhibited the killing of strain F62 by NHS. The ability of LPS from strain FA5100 to inhibit the bactericidal activity of NHS against strain FA5100 and to activate complement was reduced by treatment with mild alkali. However, alkali-treated LPS from strain FA5100 still inhibited the bactericidal activity of NHS against strain F62.
The xamoterol experience in the treatment of heart failure

Abstract Beta blockers may benefit patients with dilated cardiomyopathy but low output failure can be a problem. Thus a β 1 -selective β blocker with about 45% intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), such as xamoterol, was thought to have a desirable pharmacologic profile. Long-term studies of xamoterol in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy have shown improved cardiac performance and exercise tolerance, while exercise heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, and pulmonary artery wedge pressure were decreased. This improvement in exercise capacity and overall quality of life in patients treated with xamoterol has been confirmed in further controlled trials of patients with mild-to-moderate heart failure (NYHA class I and II). However, in patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure (NYHA class III and IV), mortality was unfavorably influenced by xamoterol. The therapeutic role of xamoterol in patients with heart disease needs further refinement.
Membrane-degrading enzymes in the leaves of Solanum tuberosum

Abstract When homogenates of potato leaves were prepared under conditions which are typical for organelle isolation (pH 7.5 and 4°), membrane lipids underwent rapid hydrolysis (17% of phosphatidylcholine was hydrolysed in 2 hr). Leaves of 41 potato cultivars were surveyed for phospholipase activity to determine whether certain cultivars might be more suitable for the preparation of organelles. Phospholipase activities ranged from 1.04 to 11.60, μmol/min · g fr. wt and p -nitrophenyl palmitate hydrolase activity ranged from 0.0119 to 0.0502,μmol/min · g fr. wt. These phospholipase values were several hundred-fold higher than previously reported for potato leaves and nearly as high as in potato tubers. Most of the phospholipase activity in leaves was soluble and not membrane-associated as previously reported.
Cholecystokinin-octapeptide like immunoreactivity in the area postrema of the rat and cat

The distribution of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8)-like immunoreactivity in the area postrema of the rat and cat was visualized using the peroxidase, antiperoxidase technique. In the rat the greatest amount of immunostaining occurred in peripheral regions of the area postrema at intermediate and rostral levels. Caudally, scattered immunoreactivity predominated. After colchicine treatment, numerous immunoreactive somata were observed throughout the area postrema. The cat area postrema had a different and more complex pattern of immunostaining than the rat. Moderate to dense accumulations of immunostaining occurred in the ventromedial region of the area postrema bordering the solitary tract and dorsal vagal nuclei. The central region of the area postrema possessed scattered amounts of immunoreactivity at rostral levels. Following colchicine treatment, no visible CCK-8-like immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the cat area postrema. Results of the present investigation provide morphological evidence for the role of CCK-8 in cardiovascular regulation and satiety. The difference in the distribution of CCK-8 in the rat and cat suggest a possible role in the emetic reflex.
Evaluation of PACS in a Medical Intensive Care Unit: The Effect of Computed Radiography.

Preliminary data is presented from a prospective study of a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). These data compare the efficiency of image information communication and utilization when the MICU operates in a conventional manner using standard x-ray film as an image acquisition, storage and display medium and a digital manner when images are acquired by Computed Radiography (CR), transmitted and displayed digitally. The CR images were made available for viewing more quickly than conventional film images due to the increased automation provided by the management system of the PACS. Despite the improvement of the availability of images, the time required for the MICU physicians to utilize the image information did not change.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Online counselling: An initial examination of the process in a synchronous chat environment

Abstract Aims: The present study investigates the dynamics of an initial counselling session held in a synchronous chat environment between counsellors-in-training and a trained confederate posing as a client. Specifically, the study examines (a) the interventions used, (b) the therapeutic alliance, and (c) the ability of the counsellor to accurately diagnose the client. Methods: Transcripts from 54 online sessions were analysed to investigate counsellors’ responses and interventions in an online environment. Results: The use of counselling interventions were similar to those used in face-to-face sessions, but with some differences. Reassurance and open questions were used about twice as often, while interpretation and direct guidance were used less frequently. Most participants (86–90%) reached the correct diagnosis when the symptoms represented a single diagnosis but had more trouble when the symptoms were mixed (36%). Participants reported feeling some distance from the client but reported an increase ...
Automatic Data Placement in MPP Databases

