cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FasL promoter activation by IL-2 through SP1 and NFAT but not Egr-2 and Egr-3

Recently activated peripheral T cells treated with IL-2 for 4 days expressed Fas ligand (FasL)-mediated cytotoxicity. These IL-2-treated T cells had high nuclear expression of SP1 and NFAT, but lacked the Egr-2 and Egr-3 that could be induced by anti-CD3 stimulation and had been implicated in FasL gene activation. A minimal promoter region that responded to IL-2 was identified by transient transfection assays using deletion mutants. The data sug- gests that the GGGCGGAAA site present in the 5' end of the minimal FasL promoter is criti- cal to IL-2-induced FasL gene activation. The GGGCGGAAA sequence contains an overlap- ping site used by two transcription factor families, one (GGGCGG) for the SP1 family and the other (GGAAA) for the NFAT family. FasL promoter activity was partially but statistically sig- nificantly reduced with constructs mutated at either site. More activity was lost with a con- struct mutated at both sites. In contrast, mutation at the Egr site had no effect on IL-2- induced FasL promoter activity. Our study identified a new FasL promoter site responding to IL-2-induced SP1 and NFAT factors. Furthermore, the nuclei of IL-2-treated cells express SP1 and NFAT, but not Egr-2 and Egr-3, for FasL gene activation.
Some characterizations of the uniform distribution with applications to random number generation

Let U and V be independent random variables with continuous density function on the interval (0, 1). We describe families of functions g for which uniformity of U and V is equivalent to uniformity of g(U, V) on (0, 1). These results axe used to prescribe methods for improving the quality of pseudo-random number generators by making them closer in distribution to the U(0, 1) distribution.
DNA synthesis associated with a DNA-nuclear-membrane complex from rat liver

Ultrastructural analysis of M-band from nuclei of rat liver showed small amounts of chromatin, fragments of inner nuclear membrane, some amorphous nuclear material, and nucleopores. The outer nuclear membrane with its associated ribosomes was removed by Sarkosyl during the preparation of M-band sample. Morphological features of nucleopores and the inner nuclear membrane were confirmed by freez-fracture technique. The gross chemical composition of the M-band was similar to that of nuclear-membrane fractions prepared by other techniques. The M-band contained the greatest proportion of newly-labeled DNA and also supported DNA synthesis in vitro. Electron-microscopic autoradiography of the M-band showed localization of silver grains of thymidine-3H presumably over newly synthesized DNA. The DNA synthesis could not be attributed to spurious attachment of DNA polymerase to M-band during its isolation. It was partially removed from the M-band by treatment with 0.5 M KC1, phospholipase A or C; and completely, by the action of pancreatic DNase. DNA synthesis was greater in M-band fractions isolated from nuclei of 24-hour regenerating liver.
Compensation of Foreign and Domestic Nurses in the US

This study tests the union skill homogeneity hypothesis by examining whether the erosion of foreign-domestic wage differentials reported in past studies varies by union status. We argue that the common practice of unions negotiating standardized wages promotes skill homogeneity that allows high credential-low unmeasured skill foreign nurses the opportunity to receive wages that match high credential domestic nurses without foreign nurses relying heavily on their labor mobility. Findings show returns to domestic experience accrue faster for foreign nurses belonging to a union compared to returns for non-union foreign nurses. In general, findings on pension coverage indicate foreign nurses also benefit from belonging to a union, while findings on employer sponsored health care benefits indicate a lack of any notable differences in the receipt of this compensation by foreign and union status.
The mundane, the existential, and the poetic

The author explores and advocates for a poetry of the mundane. This article includes an analysis of the developmental process by which a writer of “extraordinary” poetry becomes a poet concerned with enlivening the ordinary. Existential notions of nothingness, authenticity, and the “I-thou” relationship are explored as they pertain to a poetics of the mundane. Poetry is presented relating to mundane objects, mundane events, and mundane relationships. The author explores how paying attention to what is mundane can help lead the poet towards confronting existential truths.
Effect of Inhibiting Oxyanions on the Localized Corrosion Susceptibility of Waste Package Container Materials

The DOE is currently preparing a license application for the permanent disposal of high level radioactive waste at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The proposed design of waste packages for the disposal of high level radioactive waste consists of an outer container made of Alloy 22, a corrosion resistant Ni-Cr-Mo-W alloy, surrounding an inner container made of Type 316 nuclear grade stainless steel. Under conditions where passivity is maintained, the uniform corrosion rate of Alloy 22 is slow and long waste package lifetimes are projected. However, the initiation of localized corrosion such as pitting or crevice corrosion may decrease waste package lifetimes. In this study the crevice corrosion susceptibility of Alloy 22 was determined in chloride solutions with additions of oxyanions that are present in the groundwater at the potential repository site. When present in sufficient concentrations relative to chloride, nitrate, carbonate, bicarbonate, and sulfate inhibited pitting and crevice corrosion of Alloy 22.
An AMPA receptor potentiator modulates hippocampal expression of BDNF: an in vivo study

