cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The variation game: Cracking complex genetic disorders with NGS and omics data

Tremendous advances in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and high-throughput omics methods have brought us one step closer towards mechanistic understanding of the complex disease at the molecular level. In this review, we discuss four basic regulatory mechanisms implicated in complex genetic diseases, such as cancer, neurological disorders, heart disease, diabetes, and many others. The mechanisms, including genetic variations, copy-number variations, posttranscriptional variations, and epigenetic variations, can be detected using a variety of NGS methods. We propose that malfunctions detected in these mechanisms are not necessarily independent, since these malfunctions are often found associated with the same disease and targeting the same gene, group of genes, or functional pathway. As an example, we discuss possible rewiring effects of the cancer-associated genetic, structural, and posttranscriptional variations on the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network centered around P53 protein. The review highlights multi-layered complexity of common genetic disorders and suggests that integration of NGS and omics data is a critical step in developing new computational methods capable of deciphering this complexity.
Mathematical models for regional planning

Abstract This paper provides a discussion of the mathematical methods used in regional economic planning models. Particular attention is given to the relationships between (1) the economic assumptions embodied in the models, (2) the computational methods used to solve the models, and (3) the degree of disaggregation achievable with reasonable computational expense. The paper begins with a discussion of the particular characteristics of regional models which distinguish them from economy wide planning models and then includes sections on single period and multi-period models. Both simulation and optimizing models are discussed.
Selective, rapid removal of the vitamin D-binding protein and its sterol ligands from human and bovine plasma.

Abstract Rapid and selective removal of plasma vitamin D-binding protein was effected by the serial passage of plasma over four columns of agarose containing covalently linked skeletal muscle G-actin. By maintaining an actin-to-binding protein molar ratio of at least 4 to 1 throughout, 99% of the binding protein was removed from the fourth column's eluate. In contrast, 87% of the total plasma or serum protein applied was recovered, and electrophoretic analyses of human and bovine sera that had undergone these affinity chromatography steps revealed no major alterations in protein distribution. The procedure also removes vitamin D sterols selectively, with preference for 25-hydroxycalciferol (90% removal) over 1,25-dihydroxycalciferol (65–70% removal) and calciferol (70% removal), in accordance with the known affinity displayed by the binding protein for these sterol ligands. Recovery of other serum constituents (cortisol, proteins, peptide hormones, calcium and alkaline phosphatase) was excellent, further confirming the selectivity of the technique. Utilizing vitamin D-deficient serum, serum depleted of the vitamin D-binding protein was not distinguishable from control serum in supporting the growth of human fibroblasts in vitro . In comparison with other methods to remove serum-binding protein or sterols, the present technique is more selective and can be used for mammalian and avian sera. Material so prepared could prove useful for studies of the cellular access, metabolism, and effects of vitamin D sterols in vitro .
Modeling of Droplet-Based Processing for the Production of High-Performance Particulate Materials Using Level Set Method

This research is focused on a numerical investigation of dynamic and thermal processes of single droplet in the uniform droplet spray (UDS) process. The level set method (LSM) is used to assist in tracking the liquid-gas and solid-liquid interfaces during droplet’s impingement and solidification. UDS process generates mono-size droplets of desired diameter, permits stringent control of the thermal state of the droplet, and produces deposits and materials with distinctly different microstructures including Icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (I-phase) in the Mg-Zn-Y system. The conservative level set function, combined with the Navier-Stokes and energy equations have been adopted to study the deformation and heat transfer of liquid metal droplet when impacting on the substrate under supercooling condition. The effects of surface tension and contact angle on droplet’s deformation are taken into consideration. The developed simulation technique is validated both analytically and experimentally. A rapid solidification model has been integrated with LSM to simulate the rapid solidification within the deformed Mg-Zn-Y droplet predicted in the former model. It is found that the initial temperature fields and latent heat releasing during solidification have significant impact on the solidification process.© 2008 ASME
Membrane Bound Organization of Blood Coagulation Factor VIII Forms

Blood hemostasis is a delicate balance between plasma proteins (coagulation factors) forming active membrane-bound complexes. Understanding their assembly is fundamental for the cure of blood disorders, such as hemophilia and thrombosis. To this goal we design suitable lipid nano-platforms supporting coagulation complexes and allowing extensive structure-functional studies required for successful nano-drug design. We aim to study the membrane-bound organization of Factor VIII (FVIII) forms, as organized onto lipid nanotubes (LNT) by combining Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) with biophysical methods. Here we present our preliminary Cryo-EM results of the membrane-bound organization of two recombinant FVIII forms: human full length (hrFVIII-FL) and porcine - B domain deleted (prFVIII-BDD) at different lipid composition.Cryo-electron micrographs of A, B. hrFVIII-FL and C, D. prFVIII-BDD organized onto LNT at low and high phsophatedylcholine (PS) concentration, respectively. Scale bar 100 nm. ∗This work is supported by an American Heart Association: Grant, 10SDG3500034.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Rapid transient superresolution frequency tracking via generalized ESPRIT

