cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Icosapent Ethyl: Niche Drug or for the Masses?

Despite achieving optimal levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with statins, the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) persists. The purpose of this review is to outline the effects of icosapent ethyl (IPE), an ultra-purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on ASCVD risk assessment. Many studies have shown that elevated triglycerides (TG) contribute to increased risk of ASCVD. However, the only outcomes trial to date to demonstrate a benefit in patients with elevated TG beyond its lipid-lowering properties is REDUCE-IT. Yet, despite IPE demonstrating a relatively modest reduction in TG (~ 20%), there was a 25% relative risk reduction in the primary endpoint and a 30% reduction in total events. Sub-analysis of REDUCE-IT also showed a statically significant decrease in cardiac arrest (HR 0.52 (0.31–0.86), p = 0.01) and sudden cardiac death (HR 0.69 (0.50–0.96), p = 0.03). The CVD benefits observed in REDUCE-IT coincide with on-treatment EPA levels. Icosapent ethyl’s multiple bioactive properties contribute to CVD risk reduction beyond TG lowering effects. Because patients with a REDUCE-IT-like profile are highly prevalent in the USA and abroad, IPE should not be viewed as a niche drug, but rather part of a proven armamentarium that deserves widespread use in appropriate patients at elevated ASCVD risk.
High-Speed Heterogeneous Quantum Dot Avalanche Photodiodes with Polarization Dependent Gain

We present a heterogeneous GaAs-based quantum dot (QD) avalanche photodiode (APD) on silicon with a record-high gain-bandwidth product (GBP) of 300 GHz and open eye diagrams up to 15 Gb/s. The polarization dependence of gain, responsivity, and bandwidth has been investigated for the first time.
Epistemic Frames and Political Discourse Modeling.

This paper proposes an analytic framework for political discourse that takes place over digital social media. It focuses largely on hostile or acrimonious discourse and why much of that discourse should be considered dysfunctional. The framework applies principles of epistemic frame theory and quantitative ethnography to classify and investigate relationships in political discourse patterns, to situate and visualize broad discourse patterns, and to facilitate ethnographic analysis that incorporates emotion as paramount to explaining these patterns. Commentary threads following political articles from two legacy news outlets are modeled with the Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA) software tool, for purposes of illustrating the viability of a political discourse coding system for the proposed framework. The paper also introduces the constructs of discursive transactions and emotional grammars to extend the explanatory value of the proposed framework. The framework is meant to contribute to a broader dialog on functional discourse patterns, and to help researchers articulate both the spiraling nature of dysfunctional political discourse and the profound damage it inflicts on social goals of fairness, well-being, and prosperity.
Cyclic Variation of Spectral Parameters for the Differentiation of Atrial Myocardium Before and Immediately Following Radiofrequency Ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a common treatment of atrial fibrillation. However, current treatment is associated with a greater than 20% recurrence rate, in part due to inadequate monitoring of...
Differential effect of Serratia protease on platelet surface glycoproteins Ib and V

The effect of a zinc metalloprotease from Serratia marcescens on platelet surface glycoproteins (GP) Ib and V was analyzed. Increasing protease treatments caused progressive loss of GP Ib with appearance of the major fragment, glycocalicin, in the supernatant solution. No GP V was detected in the supernatant solution, and protease-pretreated platelets had the same capacity as control platelets to release fragment 1 of GP V in response to thrombin. The Serratia protease- pretreated platelets did show the lag before thrombin-induced dense granule secretion, characteristic of platelets modified by pretreatment with other nonstimulating proteases. Treatment with Serratia protease gives the only demonstrated selective loss of GP Ib without apparent effect on GP V. It suggests that GP V (1) does not depend on GP Ib for its association with platelets and (2) is not the substrate for protease modification of platelet function.
Simulation of a conical antenna for stimulating neurological tissue

Delivering electric pulses to brain tissues has been done by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, but the resolution and penetration depth are limited. We use picosecond electric pulses to stimulate neurons (activation or inhibition). The delivery of such short pulses was simulated by CST Microwave Studio. Pulses were delivered to a shallow, subcranial target using a conical dielectric antenna. Results of the simulation show the antenna is capable of creating an electric field distribution less than the size of the antenna aperture.
Fluid simulation of the collisionless plasma sheath surrounding an electric dipole antenna in the inner magnetosphere

