cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of endorphin production by glucocorticoids in cultured pituitary tumor cells

Abstract When clonal AtT-20 mouse pituitary tumor cells were exposed in culture to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids for 2 or more days, the intracellular endorphin content was reduced by 50–75%. The steroid specificity is consistent with a glucocorticoid-receptor mediated response. Gel filtration analysis indicates a reduction of both the major and the minor endorphin species present, which resemble β- and α-endorphin, respectively. The results suggest that endorphin synthesis, like corticotropin synthesis, is under negative regulatory control by glucocorticoids in AtT-20 cells and in the corticotropin/endorphin-producing cells of the adenohypophysis.
Is comprehensive lymphatic irradiation for low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma curative therapy? Long-term experience at a single institution.

Purpose: This study reports 21 patients with Stage I-III low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who were treated with comprehensive lymphatic irradiation (CLI) at the University of Florida between 1966 and 1992. Methods and Materials: Sites clinically involved with disease were treated with 30 Gy, whereas clinically uninvolved sites were treated with 25 Gy. Median follow-up for the group was 14 years (24.5 years for Stage III patients ). Results: Overall absolute survival rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 84%, 68%, and 34%. Cause-specific survival rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 84%, 68%, and 56%. Freedom-from-relapse rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 75%, 58%, and 58%, with no relapses noted after 10 years. Bulky disease ( >6 cm) was a significant indicator of poor prognosis for cause-specific survival (p =.01). Conclusion: These data support findings from other institutions suggesting a role for CLI as potentially curative therapy with acceptable toxicity and a short treatment time for patients with Stages I and II and limited Stage III disease.
Retrieval from semantic memory in Alzheimer-type dementia

Retrieval from semantic memory, measured by tasks requiring subjects to name items from a given category, was studied in mild Alzheimer-type dementia (Mild-ATD) subjects, moderate-to-severe Alzheimer-type dementia (MS-ATD) subjects, and normal controls. Semantic retrieval performance was shown to be highly sensitive to both the presence and the severity of ATD. Retrieval from both semantic categories and letter categories showed differences in the rate of production of correct responses between subject groups. These rate differences were not due to differences in accessibility of low-dominance semantic category members or low-frequency letter category members. An increase in errors as well as a decrease in correct responses contributed to the performance deficits of the ATD subjects. Furthermore, the pattern of errors changed from Mild- to MS-ATD. Qualitative as well as quantitative differences were also observed in the performance of Mild- versus MS-ATD groups on a third type of semantic retrieval task--the supermarket task. As performance of the ATD subjects declined on these semantic retrieval tasks, so did their performance on other tasks assessing primarily attention, language, and memory. The findings are discussed in terms of the progressive breakdown in both attentional and semantic memory functions which are associated with ATD.
Promptdiff: a fixed-point algorithm for comparing ontology versions

As ontology development becomes a more ubiquitous and collaborative process, the developers face the problem of maintaining versions of ontologies akin to maintaining versions of software code in large software projects. Versioning systems for software code provide mechanisms for tracking versions, checking out versions for editing, comparing different versions, and so on. We can directly reuse many of these mechanisms for ontology versioning. However, version comparison for code is based on comparing text files--an approach that does not work for comparing ontologies. Two ontologies can be identical but have different text representation. We have developed the PROMPTDIFF algorithm, which integrates different heuristic matchers for comparing ontology versions. We combine these matchers in a fixed-point manner, using the results of one matcher as an input for others until the matchers produce no more changes. The current implementation includes ten matchers but the approach is easily extendable to an arbitrary number of matchers. Our evaluation showed that PROMPTDIFF correctly identified 96% of the matches in ontology versions from large projects.
A numerical study of optical soliton-like structures resulting from the nonlinear Schrödinger’s equation with square-root law nonlinearity

Abstract An analytical and numerical investigation of the propagation of optical beams in Kerr term-like saturable photorefractive media is performed. The major problem studied is the instability of beam propagation in nonlinear self-focusing optical media by the Runge–Kutta finite-difference numerical technique. The resulting soliton-like structures propagate and develop modulational instabilities which lead to the breakup of simple beam arrangements into more complex ones. The direct numerical simulation of the nonlinear Schrodinger’s equation with square-root law nonlinearity is performed. Gaussian, super-Gaussian, and sech pulses are obtained numerically. Finally the ordinary differential equation that is obtained by the traveling wave ansatz is also studied numerically, with appropriate initial condition, leading to a traveling wave-like solution.
Exploring Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Aging Among Nursing and Nonnursing Students

Increasing life expectancies and more years spent living with chronic illnesses mean that increasing numbers of older adults will require nursing care. However, most nurses prefer not to work with older adults, and many nursing students have limited knowledge and negative attitudes towards aging and older adults. This study examined the knowledge and attitudes toward aging in nursing and nonnursing students. Participants completed Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz-Multiple Choice Format and the Perspectives on Caring for Older Patients Scale. Nursing students scored significantly higher than other students on knowledge of aging and attitudes towards older adults.
Dissolution behavior of 17β-estradiol (E2) from povidone coprecipitates. comparison with microcrystalline and macrocrystalline E2