We are presenting a new method for super resolution tracking of frequency modulated sinusoids in white noise. The method is specifically designed to handle the rapid transient problem, i.e. the problem of tracking a continuous, rapidly changing instantaneous frequency contour. The proposed method employs two components: 1) an adaptive generalized scale transform 1,2 which applies a localized change of time-frequency coordinates within the given signal, and 2) an estimation of signal parameters by rotational invariance techniques3 (ESPRIT). With experiments we have shown that the proposed method provides a significantly higher estimation accuracy than conventional methods. 3 With an optimal choice of transform parameters the estimation error can be reduced dramatically. Error reductions of over 40% have been observed.
Nighttime chemistry in the Houston urban plume

Abstract A late afternoon polluted air parcel transported from the Houston metropolitan area was monitored by an instrumented aircraft throughout the night of 21–22 July, 2005. Sampling was conducted during three flight segments over several downwind areas that were identified by a controllable meteorological balloon released from the Houston area at sundown. Samples were taken for approximately 2 h over each area. Using carbon monoxide as a tracer of the urban plume, it was revealed that the dilution inside the plume was relatively small. Ozone levels of up to 120 ppb were found in the plume at the furthest downwind distance, some 250 km northwest of Houston, with plume transport in the direction of the Dallas metropolitan area. The data further suggest that the nighttime conversion of NOx to NOz was very rapid, with complete (∼100%) conversion by the end of the night. At two locations the urban plume mixed with fresh emissions from power plants. At these sampling points ∼50% of the NOy had already been converted to NOz, thus indicating very rapid oxidation at night.
Devices for studying associative interference in psychomotor performance: IV. The turret pursuit apparatus.

(1950). Devices for Studying Associative Interference in Psychomotor Performance: Iv. the Turret Pursuit Apparatus. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 173-182.
Decoding moral judgments from neural representations of intentions

Intentional harms are typically judged to be morally worse than accidental harms. Distinguishing between intentional harms and accidents depends on the capacity for mental state reasoning (i.e., reasoning about beliefs and intentions), which is supported by a group of brain regions including the right temporo-parietal junction (RTPJ). Prior research has found that interfering with activity in RTPJ can impair mental state reasoning for moral judgment and that high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorders make moral judgments based less on intent information than neurotypical participants. Three experiments, using multivoxel pattern analysis, find that (i) in neurotypical adults, the RTPJ shows reliable and distinct spatial patterns of responses across voxels for intentional vs. accidental harms, and (ii) individual differences in this neural pattern predict differences in participants’ moral judgments. These effects are specific to RTPJ. By contrast, (iii) this distinction was absent in adults with autism spectrum disorders. We conclude that multivoxel pattern analysis can detect features of mental state representations (e.g., intent), and that the corresponding neural patterns are behaviorally and clinically relevant.
Synonymy and the epistemology of linguistics

In Word and Object, Quine argues from the observation that ‘there is no justification for collating linguistic meanings, unless in terms of men's dispositions to respond overtly to socially observable stimulations’ to the conclusion that ‘the enterprise of translation is found to be involved in a certain systematic indeterminacy’. In this paper, I propose to show (1) that Quine's thesis, when properly understood, reveals in the situation of translation no peculiar indeterminacy but merely the ordinary indeterminacy present in any case of empirical investigation; (2) that it is plausible that, because the subject of inquiry is language, we are in a better position with respect to such empirical indeterminacies than we are in other areas of investigation; (3) that, in any case, Quine's arguments are impotent, for they are either contradictory or incoherent; and (4) that Quine is led to his radical conclusions because he confuses a trivial and unexciting indeterminacy, which does obtain, with the striking in...
A microwell assay method for the biochemical study of cultured cells

Abstract Methods for the study of transport and enzyme activity in replicate populations of cells cultured in microwells have been presented. In addition to being rapid and reproducible, the methods are economical with respect to time and money. Evidence for the reproducibility and effectiveness of the methods has been reported along with some results from our transport studies to further illustrate the procedures.
Reliability of common femoral artery hemodynamics in assessing the severity of aortoiliac inflow disease