AMPA receptor activation has been demonstrated to increase the neuronal expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In the present study, we investigated the effect of a novel AMPA receptor potentiator (LY404187) and its active isomer (LY451646) on the expression of BDNF protein and mRNA, as well as TrkB mRNA in rat hippocampus. LY404187 administered for 7 days (1 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of BDNF immunopositive cells in the dentate gyrus, but not other hippocampal subfields. Chronic treatment (7 days) with LY451646 (0.5 mg/kg, comparable to 1 mg/kg of LY404187) increased the level of both BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in the dentate gyrus, CA3 and CA4 of the hippocampus. However, chronic treatment with lower doses of LY451646 (0.125 and 0.25 mg/kg) decreased the level of BDNF and TrkB mRNA in hippocampus, whilst the highest used dose of LY451646 (1 mg/kg) had no effect on BDNF and TrkB mRNA in hippocampus. In contrast, acute treatment with LY451646 produced an increase in BDNF mRNA levels at doses of 0.125 and 0.25 mg/kg in the hippocampus (CA4, CA3 and dentate gyrus, but not in CA1). LY451646 at 0.5 mg/kg had no effect, but at 1.0 mg/kg decreased the level of BDNF mRNA in hippocampus. Acute treatment with LY451646 did not affect the TrkB receptor mRNA levels in hippocampus. Our results demonstrate that biarylpropylsulfonamide AMPA receptor potentiators are capable of modulating the expression of BDNF and TrkB mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The increase in both BDNF protein and mRNA expression in the dentate gyrus but not in CA1 indicates a specific role of AMPA receptors in the regulation of BDNF expression in this hippocampal subfield. The regulation of BDNF expression by biarylpropylsulfonamids such as LY451646 may have important therapeutical implications for this class of molecule in the treatment of depression and other CNS disorders.
Embedding complete trees into the hypercube

Abstract We consider embeddings of the complete t -ary trees of depth k (denotation T k , t ) as subgraphs into the hypercube of minimum dimension n . This n , denoted by dim( T k , t ), is known if max{ k , t }⩽2. First, we study the next open cases t =3 and k =3. We improve the known upper bound dim( T k ,3 )⩽2 k +1 up to lim k →∞ dim( T k ,3 )/ k ⩽5/3 and show lim t →∞ dim( T 3, t )/ t =227/120. As a co-result, we present an exact formula for the dimension of arbitrary trees of depth 2, as a function of their vertex degrees. These results and new techniques provide an improvement of the known upper bound for dim( T k , t ) for arbitrary k and t .
Lacustrine Fossil Preservation in Acidic Environments: Implications of Experimental and Field Studies for the Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary Acid Rain Trauma

Abstract The effects of acidification on the preservation of buried lacustrine microfossils were evaluated using experimental tanks to simulate pH, depth, duration of acidification, and buffering conditions below the sediment/water interface of a hypothetical acidified lake. The taphonomic data provided from these experiments suggest that buffering by the host catchment (i.e., the CaCO3 content of the soils and outcrops that underlie the lake and drainage basin) is the primary factor promoting calcareous-fossil preservation under conditions of moderate and severe acidification. Global acid-rain fallout was a likely environmental consequence of the Chicxulub impact event at the Cretaceous– Paleogene boundary, and may have been important at other times in Earth history. Fossil preservation at the K/Pg boundary may have been affected by acidic groundwater leaching. Whereas the duration and intensity of the acid-rain fallout is poorly constrained, acid rain would have had varying effects on the acidity of lac...
Bioaccumulation and metabolism of benzo[A]pyrene in three species of polychaete worms

Polychaete worms which inhabit and ingest contaminated sediments may be exposed to a suite of sediment-sorbed xenobiotics, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). This study compared the accumulation and metabolism of sediment-sorbed BaP among various populations of polychaetes, including Leitoscoloplos fragilis, Nereis diversicolor, and Scolecolepides (= Marenzellaria) viridis. After exposure to trace amounts of BaP in sediment, N. diversicolor and S. viridis were found to metabolize BaP extensively, but metabolism of BaP appeared to be much slower in L. fragilis. Within each species, no consistent, significant differences in extent of BaP metabolism were observed between worms collected from contaminated versus reference sites. This result suggests that metabolism of BaP was not induced in worms from contaminated sites. To examine the extent to which metabolism of BaP is inducible in these species, worms were exposed in the lab to 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), a potent inducer of PAH metabolism in other species. Only one species, S. viridis, showed a small increase in the percent of total tissue BaP that was biotransformed after treatment with 3MC. Whether or not worms were treated with 3MC, biota-sediment accumulation factors (lipid- and organic carbon-normalized tissue to sediment ratios) were highest for L. fragilis.
RUTH WODAK & PAUL CHILTON (eds.), A new agenda in (critical) discourse analysis: Theory, methodology and interdisciplinarity