Physical design for shared-nothing databases includes decisions regarding the placement of data across a cluster of database servers. In particular, for each table in the database a distribution policy must be specified. In general, the choice of distribution policy affects the performance of query workloads significantly as individual queries may have to redistribute data on-the-fly as part of the execution. As is the case with a number of other physical design decisions, the problem is hard and poses substantial difficulties for database administrators. In this paper, we present FINDER, a design tool that optimizes data placement decisions for a database schema with respect to any given query workload. We designed FINDER with portability in mind: The tool is fully external to the target database system, i.e., does not require any code-level integration with the system, and avoids reverse engineering of query optimization techniques. Our experiments show FINDER converges quickly and delivers superior results compared to state-of-the-art solutions.
Fine structure of the pericardial cells of the moth, Hyalophora cecropia, and their rôle in protein uptake

Abstract Structural characteristics of pericardial cells of the moth, Hyalophora cecropia , include multiple nuclei, an extensive network of extracellular channels, and a profusion of coated vesicles, vacuoles, and tubular elements. Pericardial cells exposed to ferritin take up the protein via coated vesicles present in the cell. Ferritin granules are also found in the tubular elements and vacuoles even though only the coated vesicles are observed attached to the plasmalemma and only tubular elements are found attached to vacuoles. It is suggested that coated vesicles can be converted to tubular elements which then transport the ingested protein to vacuoles.
The relationship between socioeconomic position and depression among a US nationally representative sample of African Americans

Purpose Findings from previous studies have not revealed significant, inverse relationships between socioeconomic position (SEP) and depression among African Americans. This study examined the relationship between multiple indicators of SEP and Major Depressive Episode (MDE) among African Americans.
Expected Test Scores for Preschoolers with a Cochlear Implant Who Use Spoken Language.

Purpose The major purpose of this study was to provide information about expected spoken language skills of preschool-age children who are deaf and who use a cochlear implant. A goal was to provide...
Low-Momentum End of the Spectra of Heavy Primary Cosmic Rays

Measurements of the intensity of heavy primary cosmic-ray nuclei have been made above the atmosphere by means of the new Iowa balloon-launched rocket ("rockoon") technique at geomagnetic latitudes $\ensuremath{\lambda}=56\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, 76\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, \mathrm{and} 86\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$. The measuring instrument was a thin-walled, pulse-ionization chamber of 15-cm diameter. The observed data, in conjunction with geomagnetic theory, demonstrate a complete or nearly complete absence of primary heavy nuclei of $Z\ensuremath{\ge}6$ having a magnetic rigidity less than 1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{9}$ volts ($\frac{p}{\mathrm{mc}}l0.8$), the result being the most significant for the C, N, O group. It is noted that this spectral cutoff occurs at closely the same magnetic rigidity, and distinctly not at the same velocity, as the previously reported cutoff in the spectra of primary protons and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles.
Bayesian estimation of genomic copy number with single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping arrays

The identification of copy number aberration in the human genome is an important area in cancer research. We develop a model for determining genomic copy numbers using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping microarrays. The method is based on a Bayesian spatial normal mixture model with an unknown number of components corresponding to true copy numbers. A reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is used to implement the model and perform posterior inference. The performance of the algorithm is examined on both simulated and real cancer data, and it is compared with the popular CNAG algorithm for copy number detection. We demonstrate that our Bayesian mixture model performs at least as well as the hidden Markov model based CNAG algorithm and in certain cases does better. One of the added advantages of our method is the flexibility of modeling normal cell contamination in tumor samples.
A model for budget allocation in multi-unit libraries

This article addresses the problem of allocating funds for acquisition of periodicals among several interrelated units of an academic library. The paper outlines an optimization model for the problem with an objective of maximizing the usage of periodicals over all library units subject to a single collections budget. It further gives an insight into a decision support system in MS Excel based on this model, and it illustrates its successful application to the Library of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The Relationship of Egg Shell Color to Hatchability in Some Brown Egg Laying Breeds