Abstract The dissolution rates of macrocrystalline 17β-estradiol (E 2 ), microcrystalline E 2 and E 2 -povidone coprecipitates and physical mixtures varying in weight ratio from 1 : 1 to 1:49 were determined at 37°C. E 2 dissolution from the coprecipitates was markedly faster than that from either macro- or microcrystalline forms of the drug and was found to increase with decreasing E 2 -to-povidone weight ratio. Based on the results of X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetric. Raman spectroicopic, and thermal gravi metric analysis studies, it is concluded that the formation of a more water soluble, high energy state of E 2 is responsible for the increased dissolution rate of this natural cstrogen from low weight ratio povidone coprecipitates. These findings suggest that the use of E 2 -povidone coprecipitates may increase the systemic availability of E 2 .
Physiology and pathophysiology at high altitude : considerations for the anesthesiologist

Millions of people live in, work in, and travel to areas of high altitude (HA). Skiers, trekkers, and mountaineers reach altitudes of 2500 m to more than 8000 m for recreation, and sudden ascents to high altitude without the benefits of acclimatization are increasingly common. HA significantly affects the human body, especially the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, because of oxygen deprivation due to decreased ambient barometric pressure. Rapid ascents may lead to high-altitude diseases that sometimes have fatal consequences. Other factors, such as severe cold, dehydration, high winds, and intense solar radiation, increase the morbidity of patients at HA. Anesthesiologists working in or visiting areas of higher elevations should become familiar with the human physiology, altered pharmacology, and disease pattern of HA.
Why are enzymes less active in organic solvents than in water

In order to exploit fully the biotechnological opportunities afforded by nonaqueous enzymology, the issue of often drastically diminished enzymatic activity in organic solvents compared with that in water must be addressed and resolved. Recent studies have made great strides towards elucidating causes of this phenomenon of activity loss. None of these causes is insurmountable; by designing strategies that systematically target them, enzymatic activity in organic solvents can be readily enhanced by multiple orders of magnitude and ultimately brought to the aqueous-like level.
Human Core Temperature Prediction for Heat-Injury Prevention

Previously, our group developed autoregressive (AR) models to predict human core temperature and help prevent hyperthermia (temperature ${\bf >}$ 39 °C). However, the models often yielded delayed predictions, limiting their application as a real-time warning system. To mitigate this problem, here we combined AR-model point estimates with statistically derived prediction intervals (PIs) and assessed the performance of three new alert algorithms [AR model plus PI, median filter of AR model plus PI decisions, and an adaptation of the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT)]. Using field-study data from 22 soldiers, including five subjects who experienced hyperthermia, we assessed the alert algorithms for AR-model prediction windows from 15–30 min. Cross-validation simulations showed that, as the prediction windows increased, improvements in the algorithms’ effective prediction horizons were offset by deteriorating accuracy, with a 20-min window providing a reasonable compromise. Model plus PI and SPRT yielded the largest effective prediction horizons ( ≥ 18 min), but these were offset by other performance measures. If high sensitivity and a long effective prediction horizon are desired, model plus PI provides the best choice, assuming decision switches can be tolerated. In contrast, if a small number of decision switches are desired, SPRT provides the best compromise as an early warning system of impending heat illnesses.
The diagnosis of prostatic cancer

The diagnosis and detection of genitourinary cancer covers a broad range of physical signs and instrumental observations which are not necessarily diagnostic. The primary diagnosis in most entities remains dependent upon histologic confirmation. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the most common, and at times, most difficult urogenital cancer to diagnose and detect. Many newer techniques today are designed to evaluate the stage of disease, and to detect heretofore occult metastatic foci. Immunologic assays may be of future prognostic value.
On the accuracy and existence of solutions to primitive variable models of viscous incompressible fluids

Abstract Two variational models of the primitive equations governing two-dimensional, viscous incompressible Stokes flows are studied. The first model contains the velocities and the pressure as dependent unknowns, while the second model contains only the velocities and is based on the Penalty Method. Existence and uniqueness of solutions to the associated variational problems are proved using the Generalized Lax-Milgram theorem of Babuska. Existence and uniqueness of approximate solution are also proved and error estimates are derived.
Attractions and Obstacles While Considering Legally Recognized Same-Sex Marriage

ABSTRACT This study examines same-sex couples' attractions to marriage, obstacles that challenged them when considering marriage, and the ways they overcame such obstacles. Participants (N = 263) were members of same-sex couples that were either legally married or engaged to be married. A Web-based survey asked participants to describe the discussions between them and their partners when deciding to marry. Inductive coding identified categories and themes among the participants' attractions and obstacles to marriage, and strategies for overcoming obstacles to marriage. Same-sex couples were attracted to legally recognized marriage as a means of gaining civil/public and social network recognition for their relationship and for personal reasons. Couples considering marriage were challenged by the civil/public limitations of marriage, social network disapproval, and practical and symbolic issues with weddings and the institution of marriage. Strategies to overcome these obstacles varied in directness. The re...
Rationale for nuclear reactor control room data displays