Abstract Objectives: We investigated the utility of color duplex ultrasound (CDU)-derived common femoral artery (CFA) hemodynamics for detecting significant aortoiliac occlusive disease and predicting its severity. Methods: From January 1997 to June 2001, 132 consecutive patients with lower extremity arterial insufficiency underwent both femoropopliteal CDU scanning and aortography with runoff studies. CDU-derived CFA waveform contour (monophasic, biphasic, or triphasic), peak systolic velocity (PSV), and acceleration time were recorded for each patient. Severity of aortoiliac occlusive disease was classified by arteriography into three distinct groups: normal or minimal disease ( Results: Of 214 limbs available for study, 112 composed group 1, 70 composed group 2, and 32 composed group 3. Concomitant femoropopliteal disease was present in 47% of limbs in group 1, 53% of limbs in group 2, and 34% of limbs in group III. An abnormal CFA waveform contour (monophasic or biphasic) differentiated group 1 from groups 2 and 3, with 95% sensitivity, 89% specificity, 89% positive predictive value (PPV), 95% negative predictive value (NPV), and 92% accuracy. Mean PSV and acceleration time for monophasic and biphasic waveforms were 39 cm/sec ± 19, 178 msec ± 36 vs 95 cm/sec ± 67, 97 msec ± 31 respectively ( P Conclusion: CFA PSV 45 cm/s or less combined with a monophasic waveform is highly predictive of ipsilateral iliac occlusion. These results were independent of contralateral iliac and distal superior femoral artery disease. CFA color duplex US scanning may be considered an alternative technique to direct duplex scanning of the aortoiliac segment in patients being evaluated for inflow endoluminal or bypass procedures. (J Vasc Surg 2003;37:960-9.)
From Quantum Mechanics to Nanophotonics

This talk presents a historical account of the major inventions of transistors and lasers leading toward recent research on nanophotonics and our recent research on slow light in quantum wells and quantum dots.
Inverse Heat Transfer Analysis of Micro Heater Strength and Locations for Hyperthermia Treatment of Brain Tumors

Hyperthermia, also called thermal therapy or thermotherapy, is a type of cancer treatment in which the aim is to maintain the surrounding healthy tissue at physiologically normal temperatures and expose the cancerous region to high temperatures between 43°C–45°C. Several methods of hyperthermia are currently under study, including local, regional, and whole-body hyperthermia. In local hyperthermia, Interstitial techniques are used to treat tumors deep within the body, such as brain tumors. heat is applied to the tumor, usually by probes or needles which are inserted into the tumor. The heat source is then inserted into the probe. Invasive interstitial heating technique offer a number of advantages over external heating approaches for localizing heat into small tumors at depth. e. g interstitial technique allows the tumor to be heated to higher temperatures than external techniques. This is why an innovative internal hyperthermia research is being conducted in the design of an implantable microheater [1]. To proceed with this research we need complete and accurate data of the strength, number and location of the micro heaters, which is the objective of this paper. The location, strength, and number of implantable micro heaters for a given tumor size is calculated by solving an Inverse Heat Transfer Problem (IHTP). First we model the direct problem by calculating the transient temperature field via Pennies bioheat transfer equation. A nonlinear least-square method, modified by addition of a regularization term, Levenberg Marquardt method is used to determine the inverse problem [2].Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Mutations in neurofilament genes are not a significant primary cause of non-SOD1-mediated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract While 1 to 2% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by mutations in the SOD1 gene, the basis of the remaining instances of inherited disease is unknown. Neuropathology, mouse modeling, and human genetics have implicated neurofilaments in the pathogenesis of motor neuron diseases such as ALS and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT). A systematic analysis of the coding region and intron–exon boundaries of all three neurofilament genes is now reported from DNA samples derived from more than 200 non-SOD1 linked familial and sporadic ALS patients, along with >400 non-disease control individuals. Rare variants within each of the three neurofilament subunits that are predicted to affect neurofilament assembly properties were identified at higher frequency in non-SOD1 mutant ALS samples. However, none could be unambiguously linked to dominantly inherited disease. Thus, mutations in neurofilaments are possible risk factors that may contribute to pathogenesis in ALS in conjunction with one or more additional genetic or environmental factors, but are not significant primary causes of ALS.
Computational experimentation on new organizational forms: Exploring behavior and performance of Edge organizations

New organizational forms are being conceived and proposed continually, but because many such organizations remain conceptual--and hence have no basis for empirical assessment--their putative advantages over extant organizational forms are difficult to evaluate. Moreover, many such organizational forms are proposed without solid grounding in our cannon of organization theory; hence understanding their various theoretical properties in terms of our familiar, archetypal forms remains difficult. This poses problems for the practitioner and researcher alike. The Edge represents one such, recent, conceptual organizational form, which lacks readily observable examples in practice, and the conceptualization of which is not rooted well in our established organization theory. Nonetheless, proponents of this new form argue its putative advantages over existing counterparts, with an emphasis upon complex, dynamic, equivocal environmental contexts; hence the appeal of this form in today's organizational environment. The research described in this article employs methods and tools of computational experimentation to explore empirically the behavior and performance of Edge organizations, using the predominant and classic Hierarchy as a basis of comparison. We root our models of these competing forms firmly in Organization Theory, and we make our representations of organizational assumptions explicit via semi-formal models, which can be shared with other researchers. The results reveal insightful dynamic patterns and differential performance capabilities of Hierarchy and Edge organizations, and they elucidate theoretical ramifications for continued research along these lines, along with results amenable to practical application. This work also highlights the powerful role that computational experimentation can play as a complementary, bridging research method.
Zoospore Production Biology of Pythiaceous Plant Pathogens