Abstract MANY studies have been conducted on hatchability but few workers have investigated egg shell color in brown egg laying breeds as it might be related to hatchability. Benjamin (1920) using chalk-white, cream-tinted and brown-tinted as color standards found no relationship between these colors and hatchability in Single Comb White Leghorns. Phillips and Williams (1944) working with turkey eggs found that with the exception of chalk-white, porous shelled eggs, no differences in hatchability existed between dark-spotted and faintly-spotted eggs. Their numbers of chalk-white eggs (eight) were too small to be significant and also their eggs were classified as porous shelled which would tend to lower their hatchability as pointed out by Dunn (1923) and others. Jeffrey, in a communication to G. S. Vickers, states that in flocks where there is an extreme variability in egg shell color from a very light brown to a dark brown that the hatchability is not . . .
Potential impact of climate warming on recreational fishing opportunities for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in Newfoundland, Canada

Potential impacts of climate warming on recreational fishing opportunities were addressed by assessing the frequency and extent that Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., rivers in Newfoundland have been closed over a 25-year period (1975 to 1999) because of warm water temperatures and low water levels. On average, approximately 28% of all salmon rivers were temporarily closed annually, with over 70% affected in some years. This has resulted in a loss of 35–65% of the potential fishing days available in some salmon fishing areas with the collective 1995 to 1999 period being impacted the most over the past two decades. Geographically, west and south-west coastal rivers were affected less from environmental closures than east and some south coast fishing areas. A trend for increased closures of rivers related to environmental reasons could reduce the economic importance of the recreational salmon fishery and also make it more difficult to assess the status of Atlantic salmon stocks, which is a requirement for conservation of the resource.
Design algorithms for path-level grooming of traffic in WDM metro optical networks

Recent research in new architecture design for wavelength-routed networks is focused on grooming (aggregation) of traffic at the optical layer. Typically, this is achieved in three steps: (1) configure the circuit in the form of a path or a tree; (2) use optical devices such as couplers or splitters to allow multiple users to share a circuit through point to point (P2P), point to multipoint (P2MP), multipoint to point (MP2P), or multipoint to multipoint (MP2MP); and (3) provide an arbitration mechanism to avoid contention among end users. We compare the performance of architectures that aggregate traffic at the path level. Based on extensive simulations, we conclude that, for the studied topology and traffic, (1) MP2MP outperforms other architectures by multiple orders of magnitude in single-hop scenarios, (2) P2P performs the best in multihop transceiver-constrained scenarios, and (3) P2MP performs the best in multihop wavelength-constrained scenarios.
SIGMOBILE FY'05 annual report: July 2004--June 2005

Every year, as ACM's fiscal year ends annually on June 30, each SIG Chair is required to submit a report to ACM's SIG Governing Board that summarizes the highlights of the SIG's activities over the previous year. This article reproduces SIGMOBILE's Annual Report for the year July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005. It has been an exciting, productive, and successful year for SIGMOBILE, and we hope you share in our excitement as we move forward to many more successes in the future.
Actions of the juvenile hormone, 20-hydroxy-ecdysone, and the oöstatic hormone during oögenesis in the flies Phormia regina and Sarcophaga bullata

Application of juvenile hormone (JH) to sugar-fed Phormia flies leads to full ovarian development, i.e. the flies become autogenous. Application of JH to sugar + liver-fed Phormia leads to the simultaneous development of primary, secondary and tertiary oocytes, suggesting the role of the oostatic hormone is to shut off the action of the JH. This is consistent with the notion that the oostatic hormone may act on the corpus allatum either directly or through the neurosecretory system. Application of 20-hydroxy-ecdysone to Phormia or Sarcophaga, when primary oocytes have started to develop (stage 4A), causes the primary oocytes to degenerate, with concomitant development of the secondary oocytes.
From Negotiated Management to Command and Control: How the New York Police Department Polices Protests