Abstract One of the ‘lessons learned’ from the Three Mile Island accident focuses upon the need for a validated source of plant-status information in the control room. The utilization of computer-generated graphics to display the reduced readings of the plant instrumentation has introduced the need for a set of guidelines that focuses upon the mental image of plant conditions that the operators receive from viewing the computer monitors. The principles that govern the design of displays are similar to those employed in the education process because the objective is the same, namely, to transfer information. The philosophy for the development of displays to portray the status of major plant systems bases the level of detail upon the needs of the user. Graphic displays that relate the plant system parameter to the plant systems are recommended along with bar-chart type representations of the relationship between plant parameters and allowable limits.
Effect of Molecular Symmetry and Intermolecular Halogen‐Halogen Interactions on the Crystal Structures of Halogen‐Substituted Benzoic Acids. X‐ray Crystal Structure of m‐Iodobenzoic Acid

The crystal structure of m-iodobenzoic acid is reported. The crystals are monoclinic, P21/c, with a = 6.220(3) A, b = 4.689(2) A, c = 26.67(1) A, β = 101.80(3)°, Z = 4, C7H5IO2. The structure has been determined by direct methods and refined to R 0.026 for 1288 reflections recorded with an automatic single crystal diffractometer. The structure is composed of essentially planar hydrogen-bonded dimer units with significant intermolecular iodine-iodine contacts. The configuration of the dimer unit is transoid. Since this is the penultimate member of the family of mono-halogen-substituted benzoic acids its structure is compared with those previously reported. In particular, the effects of differences in molecular geometry of the o-, m-, and p-isomers and the strengths of the intermolecular halogen-halogen interactions are surveyed. The geometry of the carboxyl group of m-iodobenzoic acid in the solid state and the carbonyl absorption in the Ftir spectrum of the crystalline acid at room temperature suggest the presence of dynamic proton isomerism as has been recently found by other investigators in crystalline benzoic acid and some of its derivatives.
A Puzzle About Desire

The following four assumptions plausibly describe the ideal rational agent. (1) She knows what her beliefs are. (2) She desires to believe only truths. (3) Whenever she desires that P → Q and knows that P, she desires that Q. (4) She does not both desire that P and desire that ~P, for any P. Although the assumptions are plausible, they have an implausible consequence. They imply that the ideal rational agent does not believe and desire contradictory propositions. She neither desires the world to be any different than she thinks it is, nor thinks it is any different than she desires it to be. The problem of preserving our intuitions about desire, without embracing the implausible conclusion, is what I call “the Wishful Thinking Puzzle.” In this paper, I examine how this puzzle arises, and I argue that it is surprisingly difficult to solve. Even the decision theoretic conception of desire is not immune to the puzzle. One approach, the contrastive conception of desire, does avoid the puzzle without being ad hoc, but it remains too inchoate to win our full confidence.
DistriWiki: a distributed peer-to-peer wiki network

In this paper, we present DistriWiki, a peer-to-peer wiki. Motivated by the fact that the client-server architecture of the Web has limitations caused by the centralized nature of Web servers, we designed DistriWiki as a more open, more distributed alternative. In DistriWiki, each user's computer acts as a peer that stores redundant copies of wiki pages; in this way, we can reduce bandwidth and hardware costs, reduce the number of failures due to hardware and configuration errors, and avoid centralized organizational control of the wiki pages.
Plant Suspension Culture Media Macromolecules—Pectic Substances, Protein, and Peroxidase

Macromolecules secreted into the media by a nondifferentiating suspension culture of tobacco cells were found to be composed of protein and polysaccharide, and to account for the viscosity of the media. The concentration, composition, and viscosity of these macromolecules changed significantly with the age of the culture and growth temperature. The concentration changed from 0.02 mg/ml in newly inoculated cultures to over 1 mg/ml in older cultures. The macromolecules contained from 6 to 18% protein and 3 to 4 μmoles hydroxy-proline/mg nitrogen, more than 20 times the level found in whole cells. The macromolecules contained 5 to 25% pectic substances whose carboxyl groups were either methyl esterified or combined with calcium. Arabinose, xylose, glucose, galactose, and mannose were identified in acid hydrolysates of the macromolecules. Peroxidase activity of the macromolecules increased as cultures became older. Peroxidase isoenzyme patterns changed with culture age and growth temperature. The relation of the macromolecules to cell walls and intercellular substances is discussed.
Fiber bundle fluorescence endomicroscopy

An improved design for fiber bundle fluorescence endomicroscopy is demonstrated. Scanned illumination and detection using coherent fiber bundles with 30,000 elements with 3 µm resolution enables high speed imaging with reduced pixel cross talk.
Hardy-Littlewood system and representations of integers by an invariant polynomial

