cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Complications of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Major advances in the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of leukemia have led to a wide array of new therapies. Although not curative in the context of diseases such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), these therapies have led to prolonged disease-free remissions, making CLL a chronic disease with increased complications in survivors. Pulmonary complications are common among CLL patients and present important diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for internists, pulmonologists and oncologists. In this chapter, we will discuss the common pulmonary complications encountered in CLL patients, which range from medical urgencies such as airway obstruction and pulmonary leukostasis to other problems including infections, pleural effusions, drug-related toxicities and secondary malignancy. This chapter will discuss each of these entities in the context of CLL, addressing the appropriate diagnostic and treatment approaches as well as the outcomes.
Hypoxia fate mapping identifies cycling cardiomyocytes in the adult heart

Although the adult mammalian heart is incapable of meaningful functional recovery following substantial cardiomyocyte loss, it is now clear that modest cardiomyocyte turnover occurs in adult mouse and human hearts, mediated primarily by proliferation of pre-existing cardiomyocytes. However, fate mapping of these cycling cardiomyocytes has not been possible thus far owing to the lack of identifiable genetic markers. In several organs, stem or progenitor cells reside in relatively hypoxic microenvironments where the stabilization of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (Hif-1α) subunit is critical for their maintenance and function. Here we report fate mapping of hypoxic cells and their progenies by generating a transgenic mouse expressing a chimaeric protein in which the oxygen-dependent degradation (ODD) domain of Hif-1α is fused to the tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 recombinase. In mice bearing the creERT2-ODD transgene driven by either the ubiquitous CAG promoter or the cardiomyocyte-specific α myosin heavy chain promoter, we identify a rare population of hypoxic cardiomyocytes that display characteristics of proliferative neonatal cardiomyocytes, such as smaller size, mononucleation and lower oxidative DNA damage. Notably, these hypoxic cardiomyocytes contributed widely to new cardiomyocyte formation in the adult heart. These results indicate that hypoxia signalling is an important hallmark of cycling cardiomyocytes, and suggest that hypoxia fate mapping can be a powerful tool for identifying cycling cells in adult mammals.
The Kinematics and Dynamics of Ciliary Fluid Systems

1. The difficulties of directly applying the methods of Newtonian mechanics to solve the problem of mucus flow in the mammalian trachea are discussed. 2. In order to circumvent these difficulties, a sophisticated model of the mucociliary system, called the circular rheociliometer, was constructed. A brief account is given of the model and the homomorphic relation it has to the mucociliary system of mammal. 3. Kinematic experiments are described in which observations on the model are compared with observations on the mucociliary system of the cat9s trachea. 4. A coefficient of energy, which is the ratio of energy loss in the fluid to the kinetic energy supplied by the cilia, is developed. The coefficient of energy is plotted against the Reynolds number for the model and for the cat9s trachea. It is shown that both sets of data fall within the same range of Reynolds numbers. 5. Based on other kinematic and dynamic similarities, which are shown to exist between the two systems, a hypothetical mechanical exemplar of the mucociliary system is derived.
THE INADEQUACY OF PARAPHRASE IS THE DOGMA OF METAPHOR

Philosophers have alleged that paraphrases of metaphors are inad- equate. They have presented this inadequacy as a datum predicted by, and thus a reason to accept, particular accounts of 'metaphorical meanings.' But to what, specifically, does this inadequacy claim amount? I argue that, if this assumption is to have any bearing on the metaphor debate, it must be con- strued as the comparative claim that paraphrases of metaphors are inadequate compared to paraphrases of literal utterances. But the evidence philosophers have offered does not support the comparative inadequacy of paraphrases of metaphors. I offer my own empirical evidence against the inadequacy assumption. papq_1378
Photodesorption of carbonyl from Pt3(CO)n− (n = 1–6)

Abstract The photodesorption of CO from Pt 3 (CO) n − (n = 1–6) has been studied in laser excitation experiments. Loss of CO is the major product channel for each species. The time-resolved profiles of photodesorption product ions are measured following excitation with visible laser radiation, 420–800 nm. Slow fragmentation on the 10 μs–1 ms time scale is observed for n = 2, 3, and 6. The binding energies of carbonyl in Pt 3 (CO) n − (n = 2, 3, 6) are derived by fitting these time profiles using a statistical unimolecular dissociation model. The recommended CO binding energies of Pt 3 (CO) 3 − and Pt 3 (CO) 6 − are 206 ± 14 and 166 ± 14 kJ/mol, respectively, in good agreement with previous results from threshold collision-induced dissociation measurements. For Pt 3 (CO) 2 − , a minor second product channel Pt 2 CO − + PtCO is observed in addition to CO photodesorption. Experimental evidence suggests that there is more than one isomer for Pt 3 (CO) 2 − species.
A Systematic Method for Specifying Effective Value Models

