cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Super-resolution fluorescence imaging of intracellular mutant huntingtin protein reveals a population of fibrillar aggregates co-existing with compact perinuclear inclusion bodies

Materials and methods, results To define the spatial distributions of fluorescentlylabeled Htt-exon1 species in the cell model PC12m (terminally differentiated into sympathetic-neuron-like cells with nerve growth factor), we employed highly sensitive single-molecule-based and stimulated emission depletion (STED) super-resolution fluorescence imaging modalities. In addition to inclusion bodies and the diffuse pool of monomers and oligomers, fibrillar aggregates ~100 nm in diameter and up to ~1-2 μm in length were observed for pathogenic polyQ tracts (expression experiments with 46 and 97 repeats) after targeted photo-bleaching of the inclusion bodies [1]. These short structures bear a striking resemblance to fibers described in vitro [2]. We identified a sharp cutoff behavior of maximum fibril length and documented the ensuing bundling of these fibers into denser arrangements of varying complexity, both in the cytosolic space and inside the neuritic processes. Conclusions Definition of the diverse Htt structures in cells will provide an avenue to link the impact of pharmacological agents to aggregate populations and morphologies. The latest observations w.r.t. co-localization of Htt with various quality control proteins such as the chaperone Hsp70 will be presented.
Ray Methods for Evanescent Fields

This paper deals with a review of recent developments in the treatment of high frequency evanescent fields. Evanescent fields have conventionally been associated with guided modes. For dielectric waveguides, for example, the evanescent fields in a trapped (discrete) mode exist exterior to the guiding structure, and they are specified over the entire exterior cross section. This global character inherent in a modal description of evanescent fields is unnecessarily restrictive. By a recent generalization of ray-optical procedures far non-evanescent fields, asymptotic high frequency methods have been developed that permit the local tracking of evanescent fields. These fields are described to a lowest order of approximation by u(r?) - A(r?) exp[ikS(r?)], where the phase S and the amplitude A are complex, and the wavenumber k is assumed to be large. Accommodated by this generalization are Gaussian beams, leaky waves, surface waves and waves on the dark side of caustics.
Abnormal neutrophil myeloperoxidase from a patient with chronic myelocytic leukemia

Abstract Neutrophil myeloperoxidase from a patient with chronic myelocytic leukemia was isolated under conditions designed to minimize proteolysis. Those methods yielded an α 2 β 2 form of myeloperoxidase from normal individuals. Purified enzyme from the patient had electronic absorbances ( A 430 A 280 = 0.85 ), enzymatic activity, and electrophoretic and Chromatographic behavior indistinguishable from that of normal myeloperoxidase. Edman degradation and physical studies after reduction and denaturation, however, showed that as compared to normal enzyme, one 55,000-dalton α subunit of the patient's myeloperoxidase was replaced by a 39,000-dalton peptide with a different amino-terminal sequence, a mixture of smaller peptides, and an heme derivative. Myeloperoxidase from the leukemic neutrophils appeared to have been partially degraded in vivo by lysosomal proteases.
The re-emergence of core region growth: a return to the metropolis?

Recent trends in migration in the United States are reviewed focusing on the links between regional and metropolitan population change. Three explanations for the counterurbanization phenomenon of the 1970s are presented and their implications for future migration trends considered. The author concludes that "while 1970s core region declines may have been strongly linked to the counterurbanization process post-1980 core region gains do not appear to signal a return to the metropolis." (EXCERPT)
Synthetic leases: red flags in retailing

Synthetic leases, used by some retailers to finance rapid expansion, could be ticking time bombs that might blow up anytime in the USA. This paper has three objectives. First, it provides an overview of the financing technique in the USA by tracing its origin and pin‐pointing its advantages and drawbacks. It shows that the drawbacks tend to outweigh the benefits. Second, it discusses how some retailers were red‐flagged for using it and how they responded to such undesirable exposure. The third objective is to highlight the more stringent accounting regulations recently imposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on synthetic leases in the USA.
Effects of a phorbol ester, a calcium ionophore, and 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate production on hen granulosa cell plasminogen activator activity.