Let f be an integral homogeneous polynomial of degree d, and let $$ V_m = {X : f(X) = m} $$ be the level set for each $$ m \in \mathbb{N} $$ . For a compact subset Ω in $$ V_1(\mathbb{R}) $$ ), set $$ N_m(f, \Omega)=\# V_m(\mathbb{Z})\cap m^{1/d}\Omega\,. $$ We define the notion of Hardy-Littlewood system for the sequence {V m }, according as the asymptotic of $$ N_m(f, \Omega) $$ as $$ n \rightarrow \infty $$ coincides with the one predicted by Hardy-Littlewood circle method. Using a recent work of Eskin and Oh [EO], we then show for a large family of invariant polynomialsf, the level sets {V m } are Hardy-Littlewood. In particular, our results yield a new proof of Siegel mass formula for quadratic forms.
Acrodermatitis enteropathica without hypozincemia: Therapeutic effect of a pancreatic enzyme preparation due to a zinc-binding ligand

The clinical course and intestinal absorption studies of a female infant who developed diarrhea after cessation of breast feeding, mood changes, and intermittently had mild perioral and perianal rashes are described. She showed a partial response to a pancreatic enzyme preparation which was attributed to its content of a zinc-binding ligand, picolinic acid. Complete recovery occurred on pharmacologic doses of zinc. Exacerbation occurred twice upon withdrawal of the oral zinc medication. The zinc concentrations of plasma and intestinal mucosa were normal.
Comparative β-Lactamase Resistance and Antistaphylococcal Activities of Parenterally and Orally Administered Cephalosporins

Two parenterally administered cephalosporins (cephalothin and cephapirin) and four orally administered cephalosporins (cephalexin, cephradine, cefatrizine, and cefaclor) were investigated by use of 29 beta-lactamase-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus for determination of their relative rates of hydrolysis (RH) by beta-lactamase (RH of penicillin G =100) and their antistaphylococcal activities. Cephalothin (RH less than 0.01) and cephapirin (RH = 0.1) were relatively stable in the presence of staphylococcal beta-lactamase. Cephalexin and cephradine (RH of each = 0.3) were less stable than cephalothin and cephapirin but more stable than cefatrizine (RH = 1.4) and cefaclor (RH = 3.4). Agents that were more resistant to hydrolysis were affected less by the size of the inoculum when tested against large ;(10(7)) and small (10(3)) inocula of beta-lactamase-producing staphylococci than those that were hydrolyzed rapidly. Cephalothin and cephapirin were four to eight times more active than the orally administered cephalosporins against 10(3) staphylococci. Cephalosporins that are relatively stable in the presence of staphylococcal bata-lactamase may be preferable to less stable ones for treatment of serious infections due to beta-lactamase-producing staphylococci.
Evaluation of modified moore swabs and continuous flow centrifugation for concentration of Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 from large volumes of water.

Modified Moore swabs (MMS; consisting of a polyvinyl chloride cartridge filled with gauze) capture microorganisms within the packed gauze as water flows through the cartridge, while continuous flow centrifugation (CFC) uses centrifugation to sediment the microorganisms while water continuously flows in the system. This study evaluated and compared the efficacy of MMS and CFC for concentration and subsequent detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from large volumes of water (10 liters). Water samples were spiked at levels of 101,102,103, and 104 CFU/100 ml with three-strain cocktails of either E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella serovars, which had been previously transformed with a plasmid to express resistance to ampicillin as well as green, red, or cyan fluorescent proteins. Plating was performed before and after concentration on tryptic soy agar supplemented with ampicillin in order to quantitate the concentration efficiencies of each method. The two lowest spiking levels were also enriched in ...
Low anterior anastomotic dehiscence following preoperative irradiation with 6000 rads

Twenty mongrel dogs received 6000 rads of irradiation to the rectum and colon using the Nominal Standard Dosage Equation. Three weeks after irradiation each dog underwent anterior resection of the rectosigmoid with reconstruction randomized to either an EEA stapled or a two layer handsewn anastomosis. Each dog was studied digitally and by barium enema at the time of surgery, on the seventh postoperative day, and at autopsy. Five clinically significant leaks and three radiographic leaks occurred in the EEA stapled anastomoses. The handsewn anastomoses had five clinically significant leaks and two radiographic leaks. The data indicate that low anterior resection with either an EEA stapled or handsewn anastomosis cannot be done safely after 6000 rad preoperative irradiation.
Extraction of selected transplutonium(III) and lanthanide(III) ions by dihexyl-N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethylphosphonate from aqueous nitrate media