Zoospores are major dispersal and infective propagules of pythiaceous species. Built upon a recently developed ‘wet-plate’ method, the objectives of this study were to develop a better understanding about zoospore production biology. Four broth media and five incubation temperatures were evaluated with 12 isolates of Phytophthora nicotianae and 17 other pythiaceous species in this study. The ‘wet-plate’ method worked the best for heterothallic species, especially those isolates that do not produce chlamydospores. These species included Phytophthora citrophthora, P. nicotianae, Phytophthora palmivora and Phytophthora tropicalis. They readily produced 105–106 zoospores/ml. Overall, most species and isolates produced more zoospores with 20% clarified V8 broth than the other three media: rye, lima bean and carrot. The optimal temperature for nutrient-deprived culture without free-flowing water to produce sporangia typically is 5°C cooler than that for vegetative growth. Fresh and revived cultures are more prolific than those that had been subcultured multiple times. These findings will assist oomycete researchers, adding quality, productivity and efficiency to their future zoospore-based studies.
The impact of HIV infection and immunodeficiency on human papillomavirus type 6 or 11 infection and on genital warts.

BackgroundHIV infection and associated immunodeficiency are known to alter the course of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and of associated diseases.GoalThis study investigated the association between HIV and HPV and genital warts.Study DesignHPV testing and physical examinations were performed
Crystal and molecular structure of [(C6H5)2P(=0)(CH2CH2N(CH3)3 +][I−]

The title compound crystallizes in the centrosymmetric triclinic space group $$P\bar 1$$ withZ=4. The crystallographic asymmetric unit contains two independent cations; interatomic distances within these include P=O=1.47(1) and 1.47(1) A, P−C6H5=1.78(2)–1.81(1)A and P−CH2CH2NMe3 +=1.80(1) and 1.81(1) A. The phosphine oxide moiety is involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding ()...H−C, with O...H≥2.42A) and the iodide is involved in I...H−C contacts with I...H≥3.10A.
Sequential Search Beats Best-of-N Search

Abstract It is proved that the optimized sequential search strategy is superior to the best-of-N search strategy, in terms of expected net return, for all possible distributions and utility functions, and under a fixed cost per prospect.
When Danny said no! Refusal of treatment by a patient of questionable competence.

The patient we call Danny was a mildly mentally retarded male in his mid-thirties who adamantly refused kidney dialysis when it was offered as the only therapeutic option for his progressive kidney failure. It was uncertain how fully Danny understood the implications of his refusal. To complicate the case still further, several “advocates” emerged to speak on Danny's behalf — each with a somewhat different interpretation of the situation and different sets of value presuppositions and ethical principles to apply to the choice. We chronicle the development of this situation through a series of scenes; and in each scene we also attempt to clarify the ethical and medico-legal issues involved at that point. Danny was finally permitted to make this decision for himself — though more by default than by an agreement by all parties to honor his autonomy. Our hope is that this presentation will lead to further discussion and clarification of these important issues.
Aluminum oxide nanostructured microcantilever arrays for nanomechanical-based sensing.

Novel nanostructured microcantilever (MC) surfaces were developed by modifying the active side of the MCs with aluminum oxide nanoparticles (AONP) for purposes of enhancing sensitivity in nanomecha...
Supporting South Asian Taxi Drivers to Exercise through Pedometers (SSTEP) to Decrease Cardiovascular Disease Risk

There is considerable evidence demonstrating the positive impact of pedometers and walking programs for increasing physical activity and reducing risk for cardiovascular disease among diverse populations. However, no interventions have been targeted towards South Asian taxi drivers, a population that may be at high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Supporting South Asian Taxi Drivers to Exercise through Pedometers (SSTEP) was a 12-week pilot study among South Asian taxi drivers to increase their daily step counts. SSTEP assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of an exercise intervention employing pedometers, a step diary, written materials, and telephone follow-up to initiate or increase physical activity in this at-risk occupational group. Seventy-four drivers were recruited to participate at sites frequented by South Asian taxi drivers. Participant inclusion criteria were: (1) age 18 or over; (2) birthplace in India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh; (3) fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, or Bengali; and (4) intention to remain in New York City for the 3-month study period. Comprehensive intake and exit questionnaires were administered to participants in their preferred languages. Intake and exit health screenings, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose were completed. Daily step counts were obtained 4 days after recruitment, and at the 4-, 8-, and 12-week mark via phone calls. To measure the impact of the intervention, step counts, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body mass index were compared at intake and exit. Participants in SSTEP were sedentary at baseline. The SSTEP intervention resulted in a small increase in step counts among participants overall, and in a significant increase (>2,000 steps) among a subset (“Bigsteppers”). Drivers with higher baseline glucose values had significantly greater improvements in their step counts. Focused lifestyle interventions for drivers at high risk for cardiovascular disease may be particularly impactful.
Diabetes-induced alterations of reproductive and adrenal function in the female rat.