Abstract It has been argued that a value-driven approach can potentially eliminate troubling issues that arise during the design process, such as cost and schedule overrun, by taking a holistic perspective on how individual design decisions impact high-level attributes of concern. However, value-driven approaches can be difficult to implement in practice, at least partly because supporting tools and methods have not yet been sufficiently developed. Additionally, due to the multitude of researchers investigating the concept of value, it can be difficult to unambiguously characterize what defines an effective value model. In this paper, we attempt to address these issues by first reviewing the literature to produce a clear and concise enumeration of the characteristics of effective value models. Next, a three-stage systematic method is presented as a tool to aid in the specification of value models. To demonstrate the use of the method, a case study is presented that investigates the conceptual design of a multiple- input multiple output hybrid energy system.
1024x1024 Pixel MWIR and LWIR QWIP Focal Plane Arrays and 320x256 MWIR:LWIR Pixel Colocated Simultaneous Dualband QWIP Focal Plane Arrays

Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) 1024x1024 pixel quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal planes have been demonstrated with excellent imaging performance. The MWIR QWIP detector array has demonstrated a noise equivalent differential temperature (NE(Delta)T) of 17 mK at a 95K operating temperature with f/2.5 optics at 300K background and the LWIR detector array has demonstrated a NE(Delta)T of 13 mK at a 70K operating temperature with the same optical and background conditions as the MWIR detector array after the subtraction of system noise. Both MWIR and LWIR focal planes have shown background limited performance (BLIP) at 90K and 70K operating-temperatures respectively, with similar optical and background conditions. In addition, we are in the process of developing MWIR and LWIR pixel collocated simultaneously readable dualband QWIP focal plane arrays.
AERODYNAMIC PARTICLE SIZE MEASUREMENT BY ELECTRODYNAMIC OSCILLATION TECHNIQUES

Abstract Four dynamical techniques for measuring the aerodynamic size of spherical and non-spherical aerosol particles are evaluated and compared. For spheres the classical method of angular light scattering is also included. One method based on particle dynamics, the so-called springpoint method, has been extensively used, but the other particle oscillation methods have been used rarely or not at all. All the dynamical methods involve imbalancing a particle in an electrodynamic balance (EDB) by changing the dc potential to produce particle oscillation. A linescan CCD camera and associated electronics were used to measure the amplitude of the oscillations, the offset of oscillation centers, and the phase lag relative to the ac drive. These measurements are compared with theoretical solutions of the equation of particle motion to establish the aerodynamic size of the particle. The stability characteristics of the particle are analyzed by solving the particle equation of motion using the method of continued fractions. The various techniques are compared for spheres, spheroids and crystalline or amorphous particles of irregular shape. All five methods are shown to be in good agreement for spheres (within 3.9%). For non-spherical germanium dioxide particles the three oscillation methods agree with the springpoint method within 3.4%.
Acute appendicitis and pseudoappendicitis in rheumatic children

Summary Of nineteen rheumatic children admitted to the hospital with the tentative diagnosis of acute appendicitis, ten were subjected to laparotomy. Acute appendicitis was found in four (of minimal degree in two). In a fifth patient a normal appendix (except for Oxyuris) was removed, and no satisfactory explanation of the abdominal signs was found. The remaining fourteen cases were considered to be instances of rheumatic pseudoappendicitis. Of the nineteen children, five gave a history of a previous rheumatic episode and seven had muscle or joint pains at the time of or just before admission. The abdominal symptoms and signs in themselves were not sufficient in many instances to differentiate between rheumatic pseudoappendicitis and acute appendicitis. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate should prove of distinct aid in differential diagnosis. Two additional children developed acute appendicitis, one in the middle of and the other toward the end of an acute attack of rheumatic fever. The abnormal appendices revealed no pathologic findings that were characteristic of rheumatic disease.
Effects of the Sex of the Model and Donor on Donating to Amsterdam Organ Grinders

Summary This observational study was conducted to examine the effects of modeling on donations in natural settings. Multiple male (n = 54) and female (n = 49) models were used and were selected from among the sample of adult male (n = 389) and female (n = 297) Dutch Ss. Donations to street organ grinders in Amsterdam were studied. The modeling effect was found and was particularly strong for male models. Male Ss observing female models showed no increase in donating.
Household Smoking Restrictions and Adolescents' Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Background.Reducing adolescents' exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is an important public health goal. This paper identifies the linkage between young people's exposure at home and household smoking restrictions, and suggests the promotion of such restrictions as a strategy to reduce health risks. Methods.Data are from the 1993 Massachusetts Tobacco Survey, a telephone survey of 1,606 adolescents. Results.Seventy-eight percent of adolescents reported exposure to ETS during the preceding week. Reported hours of exposure at home were associated with the number of adult smokers in the household (P< 0.001). Fifty-three percent of teens who lived with smokers reported no smoking restrictions for family members, 22% reported designated smoking areas, and 25% reported smoking bans. Among those households, smoking restrictions for family members were associated with significant reductions in mean hours of ETS exposure reported: no restrictions were associated with 33.2 hr of exposure during the prior week, designated smoking areas—12.7 hr, and household smoking bans—2.4 hr. Restrictions on visitor smoking were associated with significant reductions in home ETS exposure for teens who lived with nonsmokers, but had no independent effect among teens who lived with smokers. Conclusions.Health risks experienced by adolescents living with adult smokers can be substantially reduced by household smoking restrictions.
Improvement in relapse-free survival throughout the PSA era in patients with localized prostate cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy: year of treatment an independent predictor of outcome.