Ruth Wodak & Paul Chilton (eds.), A new agenda in (critical) discourse analysis: Theory, methodology and interdisciplinarity. Discourse Approaches to Politics, Society, and Culture, 13. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2005. Pp. xi, 322. Hb $138.00.The title of this book implicitly raises a number of important questions about the relationships among discourse analysis (DA), critical discourse analysis (CDA), and interdisciplinarity: Is CDA one approach to analyzing text and talk, or is it (by implication of the ambiguous parenthetical reference in the book's title) somehow merging with (an increasingly more critical) DA? To what extent does or should (C)DA embrace interdisciplinary approaches to treating language in use? Finally (and perhaps most compelling of all), what is this new agenda, what is wrong with the old agenda, and why is a new agenda needed at this time? Overall, the book does a fair to good job of addressing these questions.
MORE ON DEMEANOR AND ARREST IN DADE COUNTY

A recent study of police behavior using data collected in Dade County, Florida, found that citizen demeanor is a spurious correlate of arrest in light of control for criminal conduct (Klinger, 1994). This finding calls into question the long-standing belief that hostility directly increases the odds of arrest in police-citizen encounters. Responding to this research, Lundman (1994) reanalyzed data used in several previous studies that had reported hostility effects. His reanalysis offered limited support for a demeanor-arrest link. Because the measures of demeanor he used and the models he estimated were somewhat different from those Klinger had used and estimated, Lundman suggested that it would be valuable to revisit the Dade County data to see whether Klinger's null finding regarding hostility effects might be artifactual. This study reanalyzes the Dade County data. It indicates that one of four measures of demeanor is a significant net correlate of arrest under some circumstances. The implications of this finding are discussed.
Postnatal changes in cochlear polyamine metabolism in the rat.

Abstract Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the initial enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, is increased in the developing rat cochlea, suggesting that polyamine biosynthesis is important in cochlear development. Although cochlear polyamines have been detected in adult rats, they have not been identified in developing rats. We quantified polyamines in the developing and mature rat cochlea and further characterized ODC in the early postnatal period. Putrescine and spermidine in combined tissues of the organ of Corti and lateral wall of the cochlea were highest during the first 10 postnatal days, then declined to adult levels shortly thereafter. Spermine demonstrated a similar developmental trend. A high spermidine to spermine ratio was noted during this period as was rapidly increasing ODC activity. A high spermidine/spermine ratio was also noted in the cochlear nerve of developing and mature rats, suggesting that spermidine may be necessary for function and maintenance of the nerve. This is the first report of polyamines in the developing rat cochlea. The period of increased polyamine synthesis coincides with the critical period for ototoxicity induced by α-difluoromethylornithine, a specific ODC inhibitor, and the period of rapid cochlear development.
Radiofrequency Ablation of Osteoid Osteoma in the Upper Extremity

Purpose To examine the results of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of osteoid osteoma in the upper extremity. Methods Twenty-nine patients with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of an upper-extremity osteoid osteoma were referred for treatment between 1990 and 2003. All had computed tomography–guided percutaneous RFA performed by the senior investigator. Records were reviewed for patient age and gender, lesion size and location, prior treatment, and pathology results. Outcomes were determined by questionnaire via mail or telephone. Complete success was defined as complete resolution of pain without further treatment. Partial success was defined as occasional pain with activities that did not require another procedure. Failure was defined as recurrence, no change in symptoms, and/or the need for another procedure. Results Follow-up data were available for 25 patients at a minimum of 1 year. Lesion locations included 17 humerus, 5 scapula, 2 radius, 1 ulna. Results for 19 patients were rated completely successful, 4 were rated partially successful, and 2 were rated failures. Two patients whose results were not completely successful received decreased RFA temperature or duration because of the proximity of a neurovascular bundle. There were no complications. Outcomes did not correlate with any patient or tumor characteristics. Conclusions Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective treatment for most osteoid osteomas in the shoulder, arm, and forearm. Lesions that do not allow a safe distance between the electrode and a major neurovascular structure may require surgical excision. This may be of particular importance in lesions of the hand and carpus. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic, Level IV.
Measurements and IRI model predictions during the recent solar minimum

