cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance of A 2×2 Banyan switch with non-symmetric traffic and variable message lengths

Abstract Banyan networks are being proposed as switching elements in Broadband ISDN. The 2 × 2 crossbar switch is the building block of the Banyan networks. This paper describes an analysis of the performance of a finite buffered 2 × 2 switch, based on a Markov chain where the points immediately following arrivals and departures to and from the switch are chosen as the embedded points. These embedded points provide a manageable state space. The use of non-homogenous embedded points causes difficulties, and it requires a rather involved transformation to determine the steady state distribution of the number of messages in the buffers. Results include steady state probability distribution of the number of messages in the buffers, average delay and blocking probability for symmetric and non-symmetric arrivals, and variable length messages into the switch. These results are significant in Broadband ISDN for variable length messages1,2.
Local hyperthermia treatment of tumors induces CD8+ T cell-mediated resistance against distal and secondary tumors

Abstract Combinatorial use of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and an alternating magnetic field (AMF) can induce local hyperthermia in tumors in a controlled and uniform manner. Heating B16 primary tumors at 43°C for 30min activated dendritic cells (DCs) and subsequently CD8 + T cells in the draining lymph node (dLN) and conferred resistance against rechallenge with B16 (but not unrelated Lewis Lung carcinoma) given 7days post hyperthermia on both the primary tumor side and the contralateral side in a CD8 + T cell-dependent manner. Mice with heated primary tumors also resisted rechallenge given 30days post hyperthermia. Mice with larger heated primary tumors had greater resistance to secondary tumors. No rechallenge resistance occurred when tumors were heated at 45°C. Our results demonstrate the promising potential of local hyperthermia treatment applied to identified tumors in inducing anti-tumor immune responses that reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis. From the Clinical Editor Local heating of tumors via iron oxide NPs and an alternating magnetic field led to activation of anti-cancer CD8 T cells, which resulted in resistance against re-challenge and greater resistance to secondary tumors. Similar local heating-based strategies may become an important weapon in enhancing tumor elimination via a naturally existing but attenuated immune response.
Antiquality Factors as Related to Forage Quality

Abstract The occurrence of certain chemical constituents and physical characteristics of forages may alter animal responses appreciably. Consideration is given to the presence in forages of certain terpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, and specific external and internal anatomical features that can alter animal intake, dry matter digestion, and animal gains.
The role of the cusp as a source for magnetospheric particles: A new paradigm?

Abstract New observations from the NASA GGS POLAR satellite of cusp energetic particle [CEP] events indicate that the mechanism(s) in the dayside cusp accelerate the solar wind plasma to 100s and 1000s of kiloelec-tronvolts energies. The mechanism seems to be active much of the time but is impulsive in nature with an event having a lifetime of 45–60 minutes. This mechanism is capable of producing an energetic particle layer that straddles the magnetopause along the flanks of the magnetosphere. These energetic particles can enter the magnetosphere as a result of gradients in the magnetic field and the resultant drifts they cause; ions entering along the dawn flank drifting to the west and electrons entering along the dusk flank drifting east will carry a current. Since these particles will drift to distances less than six earth radii in the nightside equatorial plane, their variations in time probably control the dynamics of the magnetosphere in the range 6
Genetic variation and evolutionary relationships amongst bluetongue viruses endemic in the United States

Abstract The genetic variation and evolutionary relationships amongst the five serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV) endemic to the United States were investigated by oligonucleotide fingerprint analysis. The viruses analyzed include prototype viruses of the five U.S. serotypes, and 32 viruses isolated from domestic and wild ruminants from the U.S. in the years 1979–1981. With the exception of serotype 2, most genes encoding the viral core and non-structural proteins were demonstrated to be highly conserved both within and between serotypes and some also appear to have reassorted in nature. Gene segments 2 and 6, which encode the outer capsid proteins VP2 and VP5 respectively, were more variable and were not consistently linked as serotype determination was dependent solely on gene segment 2. Gene segment 2 was the most variable gene between serotypes, but it was highly conserved within serotypes and stable over time. This suggests that the emergence of new BTV serotypes, which would require the stable incorporation of numerous mutations, must be a very slow process. Fingerprint comparisons further suggested that BTV serotypes 10, 11, 13 and 17 have evolved together in the U.S. over a considerable period of time, whereas serotype 2, which is genetically distinct, has evolved elsewhere and is most likely a recent introduction to North America.
Evaluation of Digital Communications on Performance of an Armor Battalion