Recent studies conducted in our laboratory have demonstrated that plasminogen activator (PA) is present in granulosa cells collected from the largest preovulatory follicle in the ovary of the domestic hen, and that its activity can be modulated by a variety of hormones in vitro. The present study was conducted to evaluate the intracellular mechanisms involved in the control of hen granulosa cell PA activity through the use of physiological and pharmacological agents. Treatment of granulosa cells with increasing doses (1, 10, and 50 ng/tube) of ovine LH resulted in a significant reduction of PA activity, which was accompanied by an increase in intracellular levels of cAMP. Furthermore, the effects of LH were potentiated by cotreatment with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (0.1 mM). Exposure of cells to increasing concentrations of the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin (0.005, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mM) resulted in a significant reduction in PA activity at all doses given. Similar...
Anthropologists and Development Agencies

Development agencies are becoming interested in anthropologists just as the latter are being forced out of academic employment by their increasing numbers. But agency work requires special skills and dedications not widely found among academic anthropologists. With rural development as a focus, the anthropologist's potential contributions, problems, personal and professional benefits, and modes of entry into agency work are explored. [applied anthropology, (rural) development, complex organizations, professional employment]
Statistical properties of cosmic-ray showers at ground level determined from photomultiplier-tube background registrations

The fluctuations of cosmic-ray particles resulting from extensive air showers at ground level are well described by the two-parameter Poisson-driven Yule-Furry and negative-binomial counting probability distributions. The background signal from a single photomultiplier tube has been used to experimentally verify these results with remarkable precision, in spite of the simplicity of the underlying pure-birth stochastic process. Counting distributions from three different photomultiplier-tube detectors operated in the dark are presented, together with the theoretical predictions. Probability distributions of interevent times have also been obtained and these are found to be consistent with the observed clustering properties at the detector output. Our approach is expected to be of importance in quantum optics where cosmic-ray-shower particles can pose a significant limitation on the detection of squeezed light.
Verification and Validation of the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity Rover Entry, Descent, and Landing System

On 6 August 2012, the Curiosity rover successfully touched down on the Martian surface setting off the most ambitious surface exploration of this planetary body. Preceding this significant step were years of design, development, and testing of the Curiosity Entry, Descent, and Landing system to prepare for the most complex landing endeavor ever attempted at Mars. To address the numerous challenges, the approach and implementation of the overall Entry, Descent, and Landing verification and validation program relied on its decomposition into three distinct domains: flight dynamics, flight system and subsystem verification and validation. The test and analysis scope, the venues, and the processes utilized were tailored to each of these domains, and are discussed in greater detail. The overall lessons learned and conclusions described herein can serve as a pathfinder for the Entry, Descent, and Landing system testing approach and implementation of future Mars landed missions.
The assay development of a molecular marker for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases which include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans, scrapie in sheep, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins was previously used to identify two marker proteins, 130/131, which are selectively present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with CJD and not in patients with other dementias. The recent characterization of these proteins by amino acid sequencing has identified them as members of the 14-3-3 family of proteins. Polyclonal antibodies against 14-3-3 (all isoforms), 14-3-3 gamma, 14-3-3 beta, and 14-3-3 theta are immunoreactive with a 30 kDa marker band from CJD CSF. Silver staining of two-dimensional electrophoresis separated BSE CSF proteins does not identify a similar marker. However, 14-3-3 immunoreactivity is found in cattle CSF when these proteins are blotted to polyvinylidene difluoride but not when blotted to nitrocellulose.
Some amine N-oxide complexes of trivalent cobalt

Abstract Three new cobalt(III) coordination complexes with bidentate amine N-oxide ligands have been synthesized and characterized via elemental analyses, equivalent weight determination, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, and infrared and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Two are ionic complexes with general formula [CoL3](ClO4)3 where L = 2,2′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide and 1,10-phenanthroline N-oxide. The third is a neutral CoL′3 complex where L′ = picolinate N-oxide. The compounds are six-coordinate, diamagnetic, and have electronic absorption spectra typical of the strong field d6 configuration of trivalent cobalt. The perchlorate groups are nor coordinated to cobalt(III) in the solid state or in solution.
Inhibition of metabolic cooperation by the anticonvulsants, diphenylhydantoin and phenobarbital

High densities of 6-thioguanine-sensitive Chinese hamster V79 cells reduce the recovery of co-cultured 6-thioguanine-resistant cells through a form of intercellular communication (metabolic cooperation). Diphenylhydantoin and phenobarbital, suspected human and animal teratogens and tumor promoters, were able to inhibit intercellular communication at noncytotoxic doses. A potentiation was observed when a mixture of the two chemicals was used.
Cost implications of ACGME's 2011 changes to resident duty hours and the training environment.

BACKGROUND In July 2011, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) will implemented stricter duty-hour limits and related changes to the training environment. This may affect preventable adverse event (PAE) rates.
Methamphetamine administration causes death of dopaminergic neurons in the mouse olfactory bulb.