Diabetes interferes with reproductive function in laboratory animals. Previous studies in female diabetic rats have not resolved if the reproductive abnormalities observed are at the hypothalamic, pituitary and/or ovarian level. The interaction of the gonadal and adrenal axes has not been studied in the diabetic female rat. The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to determine the level of dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis caused by diabetes in the adult female rat controlling for stage of the estrous cycle, and, second, to evaluate basal corticosterone secretion in female diabetic rats. Sixty cycling 40-day-old female rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups; control (n = 32), diabetic (n = 14), and diabetic insulin-replaced animals (n = 14). The level of hyperglycemia in each group was documented by glycosylated hemoglobin levels and biweekly blood glucoses. Three weeks after induction of diabetes, pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) responsiveness following an i.v. injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was assessed in representative diestrous rats from each group. All animals were sacrificed in either diestrus or proestrus for determination of GnRH concentration in the hypothalamus, LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) content in pituitary and LH, FSH, estradiol and corticosterone in serum. Uterine weight to body weight ratios (a bioassay for estrogen) were also calculated. Hypothalamic GnRH concentration was significantly lower in diabetic versus control diestrous rats. Basal pituitary and serum gonadotropin levels were not different between any groups. GnRH-stimulated serum LH levels were higher in diabetic vs. control and diabetic insulin-treated animals. LH surges occurred in the control and diabetic insulin-replaced but not the diabetic group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A chick bioassay for oral diuretics.

Abstract A relatively rapid, inexpensive, new bioassay for oral diuretics has been developed. The test animal was the day-old Single Comb White Leghorn cockerel. Birds were fed a diet containing polychloro aromatic compounds (PAC), previously called chick edema factors, contained in a toxic fatty material (TFM), to produce edema in a 3-week assay period. Test birds were fed various levels of diuretics in addition to PAC either singly or in combination (ppm): urea (500, 1000, 2500, 5000, and 10,000), ammonium chloride (50, 100, 150, 300, 600, and 1000), spironolactone (Aldactone) (50, 100, and 200), chlorothiazide (Diuril) (25, 50, 100, and 200), ethacrynic acid (50, 200, 500, and 1000), and hydrochlorothiazide (Vetidrex) (25, 50, 100, 500, and 1000). All diuretics tested were effective in edema prevention at one or more dietary levels. The least effective oral diuretic was urea (2500 ppm), and chlorothiazide (50 and 200 ppm) and hydrochlorothiazide (50 ppm) were most effective. Ammonium chloride (300 ppm), spironolactone (100 ppm) and ethacrynic acid (500 and 1000 ppm) were of intermediate effectiveness. The studies revealed that chemically induced edema is now possible, and this in turn, can be an effective assay procedure to test for various oral diuretics and, perhaps, for other drugs suspected of possessing diuretic activity. The usefulness of this bioassay has been investigated with oral diuretics and remains to be studied with injectables.
A new three-stage mass spectrometer for high abundance sensitivity measurements

Abstract A three-stage mass spectrometer has been constructed consisting of two magnetic stages of 30-cm radius followed by an electrostatic analyzer with a radius of 43.25 cm. The instrument gives an abundance sensitivity of better than 1 × 107 and is used primarily for the isotopic analysis of uranium.
On the redistribution of electrons for chemical reaction systems

A regional density-functional theory is formulated and applied to the study of ground-state electron redistributions during the course of a chemical reaction. If for a given increment of the reaction process, accumulation of electrons occurs in a certain region of space, then it is called the dynamic acceptor region, denoted by P. The complement is called the dynamic donor region, denoted by Q. The regional energy itself is determined as a unique functional of the electron density of the total system. The regional transfer potentials are defined in such a way that they add to give the total chemical potential, and their values along the reaction coordinate are found to be different between P and Q. The difference between the regional transfer potentials is shown to provide the driving force for electron transfer from Q to P. A characteristic coordinate for following electron transfer and an associated excitation potential are introduced. The excitation potential is a measure of regional virtual excitation due to regional interactions. The regional transfer potential gives the local character of electron transferability, while the excitation potential gives the global character. The theory encompasses the concepts of regional hardness and softness and sheds light on the HSAB principle.
Electron stimulated desorption of oxygen atoms and ions from an oxidized AgZr alloy surface