Abstract Purpose In patients treated with radical prostatectomy in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) era, it has been demonstrated that the year of treatment in the PSA era is associated with better pathologic parameters and outcomes, independently of other well-recognized parameters such as clinical stage, pretreatment PSA level, or Gleason score. The purpose of the present study was to study a similar phenomenon with definitive radiotherapy (RT). Methods and materials The inclusion criteria were as follows: clinical Stage T1–T2, available pretreatment PSA level and biopsy Gleason score, treatment delivered before January 2000 with standard fractionation external beam radiotherapy to at least 70 Gy, no adjuvant androgen deprivation (AD), all neoadjuvant AD limited to ≤6 months, and a minimum of 3 years of PSA follow-up. A total of 467 cases treated between January 1986 and December 1999 were included. Short-course AD in the adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting for ≤6 months was given in 124 cases (27%). The median radiation dose was 74 Gy (range 70.0–78.0). A conformal technique was used in 293 cases (63%). The median follow-up was 62 months (range 37–189). A total of 4931 follow-up PSA levels were available for analysis (average 11 per patient). A multivariate analysis for factors affecting biochemical relapse-free survival rates using the proportional hazards model was performed for all cases using the following variables: age (continuous variable), race (black vs. white), clinical T stage (T1–T2a vs. T2b–T2c), pretreatment PSA (continuous variable), biopsy Gleason score (continuous variable), use of AD (yes vs. no), radiation dose (continuous variable), and year of treatment (continuous variable: 1986–1999). Results The projected 8-year biochemical relapse-free survival rate was 74%. The projected 5-year biochemical relapse-free survival rate for the 143 patients treated in the 1986–1995 period was 58% vs. 82% for the 324 patients treated in the 1996–1999 period ( p p p p = 0.045), and year of treatment ( p p = 0.41), race ( p = 0.14), T stage ( p = 0.10), and use of AD ( p = 0.58) were not. Conclusion When controlling for tumor, treatment, and follow-up parameters, the year in which RT was performed was still an independent predictor of outcome, consistent with observations made for radical prostatectomy patients. This indicates a more favorable presentation of localized prostate in current years probably related to a combination of factors such as screening and increased patient awareness leading to earlier diagnosis. Outcome predictions should be based on contemporaneous series.
Primitive Reflexes Associated with Delirium: A Prospective Trial

Background The presence of primitive reflexes (PRs) may have diagnostic or prognostic value in the evaluation of cognitive impairment. Objective We hypothesized that the presence of preoperative PRs would predict the development of postoperative delirium and that the emergence of PRs postoperatively would be positively associated with the emergence of delirium. Methods Patients participating in a larger study on the prophylaxis of postoperative delirium were evaluated for the presence of six PRs (grasp reflex [left and right], palmomental reflex [left and right], glabellar tap, and snout reflex), preoperatively and postoperatively. The presence of PRs was then correlated with the development of delirium. Results Of the 79 patients studied, 29% (n = 23) developed delirium during the postoperative period. The preoperative presence of one PR did not predict the development of delirium, but the only patient with >1 PR preoperatively went on to develop delirium in the postoperative period. Similarly, having one frontal release sign in the postoperative period did not correlate with delirium, while the appearance of more than one PR was associated with a greater likelihood of delirium. Of the 11 patients who had two or more frontal release signs during one postoperative examination, six (55%) developed delirium. Of the five patients who showed three or more frontal release signs, 4 (80%) developed delirium. Conclusion Our study is the first to investigate the relationship between the appearance of PRs and the development of delirium. We have provided some evidence that PRs are associated with acute CNS dysfunction.
Analytic equivalence relations and Ulm-type classifications

Our main goal in this paper is to establish a Glimm-Effros type dichotomy for arbitrary analytic equivalence relations.
4‐Nitrotryptophan is a substrate for the non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase TxtB in the thaxtomin A biosynthetic pathway

Thaxtomin A, a cyclic dipeptide with a nitrated tryptophan moiety, is a phytotoxic pathogenicity determinant in scab-causing Streptomyces species that inhibits cellulose synthesis by an unknown mechanism. Thaxtomin A is produced by the action of two non-ribosomal peptide synthetase modules (TxtA and TxtB) and a complement of modifying enzymes, although the order of biosynthesis has not yet been determined. Analysis of a thaxtomin dual module knockout mutant and single module knockout mutants revealed that 4-nitrotryptophan is an intermediate in thaxtomin A biosynthesis prior to backbone assembly. The 4-nitrotryptophan represents a novel substrate for non-ribosomal peptide synthetases. Through identification of N-methyl-4-nitrotryptophan in a single module knockout and the use of adenylation domain specificity prediction software, TxtB was identified as the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase module specific for 4-nitrotryptophan.
Navigating veterans with an abnormal prostate cancer screening test: a quasi-experimental study.