Cycle 23 was exceptional in that it lasted almost two years longer than its predecessors and in that it ended in an extended minimum period that proofed all predictions wrong. We will discuss the effect that these prediction uncertainties had on the IRI electron density profiles and point out the importance of using the latest IRI indices file. Comparisons of CHAMP and GRACE electron density measurements with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) predictions have shown significant differences during this extended minimum [1] while ionosonde data do not seem to show differences of similar magnitude [2]. We have further evaluated the performance of IRI during this solar minimum period using C/NOFS PLP data and ionosonde data from middle and low latitude stations. C/NOFS provides measurements in the altitude range from 400km to 850km but our primary focus in this study will be on the F-region because it is the region where the discrepancies with the CHAMP and GRACE data were found. IRI is based on a large volume of ground and space data covering several solar cycles but none of the data sets was recorded during conditions similar to those during the cycle 23 minimum. IRI uses solar, magnetic, and ionosonde indices to describe the dependence of ionospheric parameters on solar and magnetic forcing. Our investigation will show how well these relationships found for earlier solar cycles hold true for the most recent solar cycle minimum that was so different from its predecessors. Figure 1 shows the percentage difference between IRI and the Boulder ionosonde measurement from 1980 to 2011 covering two solar cycles. IRI agrees well with the data and this includes the time of the recent solar minimum.
Pedobacter nyackensis sp. nov., Pedobacter alluvionis sp. nov. and Pedobacter borealis sp. nov., isolated from Montana flood-plain sediment and forest soil

Three Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming eubacterial strains were isolated in western Montana, USA, and subjected to taxonomic studies. Strains NWG-II14T and NWER-II11T were isolated from hyporheic sediments of a large alluvial flood plain, whereas strain G-1T was isolated from a conifer forest soil. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strains NWG-II14T, NWER-II11T and G-1T were shown to belong to the family Sphingobacteriaceae and are most closely related to various species of the genus Pedobacter. The results of molecular, physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of these three strains from 23 Pedobacter species with validly published names. The three isolates therefore represent novel species, for which the names Pedobacter nyackensis sp. nov. (type strain NWG-II14T =DSM 19625T =LMG 24260T), Pedobacter alluvionis sp. nov. (type strain NWER-II11T =DSM 19624T =LMG 24258T) and Pedobacter borealis sp. nov. (type strain G-1T =DSM 19626T =LMG 24259T) are proposed.
Use of admixture and association for detection of quantitative trait loci in the Type 2 Diabetes Genetic Exploration by Next-Generation Sequencing in Ethnic Samples (T2D-GENES) study

Admixture mapping and association testing have been successfully applied to the detection of genes for complex diseases. Methods have also been developed to combine these approaches. As an initial step to determine the feasibility of combining admixture and association mapping in the context of whole genome sequencing, we have applied several methods to data from the Genetic Analysis Workshop 18. Here, we describe the steps necessary to carry out such a study from selection of reference populations and preprocessing of data through to the testing itself. We detected one significant result with a Bonferroni corrected p-value of 0.032 at single nucleotide polymorphism rs12639065. Computing local ancestry for Hispanic populations was challenging because there are relatively few methods by which to handle 3-way admixture, and publicly available Native American reference panels are scarce. However, combining admixture and association is a promising approach for detection of quantitative trait loci because it might be able to elevate the power of detection by combining 2 different sources of genetic signal.
DESATURATION AND RELATED MODIFICATIONS OF FATTY ACIDS1

▪ Abstract Desaturation of a fatty acid first involves the enzymatic removal of a hydrogen from a methylene group in an acyl chain, a highly energy-demanding step that requires an activated oxygen intermediate. Two types of desaturases have been identified, one soluble and the other membrane-bound, that have different consensus motifs. Database searching for these motifs reveals that these enzymes belong to two distinct multifunctional classes, each of which includes desaturases, hydroxylases, and epoxidases that act on fatty acids or other substrates. The soluble class has a consensus motif consisting of carboxylates and histidines that coordinate an active site diiron cluster. The integral membrane class contains a different consensus motif composed of histidines. Biochemical and structural similarities between the integral membrane enzymes suggest that this class also uses a diiron cluster for catalysis. Soluble and membrane enzymes have been successfully re-engineered for substrate specificity and rea...
What Causes Myocardial Infarction in Women Without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

Women experience higher mortality rates and more adverse outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than men, despite less obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and plaque burden with similar plaque responses to intensive risk factor modification.1 Furthermore, nonobstructive CAD by angiography appears to be emerging as a predictor of mortality in women, but not among men.2 These puzzling findings illustrate our incomplete understanding of sex-specific differences in pathophysiological mechanisms of AMI and ischemic heart disease in general. A better understanding of the mechanisms would lead the way for improvement in attempts to optimize ischemic heart disease management among women. Article see p1414 In the current issue, Reynolds and colleagues3 provide new data to help advance our understanding in this area by using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to investigate women with AMI in the absence of obstructive CAD. They provide the first evidence for plaque disruption and myocardial tissue characteristics among women with confirmed AMI and normal or only minimally abnormal coronary angiograms. To help interpret their novel findings, it seems appropriate to briefly review what we know in this area. Although sex-related results were lacking, autopsy studies from past decades securely linked severe atherosclerotic CAD and intracoronary thrombosis with AMI leading to death. More recent and detailed studies of women and men dying with AMI added disrupted plaque as the culprit for the acute thrombotic event. Overall, the majority had plaque rupture; a third had erosion; and a few percent had calcified nodules contributing to the thrombi.4 Interestingly, plaque erosion was identified as the cause of death in about one third of women, whereas in men, erosion was only about half as frequent as the cause of death. More important, erosion was observed as the cause of acute coronary thrombi in …
Dopamine Receptor Subtypes in Reward and Relapse