[1] The electrostatic sheath formation surrounding an electric dipole antenna at very low frequencies (VLF) in a magnetoplasma is examined through numerical simulation. In this paper, a hydrodynamic approach is used to solve for the nonlinear sheath dynamics of antennas located in plasmas similar to that which exists in the plasmasphere between L = 2 and L = 3 in the geomagnetic equatorial plane. The plasma environment at this location is assumed to be fully ionized and collisionless consisting of electrons and protons. Poisson's equation is used to close the system, providing the quasi-electrostatic fields within the sheath region. Sheath characteristics are given as a function of antenna drive frequency and voltage with results that are compared with existing theory. Capacitance and resistance values are given to reflect the sheath's contribution to the input impedance of the antenna. Finally, the importance of ion motion and the nonlinear sheath effects on the current, charge collection and bias voltage for the transmitting antenna are shown. The primary assumptions underlying the closure mechanisms for the infinite set of fluid moments are examined through theoretical observations and simulated comparisons of the truncation schemes. This paper constitutes one of the first works on the subject of high-voltage transmitting dipole antenna in a space plasma using a three-dimensional nonlinear formulation.
New Wavelet Methods for Flatfielding Coded Aperture Images

We describe preliminary results from a new investigation we have undertaken for the processing of “flatfield” images used in coded aperture imaging analysis to remove spatial variations in detector background. We have explored wavelet methods for multiresolution smoothing of detector background images which preserve both high and low spatial frequency components of the detector background. Whereas original EXITE images, from the EXITE1 detector and telescope, were processed with a high-statistics average detector background image for a subtractive flatfield, any temporal variations in background shape would be better removed using the observations themselves, appropriately smoothed, to define the background shape. Wavelet smoothing, combined with a pointing program including small dither offsets (planned for EXITE2), appears to be a promising technique. Preliminary results of actual EXITE1 image analysis and simulations are presented.
Halo Luminosity Function From Photometric Calibration of the Revised NLTT

We calibrate the photographic photometry of the revised New Luyten Two-Tenths catalog (rNLTT) by matching 3448 rNLTT stars to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The correction is linear in magnitude and goes from zero at V ~ 14 to 0.32 mag at V=19, in the sense that rNLTT was previously too bright. The correction implies that the underlying USNO-A2.0 photometry, on which rNLTT photometry is based, is non-linear. The new calibration somewhat improves the appearance of the (V,V-J) reduced proper motion diagram in the sense of better separation between disk and halo stars. We repeat Gould's analysis of 5000 halo stars in rNLTT. The most important change is to move the peak of the halo luminosity function about 0.5 mag dimmer, from M_V=10.5 to M_V=11, putting it into good agreement with the parallax-based determination of Dahn et al.
Problems arising from the use of the HLA system in paternity testing

Characterization of the HLA antigens present on lymphocytes has become an important procedure in paternity testing. This paper presents data on two cases in which the HLA antigens exhibited by the mother, child and alleged father were consistent with paternity but where the other genetic markers clearly showed exclusion of paternity. The use of HLA data alone to calculate probability of paternity in these two cases produced misleading figures. Caution must be exercised in using HLA results to calculate the probability of paternity, especially when there is reason to believe that the alleged and natural fathers are relatives.
The Use of Packet-Switched vs. Circuit-Switched Networks for Data Transport in a Public Transit Environment

Ethernet has become the de-facto standard for providing data transport not just throughout the internet but for numerous private and industrial networks. Prior to Ethernet’s dominance, circuit-switched networks (or time-division multiplexed networks like SONET) were popular choices for applications that required flexible and reliable data transport. Over the past 10 years, packet-switched networks in general (and Ethernet in particular) have usurped the role formerly played by these circuit-switched networks but is this a good development given that not all applications that require data transport are created equal? In the public transit environment, data transport networks are often used for mission critical applications that directly support revenue service such as signaling and train control and are increasingly based upon packet-switched networks. This paper will explore the current trend of using packet-switched as opposed to circuit-switched networks in the context of providing data transport for rail-based public transit agencies and, after examining five case studies, draw conclusions that are relevant for public transit agencies.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Spatial learning/memory and social and nonsocial behaviors in the spontaneously hypertensive, Wistar-Kyoto and Sprague-Dawley rat strains.

Abstract The Spontaneously Hypertensive rat (SHR) is often described as less behaviorally reactive than its normotensive strain, the Wistar–Kyoto (WKY), although results are somewhat inconsistent across studies. In part, this may be due to the lack of a definitive characterization of “reactivity.” Still, results from identical behavioral tests of SHR and WKY across studies are sometimes conflicting. Further, few comparisons with other rodent strains are available and these might provide guidance in outlining the meaning of reactivity. Here, social and nonsocial behaviors and spatial learning and memory were measured in male and female SHR, WKY, and Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. Systolic blood pressure measurements at adulthood confirmed hypertension in the SHR. Juvenile play behavior indicated that SHRs were more sensitive to the strain of their play partner than were the WKY or SD, playing less with different strain partners than with same strain partners. However, adult dominance behavior (restricted access in a water competition test) indicated no strain differences. The SHR appeared to exhibit attenuated acoustic startle relative to the WKY and SD and their prepulse inhibition was substantially less at higher prepulse decibel intensities; however, this decreased prepulse inhibition was not the result of decreased startle during the test. Anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze was most prominent in the SD strain, possibly as a result of poorer motor coordination as measured by rotarod performance. Elevated plus maze behavior as well as motor coordination did not differ between the SHR and WKY strains. Performance in the NCTR complex maze and the Morris water maze was significantly better in the SHR. These results do not support hypotheses of decreased behavioral reactivity in the SHR strain. Rather, they suggest complex interactions between social and nonsocial environments and the behavioral capabilities and requirements of the rat strain.
Processing-induced conduction mechanisms in metal-insulator-semiconductor diodes on n -InP