Abstract Electron stimulated desorption (ESD) is a complex process in which the ion and neutral yields are functions of many variables. In order to examine some of these dependencies which have not been considered previously, a study of the composition and ESD behavior of a Ag 0.5 wt % Zr (Ag0.5Zr) alloy membrane has been conducted. Zr was added to the Ag primarily to increase the O concentration at the surface and thereby enhance the ESD signal. The surface was sputter cleaned, saturated with O 2 , sputter cleaned again and then annealed at 250°C until no further changes occurred in the surface composition according to ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). ISS data suggest that the resulting surface consists of islands of Zr oxide partially covering the Ag surface. Neutrals emitted in ESD are quite difficult to detect so a technique was developed to determine the O neutral-to-ion ratio of 1.1 × 10 7 for a primary beam energy of 1 keV. By monitoring the surface O concentration as a function of time with AES, a total ESD cross section of 3.9 × 10 −19 cm 2 was determined. The ESD O + energy distribution spectrum was obtained and compared with that obtained from O-charged Ag. Also, the effect of primary beam incidence angle on the ESD yield and ion energy distribution was examined and found to be significant.
Foot-thumping in the gerbil: The effect of establishing a home cage1

In experiments with gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) it was shown that length of home cage residence affects the probability of foot-thumping and that foot-thumping is significantly reduced in another gerbil’s vacant home cage. General excitement or arousal seems to be the factor common to the situations in which gerbils foot-thump. Two possible functional interpretations were suggested.
Queue-based sub-carrier grouping for feedback reduction in OFDMA systems

Sub-carrier grouping is a popular feedback reduction approach for orthogonal-frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA) systems that has been adopted into fourth-generation standards such as 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE). Feedback reduction is motivated by the fact that the bandwidth expenditure in acquiring full information in a downlink OFDMA system scales as the product of the number of users and the number of OFDMA bands. As this is infeasible in most systems, sub-carrier grouping calls for users to report a single channel state value per predesignated group of OFDM bands. Such an approach would reduce the amount of feedback by a factor that is equal to the size of the group, albeit at a loss in throughput. In this paper, we propose a throughput-optimal joint sub-carrier grouping and data scheduling policy that makes decisions based on queue-lengths and channel states in each time slot. The feedback allocation or sub-carrier grouping policy, inspired by the current approach in LTE, operates under a total feedback budget and must periodically decide a sub-carrier grouping size for each user that obeys this resource constraint. However, as we show, the optimal allocation algorithm has complexity that, in general, scales exponentially in the number of users. Thus, we turn our attention to the important issue of computational efficiency and propose a greedy algorithm that allocates full feedback bandwidth to a constant-sized subset of users based on the network state. We evaluate the performance of this simple approach through extensive numerical experiments. We show that under asymmetric arrival rate settings, our greedy algorithm is within 10% of the optimal (throughput-wise) when consuming only 25% of the full feedback bandwidth while paying only a logarithmic (in the number of users) price in control overhead.
Effects of overexpression of growth hormone-releasing hormone on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal function in the mouse.

In this investigation, the neuroendocrine alterations induced by high, chronic circulating levels of endogenous growth hormone (GH) were studied in transgenic mice with ectopic overexpression of the human growth hormone-releasing hormone (h-GH-RH) gene. In comparison with their normal littermates, transgenic h-GH-RH mice had elevated plasma levels of GH, prolactin (PRL), and corticosterone. In addition, they had elevated body, liver, kidney, spleen, and pituitary weights compared with normal mice. Testis and seminal vesicle weights were also increased in transgenic mice. Although basal plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, plasma estradiol levels in females, and plasma testosterone levels in males did not differ significantly between normal and transgenic animals, the LH response to castration was severely impaired in transgenic mice of both sexes. Among the biogenic amines studied in the hypothalamus, only dopamine concentrations were significantly lower in transgenic animals compared with their normal littermates. This decrease in hypothalamic dopamine may be related to the hyperprolactinemia in transgenic animals. In vitro, pituitaries from transgenic mice released significantly higher amounts of GH, and although the basal release of LH was not different in both normal and transgenic mice, the response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone was significantly smaller in transgenic mice. Cultured anterior pituitary cells from transgenic mice secreted high quantities of GH and PRL in vitro, but these quantities significantly decreased from 1 to 8 wk in culture. These results show that high, persistent levels of circulating endogenous GH induce alterations in neuroendocrine functions related to the hypothalamopituitary-gonadal and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axes.
Disseminated adenovirus disease in heart transplant recipient presenting with conjunctivitis

We report a 65-year-old heart transplant recipient who presented with conjunctivitis, likely acquired from a family member who worked at a daycare center during an outbreak of conjunctivitis. He developed a severe adenoviral pneumonitis, which was successfully treated with intravenous cidofovir combined with a reduction of immunosuppression.
On circulation-preserving complex-lamellar motions with steady streamlines