Beginning with the World Trade Organization protests in Seattle in 1999, American police have been confronted by numerous large demonstrations focusing mostly on international trade issues and the war in Iraq. In most instances, both demonstrators and police have avoided large-scale confrontations. In some demonstrations, however, high levels of police force have been used against both violent and passive crowds. As the number of these protests continues to rise, police departments need to make important decisions about the strategic orientation they bring to them. This article reviews the policing strategies employed by the New York Police Department (NYPD) over the last six years by focusing on their handling of a major anti-war rally in February of 2003. It will explain why the NYPD's tactics on 15 February were so different from the way other police departments around the world deal with their major protests. To do this, three case studies of large demonstrations held in New York City in the past six ...
Biologically Active Novel Conformational State of Botulinum, the Most Poisonous Poison

Botulinum neurotoxins (serotypes A-G), the most toxic substances known to humankind, cause flaccid muscle paralysis by blocking acetylcholine release at nerve-muscle junctions through a very specific and exclusive endopeptidase activity against SNARE proteins of presynaptic exocytosis machinery. We have examined polypeptide folding of the endopeptidase moiety of botulinum neurotoxin/A (the light chain) under conditions of its optimal enzymatic activity and have found that one of its stable conformational states is a molten-globule, which retains over 60% of its optimal enzyme activity. More importantly, we have discovered that the light chain acquires a novel pre-imminent molten-globule enzyme conformation at the physiologically relevant temperature, 37 °C. The pre-imminent molten-globule enzyme form also exhibited the maximum endopeptidase activity against its intracellular substrate, SNAP-25 (synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa). These findings will not only open new avenues to design effective diagnostics and antidotes against botulism but also provide new information on enzymatically active molten-globule or molten-globule like structures.
Cooperative binding of steroid hormone receptors contributes to transcriptional synergism at target enhancer elements

Abstract We demonstrated previously that two molecules of steroid hormone receptor bound efficiently to a single hormone response element (GREPRE) of the tyrosine aminotransferase gene (Tsai et al., 1988). Here, we show that two tandemly linked GREPREs conferred progesterone inducibility synergistically to a heterologous TK-CAT fusion gene. Binding studies demonstrated that occupation of one GREPRE site by a progesterone receptor dimer increased the binding affinity of receptors for the second GREPRE site 100-fold. Thus, the observed synergistic induction of TK-CAT may result from cooperative binding of receptor dimers to the two GREPRE sites.
COMPARISON OF TWO MODELS FOR METAL-HUMIC INTERACTIONS

Humic acid has been shown to play a significant role in the environmental behavior of many metal cations as it can function as both a complexant and a redox agent. A number of models have been proposed to explain their complexing role, but most use quite different chemical descriptions of the metal-humate interactions. Two of these models which have been applied to humic acid interaction with actinide cations are briefly discussed. In one model in which humics are treated as anionic polyelectrolytes, cations can bind to specific anionic donor sites (site binding) as well as be attracted by the net anionic charge of the macromolecules (the Polyelectrolyte Model). In the second model (the Charge Neutralization Model), the binding for each cation is assumed to be associated with a number of carboxylate groups equal to the cationic charge. It is concluded that the Charge Neutralization Model is more useful in geochemical calculation codes, whereas the Polyelectrolyte Model can provide more insight into the chemical behavior of the humic acids.
SPINS AND WIDTHS OF ENERGY LEVELS IN THE 5 TO 9 MeV REGION.

Neutron-capture $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays from the Texas A research reactor have been used to excite one nuclear energy level each in $^{90}\mathrm{Zr}$, Cd, Sn, Hg, $^{205}\mathrm{Tl}$, and $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$, and two in $^{209}\mathrm{Bi}$, in the 5-9-MeV region. Angular-distribution measurements of the scattered $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays showed that the transitions were all consistent with dipole radiation. However, for various reasons, the data could also be reproduced in most cases by assuming a mixture of dipole and quadrupole radiation. Three further measurements were made for the $^{90}\mathrm{Zr}$, the $^{205}\mathrm{Tl}$, the $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$, and one $^{209}\mathrm{Bi}$ excitation: (1) an absolute differential cross-section measurement on the resonance scattering, (2) a resonance absorption measurement, and (3) a differential cross-section measurement at liquid-nitrogen temperature. From these data, values were found for ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{0}$ (the excited level width for an electromagnetic transition to the ground state), $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ (the excited level total electromagnetic width), and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ (the energy displacement between the neutron-capture $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray energy and the resonance energy). The values of ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{0}$ (between 0.14 and 1.0 eV) were found to be about 10 times larger than the values usually found for $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray widths in this energy region as determined from neutron-capture reactions.
TU-C-I-609-03: Effects of Exposure and Structural Background On the Detection of Computer-Simulated Nodules in Digital Chest Phantom Images: 2-AFC Study