Abstract The extraction behavior of selected transplutonium(III) and lanthanide(III) ions fromnitrate solution was studied using relatively pure dihexyl-N, N-diethyl-carbamoylmethylphosphonate (DHDECMP). The data obtained for Am(III) and Eu(III) using DHDECMP were compared with analogous measurements obtained with dibutyl butylphosphonate (DB[BP]) and in certain cases with dihexyl-N, N-diethylcarbamoylethylphosphonate (DHDECEP). It was found that both the nitrate and extractant concentration dependencies were third power. The Kd 's for Am(III) and for Eu(III) measured from low acid LiNO3 solutions were similar for DHDECMP, DHDECEP, and DB[BP], thus giving no evidence for any significant chelation effect for DHDECMP. Significant differences among DHDECMP, DHDECEP, and DB[BP] are found for the extraction of Am(III) and Eu(III) from 1 to 5 M HNO3. These differences are explained by the ability of DHDECMP (and to a lesser extent, DHDECEP) to buffer itself against HNO3 by protonation of the amide group. The Kd...
Anesthesia: XI. The Anesthetic Action of Propenyl Ethyl Ether.

SummaryPropenyl ethyl ether produces prompt surgical anesthesia in many species of animals upon inhalation. The anesthetic index is higher than ethyl ether and the compound appears to be without deleterious action upon the myocardium, the normal histology of the liver or kidney, or upon the red blood cell in anesthetic concentrations. However, this ether in common with its isomer, cypreth ether, produces irritation of the upper respiratory tract in animals and especially in man. For this reason we are of the opinion that the compound is unsuited as a volatile anesthetic in man.
The glycogenic effects of placental lactogen and growth hormone in ovine fetal liver are mediated through binding to specific fetal ovine placental lactogen receptors.

To examine the relative roles of placental lactogen (PL) and GH in fetal metabolism, we have examined the effects of ovine PL (oPL), ovine GH (oGH), and ovine PRL (oPRL) on glycogen metabolism in cultured ovine fetal hepatocytes and have examined the binding of these hormones to hepatic membranes from fetal and neonatal lambs. In ovine fetal hepatocytes, oPL (150 ng/ml–20 μg/ml) stimulated dose-dependent increases in [14C]glucose incorporation into glycogen (18–167%) and total cellular glycogen content (10–69%). oGH and oPRL also stimulated glycogen synthesis in fetal hepatocytes, but the potencies of these hormones were only 12% and 4% that of oPL. The dose-response curves of the three hormones were parallel, and their maximal effects were identical, suggesting a common mechanism of action. In hepatic membranes from fetal lambs, the maximal specific binding of [125I]oPL was 26.3% while the maximal specific binding of [125I]oGH was only 0.9–1.5%. The binding of [125I]oPL was saturable and reversible and v...
The unique characteristics of "upper" lumbar disc herniations.

Objective To compare the characteristics, presentation, and surgical outcome of patients with microdiscectomies at L1-L2 and L2-L3 with those we treated at L3-L4. We further sought to compare these results with those reported in the literature for discectomies at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels. Methods We reviewed the clinical data collected from 69 patients who had 72 L1-L2, L2-L3, and L3-L4 microdiscectomies performed from 1989 to 1999 at the New York University Medical Center. Patients who had surgery at L1-L2 or L2-L3 were grouped and compared with those treated at the L3-L4 level. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed at a mean of 12.9 months after surgery for presenting signs and symptoms, patient characteristics, and surgical outcome. Long-term follow-up via telephone interview was obtained at an average of 81.3 months after surgery. Results In the L1-L2 + L2-L3 group, 58% of the patients had previous lumbar disc surgery, compared with only 10% of those in the L3-L4 group, and 20% in the L1-L2 + L2-L3 group required a fusion during the procedure compared with only 10% in the L3-L4 group. These differences are both statistically significant. The short-term chart review demonstrates that only 58% and 53% of patients in the L1-L2 + L2-L3 group were improved with regard to radicular and back pain, respectively, whereas those in the L3-L4 group reported 94 and 87% rates of improvement in the same categories, both highly statistically significant findings. The long-term follow-up confirmed a highly statistically significantly worse outcome in the L1-L2 + L2-L3 group, with only 33% of patients reporting an improvement in their economic or functional status, compared with an 88% rate of improvement in the L3-L4 group. The outcome of our patients with L3-L4 herniations was similar to that reported in the literature for herniations at L4-L5 and L5-S1. Conclusion Herniated discs at the L1-L2 or L2-L3 level are different entities from those at lower levels of the lumbar spine. The surgical outcome in terms of postoperative back and radicular pain is worse for herniated discs at L1-L2 and L2-L3 compared with those treated at L3-L4. Our patients with L1-L2 or L2-L3 surgically treated herniated discs were more likely to have had previous lumbar surgery and required a fusion more often than their counterparts with L3-L4 herniated discs.
UNLV-ISRI document collection for research in OCR and information retrieval

We report on the UNLV-ISRI document collection history, composition, and characteristics. We further provide a short summary of research projects that were conducted using subsets of this collection. These projects were designed to address the retrieval effectiveness from OCR generated collections. Along with this report, ISRI is making this collection available to researchers for further study on the topic of OCR and Information Retrieval.
Paraxial ray analysis of a cat's-eye retroreflector