Background Prostate cancer disproportionately affects low-income and minority men. This study evaluates the impact of a patient navigation intervention on timeliness of diagnostic resolution and treatment initiation among veterans with an abnormal prostate cancer screen.
Literary Exemplars of Illness

Creative literature is replete with examples of individuals who suffer from various maladies commonly presented by the older patient. Although the literary descriptions of these afflictions may be imprecise in their clinical evaluations of specific illnesses, these case histories provide the clinical educator with a means for personalizing scientific accounts of geriatric ailments by demonstrating their impact and effects on specific people. This study probes two reference works on the literature of aging and older adults to identify works that address physical and mental illness. These works provide an ample set of literary exemplars of common maladies suffered by older adults. Suggestions for their curricular inclusion are provided. Four appendices contain specific bibliographic materials for the introduction of literature into an allied health curriculum.
Evaporatively-driven Marangoni instabilities of volatile liquid films spreading on thermally conductive substrates

Laser confocal microscopy is used to non-invasively investigate the steady and unsteady evolution of viscous microdroplets on solid substrates. Three characteristic dynamical regimes of spreading drops (viscous-capillary, viscous-inertia-capillary, and inertia-capillary) are studied using this non-invasive optical technique. It is shown that the dynamics of each regime depend on the Ohnesorge number, Oh =/(R) 1 2, and on the relative magnitudes of the droplet height, radius, compared with the capillary length, lcap=/g. The power-law relationships between the extent of spreading and elapsed time that are extracted from the experiments are in excellent agreement with available analytical results. We also study the onset and evolution of surface instabilities of the slightly volatile liquid films as they spread across the thermally-conductive surfaces. When the fluid droplet is a volatile silicone oil and the surface is a smooth silicon wafer, an evaporatively-driven thermocapillary instability leads to onset of a time-dependent free surface motion. Below a certain critical thickness (20 m), waves can be observed on the free surface of the film, and the confocal technique is used to measure the amplitude, the frequency, and non-linear evolution of these waves. We interpret these waves in terms of evaporatively-driven Marangoni instabilities induced by surface tension gradients close to the moving contact line. Experiments show that the amplitude and the critical onset thickness of the disturbances vary with the viscosity and the volatility of the liquid, and also with the surface roughness and thermal diffusivity of the substrate. The critical onset conditions for this evaporatively driven instability can be characterized by a dimensionless interfacial thermal resistance, R, which has to be larger than a critical value at the onset of instability. We also demonstrate that this evaporatively-driven Marangoni instability can be eliminated by reducing the volatility of the liquid or the thermal diffusivity of the substrate. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Flow cytometric detection of Ewing sarcoma cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow.

Background A new method for detecting circulating Ewing sarcoma cells using flow cytometry is described. This strategy exploits the nearly universal expression of CD99 and the lack of expression of CD45 by Ewing sarcoma cells.
Large flattened-mode optical fiber for reduction of nonlinear effects in optical fiber lasers

We have developed and demonstrated a large flattened mode (LFM) optical fiber, which raises the threshold for non-linear interactions in the fiber core by a factor of 2.5 over conventional large mode area fiber amplifiers. The LFM fiber works by incorporating a raised index ring around the outer edge of the fiber core, which serves to flatten the fundamental fiber mode from a Bessel function to a top hat function. This increases the effective area of the core intersected by the mode by a factor of 2.5 without increasing the physical size of the core. This is because the core is uniformly illuminated by the LFM mode rather than having most of the light confined to the center of the core. We present experimental and theoretical results relating to this fiber and its design.
Determination of System Hamiltonian with Multi-dimensional Spectroscopy

We present the use of three-dimensional coherent spectroscopy to isolate quantum pathways. Isolation of individual quantum pathways allows the parameters of the Hamiltonian to be determined. We demonstrate this possibility using an atomic vapor.
Magnevad—The World's Smallest Magnetic‐bearing Turbo Pump