With the advent of subtype-selective ligands and dopamine receptor knockout mice, the last two decades have seen an explosion in research on the role of dopamine receptor subtypes in reward and relapse to drug-seeking behavior. This chapter represents a relatively comprehensive review of this literature, beginning with the ability of D1-like and D2-like receptor agonists to support self-administration behavior and produce conditioned preference, and followed by the modulation of natural reward, brain stimulation reward, and conditioned reward with subtype-selective ligands and dopamine receptor knockout mice. Subsequent sections describe the modulation of drug and alcohol self-administration by dopamine receptor subtypes, and role of dopamine receptor subtypes in relapse to drug and alcohol seeking in animal models. Finally, down-regulation in dopamine receptors following chronic drug self-administration is discussed in reference to differential changes in dopamine receptor-mediated behavior, suggesting that better integration between biological and behavioral data is needed in future studies.
Conjugate-gradient eigenvalue solvers in computing electronic properties of nanostructure architectures

In this paper we report on our efforts to test and expand the current state-of-the-art in eigenvalue solvers applied to the field of nanotechnology. We singled out the non-linear Conjugate Gradients (CG) methods as the backbone of our efforts for their previous success in predicting the electronic properties of large nanostructures and made a library of three different solvers (two recent and one new) that we integrated into the Parallel Energy SCAN (PESCAN) code to perform a comparison. The methods and their implementation are tuned to the specifics of the physics problem. The main requirements are to be able to find (1) a few, approximately 4-10, of the (2) interior eigenstates, including (3) repeated eigenvalues, for (4) large Hermitian matrices.
Simulation studies on nonlinear dynamics and chaos in a MEMS cantilever control system

We discovered period doubling and chaos in a simulated MEMS cantilever system with electrostatic sensing and actuation, intended for a MEMS based mass storage chip, with and without servo control. We used a graphical interface for a Poincare map method that allowed us to simulate multiple initial conditions simultaneously. We investigated both the static and dynamic instabilities of the MEMS cantilever system subjected to weak and strong disturbances. We observed bistability and a Hopf bifurcation in the closed loop controlled cantilever system without disturbances. We simulated the loop gain and the phase margin when the system was subjected to weak disturbances. Furthermore, we have found the period doubling, chaos and strange attractors for both the open and closed loop cantilever systems subjected to strong disturbances. For one case the stable operation range is significantly reduced by 25% because of a chaotic response.
Leukocyte disc method for L.E. cell test in serum and serum fractions

A simplified technic for the demonstration of the L.E. factor is described in which living granylocyte discs are deposited on glass slides and incubated with serum or serum fractions. The method was found satisfactory in 458 of 478 tests and produced results similar to other technics. Es describite un simplificate technica pro le demonstration del factor lupo-erythematose (L.E.). In illo, discos de vive granulocytos es deponite super plattas de vitro e incubate con sero o fractiones seral. Le methodo se provava satisfactory in 458 ex 478 tests e produceva resultatos simile a altere technicas.
Trematodes in snails near raccoon latrines suggest a final host role for this mammal in California salt marshes

Of the 18 trematode species that use the horn snail, Cerithidea californica, as a first intermediate host, 6 have the potential to use raccoons as a final host. The presence of raccoon latrines in Carpinteria Salt Marsh, California, allowed us to investigate associations between raccoons and trematodes in snails. Two trematode species, Probolocoryphe uca and Stictodora hancocki, occurred at higher prevalences in snails near raccoon latrines than in snails away from latrines, suggesting that raccoons may serve as final hosts for these species. Fecal remains indicated that raccoons fed on shore crabs, the second intermediate host for P. uca, and fish, the second intermediate host for S. hancocki. The increase in raccoon populations in the suburban areas surrounding west coast salt marshes could increase their importance as final hosts for trematodes in this system.
Sclerosing Therapy as First Line Treatment for Low Flow Vascular Lesions of the Orbit