The cat's-eye retroreflector is a passive optical system consisting of a secondary mirror placed at the focal point of a primary lens. We analyze the cat's eye using the paraxial ray matrix approach. The position of the equivalent reflecting surface and the angular field of view of a realizable cat's eye are functions of the radius of curvature of the secondary mirror. The field of view is maximum for a secondary mirror with a concave radius of curvature equal to the focal length of the primary lens. We further derive the general dependence of retroreflection errors on misadjustment of the secondary mirror.
TOPOVEL: a FORTRAN program for tomographic inversion of porosity and velocity structure in the subsurface

Abstract With increasing demand for high-resolution underground imaging, crosshole tomography has become an important geophysical remote-sensing method. In a typical crosshole tomography experiment, sources and receivers are placed in two parallel boreholes and first-arrival travel-time data are collected between each source and receiver. Collected travel-time data are used to invert the compressional or shear-wave velocity structure between the boreholes. TOPOVEL, a FORTRAN program, is presented for the inversion of 2-D compressional-wave velocity and porosity structures between two boreholes. Potential applications of TOPOVEL include foundation and geotechnical engineering, environmental sciences, hydrogeology, and exploration geophysics.
MADALINE neural network with truncated momentum for LTV MIMO system identification

Presented in this paper is a new version of the Multi-ADAptive LINear Element (MADALINE) neural network for Online System identification of linear time-varying (LTV) Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) systems. A truncated momentum term is used in the learning algorithm for the purpose of reducing fluctuation while sudden parameter change happens thus offers a smoother transition in tracking the parameter. Based on the input output polynomial model, which can be easily transformed into the row canonical state space model, Tapped delay lines are introduced, so the MADALINE becomes recurrent in nature and thus is suitable for parameter estimation of such systems. The MADALINE can then be setup under the assumption that the system structure is known in advance. The estimated parameters are obtained as the weights of trained individual neurons of the MADALINE. The method is implemented in MATLAB and simulation study was then performed on a few well known examples. Simulation results show that the algorithms offer satisfactory performance. This work is based on our previous work on Multi-Input Multi-Output systems' identification [18].
Congenital Chagas' Disease: Diagnostic and Clinical Aspects

The diagnostic and clinical aspects of congenital Chagas' disease were studied in 71 children in Buenos Aires. The children's ages ranged from 2 days to 10 years. In infants or = 6 months of age. Forty-six (64.8%) of the 71 children had no clinical signs of infection. The clinical sign most frequently documented was hepatomegaly (18.3%). Three children were coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus; the latter infection was severe in two instances. Nifurtimox (10-15 mg/[kg.d] for 2 months) was used for parasiticidal treatment, and use of this drug resulted in mild adverse effects.
Protecting the Home Turf: National Bar Associations and the Foreign Lawyer

This note addresses the issues raised by domestic laws and bar associations limiting the practice of foreign lawyers. It looks at how the increase in globalization has led different countries to take different approaches toward dealing with these foreign lawyers. There are complex and varying reasons for how a country approaches foreign lawyers, as is demonstrated particularly through the actions of Brazil, India, and Japan. Also, it appears that emerging, but not as of yet established, global economic powers have decided it is in their interest to severely restrict the activity of foreign lawyers. The note suggests that these emerging powers should take the approach that Japan has taken and incrementally liberalize their rules regarding foreign lawyers and law firms. Despite the increased liberalization demonstrated by Japan and some states in the United States, there is little indication that emerging powers will lift their protectionist measures anytime soon.
Dispersion of Nitrogen

The refractivity of nitrogen gas has been measured, with high relative precision, at vacuum wavelengths from 4679 A to 20 586 A. The absolute value of refractivity for 5462 A, reduced to one atmosphere at 0°C., is 2.991×10−4. A dispersion formula fitting the data well at 15°C. is 108 (n−1)= 6497.378+3 073 864.9/(144-σ2), where σ is wave number in reciprocal microns. This is compared to Svensson’s dispersion formula for air. Alternative dispersion formulas are discussed. Quantities related to dispersion are deduced: mean absorption frequency, effective total oscillator strength., dielectric constant, Verdet constant, and Rayleigh scattering coefficient.
A two-fluid spectral-element method

Abstract A spectral-element formulation for two-fluid flows is presented which uses arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian mesh movement with an unstructured mesh. The main advantage of this approach is that the spectral elements provide a high order-of-accuracy while the unstructured mesh allows geometric flexibility. The accuracy of this approach is demonstrated for several relatively simple configurations with and without moving interfaces. Another unique feature of the formulation as compared to previous (single-fluid) spectral-element methods is that a fully implicit time advancement scheme is used. This is made possible by the development of a spectral-multigrid iteration which solves the implicit governing equations in a fixed number of iterations insensitive to both the polynomial degree of the spectral elements and the number of elements in the mesh. By using this approach, solutions for both stiff unsteady problems and steady-state problems can be obtained efficiently.
Predicting Language Proficiency Based on the Use of Multimedia Interfaces for Transcription Tasks