: The first animal implant of our Magnevad LVAD is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2003. This is being performed by the George E. Reed Heart Center of Westchester Medical Center and by New York Medical College; both are in Valhalla, NY. This article summarizes 3 years of development of the miniature axial flow LVAD. Our LVAD has new innovations not found in any other turbo pump to minimize thrombus, blood turbulence, flow separation, and the generation of microemboli. The Magnevad is only 25 mL in volume, similar in size to the Micromed & Jarvik 2000 axial flow turbo pumps that have contacting bearings. US Patent 6 527 699 was issued to Gold Medical on March 4, 2003 and World Wide PCT patents are pending. The discussed improvements (patents pending) are designed to minimize flow separation and turbulence, the precursors of microemboli that lodge in end organs. This problem has been largely ignored in the published literature. A new long-term stable miniature ultrasonic position sensor is used for bearing control. It measures the axial position of the rotor to obtain LVAD differential pressure. Differential pressure is used to obtain pulsating flow and automatic physiologic control. The term “fourth generation pump” is being coined for the Magnevad because in addition to being noncontacting, it inherently measures pump differential pressure on which physiologic control can be based.
Plane digitization and related combinatorial problems

In this paper we propose a simple scheme for obtaining plane digitizations. We study digital plane periodicity and consider various issues related to two-dimensional (2D) Sturmian words. Concepts and results, already known for one-dimensional words, are extended to 2D words. In particular, we address a conjecture by Maurice Nivat for the case of digital 2D rays. Our approach is based in part on extending periodicity studies in theory of words to 2D words based on (Proceedings of the Third ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms, 1992, pp. 440-452; Proceedings of the 33rd IEEE Symposium on Foundations in Computer Science, 1992, pp. 247-250).
Northern Ireland and the ‘War on Terror’: Political Perceptions

Abstract This article analyses how the war against terrorism has affected political perceptions in Northern Ireland. After the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, Irish republican groups such as Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA had to adjust to a political climate less sympathetic to organisations associated with terrorism. Unionists on the other hand sought to take advantage by attempting to link perceptions of republicanism to Islamic extremism. Though somewhat successful, their efforts did not convince the British government to change course from an approach of accommodation, as demonstrated by Tony Blair’s 2005 public distinction between the IRA and Al Qaeda. Using structured interviews with Northern Irish political figures, this article examines how the context of the ‘war on terror’ has influenced the political rivalries between unionism and republicanism.
Bivariate distributions with pareto conditionals

Abstract For a fixed α > 0, the totality of bivariate densities with all conditionals being of the Pareto (α) form is identified. The resulting family is of the form F(x, y) ∝ [1 + λ1x + λ2y + φλ1λ2xy]−(α+1) for suitable choices of λ1, λ2 and φ.
Quantifying the role of woody debris in providing bioenergetically favorable habitat for juvenile salmon

a b s t r a c t The habitat complexity of a riverine ecosystem influences the bioenergetics of drift feeding fish. We coupled hydrodynamic and bioenergetic models to assess the influence of habitat complexity gener- ated by large woody debris (LWD) on the growth potential of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in a river that lacked large wood. Simulations indicated how LWD diversified the flow field, creating pronounced velocity gradients, which enhanced fish feeding and resting activities at the sub-meter scale. Fluid drag created by individual wood structures increased under higher wood loading amounts, leading to a 5-19% reduction in the reach-averaged velocity. The reach-scale growth potential was asymptotically related to wood loading, suggesting that the river became saturated with LWD and additional loading would produce minimal benefit for the configurations we simulated. In the scenario we analyzed for illustration, LWD additions could quadruple the potential growth area available before that limit was reached for the configurations selected for demonstration. Wood depletion in the world's rivers has been documented extensively, leading to widespread attempts by river managers to reverse this trend by adding wood to simplified aquatic habitats. However, systematic prediction of the effects of wood on fish growth has not been previously accomplished. We offer a quantitative approach for assessing the influence of wood on habitat potential for fish growth at the microhabitat and reach-scales.
Naturally Occurring Invasive Walleye Dermal Sarcoma and Attempted Experimental Transmission of the Tumor

During the spring 2000 spawning season in Oneida Lake, New York, three walleyes Stizostedion vitreum with invasive walleye dermal sarcoma (WDS) were found. This was the first observation of invasive WDS in wild adult walleyes. A transmission trial was attempted to determine whether the virus associated with these invasive lesions would support the development of invasive WDS in an experimental transmission model. Transmission using inocula prepared from the invasive lesions was very poor compared with that resulting from our typical pooled-tumor inoculum. In addition, no invasive WDS developed. We believe that these results are due, in part, to a relatively low amount of virus in the invasive tumors, which appeared to be in a necrotic state.
On the validity of client‐side vs server‐side web log data analysis

Purpose – This paper seeks to discuss measurement units by comparing the internet use and the traditional media use, and to understand internet use from the traditional media use perspective.Design/methodology/approach – Benefits and shortcomings of two log file types will be carefully and exhaustively examined. Client‐side and server‐side log files will be analyzed and compared with proposed units of analysis.Findings – Server‐side session time calculation was remarkably reliable and valid based on the high correlation with the client‐side time calculation. The analysis result revealed that the server‐side log file session time measurement seems more promising than the researchers previously speculated.Practical implications – An ability to identify each individual user and low caching problems were strong advantages for the analysis. Those web design implementations and web log data analysis scheme are recommended for future web log analysis research.Originality/value – This paper examined the validity ...
Image Segmentation By Edge Tracing