Purpose To evaluate the outcome of sodium morrhuate 5% injections in patients with low flow vascular lesions, which consist of orbital lymphangiomas, and in one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Design Prospective, interventional consecutive case series. Methods Intralesional sodium morrhuate 5% was injected under direct visualization or under radiographic guidance to six patients with orbital lymphangiomas and one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Comprehensive eye examination and follow-up imaging studies were performed. main outcome measures: Lesion size was evaluated by orbital imaging and clinical examination, visual acuity, exophthalmos, and posttreatment complications. Results Seven patients (four female, three male; average age, 33 years) were included. Six patients were diagnosed with orbital lymphangioma, and one patient was diagnosed with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Patients received an average of 2.6 ± 2 intralesional injections of sodium morrhuate, with a range of one to six injections and a mean volume of 0.9 ± 0.8 ml (range, 0.2 to 2.1 ml). Lesions showed a decrease in size an average of 50% (33%) and ranged from minimal (10%) to near total resolution (85%). Visual acuity and intraocular pressure remained unchanged; exophthalmos decreased an average of 1.5 ± 1.8 mm. Complications included one case of orbital hemorrhage that resolved spontaneously and transient keratopathy in all patients with anterior orbital lesions. Conclusion Intralesional sclerosing therapy with sodium morrhuate 5% is effective in tumor debulking in patients with orbital lymphangioma and is not associated with vision-threatening complications. It may be a better alternative to surgery for low flow orbital tumors, which includes lymphangioma.
Imperfect surface order and functionalization in vertical carbon nanotube arrays probed by near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS)

Probing surface order as well as the degree of structural modification in carbon nanotube systems is of fundamental importance for incorporation of these materials into practical functional devices. The current study pertains to the analysis of the surface order of vertically-aligned single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays of varying length and composition by means of near-edge X-ray fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). Both NEXAFS and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies concluded that the nanotubes in these samples were oriented vertically to the plane of the surface. However, NEXAFS polarization analysis provided a more quantitative and nuanced description of the surface structure, indicative of far less localized surface order, an observation partially attributed to misalignment and bending of the tubes. Moreover, it was demonstrated by NEXAFS that the surface order of the arrays was imperfect and relatively independent of the height of the nanotube arrays. In addition, we have shown that NEXAFS can be used to correlate the extent of chemical functionalization and oxygenation with disruption of the electronic and physical structure of nanotubes embedded in array motifs.
Hypercoagulability in Porcine Hemorrhagic Shock is Present Early After Trauma and Resuscitation

Introduction The understanding of coagulopathy associated with trauma continues to evolve. Trauma patients are frequently coagulopathic early after injury and become hypercoagulable within days of injury. Thrombelastography (TEG) allows real-time evaluation of the coagulation status of patients. We hypothesized that TEG will identify post-traumatic hypercoagulable state in our porcine model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Methods Fourteen male Yorkshire pigs were sedated, instrumented, and splenectomized via laparotomy. Eight of these animals underwent a shock protocol consisting of a pulmonary contusion via captive bolt gun, 35% hemorrhage and two liver fractures. Vitals, hemodynamics, physiologic parameters and TEG were measured at baseline, after shock and at intervals after injury thru 72 h post-injury. Results Animals undergoing surgery and instrumentation demonstrated the same hypercoagulable patterns as animals that received shock, injury, and resuscitation. In this model, hypercoagulability was present in both groups at 4 h after injury and continued for 72 h post-injury (increased angle and maximum amplitude, P Conclusions Hypercoagulability is present early after surgical intervention and trauma. This finding has implications for use of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis in trauma patients.
Successful orthotopic liver transplantation for lamivudine-associated YMDD mutant hepatitis B virus

YMDD hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants emerge in more than one third of patients treated with lamivudine. The development of escape mutants potentially limits the efficacy of this new therapy for chronic HBV infection. Transplant centers may be hesitant to perform orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in patients with progressive liver disease who develop the YMDD mutant because of concerns of graft reinfection. We describe a 56-year-old man with chronic liver disease caused by HBV who successfully underwent OLT after the emergence of a YMDD mutant and progressive liver disease. Perioperatively, he received high-dose intravenous hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) treatment with continued lamivudine treatment. Thirty-two months after OLT, there was no evidence of HBV reinfection with the use of lamivudine and high-dose HBIG. Our experience suggests that the emergence of a YMDD HBV mutant is not a contraindication to OLT. The combination of lamivudine and high-dose HBIG can protect against reinfection of the hepatic allograft with the YMDD HBV escape mutant.
Dynamic Programming for Scheduling a Single Route in Wireless Networks

Multi-slot resource scheduling in a general two dimensional wireless ad hoc network, is a hard problem with no known polynomial-time solution. Recent optimization theoretic analysis, structures this multi-slot scheduling problem into a polynomial number of particular single-slot sub-problems, thus isolating the hardness. We consider this hard sub-problem, under the useful topology restriction of a single route of many links. We introduced a novel interference model that allows for a dynamic programming (DP) algorithm to solve this sub-problem. The developed DP algorithm provides a solution with a provable accuracy in polynomial time. Incorporating this novel solution in a general resource scheduling framework, a multi-slot scheduling algorithm for single route networks is developed. The excellent accuracy of the algorithms is demonstrated through extensive simulations in various scenarios.
LESSONS FROM A MIDDLE MARKET LBO: THE CASE OF O.M. SCOTT