Background Methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive drug that can cause neurological and psychiatric disorders. In the rodent brain, toxic doses of METH cause damage of dopaminergic terminals and apoptosis of nondopaminergic neurons. The olfactory bulb (OB) is a brain region that is rich with dopaminergic neurons and terminals. Methods Rats were given a single injection of METH (40 mg/kg) and sacrificed at various time points afterward. The toxic effects of this injection on the OB were assessed by measuring monoamine levels, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL) histochemistry, and caspase-3 immunochemistry. Results Methamphetamine administration caused marked decreases in dopamine (DA) levels and TH-like immunostaining in the mouse OB. The drug also caused increases in TUNEL-labeled OB neurons, some of which were also positive for TH expression. Moreover, there was METH-induced expression of activated caspase-3 in TH-positive cells. Finally, the METH injection was associated with increased expression of the proapoptotic proteins, Bax and Bid, but with decreased expression of the antideath protein, Bcl2. Conclusions These observations show, for the first time, that METH can cause loss of OB DA terminals and death of DA neurons, in part, via mechanisms that are akin to an apoptotic process.
Interferon and genital warts: much potential, modest progress.

Genital infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important sexually transmitted disease that is increasing in prevalence and is associated with genital neoplasia. An office See also pp 533. based survey of consultations for genital warts in the United States documented a 580% increase between 1966 and 1983. 1 Genital HPV infection is the most commonly diagnosed viral sexually transmitted disease and, with gonorrhea and chlamydial infection, one of the three most frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, it is apparent that the classic exophytic genital wart, or condyloma acuminatum, is only one manifestation of genital HPV infection and that many, if not most, infections are undetectable with routine inspection. These "subclinical" infections are diagnosed using the techniques of colposcopy, cytology, histology, HPV antigen detection, and DNA hybridization, although each of these has limitations in sensitivity, specificity, or both. Molecular hybridization has shown a prevalence of genital HPV infection of
What should gerontology learn from health education accreditation

Quality assurance and accreditation are closely tied together. This article documents the work toward a unified and comprehensive national accreditation program in health education. By exploring the accreditation journey of another discipline, the field of gerontology should learn valuable lessons. These include an attention to inclusivity, a generous timeline, ample communication, and abundant resources.
Technical aspects of the Ross operation in children and adults

Abstract In 1967, Sir Donald Ross treated aortic stenosis with excision of the valve and replacement with the patient's own pulmonary valve. Since then, the Ross procedure has been applied to a variety of forms of aortic stenosis and left ventricular outflow tract disease. The procedure has undergone several modifications such as the root replacement method, inclusion cylinder technique, annular reduction and Konno root enlargement procedures. Advantages of the Ross procedure in children and young adults include freedom from anticoagulation, improved hemodynamic performance, decreased susceptibility to endocarditis and probable growth potential. This article reviews the technical aspects of the Ross procedure and its modifications, and their applicability in the surgical management of aortic stenosis and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
Dental modifications and tool use in the western Great Basin

Nondietary function is an important concern in the study of the human dentition and its role in adaptation. The purpose of the present investigation is to describe and interpret a pattern of dental wear in the anterior dentition of precontact hunter-gatherers that inhabited the western Great Basin. These data are discussed in light of ethnographic documentation as a means by which the archaeological record is linked with associated behavior of the representative populations. A series of 171 dentitions from a group of archaeological localities was examined. Of 1,931 teeth observed, 16 of these showed narrow (0.4-2.0 mm) transverse grooves located on the midocclusal surfaces of anterior teeth. The grooves were restricted in occurrence to five older adult males. Documentation of prehistoric and historic western Great Basin aboriginal populations indicates an adaptation that involves use of plant materials in the production of a variety of utilitarian objects, such as fish nets, basketry, funerary bags, fowling bags, and rope. In postcontact contexts, the anterior dentition has been shown to play an important role in the preparation of materials used for the production of this equipment. It seems most likely, then, that the grooves observed herein resulted directly from the use of the dentition as part of the tool assemblage for the production of other tools.
Multi‐Layer Stacked Electroluminescent Devices

A new device concept, the multi-layer stacked electroluminescent device, is presented, which consists of a stack of double-insulating-layer electroluminescent devices, alternately biased in opposite directions. The unique design allows independent control of drive voltage and total phosphor thickness. The luminance enhancement was predicted by equivalent circuit analysis and demonstrated by prototype devices.
Transmission Planning Under Uncertainties of Wind and Load: Sequential Approximation Approach

This paper introduces a transmission planning model for a system integrating a large amount of remote wind power. We consider uncertainties of wind availability and system load, which are represented by two dependent random variables in the optimization problem. A two-stage stochastic model and sequential approximation approach are applied to solve our total cost minimization problem, which involves a sequence of stochastic optimization problems repeatedly solved with an updated approximation of random parameters until the rate of increment of optimal cost becomes smaller than a positive target value. A wind energy integration goal is achieved by penalizing wind curtailment. As a case study, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) wind and load data, and a simplified model of its transmission system, is employed.
CLUSTER: A program for identifying recurrent clusters