This paper describes an image segmentation technique that has detection and classification applications in autonomous image analysis systems and compares it with current edge and region-based segmentation techniques. The technique, referred to as directed edge tracing, uses both edge magnitude and direction information to reduce segmentation problems commonly associated with segmenters based on edge thresholding. The edge tracing is carried out by examining pixels in a neighborhood of high probability boundary pixels, making the method locally adaptive to contrast changes along a boundary. No a priori knowledge of the number of segments expected or of the level of contrast between segments is required.
Partial Polarization of Light in a Single-photon Interference Experiment

We show that light generated in a particular single-photon interference experiment is polarized when a photon behaves like wave, is unpolarized when it behaves like particle, and is partially polarized in the intermediate case.
GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION IN THE RICE BLAST FUNGUS REVEALED BY THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FOSBURY RETROTRANSPOSON

Repetitive DNA sequences genetically differentiate certain host-specific forms of the plant pathogenic fungus Pyricularia grisea. For example, high copy numbers of a sequence designated MGR586 are conserved in isolates that infect rice. In this report, we describe the molecular characterization of another repetitive DNA sequence designated fosbury. Restriction mapping and DNA sequence analysis show that fosbury is a member of a long terminalrepeat (LTR)-containing retrotransposon family, and gel blot hybridization analysis suggests that, like MGR586, fosbury is preferentially found in isolates that infect rice. This supports the view that rice pathogens comprise a genetically distinct form of P. grisea. We also investigated the distribution of fosbury and MGR586 and found that these elements are sometimes associated in the genome, and gel blot hybridization analysis shows that restriction sites flanking both of these elements resolve rice pathogens into similar clonal lineage groups. We conclude that the transposition of repetitive DNA sequences plays an important role in generating DNA fingerprint variation in the rice blast fungus.
Sore Throat: Avoid Overcomplicating the Uncomplicated.

In this issue, Centor and colleagues estimate the prevalence of F. necrophorum, M. pneumoniae, and group A or C/G β-hemolytic streptococcal pharyngitis in a university student health clinic. The ed...
EGFR mutational genotyping of liquid based cytology samples obtained via fine needle aspiration (FNA) at endobronchial ultrasound of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Abstract Objectives Epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) gene mutation status should be determined in all patients with advanced, non-squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) to guide targeted therapy with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. EGFR mutations are commonly tested by Sanger sequencing or allele specific polymerase chain reaction (ASPCR) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples including cell blocks (CB) that may fail due to absence of tumor cells. The cell pellet from cytology specimens obtained at the time of endobronchial guided ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EBUS FNA) (EBUS-TBNA, transbronchial needle aspiration) represents an alternative resource for additional tissue. Here we demonstrate the utility of using the FNA cell pellet versus for the detection of EGFR mutations in NSCLC. Materials and methods For internal validation, 39 cytology samples from patients with NSCLC referred for EGFR testing were analyzed using the EGFR rotor-gene Q (RGQ) PCR assay (Qiagen). Thereafter, a consecutive series of 228 EBUS FNA samples were tested. Results The ASPCR assay demonstrated acceptable intra-assay, inter-assay and inter-lot reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity. For the consecutive series, only 6/228 (2.6%) failed analysis (5 due to insufficient DNA yield). Of 228 EBUS FNA cell pellets tested 32 (14.0%) demonstrated clinically relevant mutations. Results and conclusion ASPCR can reliably detect EGFR gene mutations in FNA preparations from patients with NSCLC obtained at EBUS.
Separation of a Pair of Interleaved Sideband Families in Magic Angle Spinning NMR by a Pair of One‐Dimensional Experiments

Interleaved sideband families that arise from distinct isotropic chemical shifts and the associated chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensors in magic angle spinning NMR are conventionally disentangled using two-dimensional schemes. However, for the case of just a pair of distinct chemical sites, a scheme is suggested that involves a pair of one-dimensional experiments whose sum and difference spectra separate the interleaved sideband families. This method was applied to phospholipid bilayers. The 31P NMR sidebands of phosphatidylcholine and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine are separated and CSA values for each phospholipid were calculated. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
M1a/M1b esophageal carcinoma: clinical relevance.