In 1986 The O.M. Scott & Sons Company, the largest producer of lawn care products in the U.S., was sold by the ITT Corporation in a divisional leveraged buyout. The company was founded in Marysville, Ohio in 1870 by Orlando McLean Scott to sell farm crop seed. In 1900, the company began to sell weedfree lawn seed through the mail. In the 1920s, the company introduced the first home lawn fertilizer, the first lawn spreader, and the first patented bluegrass seed. Today, Scott is the acknowledged leader in the “do-it-yourself” lawn care market, with sales of over $300 million and over 1500 employees. Scott remained closely held until 1971, when it was purchased by ITT. The company then became a part of the consumer products division of the huge conglomerate, and operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary for 14 years. In 1984, prompted by a decline in financial performance and rumors of takeover and liquidation, ITT began a series of divestitures. Over the next two years, total divestitures exceeded $2 billion and, after years of substandard performance, ITT's stock price significantly outperformed the market. On November 26, 1986, in the midst of this divestiture activity, ITT announced that the managers of Scott, along with Clayton & Dubilier (C & D), a private firm specializing in leveraged buyouts, had agreed to purchase the stock of Scott and another ITT subsidiary, the W. Atlee Burpee Company. The deal closed on December 30. Clayton & Dubilier raised roughly $211 million to finance the purchase of the two companies. Of that $211 million, almost $191 milion, or 91% of the total, was debt: bank loans, subordinated notes, and subordinated debentures. The $20 million of new equity was distributed as follows: roughly 62% of the shares were held by a C & D partnership, 21% by Scott's new subordinated debtholders, and 17.5% by Scott management and employees. After this radical change in financial structure and concentration of equity ownership, Scott's operating performance improved dramatically. Between the end of December 1986 and the end of September 1988, sales were up 25% and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased by 56%. As shown in Table 1, this increase in operating earnings was not achieved by cutting back on marketing and distribution or R & D. In fact, spending on marketing and distribution increased by 21% and R & D spending went up by 7%. Capital spending also increased by 23%.
Application of conditional moment tests to model checking for generalized linear models

SUMMARY Generalized linear models (GLMs) are increasingly being used in daily data analysis. However, model checking for GLMs with correlated discrete response data remains difficult. In this paper, through a case study on marginal logistic regression using a real data set, we illustrate the flexibility and effectiveness of using conditional moment tests (CMTs), along with other graphical methods, to do model checking for generalized estimation equation (GEE) analyses. Although CMTs provide an array of powerful diagnostic tests for model checking, they were originally proposed in the econometrics literature and, to our knowledge, have never been applied to GEE analyses. CMTs cover many existing tests, including the (generalized) score test for an omitted covariate, as special cases. In summary, we believe that CMTs provide a class of useful model checking tools.
Demonstration of Reciprocity in the Angular Pattern of Fluorescence Emission Collected from Langmuir-Blodgett Deposited Thin Films:

Application of a principle of reciprocity results in an explicit prediction for the angular pattern of fluorescence emission which is detected in the far field from a fluorophore located in a thin film between two dielectric interfaces. With the use of the method of Langmuir-Blodgett deposition, thin films of three different thicknesses were deposited on the flat surface of a hemicyclindrical quartz prism. Each film was constructed so as to contain a plane of fluorophores located at a specific distance from the prism/film interface. According to the principle of reciprocity, a distinct angular pattern of fluorescence is predicted for each film type. The close correspondence of fluorescence data curves with theoretical curves lends empirical support to the validity of the principle. The prediction made by this principle of reciprocity is relevant to the analysis of observation angle data obtained from variable angle total internal reflection fluorescence spectroscopy (VA-TIRF) and related techniques.
Freeze-out Dynamics at RHIC

Investigation of the final hadronic state properties of ultra-relativistic pp and Au+Au collisions supplies information on freeze-out conditions at RHIC and possible insights into early stages of these collisions. A variety of particle spectra measured by STAR are studied within the framework of chemical and local kinetic equilibrium models. Here we present the extracted chemical and final kinetic freeze-out temperatures, strangeness saturation factor, final collective flow velocity, and the inferred flow velocity at chemical freeze-out. In light of those measurements we discuss dynamical evolution of the collision system.
Grid service level agreements: Grid resource management with intermediaries

We present a reformulation of the well-known GRAM architecture based on the Service-Level Agreement (SLA) negotiation protocols defined within the Service Negotiation and Access Protocol (SNAP) framework. We illustrate how a range of local, distributed, and workflow scheduling mechanisms can be viewed as part of a cohesive yet open system, in which new scheduling strategies and management policies can evolve without disrupting the infrastructure. This architecture remains neutral to, and in fact strives to mediate, the potentially conflicting resource, community, and user policies.
Optimal Reservoir Releases for Water Quality Control

A general mathematical model for determining optimal flow release sequences for water quality control from multiple reservoir systems is presented. The model defines an optimal release sequence which provides either the “best quality of water” or the “least cost of reservoir storage” for a given stream flow at a particular point in the system. Using the converging-branch multistage system of dynamic programming, the flow release problem is decomposed into a sequence of subproblems or stages. At each stage or decision point, which represents a confluence of two regulated streams, optimal release sequences are obtained by an efficient enumeration process. The flow release model incorporates formulations for BOD, DO, temperature, and physical relationships for stream flow, velocity, and depth. The facility of examining intermediate solutions at individual stages and the elimination of the need for continuous differential return functions are two of the principle features of the model.
Household survey of child-safe packaging for medications.