A new way of analyzing organization in free recall (and other sequences) was recently proposed by Buschke (l976), who showed the clustering in free recall by identifying recurrent clusters of items that were recalled together and were demarcated by different items or clusters on different recall attempts. CLUSTER is a new program for analyzing sequential organization by fmding recurrent groups and subgroups of items that occur together (regardless of order), delineating the specific clusters on each trial to show the development of organization and provide a basis for measuring organization in terms of such clustering. . Description. CLUSTER is an extension ofPellegrino's (l972) program for analyzing subjective organization from one trial to the next, extending Pellegrino's program search for recurrent clusters on any trial by comparing all sequences of items on every trial with those in all subsequent trials. Larger groups are broken up into component subgroups by comparing groupings in Trial I with those in Trials 2, 3 N, groupings in Trial 2 with those in Trials 3, 4 N, and so on until the smallest clusters have been identified. A cluster is identified as a group of items that are recalled together in any order on two or more trials and are demarcated by different items or clusters on different trials. Identifying clusters that recur on any trials shows the recurrence of clusters on more than just the next trial, so that the development and persistence of organization during learning can be analyzed in terms of the basic clustering and higher order organization of clusters. While the main purpose of Pellegrino's (1972) program was to compute the amount of subjective organization in free recall learning (Pellegrino, 1971) without delineating specific clusters, o~r aim is to analyze the actual clustering on all trials, so that the nature of the
Laparoscopic marsupialization of a large retroperitoneal lymphocele.

A 19-year-old man presented with a palpable abdominal mass, left supraclavicular adenopathy and intratesticular swelling of the left testis on ultrasound. Fine needle aspiration of the supraclavicular nodes revealed embryonal carcinoma. Serum a-fetoprotein and b human chorionic gonadotropin levels were elevated at 20 and 168 m./dl., respectively. The patient received 4 courses of combination chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin. Serum markers became normal (a-fetoprotein 3.6 and b human chorionic gonadotropin less than 2 m./dl.) and all metastatic lesions disappeared. The 4 3 4 3 4.5 cm. area of retroperitoneal swelling that remained was excised at left orchiectomy. Only necrotic tissue with no viable tumor was identified in both specimens. The patient complained of abdominal ache with fullness, anorexia and weight loss 2 years later. Computerized tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed a large retroperitoneal lymphocele extending into the pelvis (fig. 1, A). Laparoscopic marsupialization was performed through a 10 mm. umbilical camera port and 2, 5 mm. ports on the right side of the abdomen. After opening the anterior wall of the lymphocele 5 l. fluid were drained. A large posterior peritoneal window was established by widely opening the anterior cyst wall (fig. 2). Abdominal CT 4 months postoperatively showed a small residual lymphocele in the upper retroperitoneum with no recurrence of the marsupialized lymphocele (fig. 1, B). DISCUSSION
Obesity increases risk for pouch-related complications following restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA).

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the preferred surgical treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. As obesity is becoming more epidemic in surgical patients, the aim of this study was to investigate if obesity increases complication rates following IPAA. This study was conducted as a retrospective review of patients undergoing IPAA between January 1990 and April 2011. Patients were categorized by body mass index (BMI): BMI < 30 (non-obese) and BMI ≥ 30 (obese). Preoperative patient demographics, operative variables, and postoperative complications were recorded through chart review. The primary outcome studied was cumulative complication rate. A total of 103 non-obese and 75 obese patients were identified who underwent IPAA. Obese patients had an increased rate of overall complications (80 % vs. 64 %, p = 0.03), primarily accounted for by increased pouch-related complications (61 % vs. 26 %, p < 0.01). In particular, obese patients had more anastomotic/pouch strictures (27 % vs. 6 %, p < 0.01), inflammatory pouch complications (17 % vs. 4 %, p < 0.01) and pouch fistulas (12 % vs. 3 %, p = 0.03). In a regression model, obesity remained a significant risk factor (odds ratio [OR] = 2.86, p = 0.01) for pouch-related complications. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of overall and pouch-related complications following IPAA. Obese patients should be counseled preoperatively about these risks accordingly.
Behavior of Space Components of Currents Under SU(3)⊗SU(3) Transformations

We suggest that the equal-time commutators between the axial charges and the space components of the currents should be modified. We then present a model which provides a natural explanation for the value $\ensuremath{\xi}=\ensuremath{-}1$ for the ratio of form factors in ${K}_{l3}$ decays and, in addition, leads to the usual good results of current algebra.
Matching students with instructional level materials using the degrees of reading power system

Abstract This study compared instructional placements predicted by the Degrees of Reading Power (DRP) system with instructional placements based on the results of an informal reading inventory (IRI). Third‐grade and fifth‐grade students were administered two evaluation instruments: 1) the DRP, and 2) the IRI that accompanies the Houghton Mifflin Reading Program (HMRP). Both instruments yielded estimates of the level at which the students should be placed for instruction in the HMRE The DRP gave seriously low instructional level estimates for one‐third of the students. The findings were consistent with predictions from previous research examining the DRP norms. It was concluded that the Degrees of Reading Power system does not work properly as a placement tool.
6973 Gender difference on adequacy of unsedated flexible sigmoidoscopies.