Abstract Objective: The 1997 staging system for esophageal carcinoma subdivides distant metastatic disease (M1) into M1a (nonregional lymph node metastases) and M1b (other metastases). This study evaluates the relevance of this classification. Methods: One hundred forty patients were identified with M1 disease, 36 (26%) M1a and 104 (74%) M1b. The histologic type was adenocarcinoma in 118 (84%), squamous cell in 18 (13%), and adenosquamous in 4 (3%), with a similar distribution for M1a and M1b ( P = .3). Forty-five underwent surgery, 28 (78%) with M1a disease and 17 (16%) with M1b disease ( P P = .4), 28 (78%) with M1a disease and 68 (66%) with M1b disease ( P = .17). Results: Median and 5-year survivals were 11 months and 6% in patients with M1a disease and 5 months and 2% in those with M1b disease ( P = .001). Surgery provided no advantage in M1b ( P = .6) or M1a disease ( P = .2). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that patients with M1b disease had 1.8 times the mortality risk of those with M1a disease (CI 1.2-2.7, P = .004), and patients without chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy had 2.2 times the mortality risk of those with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (CI 1.5-3.2, P Conclusions: We conclude that (1) although there are statistically significant survival differences between M1a and M1b disease, these differences are not clinically important; (2) chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy is associated with a modest survival benefit; and (3) surgery offers no survival advantage. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;118:900-7)
Differential Generator Control Relay for D-C Aircraft Electric Systems

The definite-pickup. type of generator control relay has been in use for a period of years on d-c aircraft electrical systems. While this type of generator control relay gives satisfactory operation when the system is in proper adjustment, it had disadvantages which are accentuated by improper adjustments of regulators and the relays. A differential type of generator control relay not subject to chatter has been developed and tested in flight on a system having four main-engine-driven generators and an auxiliary power plant. This type of relay has been shown practical and advantageous when used on a system having voltage regulators with equalizers.
ESR Studies of Transient Free Radicals in Irradiated Food Components

Electron spin resonance (ESR) detection techniques are applied to the study of free radicals produced in model systems representing food components irradiated at subfreezing temperatures. The modifications made to a 10 MeV linear electron accelerator (LINAC) and a 9.5 GHz ESR spectrometer in order to achieve an in situ irradiation/ detection capability are described. The combined LINAC-ESR system has the capability of delivering a 2-5 kGy pulse of electrons through axial holes in the poles of the ESR magnet and into the center of a special microwave resonator of the remotely operable ESR spectrometer. Innovative interfacing hardware and software for faciliating data acquisition, digitization, transfer, and processing combined with appropriate trigger sequencing controls permit a wide range of fast scan ESR experiments to be conducted. Spectra that are 150 gauss wide can be swept in 9 ms at variable times following a single pulse of electrons. Radicals having lifetimes in the tens of milliseconds can be studied in low temperature systems from 145 to 260 K. Methods used to prepare samples for such studies and to control their temperature are described. Examples illustrating the capabilities of this kinetic ESR system are drawn from current work on the model system N-acetylalanine, in which interconversions of radicals can be monitored. Comparison is made between results from this model system and what has been observed in the myofibrillar protein myosin.
Analysis of triglycerides by consecutive chromatographic techniques. II. Ucuhuba kernel fat.

The triglycerides from ucuhuba kernel fat (Virola surinamensis) were analyzed using thinlayer adsorption chromatography (TLC) followed by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The triglycerides were first separated into three fractions containing 0, 1, and 2 or more double bonds per molecule on silica gel TLC plates impregnated with AgNO3. The total triglycerides and each individual TLC fraction were then analyzed by GLC for the molecular weights of their component triglycerides and for their fatty acid composition. Quantitation of the TLC fractions was achieved by GLC analysis of their fatty acids using an added internal standard and confirmed by solving simultaneous equations derived from GLC analysis of their triglycerides and fatty acids.
Deranged DNA synthesis by bone marrow from vitamin B-12-deficient humans.

Summary. The synthesis of thymine DNA from deoxyuridine and uridine was studied by culturing human bone marrow for 1–3 hours in the presence of radioactive-labelled nucleosides. In the current study, this in vitro system appeared useful to test the potential efficacy of agents (such as methionine) which might be used to improve or retard improvement of patients with megaloblastic anaemia. In the bone marrow from patients with B12-deficient or folate-deficient megaloblastic anaemia, there was defective incorporation of deoxyuridine into thymine DNA. This defect was partially corrected by added B12 in the B12-deficient but not the folate-deficient marrows, and completely corrected by folic acid (pteroylglutainic acid) in both types of deficient marrow. The folate antagonist rnethotrexate blocked the corrective effect of B12. Incorporation of labelled uridine into DNA of B12-deficient megaloblastic marrow was enhanced less by B12 than by PGA. Vitamin B12 antagonists failed to depress the incorporation of labelled uridine into DNA in bone marrows from both normal and B12-deficient patients. These results support the concept that inadequate DNA synthesis in B12 deficiency is due in large measure to blockade in folate metabolism brought about by lack of B12. 5-Methyl-tetrahydrofolate, which may accumulate in B12 deficiency, failed to correct the defect in DNA synthesis, adding further evidence to the concept of metabolic trapping of this form of folate in B12 deficiency. Thus, riboside reduction in man may be independent of B12, as it is in E. coli, rather than dependent on B12, as it is in L. leichmannii.
Smart Agent Oriented Linear Programming (AOLP) control in electric grid