In an investigation of the prevalence of safety packaging of medications, 131 randomly selected Minneapolis and St. Paul households with children were surveyed in 1985. Of the 1,953 oral medications in these households (mean was 14.9 per home), 43.3 percent did not have safety packaging. Over-the-counter medications were less likely to have safety packaging than prescription medications (over-the-counter 53.1 percent, prescription 25 percent). This high prevalence of medications without safety packaging in households with children could increase the risk of childhood poisoning. Strategies to reduce this potential risk are discussed. Language: en
Evolution of the Cuticle in the Lower Eumetazoa

It is implied in present concepts on the early radiation within the Eumetazoa that evolution proceeded from a flagellated or ciliated epidermis to the cuticle covered hypodermis (see Salvini-Plawen 1978, Clark 1979). Speculations about the actual sequence of change during this evolutionary step have been made only since the application of electron microscopy, because hardly any substructure could be revealed in the cuticles of lower Eumetazoa with the light microscope.
Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health: Stress and Symptom Reporting Pathways

This study examines the pathways through which mood perception affects perceived stress and symptom reporting among undergraduate students. It examines depression, anxiety, positive affect, and negative affect as mediators between a) emotional intelligence (EI) and b) perceived stress and symptom reporting. Results indicated that on the EI measure used in this study, the Trait Meta-mood Scale (TMMS) subscales, Attention was not related to perceived stress or symptom reporting. Mood Repair and Clarity were significantly and inversely related to perceived stress and symptom reporting. Anxiety and depression were the primary mediators in these relationships.
Scalable HEVC intra frame complexity control subject to quality and bitrate constraints

We introduce an optimal approach for minimizing the computational complexity of HEVC intra encoding subject to constraints in bitrate and reconstruction quality. Our constraint-optimization approach provides an extension to the use of bit constrained rate-distortion optimization so as to minimize encoding time while also delivering sufficient video quality. For our approach, we adaptively control the quantization parameter (QP) and a quad-tree-depth oriented coding tree unit configuration to deliver performance that is optimal in the complexity-rate-quality performance space. Our proposed approach employs a spatially adaptive model that uses neighboring configurations to estimate optimal values for QP and the coding tree unit configuration. We tested our approach using an HEVC standard test video and the ability to dynamically reconfigure between low, medium and high profiles. We found that we can meet the constraints (at 93% (low), 83% (medium) and 93% (high)), while delivering encoding time savings of 13%, 49% and 40% respectively.
Coefficients of Thermal Expansion for Zirconium

The expansion coefficients of hexagonal (α) zirconium have been calculated from the lattice parameters of both low and high hafnium alloys in the range 0° to 600°C. It is found that the coefficients are straight-line functions of the temperature and that the effect of hafnium is to depress the mean coefficients by about 1 pct at room temperature and 9 pct at 600°C. The cubic (β) form was stabilized so that its coefficient could be determined from 400° to 900°C.
On Automobile Enterprise Testing Line Process

In order to test increasing special performance for current automobile product,enterprises arrange and conform scientifically the testing line process,and ensure vehicle safety and product quality,realize cost control,and meet with requirement of GB7258-2004 and GB21861-2008
A Microcomputer Program for Decision-making

The purpose of this chapter is to show how microcomputer software can aid in overcoming key methodological problems in program/ policy evaluation.
Mechanotransduction of the endothelial glycocalyx mediates nitric oxide production through activation of TRP channels

The endothelial surface glycocalyx (ESG) is a carbohydrate-rich layer found on the vascular endothelium, serving critical functions in the mechanotransduction of blood flow-induced forces. One of t...
A multi-row deletion diagnostic for influential observations in small-sample regressions

The inference from ordinary least-squares regressions is often sensitive to the presence of one or more influential observations. A multi-row deletion method is presented as a simple diagnostic for influential observations in small-sample data sets. Multi-row deletion is shown to be complementary to two related diagnostic tests, DFBETAS and robust regression. As an illustration, the technique is applied both to simulated data and to a real data set from an influential study examining the role of institutions for economic growth in resource-rich economies. Multi-row deletion reveals that the key economic insight that institutions matter is sensitive to small variations in sample, indicating additional analysis may be warranted. The economic inferences from growth regressions are often sensitive to influence points in the sample.We introduce a multi-row deletion method for identifying influence points.The method is simple to use and is intuitively appealing.We illustrate our method using simulated and real data.Our method complements DFBETAS and robust regression.