Purpose: To investigate how the exposure level and structural background affect the detection of computer-simulated nodules in digital chest phantom images. Method and Materials: Images of an anthropomorphic chest phantom were acquired with an a-Si/CsI flat-panel based digital radiography system at 120 kVp and a tube current ranging from 0.25 to 32 mAs. The source-to-image distance (SID) was increased and the x-ray beam filtered to further reduce the exposure levels. 1-cm diameter computer-simulated nodules with a contrast ratio of 2.68% were computer generated at various locations of the chest images. Two-alternate forced choice (2-AFC) experiments were performed to measure the ratio of correct observations as a function of the exposure level for various structural backgrounds present. For each exposure level and location, 30 pairs of 512×512 images were generated and displayed in pairs on a review workstation for reading. The ratio of correct observations versus exposure levels were computed from the reading scores for various locations. The plots along with the exposures corresponding to 90% accuracy were used to study the effects of structural backgrounds. Results: For all regions, the accuracy generally increases from 0.5 to 1.0 with the exposure. However, the threshold exposure for 90% accuracy varies with the location. In the abdomen region, the ratio of correct observations reaches 90% at a higher exposure level (∼ 0.4 mAs). In the lung region, the ratio reaches 90% at a much lower exposure level (∼ 0.0625 mAs). The difference in the threshold exposures may be due to the heavier attenuation in the abdomen region. Complexity of structural backgrounds may affect the threshold exposure and the level and consistency of the ratios measured. This work was supported in part by a research grant EB000117 from the NIBIB and a research grant CA104759 from the NCI.
493 DECREASING PERINATAL MORTALITY IN A LARGE URBAN CENTER

From 1974-79, JHMCB, located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, an inner city community, has experienced a significant decrease in perinatal mortality reflecting improvement in both fetal and neonatal outcome. During the 6yrs, the proportion of high risk obstetrical patients has increased while the proportion of low b.wt. patients remained stable. Improved mortality has been associated with a decreased proportion of forceps deliveries (low & mid) and inductions of labor. Improvements in the monitoring program, structural changes in the NICU, and increased staffing of the obstetrical unit and NICU also coincided with decreased mortality. The proportion of births, and of breech presentations, delivered by Cesearean section and the effects of the abortion program did not appear to influence mortality rates. The decrease in neonatal mortality to levels below national averages was reflected by improvement of outcome in patients over a range of 751-2500gms. No improvement occurred in those with birth weight of less than 750gms. These results suggest that the influence of adverse socioeconomic circumstances can be overcome and improved perinatal mortality is possible.
Effects of cued-set spatial arrangement and target-background similarity in the partial-report paradigm

In previous studies of selective attention using the Sperling partial-report paradigm, the selection criterion has been confounded with the spatial arrangement of the cued items, and target-background similarity has varied concommitantly. In this partial-report experiment, subjects are directed to report the identities of five red letters embedded in a 5 × 5 matrix. With selection criterion thus held constant, the arrangement of the cued items and the nature of the background material are varied. Both arrangement and background effects are highly significant, as is the interaction between them. Some constraints on models of visual selective attention are discussed.
Human fibulin-1D: molecular cloning, expression and similarity with S1-5 protein, a new member of the fibulin gene family.