Current-voltage-temperature (I-V-T) studies were utilized in evaluating conduction mechanisms in metal/insulator/n-InP (MIS) diodes. Comparisons are made between thermal and chemical oxide growth, chemical preparation by H2SO4 ∔ HF versus Brmethanol and KOH-methanol, both with and without a proximity cap during sintering of the ohmic contact. Conventional thermal oxides gave non-linear I-V-T curves indicative of a significant continuous surface state control. An InP proximity cap used to protect the front surface of the sample during sintering of the ohmic contact gave more ideal characteristics. For example, thermionic emission control with barrier height(oB) increased from 0.590 to 0.677 eV resulted in an ideality factor of 1.10. Best I-V data were obtained using a chemical oxide to achieveoB≈ 0.86 eV. A chemical oxide after proximity cap gave a high voltage thermionic field emission component. Deep level transient spectroscopy revealed a bulk trap with activation energyEA≈ 0.64 eV and a surface trap withEA= 0.60 eV.
COMPARISON OF THE INCIDENCE OF LATENT PROSTATE CANCER DETECTED AT AUTOPSY BEFORE AND AFTER THE PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN ERA

ABSTRACT Purpose: Most data regarding the prevalence of latent prostate cancer found only at autopsy are from old reports. To determine if significant differences exist in the prevalence of latent prostate cancer between periods before and after the advent of screening for prostate cancer, we compared 2 groups of men undergoing autopsy during the 2 periods. Materials and Methods: Our institutional autopsy record database was searched to identify all men found to have prostate cancer before or after death between 1955 and 1960 (total 3,307 men and 1,578 men older than 40 years), and between 1991 and 2001 (total 2,938 men, 1,380 men older than 40 years). We calculated the age based incidence of latent prostate cancer detected only at autopsy in an at risk population of men (older than 40 years). We also compared Gleason grade distribution and proportion of stage cT3 or greater cancers between the 2 periods. Results: Between 1955 and 1960 the prevalence of latent prostate cancer detected only at autopsy in men older than 40 years was 4.8% compared to 1.2% (p Conclusions: Autopsy rates are decreasing at our institution. With the more widespread use of screening, the prevalence of latent prostate cancer has decreased 3-fold. The decrease in the prevalence of latent prostate cancer is especially dramatic in men older than 70 years. Further study will determine the significance of many of the tumors currently detected clinically, which may have been latent and found at autopsy if not for screening.
The confusion over stray voltage

The subject of stray voltage, once mentioned only in relation to dairy farms, has today become an issue in the industry for other reasons, not the least of which is safety. The general reduction of industry participation in the standards-writing function of the IEEE has created a situation in which nonprofessionals, such as state legislators and lawyers, are rewriting definitions and creating new terms, arbitrary limits, and testing procedures, thereby costing the industry many millions of dollars, which could have been used far more wisely to promote both safety and reliability.
Low-field NMR: A tool for studying protein aggregation

Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin–spin relaxation (T2) measurements were used to study the denaturation and aggregation of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) solutions of varying concentrations (1–80 g L−1) as they were heated at temperatures ranging from ambient up to 90 °C. For concentrations of 1–10 g L−1, the T2 of β-LG solutions did not change, even after heating to 90 °C. A decrease in T2 was only observed when solutions having higher concentrations (20–80 g L−1) were heated. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and fluorescence tests using the dye 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) on 0.2 and 1 g L−1 solutions, respectively, indicated there were changes in the protein's secondary and tertiary conformations when the β-LG solutions reached 70 °C and above. In addition, dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that protein aggregation occurred only at concentrations above 10 g L−1 and for heating at 70 °C and above. The hydrodynamic radius increased as T2 decreased. When excess 2-mercaptoethanol was added, the changes in both T2 and the hydrodynamic radius followed the same trend for all β-LG protein concentrations between 1 and 40 g L−1. These observations led to the conclusion that the changes in T2 were due to protein aggregation, not protein unfolding. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
The Myospherulotic Potential of Water-Soluble Ointments:

Myospherulosis is a submucosal inflammatory condition that has been linked to the use of petrolatum-based ointment in the sinus cavities of patients after paranasal sinus surgery. To avoid this problem, several investigators have suggested using water-soluble ointments. Polyethylene glycol, a vehicle commonly used for water miscible ointments, has not been examined previously with regard to its potential to cause a myospherulotic lesion. Using an in vitro model, we confirmed the potential of petrolatum ointment to produce the myospherulotic lesion and examined the myospherulotic potential of polyethylene glycol ointment.
Search for a Steric Penultimate Effect: Copolymerization of 2,3,4-Trimethyl-3-pentyl Methacrylate with Styrene

Abstract The hindered monomer, 2,3,4-trimethyl-3-pentyl methacrylate (I), was synthesized for penultimate effect studies. Since it readily homopoiymerized (km111≠ 0) and readily copolymerized with styrene, copolymerizations of I with styrene were carried out at 60°C in benzene with AIBN as initiator. The conversion to copolymer and the copolymer composition were determined by using GLC techniques. Composition-conversion data was analyzed by performing a computerized nonlinear least-squares fitting to the integrated form of the penultimate model equation. The experimental design included the use of optimized M1°/M2° ratios. The penultimate reactivity ratios calculated from these data were r1′ = 0.23, r1′= 0.59, r2 = 0.59, r2′ = 1.34. Thus, when I is the penultimate unit, a terminal styryl radical prefers to add styrene, whereas when styrene is the penultimate unit, terminal styryl radicals prefer to add I. These results constitute the best evidence for a steric penultimate effect yet available in the liter...
Women managers at work

Abstract Formal education, in terms of degrees, is not always the main factor enabling women to take up management positions in data processing. Determination, dedication and, for married women with children, overcoming the obstacle of childcare, are other important factors that should be considered. The paper is based on interviews with female DP managers in Honeywell Inc.
Comparison of Vocal Signals of Three Species of African Finches

African finches of a monophyletic group in the Passeridae nest in colonies with roofed nests thatched of dry grass-stems. Vocal signals are described, with the aid of sonograms, 13 for the white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali)(Pm), 13 for the grey-capped social weaver (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) (Pa), and 20 for the sociable weaver (Philetairus socius) (Ps). These vocal signals fall into general categories, as is true for most birds, of alarm calls, agonistic behavior, and courtship and mating signals, parent-young relations, and flock contact calls. These three species illustrate the principle of adaptive specialization of vocal signals. Pm differs from the others in having a loud dawn song, a whispered version of this song, and also a loud vocalization frequently given in defense of a group territory within which the birds forage. Pa and Ps differ from Pm in defending only the immediate vicinity of the nest or nest chamber, in foraging in large flocks on neutral ground often well away from the colony nest trees, and have special flock calls. In Pa, the territorial call is used mainly to announce arrival at its nest, and song is rare or absent in this species. Ps, which lives in a large, apartmentstyle communal nest, has the most diversified repertoire, especially of social contact calls. Convergent evolution of vocal signals and social organization with unrelated families gives some idea of the selection pressures in the evolution of these signals.
The Immateriality of Consciousness and the Immanence of Thought: How Emergence Forces Us to Rethink Metaphysics

This paper wishes to follow the injunction given to us from Badiou that philosophy shouldn’t dictate the progress in various fields that it’s coupled with (science, politics, etc.), and that it should instead be receptive to the ‘Events’ in these fields. This paper wishes to take the field of science called ‘Complexity Science’, specifically the idea of ‘Emergentism’ in it, as an Event that philosophy should be receptive to. In exploring this relatively new field, this paper wishes to draw the properly radical metaphysical conclusions that crop up from such an investigation. Thus this paper’s goal is two-fold: it wishes to explore Emergentism as an important new topic for philosophy, and it wishes to explore the new avenues of thought that this science opens up.
Kiasan: A Verification and Test-Case Generation Framework for Java Based on Symbolic Execution

Best program practices in software engineering emphasize software components that are loosely coupled and can be independently developed by different vendors. While these approaches improve the process of software development, however, they present a number of challenges involving reasoning about the correctness of individual components as well as their integration. Design-by-contract reasoning offers a promising approach to reason about software components by requiring software contracts that describe the behaviors of the components. This allows one to focus at satisfying the contract of each component, i.e., it allows compositional reasoning. In this paper, we present Kiasan, a technique that combines symbolic execution, model checking, theorem proving, and constraint solving to support design-by-contract reasoning of object-oriented software. There are a number of interesting trade-offs between Kiasan other approaches such as ESC/Java. While checking in Kiasan is sometime more expensive, Kiasan can check much stronger behavioral properties of object-oriented software including properties/software that makes extensive use of heap-allocated data. In addition, Kiasan naturally generates counter examples, visualization of code effects, and JUnit test cases that are driven by code and user-supplied specifications. We present Kiasan and describe how it is implemented on top of the Bogor framework. Furthermore, we present a case study in which Kiasan is applied to a variety of examples and we discuss insights gained from our experience.
Screening older cancer patients for a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment: A comparison of three instruments