Abstract Transcription is an example of a task that requires an intensive interaction with a sound recording. This paper describes a controlled experiment conducted to determine the differences between native and non‐native speakers strategies for transcribing dialogues, from the simple to the complex. The results of the analysis confirmed there were significant differences amongst three categories of the users’ interactions with a computerized transcription system: 1) the number of times a recording segment was replayed, 2) the number of text segments used in transcribing the dialogue, and 3) the number of times a portion of the text was deleted. Moreover, the results suggest that the difficulty of the task in combination with the user interactions, such as the number of replays and the number of text deletions, is a predictor of the language proficiency. These findings can be used to develop adaptive user interfaces, to determine an optimal sound quality, as well as adjusting learning and transcription ...
NF-κB Is Required for Surface Ig-Induced Fas Resistance in B Cells

The susceptibility of primary murine B cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis is regulated in a receptor-specific fashion. Whereas CD40 engagement produces marked sensitivity to Fas killing, engagement of the B cell Ag receptor blocks Fas signaling for cell death in otherwise Fas-sensitive, CD40-stimulated targets and thus induces Fas resistance. The signaling pathway that leads from B cell Ag receptor to Fas resistance has not been fully characterized, but has been shown to depend on new gene expression. NF-kappa B is activated following B cell Ag receptor engagement and is associated with antiapoptosis; thus, it would seem a likely candidate to mediate transcriptional activation for inducible Fas resistance. Inhibition of B cell Ag receptor signaling for NF-kappa B activation completely blocked induction of Fas resistance by anti-Ig, and this same phenotype was observed both with chemical inhibitors such as lactacystin and pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate as well as with an I kappa B alpha dominant negative TAT fusion protein. Antiapoptotic, NF-kappa B-responsive transcripts include two gene products previously implicated in mediating anti-Ig-induced Fas resistance, Bcl-x(L) and FLIP. B cell Ag receptor-induced up-regulation of both these gene products was blocked by NF-kappa B inhibition, suggesting a mechanism by which the loss of nuclear NF-kappa B alters the sensitivity of B cell Ag receptor-stimulated B cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis. These results indicate that activation of NF-kappa B plays a key role in mediating Fas resistance produced by B cell Ag receptor engagement.
Oligomerization state and pigment binding strength of the peridinin-Chl a-protein

The peridinin-chlorophyll a-protein (PCP) is one of the major light harvesting complexes (LHCs) in photosynthetic dinoflagellates. We analyzed the oligomeric state of PCP isolated from the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium, which has received increasing attention in recent years because of its role in coral bleaching. Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) analysis indicated PCP exists as monomers. Native mass spectrometry (native MS) demonstrated two oligomeric states of PCP, with the monomeric PCP being dominant. The trimerization may not be necessary for PCP to function as a light-harvesting complex.
Process Window Centering for 22 nm lithography

PWC (Process Window Centering) is an efficient methodology to validate or adjust and center the overall process window for a particular lithography layer by detecting systematic and random defects. The PWC methodology incorporates a defect inspection and analysis of the entire die that can be automated to provide timely results. This makes it a good compromise between FEM (Focus Exposure Matrix), where centering is based only on CD (critical dimension) measurements of a few specific structures and PWQ (Process Window Qualification) which provides very detailed defect inspection and analysis, but is more time consuming for lithography centering. This paper describes the application of the PWC methodology for 22 nm lithography centering in IBM's Albany and East Fishkill development facilities using KLA-Tencor's 28xx brightfield defect inspection system.
CRISPR-Cas systems target a diverse collection of invasive mobile genetic elements in human microbiomes

Bacteria and archaea develop immunity against invading genomes by incorporating pieces of the invaders' sequences, called spacers, into a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) locus between repeats, forming arrays of repeat-spacer units. When spacers are expressed, they direct CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins to silence complementary invading DNA. In order to characterize the invaders of human microbiomes, we use spacers from CRISPR arrays that we had previously assembled from shotgun metagenomic datasets, and identify contigs that contain these spacers' targets. We discover 95,000 contigs that are putative invasive mobile genetic elements, some targeted by hundreds of CRISPR spacers. We find that oral sites in healthy human populations have a much greater variety of mobile genetic elements than stool samples. Mobile genetic elements carry genes encoding diverse functions: only 7% of the mobile genetic elements are similar to known phages or plasmids, although a much greater proportion contain phage- or plasmid-related genes. A small number of contigs share similarity with known integrative and conjugative elements, providing the first examples of CRISPR defenses against this class of element. We provide detailed analyses of a few large mobile genetic elements of various types, and a relative abundance analysis of mobile genetic elements and putative hosts, exploring the dynamic activities of mobile genetic elements in human microbiomes. A joint analysis of mobile genetic elements and CRISPRs shows that protospacer-adjacent motifs drive their interaction network; however, some CRISPR-Cas systems target mobile genetic elements lacking motifs. We identify a large collection of invasive mobile genetic elements in human microbiomes, an important resource for further study of the interaction between the CRISPR-Cas immune system and invaders.
Electrochemical sensors for detection of biomolecules