Gender difference on adequacy of unsedated Screening Flexible Sigmoidoscopies. Jorge Obando, M.D. and Wahid Wassef, M.D. Abstract Background.- With the development of ultra-thin flexible endoscopes there is an increased tendency to avoid sedation. Screening Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (SFS) remains an unsedated procedure. There is no data on gender differences on tolerability of routine SFS. Aim: To test the following hypotheses: 1) The extent of insertion (EOI) of SFS procedures is deeper in males than in females; 2) Women have inadequate examinations more frequently than males. Patients and Methods.- Data was gathered in a retrospective fashion in all SFS procedures performed on patients with average risk for colorectal cancer in our Division from Jan-1992 to Oct-1999. Sex, age, type of endoscope used, EOI in cm., reason for stopping the procedure and findings of the study were noted. The data was analyzed with the JMP-SAS statistical software. Results.- 519 unsedated SFS procedures were available for analysis. There were 275 females and 244 males. The Olympus adult flexible sigmoidoscope was used in 86% of the cases and the adult colonoscope in 11%. The average age was 61.4 for males and 62.3 for females. Age differences were not analyzed, as most of the patients were clustered in the 55-75 age group. The mean EOI was 46.8 cm (45.2 in females, 48.9 in males, p=0.004). The EOI was deeper in younger patients. There was a statistically significant difference in genders when the procedure was terminated due to discomfort (45%of females vs. 27% of males p=0.0018). Males were more likely to have a procedure deemed adequate by the examiner (72%males vs. 54% on females, p=0.004). Conclusions.- Our data supports a statistically significant gender difference for the EOI (although this may be not clinically significant). The frequency of procedures deemed adequate and termination of the procedure due to discomfort were also significantly different between genders.We hypothesize that the increased discomfort in females during the procedure may be due to the high prevalence of pelvic surgeries and possible adhesions/deformed anatomy in older women (33% of women have had hysterectomies by age 60-MMWR, 1992; 41:17-20). Less uncomfortable practices for colorectal cancer screening need to be developed. Studies that include objective pain/discomfort measures and that compare the standard practice with the use of more maneuverable colonoscopes/sigmoidoscopes need to be carried out.
Potential mobilization of platinum-group elements by siderophores in surface environments.

The emission of platinum-group elements (PGEs) from catalytic converters has led to increased environmental abundances of Pt, Pd, and Rh; however, little is known about the environmental effects and fate of these metals. Organic ligands found in soils have the potential to increase the mobility of PGEs and potentially increase the bioavailability of the metals. Here, we assessed the abilities of microbially produced iron-chelating ligands (siderophores) to complex with the PGEs. Batch experiments using the synthetic siderophore desferrioxamine-B (DFOB) and powdered metal or oxide forms of Pt, Pd, or Rh showed that DFO-B enhances the solubility of Pt and Pd due to the formation of Pt- and Pd-DFO-B aqueous complexes, with estimated minimum stability constants on the order of 10 17-18 and 10 20-24 , respectively. Dissolution rates for Pd are comparable to other mineral dissolution rates with DFO-B. DFO-B had little to no effect on the dissolution of Rh metal or Rh2O3. Our results indicate that siderophores have the potential to increase the mobility of Pt and Pd in environments with limited activities of free trivalent cations. These results have implications for the fate of catalytic converter-emitted Pt and Pd, and support the need for further Pt and Pd toxicity and bioaccumulation studies.
The gas chromatographic shift of tritium-labeled compounds—An application of gas liquid radiochromatography

Abstract A small reduction in the gas-chromatographic retention times of a number of tritiated compounds compared to their unlabeled analogues has been observed. The shift appears to be proportional to the number of tritium atoms in a molecule.
Relating Bond Angles of Dihalo- and Tetrahydro--methanes, -silanes, and -germanes to Electronegativities

Our previous work correlated bond angles of group V and group VI hydrides (AH3E and AH2E2, respectively, where E represents a lone electron pair) to the electronegativities of the atoms using the fraction of s character to relate the two. Here we have extended the correlation to the AH2X2 series, where A is a group IV atom, carbon, silicon, or germanium and X is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, treating each "X" as an individual series. These group IV series are correlated to each other by the atomic radius and electronegativity of the "X" (halide or hydrogen) atom, yielding a single relationship for all of fourteen compounds. The results support three assertions (and their corollaries) that allow students to predict relative hybridization and, thus, bond angles of these dihalides based on readily available electronegativity values.
A classification result for linearly polarized principal electromagnetic waves