Although the circulation-preserving property is defined in terms of a material description of fluid flow, an equivalent condition, referring to the existence of the acceleration potential, presents a differential equation for the flow velocity in the Eulerian description: $$ \frac{\partial }{{\partial t}}curl{\mkern 1mu} v{\mkern 1mu} - {\mkern 1mu} curl{\mkern 1mu} \left( {v{\mkern 1mu} \times {\mkern 1mu} curl{\mkern 1mu} v} \right) = {\mkern 1mu} 0. $$ This equation can be useful, when affiliated with other defining assumptions of purely geometrical types, for investigating the nature of the field of flow in specific classes of circulation-preserving motions. In the present analysis, we introduce additional assumptions requiring the streamlines (but generally not the velocity magnitude) to be steady and to form a congruence of curves normal to a family of surfaces (complex-lamellar flows with steady streamlines). These assumptions by themselves can be used to extract from the preceding equation a simple relation, valid at each instant and along each vortex line, between the flow speed and the local spacing of the normal surfaces of the velocity vector (see the Lemma of Section 2). In case a steady vortex line C exists in the flow region, more significant results can be obtained concerning the velocity and vorticity magnitudes as well as the nature of streamlines and vortex lines upon the stream surface emanating from the curve C (see the Theorem and the Corollary of Section 3). If all vortex lines are steady, then the conclusions of the present analysis are valid on each surface composed of streamlines and vortex lines, and therefore valid in the entire flow region.
Power of the two one-sided tests procedure in bioequivalence.

The power of the two one-sided tests procedure for testing bioequivalence is derived from the bivariate noncentral tdistribution. Power curves are shown and their use in planning bioequivalence experiments discussed. Sample sizes computed in the usual manner from an analysis of variance are shown to be too small to assure a declaration of bioequivalence except under favorable conditions.
A reappraisal of the effector cells mediating mitogen induced cellular cytotoxicity.

Abstract The ability of mitogens to induce cytotoxic effector reactions in vitro has been studied to investigate basic mechanisms of cell mediated cytotoxicity. The type of mitogen, the source of effector cells, and the nature of the target cell are all critical variables in determining the characteristics of the cytotoxic event in this system. Spleen cells and bone marrow cells from congenitally athymic nude mice as well as from their heterozygous control littermates were capable of mediating lysis of RBC targets in the presence of either PHA or Con A. Removal of macrophages from these effector populations by adherence columns, density gradient centrifugation, and carrageenan treatment failed to abrogate this cytotoxic capacity. However, purified macrophages themselves also were capable of mediating mitogen induced killing of RBC targets, although the kinetics of this cytotoxicity were substantially different from that induced by lymphocytes. In contrast to these observations, the capacity of mitogen stimulated cells to kill metabolically active complex targets like the P815 mastocytoma or cultured L cells appears to be exclusively a T lymphocyte dependent function. In addition, blastogenic transformation of the effector cells with the T cell mitogens PHA and Con A, but not with the B cell mitogen LPS, leads to enhanced killing of these complex targets. These data suggest that mitogen or lectin induced cellular cytotoxicity can detect at least three different active effector cell types (B cells, T cells, and macrophages) acting via at least four different mechanisms.
Gravity and false vacuum decay rates: O(3) solutions

Abstract There are alternatives to Coleman and De Luccia's O(4) symmetric solution describing the nucleation of false vacuum decay in the presence of gravity. Working in the thin-wall approximation, I classify all regular, euclidean solutions that have at least O(3) rotational symmetry. Typically, there are three such solutions: the O(4) solution and two O(3) × O(2) solutions. The latter are interpreted as the thermal excitation of thin-wall bubbles by Hawking radiation. The O(4) solution dominates all O(3) solutions. In an aside, the formalism is also applied to the decay of the false vacuum around a mini black hole.
A randomized, 12-year primary-prevention trial of beta carotene supplementation for nonmelanoma skin cancer in the physicians' health study.

Context Although basic research provides plausible mechanisms for benefits of beta carotene supplementation on nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) primarily consisting of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), observational studies are inconsistent. Randomized trial data are limited to 1 trial of secondary prevention that showed no effect of beta carotene on the incidence of NMSC after 5 years. Objective To test whether supplementation with beta carotene reduces the risk for development of a first NMSC, including BCC and SCC. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 12 years of beta carotene supplementation and follow-up. Setting Physicians' Health Study in the United States. Participants Apparently healthy male physicians aged 40 to 84 years in 1982 (N = 22 071). Intervention Beta carotene, 50 mg, on alternate days. Main Outcome Measure Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for a first NMSC, BCC, and SCC. Results After adjusting for age and randomized aspirin assignment, there was no effect of beta carotene on the incidence of a first NMSC (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.92-1.05), BCC (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.92-1.06), or SCC (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.84-1.13). There was also no significant evidence of beneficial or harmful effects of beta carotene on NMSC by smoking status (current, past, or never). Conclusion This large-scale, randomized, primary prevention trial among apparently healthy well-nourished men indicates that an average of 12 years of supplementation with beta carotene does not affect the development of a first NMSC, including BCC and SCC.
Multidimensional elastic routing for next generation optical networks