BACKGROUND: The Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) has been validated for screening older cancer patients for a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). To identify a widely acceptable approach that encourages oncologists to screen older cancer patients for a CGA, we examined the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) and Karnofsky Index of Performance Status (KPS) scales' ability to identify abnormalities on a CGA and compared the performance of the two instruments with the VES-13. METHODS: We enrolled 117 participants, ≥65 years with stage I-IV cancer into this cross-sectional study. Our primary outcome variable was ≥two abnormalities on the CGA, (Yes or No). We employed receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to compare the discriminatory abilities of the three instruments to identify ≥two abnormalities on the CGA. RESULTS: Of the 117 participants, 43% had ≥two abnormalities on the CGA. The VES-13 was predictive of ≥two abnormalities on the CGA, area under the curve (AUC)=0.85 [(95% CI: 0.78-0.92); sensitivity=88%, specificity=69%, at cut-off ≥3]. The ECOG-PS and KPS showed similar discriminatory powers, AUC=0.88 [(95% CI: 0.83-0.94); sensitivity=94%, specificity=55%, at cut-off ≥1]; and AUC=0.90 [(95% CI: 0.84-0.96); sensitivity=78%, specificity=91%, at cut-off ≤80%], respectively. CONCLUSION: The ECOG-PS and KPS were equivalent to the VES-13 in identifying older cancer patients with at least two abnormalities on the CGA. Given that oncologists are already conversant with the KPS and ECOG-PS, these two instruments offer medical oncologists a widely acceptable approach for screening older patients for a CGA.
P‐130: Current Mapping and Noise Testing Techniques for Detection of Latent Pixel Shorts in PLED Displays

Formation of latent shorts in pixilated Polymer Light Emitting Devices (PLED) is one of the major contributors to their poor reliability and a formidable obstacle to PLED commercialization. We investigated two testing techniques aimed at predicting when a PLED display is susceptible to developing latent pixel shorts.
Phylogeny and character behavior in the family Lemuridae.

Abstract A phylogenetic analysis of the family Lemuridae was accomplished using multiple gene partitions and morphological characters. The results of the study suggest that several nodes in the lemurid phylogeny can be robustly resolved; however, the relationships of the species within the genus Eulemur are problematically nonrobust. The genus Varecia is strongly supported as the basal genus in the family. Hapalemur and Lemur catta are strongly supported as sister taxa and together are the sister group to the genus Eulemur. E. mongoz is the most basal species in the genus Eulemur. E. fulvus subspecies form a monophyletic group with three distinct lineages. E. coronatus is strongly supported as the sister taxon to E. macaco. The relationships of E. rubriventer, E. fulvus, and the E. macaco–E. coronatus pair are unresolved. Our combined molecular and morphological analysis demonstrates the lack of influence that morphology has on the simultaneous analysis tree when these two kinds of data are given equal weight. The effects of several extreme weighting schemes (removal of transitions and of third positions in protein-coding regions) and maximum-likelihood analysis were also explored. We suggest that these other forms of inference add little to resolving the problematic relationships of the species in the genus Eulemur.
Participant Impact of the Conservation Corps Experience

This study examined the impact of conservation corps experiences on participants. Based upon existing gaps in the conservation corps literature and drawing from research on other comparable programs, this study addressed the following research questions: did involvement in a conservation corps program increase participants' (a) intention to pursue natural resource management related careers or education, (b) positive attitudes towards public lands, and (c) environmental activism? A quasi-experimental design was used to answer these questions. The participant group for the study came from 10 different Public Lands Service Coalition corps in the Western United States during the 2011 season. The comparison group was recruited from an online panel drawn from the same states as the participating PLSC organizations. ANCOVA results revealed that participants experienced positive growth in relation to the comparisons over the course of their involvement in the program.
ON SCHUR MULTIPLIERS OF LIE ALGEBRAS AND GROUPS OF MAXIMAL CLASS

The Lie algebra analogue to the Schur multiplier has been investigated in a number of recent articles. We consider the multipliers of Lie algebras of maximal class, classifying these algebras with ...
Identification of psychogenic abdominal pain.