Abstract We consider solutions to the electromagnetic wave equation: Δ × E = i ωH ; Δ × H = −i ωE . Principal waves are those solutions to these equations with no components along the direction of propagation; linearly polarized waves have their field components in phase with one another. The linearly polarized principal wave problem is shown to be precisely equivalent to the following problem: Δ × c = c , where c = E + i H is a three-component vector function with each component in the complex field, and which may be expressed in the form c = e i α ΔF , with α real and F complex. The solutions to this problem have recently been completely classified by Baldwin and Towsend. There are precisely two classes of solutions; one where α is a Cartesian variable and one where α is the spherical radial coordinate. The function α represents the direction of propagation of the wave. Pictures are presented. Another intimate relation is therefore provided between solutions to Euler's equations for the inviscid fluid, Beltrami fields, and the wave equation.
Steroid regulation of luteinizing hormone secretion in normal and androgenized rats at different ages.

Although sexual differences in the neural regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion are determined neonatally in the rat, these differences do not appear until adulthood in female rats given low doses of testosterone propionate (TP) neonatally (the delayed anovulation syndrome, DAS). To characterize this loss of the capacity for cylic LH release, the ability of gonadal steroids to induce a surge of LH at different ages in normal, DAS (10 μg TP, day 5) and anovulatory fully androgenized (FAS, 30 μg TP, day 2) female rats was tested under two conditions. In a short-term test conducted at 30 or about 120 days of age, rats were ovariectomized at 1000 h and given 5, 1, 0.5, 0.1 or 0.05 μg estradiol benzoate (EB)/100 g or oil 48 h later. Blood samples were taken 24 (1000 h), 31 (1700 h) and 55 (1700 h) h later. After three to four weeks, these same animals were given 8, 4 or 1 μg EB/100 g or oil at 1200 h and 2 mg progesterone (P) 72 h later. Blood was taken in this long-term test in three afternoon samp...
A joint blind carrier frequency and phase offset detector and modulation order identifier for MPSK signals

In this paper, a new blind carrier frequency and phase offset detector, and modulation order identifier are presented for phase shift keying (PSK) signals. These operations are intermediate steps between signal detection and demodulation, and play a key role in various military and non- military applications. As compared with previous related approaches, the proposed algorithm provides a fully blind phase-frequency offset detector structure without having the knowledge of modulation order. After correcting the frequency offset, the modulation order is detected by investigating the probability density function (PDF) of the phase distribution.
Impact of radiotherapy on surgical repair and outcome in patients with rectourethral fistula.

Aim Most patients presenting with rectourethral fistula acquire it as a complication of radiotherapy for prostate cancer, as a result of injury to the rectum during prostatectomy, through trauma or from Crohn's disease. This study examined whether choice of operation and results of surgery for rectourethral fistula are influenced by prior radiotherapy. Method Male patients undergoing surgery for rectourethral fistula were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Data regarding aetiology, surgical treatment and outcomes were analysed. Results Fifty patients (median age = 65.5 years) were identified. Radiation was received by 29 patients for prostate or rectal cancer, and 21 patients developed a fistula following prostatectomy, Crohn's disease or pelvic fracture (without radiation). Prior to definitive surgery, 30 patients underwent fecal diversion and 37 underwent urinary diversion. In total, 57 repairs were performed (44 patients had one repair, five patients had two and one patient had three). Definitive surgery was approached predominantly abdominally in radiated patients (90.6 vs 9.3%, P < 0.001) and perineally in nonradiated patients (80 vs 20%, P < 0.001). Successful primary fistula repair was more frequent in the nonradiated group compared with the radiated group (80.9 vs 0%, P < 0.001). Permanent colostomy and urinary diversion were more often required in radiated patients than in nonradiated patients (colostomy: 83 vs 0%, P < 0.001; urorostomy: 100 vs 19%, P < 0.001). Conclusion Few patients with radiation-induced rectourethral fistula avoid permanent colostomy and urostomy. In contrast, most patients with nonradiation-related fistulae undergo successful perineal repair without permanent faecal and urinary diversion.
The role of the hydrogen bond and water in biological processes

Abstract Water plays a role in biological systems both as a packing molecule and as an attenuator of strong hydrogen bonds which might otherwise restrict conformational flexibility. It is suggested that the non-additivity or cooperative property of chains of hydroxy bonds can provide a steering component to add to the “lock and key” analogy of substrate—receptor interactions.
Nucleotides as substrates of Ca-ATPase and NaK-ATPase in isolated red cell membranes.