A novel electrochemical sensor for detection of biomolecules was investigated. The sensor was fabricated using Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) knowledge, and the sensor has the ability to transduce bimolecular signal directly into an electrical signal. The capacitor-based sensors with a nanogap in the range of (20~100nm) was produced using SOI (Silicon on Insulator) wafer, and the insulator layer was the media layer of the capacitor. When the nanogap size is smaller than the electro double layer thickness, the dependence of the nanogap capacitance on the ionic strength is insignificant. This is critical in using the capacitance change as an indicator of the existence of target molecules. Filling the nanogap with biomolecules resulted in the change of capacitance. A C-V analyzer was used to measure the electrical (capacitance) property of the sensor. DNA immobilization technique was also carried out to immobilize double stranded DNA on the sensor and this result was used to understand the effect of plasma modification of silicon surface. This research can have important consequences in DNA-based molecular electronics and direct label-free detection of DNA digestion and hybridization.
Diets containing traditional and novel green leafy vegetables improve liver fatty acid profiles of spontaneously hypertensive rats

The consumption of green leafy vegetables (GLVs) has been demonstrated to reduce the risks associated with cardiovascular and other diseases. However, no literature exists that examines the influence of traditional and novel GLVs on the liver fatty acid profile of an animal model genetically predisposed to developing hypertension. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of diets containing 4% collard greens, purslane or sweet potato greens on the liver fatty acid profiles of four-week old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs, N = 44). Following four weeks consumption of the diets, liver fatty acid profiles were determined by gas–liquid chromatography of transesterified fatty acid methyl esters. SHRs consuming the control diet had greater percentages of liver saturated fatty acid and less omega-3 fatty acid percentages. SHRs consuming the diets containing vegetables had significantly greater liver concentrations of γ- linolenic, docosahexaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, as well as lower levels of lauric, palmitic and arachidonic acids. SHRs consuming the control diet had significantly greater percentages (p < 0.05) of oleic; significantly less γ-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids. This study demonstrates the ability of GLVs to modulate liver fatty acid composition, thus providing protection against elevations in atherogenic fatty acids, which may be involved in CVD pathogenesis. Consequently, dietary recommendations for the prevention of CVD should consider the possible cardioprotective benefits and the subsequent alterations in fatty acid profiles afforded by diets containing collard greens, purslane and sweet potato greens.
Enzymatic Activities of Human Cytomegalovirus Maturational Protease Assemblin and Its Precursor (pPR, pUL80a): Maximal Activity of pPR Requires Self-Interaction through Its Scaffolding Domain

Herpesviruses encode an essential, maturational serine protease whose catalytic domain, assemblin (28 kDa), is released by self-cleavage from a 74-kDa precursor (pPR, pUL80a). Although there is considerable information about the structure and enzymatic characteristics of assemblin, a potential pharmacologic target, comparatively little is known about these features of the precursor. To begin studying pPR, we introduced five point mutations that stabilize it against self-cleavage at its internal (I), cryptic (C), release (R), and maturational (M) sites and at a newly discovered “tail” (T) site. The resulting mutants, called ICRM-pPR and ICRMT-pPR, were expressed in bacteria, denatured in urea, purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography, and renatured by a two-step dialysis procedure and by a new method of sedimentation into glycerol gradients. The enzymatic activities of the pPR mutants were indistinguishable from that of IC-assemblin prepared in parallel for comparison, as determined by using a fluorogenic peptide cleavage assay, and approximated rates previously reported for purified assemblin. The percentage of active enzyme in the preparations was also comparable, as determined by using a covalent-binding suicide substrate. An unexpected finding was that, in the absence of the kosmotrope Na2SO4, optimal activity of pPR requires interaction through its scaffolding domain. We conclude that although the enzymatic activities of assemblin and its precursor are comparable, there may be differences in how their catalytic sites become fully activated.
Optimal ordering of transmissions for computing Boolean threshold functions

We address a sequential decision problem that arises in the computation of symmetric Boolean functions of distributed data. We consider a collocated network, where each node's transmissions can be heard by every other node. Each node has a Boolean measurement and we wish to compute a given Boolean function of these measurements. We suppose that the measurements are independent and Bernoulli distributed. Thus, the problem of optimal computation becomes the problem of optimally ordering nodes' transmissions so as to minimize the total expected number of bits. We solve the ordering problem for the class of Boolean threshold functions. The optimal ordering is dynamic, i.e., it could potentially depend on the values of previously transmitted bits. Further, it depends only on the ordering of the marginal probabilites, but not on their exact values. This provides an elegant structure for the optimal strategy. For the case where each node has a block of measurements, the problem is significantly harder, and we conjecture the optimal strategy.