Abstract Persistent abdominal pain can be a diagnostic challenge. This study compared the presence of 13 factors, which have been considered positive indicators of psychological etiology, in three patient populations: psychogenic abdominal pain (PAP), inflammatory bowel disease, and general medical-surgical. Four factors in the patient history that are particularly useful in differentiating PAP patients are: (1) past evidence of somatization; (2) the presence of a symptom model; (3) prominent guilt; and (4) a history of physical abuse by either a parent or spouse.
Minimal organic medium for suspension cultures of Paul's scarlet rose

Maximum growth of suspension cultures of Paul's Scarlet rose has been demonstrated in a minimal organic medium possessing only 4 organic compounds: napthaleneacetic acid, kinetin, myo-inositol, and sucrose. Myo-inositol was not essential for growth, but sustained growth was reduced by 90% when it was omitted. Maximum growth required nitrate plus a supplemental amount of either NH 4 + or glutamine.
The Idea of Social Life

This paper reclaims the idea that human society is a form of life, an idea once vibrant in the work of Toennies, Durkheim, Simmel, Le Bon, Kroeber, Freud, Bion, and Follett but moribund today. Despite current disparagements, this idea remains the only and best answer to our primary experience of society as vital feeling. The main obstacle to conceiving society as a life is linguistic; the logical form of life is incommensurate with the logical form of language. However, it is possible to extend our conceptual reach by appealing to alternative symbolisms more congenial to living form such as, and especially, art.
Immunocytochemical localization of phospholipase C-gamma in rat embryo fibroblasts.

Abstract Rat embryo fibroblasts (REF52) exhibit a distinctive, transformation-sensitive distribution of alpha-protein kinase C (alpha-PKC). Receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma generates diacylglycerol, the major cellular activator of PKC. Immunofluorescence techniques were used to investigate the subcellular localization of two PLC isozymes (PLC-gamma and PLC-delta) in normal and simian virus 40-transformed REF52 cells to determine (i) if PLC colocalizes with alpha-PKC and (ii) if PLC isozyme distribution is sensitive to transformation. PLC-delta was not detected in either cell type. In REF52 cells, PLC-gamma was associated with the actin cytoskeleton and was evenly distributed along the length of the actin microfilaments. PLC-gamma was coincident with alpha-PKC at the points where the filaments are anchored to the membrane (i.e., the focal contacts). Cytoskeletal association of PLC-gamma was not transformation sensitive, although the actin cytoskeleton was more disordered in simian virus 40-transformed cells. In REF52 cells, platelet-derived growth factor induced tyrosine phosphorylation of both soluble and cytoskeletal PLC-gamma. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma did not seem to be a determinant of its subcellular localization, but there was a detectable increase in cytoskeleton-associated PLC-gamma in response to platelet-derived growth factor treatment.
Shifts in Global Security Policies: Why They Matter for the South

The global security order has been evolving since 1989, led initially by the USA to expand its post‐1945 order in Europe to the rest of the world but propelled as well by competition and debates within that post‐Second World War alliance, as collective victors in the Cold War, about how to define a new international order. This article identifies three US policies that began this restructuring; their parallel redefinitions of security, and the tensions provoked by this agenda and its consequences, both within the ‘North’, replacing the ‘West’, between North and ‘South’, replacing the‘East’and the resulting multiple opportunities for alternative political coalitions, North against South, between North and South, and within the South, that have yet to play themselves out fully. The resulting fluidity has not yet stabilised into a new international security order.
Transposing a matrix by similarity operations

Abstract A matrix T is said to co-transpose a square matrix A if T −1 AT = A ′ and T −1 A ′ T = A . For every n ⩾3 there exists a real n × n matrix which cannot be co-transposed by any matrix. However, it is shown that the following classes of real matrices can be co-transposed by a symmetric matrix of order two: 2×2 matrices, normal matrices, and matrices whose square is symmetric.
AlGaAs-GaAs-InGaAs strained layer laser structure with performance independent of AlGaAs layer quality

An AlGaAs–GaAs–InGaAs strained layer laser structure has been shown to have a low threshold current density which is independent of AlGaAs layer quality. This threshold invariance is attributed to the use of a large GaAs region outside the InGaAs well to reduce the effects of traps in the AIGaAs on the active region of the laser and was demonstrated by characterising identical structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) under different AIGaAs growth conditions. These results should have strong implications for the reliability and manufacturability of such lasers and for the integration with electronic devices where low temperature growth is required.
Light Scattering Study of the Self-Association Behavior of Long Chain Branched Poly(2-ethyloxazoline) in Solvents

Self-association behavior and conformation variation of long chain branched (LCB) poly(2-ethyloxazoline) (PEOx) with a CH3-(CH2)17 (C18) modified surface are investigated using light scattering techniques in various solvents. It is found that this LCB-PEOx self-associates in less polar solvents to form metastable nanoaggregates instead of undergoing precipitation. The critical aggregation concentration (cac) of this LCB polymer was obtained from the sharp increase of both hydrodynamic radius (Rh) and scattering light intensity measured in dynamic light scattering. The cac strongly depends on solvent polarity, decreasing as the solvent becomes more hydrophobic. As the polarity of the solvent increases, C18 chains move from the outside surface to the interior. Inward movement of C18 chains can cause coupled LCB-polymer chains to move with them, resulting in shrinkage of the particle size. The self-association process in the LCB-PEOx involves intrachain (C18 chains) collapse and interchain association. By a ...
Corticofugal influence at cochlear nucleus of the cat: Some effects of ablation of insular-temporal cortex