The U.S. Army is forging a digital communication system for combat vehicles as we enter the Information Age. Justification for this investment assumes it will improve soldier and unit performance. This evaluation assessed the performance of an armor battalion equipped with digital command, control and communication systems that vertically linked its platoon, company and battalion echelons in distributed interactive simulation. Participants included 210 soldiers in duty assignments that included a fully-manned, point platoon operating under company and battalion level commanders. Findings indicated that digital communication systems can provide significant improvements, over voice-only communications, on some important measures tested under an armor battalion's maneuver functions: move on the surface, navigate, process direct fire targets, and engage direct fire targets. The evaluation's method provides an example of how soldier-in-the-loop simulation can efficiently assess performance improvements anticip...
Direct determination of cohesive stress transfer during debonding of FRP from concrete

Abstract Interface cohesive stress transfer between FRP and concrete during debonding is typically obtained using measured surface strains on the FRP, along the direction of the fibers. The cohesive material law is derived under a set of assumptions which include: (a) the bending stiffness of the FRP laminate is insignificant with respect to that of the concrete test block; (b) the strains in the bulk concrete produced by debonding are negligible, thus concrete substrate can be considered rigid; (c) there is stress transfer between FRP and concrete through the FRP–concrete interface which is of zero thickness; and (d) the axial strain in the FRP composite is uniform across its thickness. In this paper, a test procedure for directly obtaining the through-thickness strains in the FRP and the concrete substrate during cohesive stress transfer associated with debonding is presented. The displacement and strain fields are measured on the side of a direct-shear specimen with the FRP strip attached on the edge. Based on the experimental results, the influence of the assumptions which have been introduced to determine the cohesive law is discussed. Within the stress transfer zone there is a sharp gradient in the shear strain. The location of the interface crack within the stress transfer zone and the cohesive stress transfer during the propagation of the interface crack are determined.
The Impact of Triclosan on the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment

Triclosan (TCS) is a commonly used antimicrobial agent that enters wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and the environment. An estimated 1.1x105 to 4.2x105 kg of TCS are discharged from these WWTPs per year in the United States. The abundance of TCS along with its antimicrobial properties have given rise to concern regarding its impact on antibiotic resistance in the environment. The objective of this review is to assess the state of knowledge regarding the impact of TCS on multidrug resistance in environmental settings, including engineered environments such as anaerobic digesters. Pure culture studies are reviewed in this paper to gain insight into the substantially smaller body of research surrounding the impacts of TCS on environmental microbial communities. Pure culture studies, mainly on pathogenic strains of bacteria, demonstrate that TCS is often associated with multidrug resistance. Research is lacking to quantify the current impacts of TCS discharge to the environment, but it is known that resistance to TCS and multidrug resistance can increase in environmental microbial communities exposed to TCS. Research plans are proposed to quantitatively define the conditions under which TCS selects for multidrug resistance in the environment.
Isolation, identification, and evaluation of fungi for the control of sudden death syndrome of soybean

(1996). Isolation, identification, and evaluation of fungi for the control of sudden death syndrome of soybean. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology: Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 1-6.
Adjustment of Ventilation in the Newborn

In adapting to extrauterine life, ventilation and perfusion must soon become well-matched. the time course of this process can be assessed by measurement of the urinary-alveolar nitrogen gradient (uADN2). An elevated uADN2 is an indication of the maldistribution of VA/Q, specifically the presence of areas of low VA/Q. Seventeen healthy full-term neonates were studied serially from the first day of life. Values of uADN2 within the range for normal adults were found (less than 10mm Hg). Serial studies on 3 infants with evidence of aspiration pneumonia revealed uADN2 consistently elevated above the normal. Children and adults with obstructive pulmonary disease were tested as a validation of the method and the expected elevation of uADN2 was found. Thw studies indicate that (1) ventilation is uniformly distribution in the first days of life in normal infants; (2) maldistribution of ventilation is an important cause of arterial unsaturation in aspiration pneumonia. These results will be considered in the context of other studies of extrauterine pulmonary adaptation.
The Conjugate Unscented Transform — An approach to evaluate multi-dimensional expectation integrals