Abstract Ca-ATPase and NaK-ATPase activities were examined in isolated red blood cell membranes in the presence of the following nucleotides: ATP, CTP, UTP, GTP, or ITP. ATP served as a substrate for Ca-ATPase and NaK-ATPase; the other nucleotides were virtually ineffective. Addition of ADP to incubation media failed to increase the effectiveness of the nucleotides as substrates. The results indicate that the nucleotide specificity of membrane Ca-ATPase parallels the known specificity of NaK-ATPase in red cells.
Carnitine metabolism during exercise.

Abstract Carnitine is an important cofactor for normal cellular metabolism. Optimal utilization of fuel substrates for ATP generation by skeletal muscle during exercise is dependent on adequate carnitine stores. During short periods of exercise the skeletal muscle carnitine pool is largely segregated from extracellular carnitine. In normal human subjects, only minimal changes in the muscle carnitine pool are observed during exercise at work loads below the lactate threshold. In contrast, at work-loads above the lactate threshold the muscle total carnitine is redistributed from carnitine to acetylcarnitine, with the acetylcarnitine content correlated with the muscle acetyl-CoA and lactate contents. In contrast, in patients with peripheral arterial disease, an accumulation of acylcarnitines is observed at all work loads. Patients with chronic renal failure who are on hemodialysis demonstrate a poor exercise capability which is correlated with a decrease in muscle carnitine content. Carnitine supplementation has been shown to improve exercise tolerance in both peripheral arterial disease and hemodialysis patients. Further work is needed to define the mechanism by which exogenous carnitine improves exercise performance in order to better define potential patient populations for theraphy and to facilitate optimal dosing regimens.
Dominant processes controlling water chemistry of the Pecos River in American southwest

[1] Here we show an analysis of river flow and water chemistry data from eleven gauging stations along the Pecos River in eastern New Mexico and western Texas, with time spanning 1959–2002. Analysis of spatial relationship between the long-term average flow and total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration allows us to illuminate four major processes controlling river chemistry, namely saline water addition, evaporative concentration with salt gain or loss, dilution with salt gain or loss, and salt storage. Of the 10 river reaches studied, six reaches exhibit the process dominated by evaporative concentration or freshwater dilution with little change in salt load. Four reaches show considerable salt gains or losses that are induced by surface-ground water interactions. This analysis suggests that the evaporative concentration and freshwater dilution are the prevailing mechanisms, but local processes (e.g., variations in hydrologic flowpath and lithologic formation) also play an important role in regulating the hydrochemistry of the Pecos River.
Priority-flood: An optimal depression-filling and watershed-labeling algorithm for digital elevation models

Depressions (or pits) are areas within a digital elevation model that are surrounded by higher terrain, with no outlet to lower areas. Filling them so they are level, as fluid would fill them if the terrain was impermeable, is often necessary in preprocessing DEMs. The depression-filling algorithm presented here - called Priority-Flood - unifies and improves the work of a number of previous authors who have published similar algorithms. The algorithm operates by flooding DEMs inwards from their edges using a priority queue to determine the next cell to be flooded. The resultant DEM has no depressions or digital dams: every cell is guaranteed to drain. The algorithm is optimal for both integer and floating-point data, working in O(n) and O(nlog"2n) time, respectively. It is shown that by using a plain queue to fill depressions once they have been found, an O(mlog"2m) time-complexity can be achieved, where m does not exceed the number of cells n. This is the lowest time complexity of any known floating-point depression-filling algorithm. In testing, this improved variation of the algorithm performed up to 37% faster than the original. Additionally, a parallel version of an older, but widely used, depression-filling algorithm required six parallel processors to achieve a run-time on par with what the newer algorithm's improved variation took on a single processor. The Priority-Flood Algorithm is simple to understand and implement: the included pseudocode is only 20 lines and the included C++ reference implementation is under a hundred lines. The algorithm can work on irregular meshes as well as 4-, 6-, 8-, and n-connected grids. It can also be adapted to label watersheds and determine flow directions through either incremental elevation changes or depression carving. In the case of incremental elevation changes, the algorithm includes safety checks not present in prior works.
Molecular Basis of Colorectal Cancer

This review gives an account of recent advances in our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer. Genetic changes in the germ line, combined with somatic mutations, occur in familial syndromes of colorectal cancer, whereas somatic mutations are the outstanding feature of sporadic colorectal cancer. Genetic changes drive the progression from adenoma to carcinoma and probably influence individual susceptibility and response to treatment.
Computation of characteristic impedance for multiple microstrip transmission lines using a vector finite element method

The total characteristic impedance is computed from the field solution generated by a vector magnetic field finite element method for several microstrip geometries. By making use of the power orthogonality of the modes, characteristic impedances are computed. Additionally, the existence of negative modal characteristic impedances is verified for certain multiconductor striplines. Circuit parameters which are generated using this new method are verified by results from the spectral domain technique. >
Congruences involving generalized Frobenius partitions