Summary Recovery functions were derived from neuroelectric activity evoked by paired acoustic clicks in awake cats and recorded through electrodes chronically implanted in the cochlear nuclei. Bilateral ablations of the ventral insular-temporal cortex gave rise to speeded recovery, while unilateral ablations of the same cortical area caused specific changes in the range of values obtained for the various interstimulus intervals. These effects are due to the specific cortical area ablated; further, they cannot be accounted for by activity of the middle ear muscles. Tonic inhibitory influence such as might be mediated by the brain stem reticular formation has been ascertained unlikely as a factor in these results. The present study, then, conclusively demonstrates the influence of a non-primary cortical area upon ascending neurosensory activity.
VisFiles: presentation techniques for time-series data

This is the first in a series of columns on the subject of data visualization. I'm excited to have this opportunity because it will give me an excuse to finally learn about some subjects that I've wanted to learn about but never gave myself the time. Gordon Cameron, Computer Graphics Editor, has given me some latitude on topics so future visualization columns will deal with color selection, data visualization systems and APIs, data visualization research, information visualization, user interface issues, tips and hints, etc. If you have comments on this column or suggestions for future columns, please send me email (todd@acm.org).In this issue I will give an overview of some familiar, and some probably unfamiliar, time-series data presentation techniques. Time-series data visualization is becoming an increasingly important topic as data archives grow exponentially and computing becomes ubiquitous. Some researchers claim that time-series data can be imaged using techniques similar to those applied to spatial data (since time is most often linear), and some claim that temporal data is a much different beast. For example, temporal data can have multiple strands and events, features not present in spatial data. There are also many interesting unsolved problems and data handling issues associated with temporal data:• Boolean and other mathematical operations• Data storage and temporal databases• Data query and retrieval• Data generalization (handling data at vastly different resolutions)• Data models and representation• Data presentationI have lately been working on designing a user interface for a simple geographic information system capable of manipulating and compositing time-series geo-referenced data. This project started me thinking about the different ways of visually representing temporal data. Without going into much detail on any one method, following are all the methods I could find within arms length in my office. Most of these methods allow the scientist or visualizer to present the time-series in a single image, while the final method uses an animation technique. Good techniques for visually presenting time-series data will:• Reveal spatial and temporal relationships• Uncover patterns• Show variability
Assessment of command-following in minimally conscious brain injured patients

Abstract Objective: To develop a method for establishing the presence of command-following in individuals with traumatic brain injury, based on the principles of single-subject experimental design. Design: A series of single-subject experiments, individualized to the particular command-following question about a particular patient. Setting: An inpatient rehabilitation hospital with a specialized program for vegetative and minimally conscious brain injured patients. Patients: Eight individuals with serious brain injury of traumatic or nontraumatic origin, presenting in vegetative or minimally conscious states. Interventions: The frequency of performance of the behavior in question was assessed in response to commands and in relation to appropriate control conditions. Data were analyzed with χ 2 or Fisher's exact test, as well as measures derived from signal detection theory. Main Outcome Measures: The frequency of performance of a specific behavior in the presence of a command and in relevant contrasting conditions. Results: This method identified whether a specific behavior was being performed in response to command and whether the reliability of this behavior was changing over time either spontaneously or in response to treatment. Conclusions: Quantitative assessment of command-following based on principles of single-subject experimental design can determine whether patients are capable of following commands and whether this ability changes over time or in response to treatment.
Controlled semi-Markov models, the discounted case

Abstract Let the state space S be a Borel subset of a complete separable metric space, the action space A compact metric. Existence of stationary optimal policies is proved for general semi-Markov models with possibly unbounded rewards. The corresponding dynamic programming equations are also derived. The paper presents a synthesis and extensions of earlier results.
Alcohol craving in adolescents: bridging the laboratory and natural environment

Rationale Initial lab studies suggest that adolescent drinkers crave alcohol when presented with alcohol cues. Whether this effect generalizes to the natural environment, however, remains unknown, and studies have not examined whether craving predicts drinking among youths.
Individuality of Item Interpretation in Interchangeable Acl Scales

After responding to each adjective in a check list, subjects gave a synonym. Sets of such synonyms showed considerable diversity. Using the first and second modal synonyms, respectively, in each such set, two new scales were formed for each of five variables. In another sample, these new scales had reliabilities comparable to those for the original scales and to the intercorrelations among the scales. For each triad of scales, the patterns of correlations with other scales converged closely. Despite the individuality of interpretations, the item sampling produced parallel, practically interchangeable scales. Each subject may be considered to be responding to his personal scale which corresponds roughly to those for other subjects.
Time of Appearance of Photosystems I and II in Chloroplasts of Greening Jack Bean Leaves