In this paper, we discuss a distributed Agent Oriented Linear Programming (AOLP) decision model, where large scale electric grid is decomposed in to many sub models (sub problems) that can support prompt resource assignment, computation, and control functions necessary to restore the grid processes quickly during cascading blackouts or outages. The decomposition of an IEEE 14 bus system into various sub problems has been implemented and tested using a modified Dantzig-Wolfe (DW) approach as part of a test case to validate our model. The result looks promising to apply any agent based LP to allocate resources or alert system operators in the grid control process. We argue that our technique can offer prompt alertness to system operators in the order of 1millisecond compare to other LP approaches in the event of any failure.
Measuring the conceptual fitness of an application in a computing ecosystem

Developing computing applications that can match a set of evolving requirements requires an understanding of the conceptual fitness of these applications relative to the domains they purport to serve. We present the computing ecosystem framework with its associated concepts, use niches, use potential, and activation potential. We show how the ecosystem framework allows us to characterize the usefulness of an application through the concept of fitness. We propose a method for measuring the fitness of an application using a metric called ontological coverage.We first use a technique called ontological excavation that identifies the user-visible concepts from applications and models them in an ontology. We then use a set of use cases to develop a use case silhouette on the ontology that allows us to measure the ontological coverage of an application as an initial approximation of fitness to a use niche. We present some examples from case studies showing how use case silhouettes can be used to measure the fitness of an application and conclude with some proposals for future work.
A type II solar radio burst observed in the corona and in interplanetary space

A type II solar radio burst, which was observed by the satellite IMP-6 and reported by Malitson et al. (1973a), is correlated with a type II burst recorded by ground-based instruments at Culgoora. Since no other important coronal activity (as measured by meter-wave observations) occurred in the 9 hr preceding the onset of the type II burst at IMP-6, this association is preferred as an alternative to the non-explosive flare source suggested by Malitson et al. A discrepancy is revealed by trying to fit both sets of observations to a typical plasma density profile. The interpretation favored is that an expanding shock wave interacted with two different plasma structures (possibly streamers) which produced the radio emission recorded by the two instruments respectively. In this case it is not meaningful to compare shock speeds deduced at different distances from the Sun, although future observations of this nature may be a useful tool for investigating shock deceleration at distances ⪞ 50 solar radii.
Economic models for cogeneration facilities and host utilities under the right to sell provision

Abstract In the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) in the USA, to promote cogeneration, there exists a key provision for qualifying facilities to sell the cogenerated electric power to host utilities at a pre-determined price. In this paper, we investigate the economic implications and consequences of this “right to sell” provision. First, under PURPA, we show how the interaction between a cogeneration facility and an electric utility can be modeled as a Stackelberg game, and derive the equilibrium generation quantities, prices, as well as the corresponding profits and total surplus. We next construct a benchmark model under a deregulated environment. By comparing and contrasting these two models, we obtain various results of managerial insights, economic implications, and policy ramifications. For example, under the right to sell provision, we identify the conditions for a qualifying facility's arbitrage to occur. Also, relative to the deregulated benchmark model, we show how the government's right to sell provision may lead to inferior economic performance.
New strategies against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: a serious worldwide intrinsically drug-resistant opportunistic pathogen

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a worldwide human opportunistic pathogen associated with serious infections in humans, and is most often recovered from respiratory tract infections. In addition to its intrinsic drug resistance, this organism may acquire resistance via multiple molecular mechanisms. New antimicrobial strategies are needed to combat S. maltophilia infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, cystic fibrosis patients with polymicrobial infections of the lung, and in patients with chronic infections. This editorial reports on newer drugs and antimicrobial strategies and their potential for use in treatment of S. maltophilia infections, the development of new technologies to detect this organism, and identifies strategies currently in use to reduce transmission of this pathogen.
First Synthesis of Free Cholesterol−BODIPY Conjugates

Analogues of cholesterol (compounds 1 and 2) and coprostanol (compound 3) containing the BODIPY fluorophore in the aliphatic tail of the free sterol have been synthesized starting with bisnorcholen...
Discrepant and congruent high self-esteem: Behavioral self-handicapping as a preemptive defensive strategy☆

Discrepant high self-esteem (i.e., high explicit and low implicit self-esteem) has been associated with a number of defensive behaviors. This study investigated the use of behavioral self-handicapping as a preemptive defensive strategy among those with discrepant high self-esteem. Participants were told that an upcoming test of an important ability was only diagnostic of either exceptionally high or very low skills (i.e., only success or failure was diagnostic of ability) and were given the opportunity to behaviorally self-handicap by selecting from a range of performance-detracting versus neutral music choices. Results showed that when success was diagnostic, participants with discrepant high self-esteem engaged in significantly greater behavioral self-handicapping than other participants. This suggests that (1) the defensiveness of those with discrepant high self-esteem extends to the use of preemptive strategies such as self-handicapping, and (2) this defensiveness is triggered when the situation provides a test of exceptionally high ability.