This paper presents an extension to the unscented transformation to evaluate expectation integrals in general N-dimensional space by satisfying higher order moment equations. New sets of sigma points are defined to satisfy moment equations up to eighth order. The proposed methodology can be used as an efficient alternative to Gaussian quadrature rule with significantly reduced number of function evaluations but without any loss in accuracy. Numerical simulation results illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in computing high dimension expectation integrals with significantly reduced number of function evaluations.
A method for robust process design based on direct minimization of expected loss applied to arc welding

Abstract Robust process design seeks to maximize the process performance, taking into account uncertainty in the “noise” factors that cannot be controlled. A methodology for robust process design is presented that is based on direct minimization of the expected loss. The proposed methods are compared with alternatives, including methods based on Taguchi's signal-to-noise ratios. Several formulations of the expected loss are explored, including formulations that account for losses from parts inside the specification limits and that permit the use of deterministic optimization methods. The method is illustrated through its application to the design of robotic gas metal arc welding (GMAW) parameter settings.
Look what the cat dragged in: do parasites contribute to human cultural diversity?

If human culture emerges from the modal personality of a population, can global variation in parasitism that affects personality lead to cultural diversity among nations? The answer could help explain why people seem to vary so much from one land to another. Thomas et al. (2005) review how parasites manipulate behaviour, inc v t d g m r s r b r t p i r Other parasites are much more common in human populations. Some may have the ability to enact subtle, but long-term, changes in behaviour – to the extent of changing personality. The most notable example is Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is primarily of concern because it can cause pathology under some
Surveillance for the detection of nosocomial infections end the potential for nosocomial outbreaks II. Development of a laboratory-based system

Abstract We describe the development of a surveillance system that uses thresholds for detecting nosocomial infections and the potential for nosocomial outbreaks.based on data from microbiology laboratory records at our hospital from 1980 to 1982. These records were monitored weekly to determine the number of positive isolates by the identity of the organism and by the site of the culture. A mean of 225 specimens was processed weekly, with 60 of these yielding bacteria or fungi. The average number of organisms isolated per positive culture was 1.46. Two methods of establishing thresholds were compared, one based on percentiles of ranked isolates, the other based on the mean plus intervals of standard error. The system using thresholds established fished by the standard error method was consistently more useful to highlight weeks for which there was high risk of a problem occurring in less time than were the surveillance techniques traditionally employed.
Chemical Activity of Cholesterol in Membranes

Measurements are reported for the rate constants for the release of cholesterol (and dihydrocholesterol) to β-cyclodextrin from mixtures with phospholipids in homogeneous monolayers at constant pressure at the air−water interface. In each mixture, it is found that the release rate shows a sharp decrease as the cholesterol concentration in the monolayer decreases through a composition corresponding to the stoichiometry of a cholesterol−phospholipid complex. The stoichiometry of the complex was established previously by the position of a sharp cusp in the thermodynamic phase diagram of each mixture and also by a minimum in average molecular area versus composition measurements. A theoretical model used earlier to account for the phase diagrams predicts the chemical potential and chemical activity of cholesterol in these mixtures. The calculated chemical activity also shows a sharp change at the complex stoichiometry in homogeneous monolayers. The similarities in change of observed release rate and calculate...
Decreased ubiquinone levels in tissues of rats deficient in selenium.

Abstract The effect of selenium deficiency (-Se) on the levels of ubiquinones in liver, heart, kidney, and leg muscle was studied in the rat. Levels of ubiquinone 9 and ubiquinone 10 in the liver of -Se rats were about 50% of the levels in selenium adequate animals. Both ubiquinones in the heart were about 15% lower in -Se rats. Only ubiquinone 9 was significantly lower in the kidney of -Se rats. There was no difference in ubiquinone levels in leg muscle. Glutathione peroxidase activity in the tissues of -Se rats was >95% lower. It is concluded that Se, as an integral part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, may protect tissues from oxidative damage, thereby preserving the ability of the cells to synthesize ubiquinone and preventing ubiquinone from oxidative degradation.
Space saving key-lock access control system (abstract only)