Abstract Fibulin-1 is an extracellular matrix (ECM) component of basement membranes and connective tissue elastic fibers, and a blood protein. Multiple forms of fibulin-1 that differ in their C-terminal regions are produced through the process of alternative splicing of their precursor RNA. Two transcripts of 2.4 and 2.7 kb are the predominant fibulin-1 mRNAs expressed in human tissues and cultured cells. While the 2.4 kb transcript had been shown to encode fibulin-1C, the 2.7 kb transcript did not correspond to any of the previously identified human fibulin-1 variants. Here in, we report on the isolation and sequencing of cDNA corresponding to the 2.7 kb fibulin-1 transcript which encodes a novel, alternatively spliced form of human fibulin-1 that we term the D form. The deduced amino acid sequence of the D form is identical in its first 566 residues to the three known fibulin-1 variants (fibulin-IA-C); however, it has a unique 137 aminoa cid-C-terminal segment encoded by the alternatively spliced portion of its transcript. RNA hybridization analysis showed that the fibulin-1D transcript is coordinately expressed with that of fibulin-1C both in tissues and in cultured cells. Using antibodies specific to the unique C-terminal segment of fibulin-1D and -1C, both proteins were found to be expressed in human placenta. Recombinant fibulin-1D generated in transfected mammalian cells displayed similar ligand-binding properties as placenta-derived fibulin-1 and recombinant fibulin-1C, and its was capable of incorporating into cultured cell ECM in the absence of other fibulin-1 forms. A comparative sequence analysis revealed that the unique C-terminal region of fibulin-1D is similar to the C-terminal reqions of fibulin-1C and fibulin-2. Furthermore, the C-terminal regions of fibulin-1C, -1D and -2 are similar to the C-terminal region of a recently described protein termed S1–5. In addition to this C-terminal similarity, S1–5 also contains repeated EGF-like modules and a conserved N-terminal element, thereby leading to the conclusion that S1–5 is a third member of the fibulin gene family.
Different partners in different places

The BAFF family includes 2 ligands, BAFF and APRIL, as well as 3 receptors, BAFFr, TACI, and BCMA. These molecules are master regulators of B-cell survival and, because of their clear links to autoimmunity and neoplasia, have recently been the focus of intense investigation. In this issue of Blood
Quantum confinement induced collapse of a large to a small radius self-trapped exciton in a permethylated polysilane chain

Low-temperature absorption and fluorescence spectra of a series of permethylated oligosilanes SinMe2n+2 in their all-anti form permits the identification of Si7Me16 as the shortest chain capable of supporting a large-radius exciton in its relaxed lowest singlet excited state, while Si6Me14 and shorter chains only carry small-radius self-trapped excitons. The following approximate one-dimensional semiconductor characteristics are derived from the data: exciton band half-width, ∼3.0 eV; lattice relaxation energy, ∼1.8 eV; and exciton–phonon coupling constant in the infinite chain, ∼0.6. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 361–367, 1999
Exposure bleaching of nonlinear resist materials: Exact solution

Dill's model equations for the exposure bleaching of positive photoresists have been solved exactly in a closed form when the bleaching characteristics are nonlinear. As an application, the simultaneous bleaching of a positive photoresist and that of a polysilane contrast-enhancing film (CEF) is solved to determine the photoactive compound (PAC) concentration.
The yields of excited states of aromatic derivatives in the radiolysis of hydrocarbon solutions

Abstract The yields of aromatic excited singlet states produced in the steady state β radiolysis of solutions of the aromatics in cis -decalin, decane, cyclohexane, cyclopentane, isopentane, and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane are determined from fluorescence measurements. The aromatic solutes are toluene, 1-methylnaphthalene (1-methylnaphthalene is also an electron scavenger), and aniline, which can scavenge positive charge from the solvent cations produced in the radiolysis. Weighted least squares fits of the solute excited state yields to the 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7 power of the solute concentration show that the dependence of the yield on concentration is best described by the 0.7 power dependence. The 0.7 power dependence gives maximum excited stated yields of 3.8 ± 0.4 (100 eV) -1 for the methylnaphthalene solutions and 2.8 ± 0.4 (100 eV) -1 for the toluene solutions, which correspond closely to the singlet yields from geminate ion-electron recombination. The excited state yield dependence on concentration appears to result from positive charge transfer from the solvent cations to the solute followed by solute cation-electron recombination.