The time of appearance of photochemical activities together with the chlorophyll-protein complexes associated with photosystems I and II was followed in greening primary leaves of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.). When greening of the etiolated leaves occurred under high relative humidity conditions, no lag phase in chlorophyll accumulation was observed. These environmental conditions also promoted rapid and uniform development of the chloroplast lamellar system. Chlorophyll-protein complexes of the lamellae were separated by means of sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by hvdroxylapatite chromatography. The photosystem II complex, containing chlorophyll a/o-protein, was detected after 2 h of greening. Its appearance was correlated with a sharp decrease in the chlorophyll a/6 ratio and with the onset of oxygen evolution. Subsequently, the photosystem I complex, containing a chlorophyll ra-protein, was detected—after 6 h of illumination. Its appearance coincided with the detection of light-induced bleaching of P700 and the beginning of a rising chlorophyll ajb ratio that plateaued some time later.
Surgical management of distal coil migration and arterial perforation after attempted coil embolization of a ruptured ophthalmic artery aneurysm: technical case report.

Objective and importance Distal coil migration is a rare but hazardous complication of aneurysm coil embolization. Various microsnare devices have been developed to address this problem. We describe the surgical management of a case in which microsnare retrieval failed. Clinical presentation A 34-year-old woman presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography angiography, and conventional angiography showed an approximately 2.5-mm ophthalmic artery aneurysm. Using balloon remodeling, a 2 x 4-cm coil was deployed into the aneurysm fundus. While the coil pusher was being removed after deployment, the microcatheter advanced abruptly into the aneurysm. The coil mass was dislodged and migrated into the angular branch of the middle cerebral artery. Contrast extravasation was noted during attempted retrieval with a microsnare device. Technique Computed tomographic scans showed a subarachnoid hemorrhage in the territory of the left frontotemporal operculum. A left modified orbitozygomatic approach was performed. The coil mass was removed from the angular artery and a thromboembolectomy was performed. The artery was repaired and the pseudoaneurysm was clip ligated. The ophthalmic artery aneurysm was clip ligated. The patient recovered without deficits. Conclusion Distal coil migration and arterial perforation can be treated surgically with a good clinical outcome.
Reducing corn yield variability and enhancing yield through the use of corn-specific growth models.

Crop simulation models (CSMs) can evaluate the effects of management and environmental scenarios on crop growth and yields. Two corn (Zea mays L.) crop growth simulation models, Hybrid-Maize, and CERES-Maize, were calibrated and validated under mid-Atlantic United States conditions to provide better understanding of corn response to variable environmental conditions and developing management that decreases temporal yield variation. Calibration data were from small-plot population by maturity studies conducted across five site years. Model validation was performed on data from large, replicated trials from across Virginia. Both CSMs under-predicted corn grain yield. CERES-Maize grain yield prediction error was consistent across the range of plant density, whereas accuracy of Hybrid-Maize varied with density. Validation results of the calibrated CSMs showed reasonable accuracy in simulating planting date and environment on a range of corn hybrids. Because each model has unique strengths and assessment modul...
Mast cell density, angiogenesis, blood clotting, and prognosis in women with advanced ovarian cancer

Abstract Objective. To determine clinical or biological associations between mast cell density, blood clotting, angiogenesis, and survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Methods. Tumor tissue sections were assessed for mast cell density by staining for mast cell tryptase, blood clotting by staining of thrombosed blood vessels, and angiogenesis by CD34 expression. Chi-square, Kaplan–Meier, and Cox proportional hazard statistical analyses were used. Results. 44 women with stage III–IV ovarian cancers had tumor blocks available for immunohistochemical analysis. Higher mean vessel density (MVD) (>11 vessels/400× field) predicted for better survival than lower MVD (≤11 vessels/400× field) ( P = 0.004). Women whose tumors had low levels of peri-tumoral mast cell infiltration had a mean survival of 40.6 months compared to 50.6 months in those whose tumors had high levels ( P = 0.47). Tumors with higher MVD and high peri-tumoral mast cell infiltration had a mean survival of 80.3 months compared to 37.8 months in those with low mast cell density or low MVD ( P = 0.015). Patients with tumors showing a low degree of blood clotting had a mean survival of 45.5 compared to 45.1 months in those with tumors showing a high degree of blood clotting ( P = 0.91). There was no significant association between angiogenesis and mast cell density ( P = 0.123). In multivariate analysis, higher MVD remained as a significant prognostic factor for improved survival after adjusting for clotting and mast cell density. Conclusions. Our data suggest that peri-tumoral mast cell infiltration in tumors with high MVD predicts for improved survival in women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.