In this paper, we present and analyze a novel concept for multidimensional elastic routing based on spatial and spectral optical networking enabled by optical Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) processing and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). These two techniques, complemented with dynamic adaptive coded-modulation are shown to form the three cornerstones of the multidimensional elastic routing concept, such that they can perform key functionality currently performed by optical crossconnects and/or Layer 2 optical switches. A statistical throughput analysis which relates key spatial and spectral components (e.g. aggregation overhead, spatial inputs/outputs, and number of spectral superbands), and identifies important practical scenarios is performed. Moreover, a performance evaluation of a flexible rate-adaptive Low Density Parity Check (LDPC)-based coded modulation scheme for multidimensional elastic networking is presented, revealing considerable gains compared to legacy approaches. By thus exploiting spatial and spectral domains in optical fiber to enable flexible routing and switching, the new scheme is promising for next-generation elastic optical networks.
Reasoning about the unknown in static analysis

Static program analysis techniques cannot know certain values, such as the value of user input or network state, at analysis time. While such unknown values need to be treated as non-deterministic choices made by the program’s execution environment, it is still possible to glean very useful information about how such statically unknown values may or must inuence computation. We give a method for integrating such non-deterministic choices with an expressive static analysis. Interestingly, we cannot solve the resulting recursive constraints directly, but we give an exact method for answering all may and must queries. We show experimentally that the resulting solved forms are concise in practice, enabling us to apply the technique to very large programs, including an entire operating system.
Laser assisted chemical vapor deposition synthesis of carbon nanotubes and their characterization

The deposition of carbon nanotubes using the laser assisted chemical vapor deposition process was studied to determine the effects of processing conditions on the quantity and quality of the tubes. A structured experimental design was utilized to test the effects of laser power, and concentration of the two precursors, acetylene and iron pentacarbonyl. Processing conditions were optimized with the assistance of heat and mass transport modeling. The synthesis of lines of carbon nanotubes as well as deposits formed under the influence of an electric field were also investigated.
Comparison of optical BPSK and QPSK heterodyne lightwave systems

A comparative study of the coherent optical binary phase shift keying (BPSK) and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) heterodyne communication receivers is presented. First, both receivers are analyzed assuming two systems with a 0.5 dB and 2.5 dB power penalty. The analysis is performed in terms of laser linewidth, bit rate signal power and phase error for the same bit error rate 10/sup -10/. The sensitivities of the two types of receivers are compared. Second, calculations of the signal to noise ratio (SNR) optimum, probability of bit error with cycle slippage and non-cycle slippage for both systems are presented. Finally, the comparison in terms of BER versus number of photons/bit (E/sub pb/) for different laser linewidth/bit rates and bit error rate 10/sup -3/ and 10/sup -1/ are presented. It is shown that the QPSK receiver requires a larger amount of power than the BPSK receiver to achieve the same performance. At the power penalty of 0.5 dB, the QPSK systems are impractical while the BPSK system performs well. >
Multilevel modeling versus cross‐sectional analysis for assessing the longitudinal tracking of cardiovascular risk factors over time

Correlated data are obtained in longitudinal epidemiological studies, where repeated measurements are taken on individuals or groups over time. Such longitudinal data are ideally analyzed using multilevel modeling approaches, which appropriately account for the correlations in repeated responses in the same individual. Commonly used regression models are inappropriate as they assume that measurements are independent. In this tutorial, we use multilevel modeling to demonstrate its use for analysis of correlated data obtained from serial examinations on individuals. We focus on cardiovascular epidemiological research where investigators are often interested in quantifying the relations between clinical risk factors and outcome measures (X and Y, respectively), where X and Y are measured repeatedly over time, e.g., using serial observations on participants attending multiple examinations in a longitudinal cohort study. For instance, it may be of interest to evaluate the relations between serial measures of left ventricular mass (outcome) and of its potential determinants (i.e., body mass index, blood pressure etc.), both of which are measured over time. In this tutorial, we describe the application of multilevel modeling to cardiovascular risk factors and outcome data (using serial echocardiographic data as an example of an outcome). We suggest an analytical approach that can be implemented to evaluate relations between any potential outcome of interest and risk factors, including assessment of random effects and non-linear relations. We illustrate these steps using echocardiographic data from the Framingham Heart Study with SAS PROC MIXED.