The goal of this paper is to discuss congruences involving the function c ϕ m ¯ ( n ) , which denotes the number of generalized Frobenius partitions of n with m colors whose order is m under cyclic permutation of the m colors.
Establishing pairwise keys in distributed sensor networks

Pairwise key establishment is a fundamental security service in sensor networks; it enables sensor nodes to communicate securely with each other using cryptographic techniques. However, due to the resource constraints on sensor nodes, it is not feasible to use traditional key management techniques such as public key cryptography and key distribution center (KDC). A number of key predistribution techniques have been proposed for pairwise key establishment in sensor networks recently. To facilitate the study of novel pairwise key predistribution techniques, this paper develops a general framework for establishing pairwise keys between sensor nodes using bivariate polynomials. This paper then proposes two efficient instantiations of the general framework: a random subset assignment key predistribution scheme, and a hypercube-based key predistribution scheme. The analysis shows that both schemes have a number of nice properties, including high probability, or guarantee to establish pairwise keys, tolerance of node captures, and low storage, communication, and computation overhead. To further reduce the computation at sensor nodes, this paper presents an optimization technique for polynomial evaluation, which is used to compute pairwise keys. This paper also reports the implementation and the performance of the proposed schemes on MICA2 motes running TinyOS, an operating system for networked sensors. The results indicate that the proposed techniques can be applied efficiently in resource-constrained sensor networks.
A capstone unit for a data structures class

At the end of the semester, students in a data structures class need to know what it has all been about. How are they supposed to use their new knowledge? These questions have prompted us to design a capstone unit, which does for the data structures course what a capstone course does for an undergraduate student's entire four years of study. Our cap-stone unit takes into account resizable stacks, queues, strings, hash tables, and matrices, all of which have certain advantages and disadvantages, compared to their non-resizable counterparts.
Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Reduces Vascular Leak in Murine and Canine Models of Acute Lung Injury

Excessive mechanical stress is a key component of ventilator-associated lung injury, resulting in profound vascular leak and an intense inflammatory response. To extend our in vitro observations concerning the barrier-protective effects of the lipid growth factor sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph 1-P), we assessed the ability of Sph 1-P to prevent regional pulmonary edema accumulation in clinically relevant rodent and canine models of acute lung injury induced by combined intrabronchial endotoxin administration and high tidal volume mechanical ventilation. Intravenously delivered Sph 1-P significantly attenuated both alveolar and vascular barrier dysfunction while significantly reducing shunt formation associated with lung injury. Whole lung computed tomographic image analysis demonstrated the capability of Sph 1-P to abrogate significantly the accumulation of extravascular lung water evoked by 6-hour exposure to endotoxin. Axial density profiles and vertical density gradients localized the Sph 1-P response to transitional zones between aerated and consolidated lung regions. Together, these results indicate that Sph 1-P represents a novel therapeutic intervention for the prevention of pulmonary edema related to inflammatory injury and increased vascular permeability.
Prevalence of a Potentially Lethal Parasite of Wading Birds in Natural and Agricultural Wetlands in South Louisiana

Abstract Gambusia affinis (Western Mosquitofish) were sampled from 18 sites representing marsh, forested wetlands, and agricultural wetlands in south Louisiana to determine distribution and infection parameters of Eustrongylides ignotus, a potentially lethal nematode parasite of wading birds, (n = 400 per site). Overall, prevalence of infection was 0.3%, with significantly higher prevalence in agricultural wetlands than in marshes or swamps. Our findings are similar to work in Florida suggesting parasite prevalence is higher in disturbed wetlands, and suggest that birds foraging in crayfish ponds and rice fields may be at increased risk of exposure.
Intelligent highly-functional cross-layer optimized interfaces for future access/aggregation networks

Cross-layer communications allows future optical access/aggregation networks to meet stringent bandwidth and performance demands by facilitating the dynamic management and optimization of network routing based on performance monitoring measurements and other higher-layer attributes. Our work endeavours to design and demonstrate a test-bed of intelligent cross-layer optimized network interfaces that can seamlessly and transparently interconnect heterogeneous edge users. The proposed design will dynamically support high-bandwidth applications at low cost and with extremely high energy efficiency. The cross-layer nodes allow for quality-of-service aware packet routing and protection, and leverage real-time optical performance monitoring modules to enable physical-layer aware switching. In this paper, we will outline our vision for the cross-layer network architecture, describing the enhanced networking functionalities that have been developed in the optical packet switching test-bed, in addition to the experimental demonstrations of real-time performance monitoring. This work also involves parallel project goals of fast failure recovery, simulations of network routing algorithms, and a demonstration of physical-layer aware video transmission.