In early 1970s the access matrix model for the security of software system was developed [1,2] as a generalized description of operating system protection mechanisms. This matrix is called security matrix, the columns of the matrix represent to some data structures in the system, the rows of the matrix are those potential users of the system, and each element in the matrix is a protection decision, d(i,j), specifying rule that governs the manipulation of the data structure j by user i. The users of the system may be permitted any of a number of different access rights to a data structure such as reading, appending, updating, deletion, execution, and changing protection. A modified access matrix model is used in MULTICS [3] and other virtual memory system.Later in 1984, an access control with single key-lock system was developed [4]. The system involved three matrices namely, assessors key matrix, information locks matrix, and access matrix. Each user has only one key associated with unique lock for each file. For each user and each file there is an access code that represented the permission of user to own, to write, to read, to execute, or not to access the file. The entries of these matrices are non-negative integers and stored in the main memory. However, for a large system that might involve hundreds or thousands of users and a huge number of files. Then, a large memory space is occupied by these three matrices.This research proposes a new technique that converts a number of matrix entries (at least 10) into a rational number and then stored in the memory. When access is requested the appropriate rational number is decoded, through a program, into the unique original matrix entries for the key-lock system to control access of information.The advantages of this new method are: (1) The reduction of the memory space required for the keys, locks, and access codes is at least 80% of the original needs. (2) The techniques of encoding and decoding are simple. (3) The construction of keys and locks still remain as simple as those proposed in [4]. Procedures for encoding and decoding are included and examples are presented.
The endovascular treatment of arteriovenous malformations

Abstract Embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is a useful therapeutic modality. The primary purpose of treatment is to obliterate the AVM to prevent future hemorrhage. A small proportion of cerebral AVMs might be obliterated angiographically, but angiographic obliteration does not necessarily equate with cure, and follow-up evaluation of these cases is mandatory. The primary role of embolization is as an adjunct to surgical excision or radiosurgery. Palliative embolization of cerebral AVMs that are disabling on the basis of medically intractable seizures and/or progressive neurological deficits might be indicated, but considerable clinical judgment is required to select cases that can benefit from this palliative intervention. The history, indications, techniques, embolic agents, risks and complications are reviewed. Several illustrative cases are presented.
The External Funding of Academic Finance Research

We analyze the external funding of academic finance research. We show that funding is uncommon, particularly for U.S.-based faculty, and is related to predictable attributes of an author's reputational capital. Further, when research is funded we find it is associated with better articles, as measured by publication in the most prestigious journals and the receipt of increased citations over time. Our study has relevance for every stakeholder in the university's research mission in finance.
Beam-specific planning volumes for scattered-proton lung radiotherapy

This work describes the clinical implementation of a beam-specific planning treatment volume (bsPTV) calculation for lung cancer proton therapy and its integration into the treatment planning process. Uncertainties incorporated in the calculation of the bsPTV included setup errors, machine delivery variability, breathing effects, inherent proton range uncertainties and combinations of the above. Margins were added for translational and rotational setup errors and breathing motion variability during the course of treatment as well as for their effect on proton range of each treatment field. The effect of breathing motion and deformation on the proton range was calculated from 4D computed tomography data. Range uncertainties were considered taking into account the individual voxel HU uncertainty along each proton beamlet. Beam-specific treatment volumes generated for 12 patients were used: a) as planning targets, b) for routine plan evaluation, c) to aid beam angle selection and d) to create beam-specific margins for organs at risk to insure sparing. The alternative planning technique based on the bsPTVs produced similar target coverage as the conventional proton plans while better sparing the surrounding tissues. Conventional proton plans were evaluated by comparing the dose distributions per beam with the corresponding bsPTV. The bsPTV volume as a function of beam angle revealed some unexpected sources of uncertainty and could help the planner choose more robust beams. Beam-specific planning volume for the spinal cord was used for dose distribution shaping to ensure organ sparing laterally and distally to the beam.
Exploiting fungal cell wall components in vaccines

Innate recognition of fungi leads to strong adaptive immunity. Investigators are trying to exploit this observation in vaccine development by combining antigens with evolutionarily conserved fungal cell wall carbohydrates to induce protective responses. Best studied is β-1,3-glucan, a glycan that activates complement and is recognized by dectin-1. Administration of antigens in association with β-1,3-glucan, either by direct conjugation or complexed in glucan particles, results in robust humoral and cellular immune responses. While the host has a host of mannose receptors, responses to fungal mannoproteins generally are amplified if cells are cooperatively stimulated with an additional danger signal such as a toll-like receptor agonist. Chitosan, a polycationic homopolymer of glucosamine manufactured by the deacetylation of chitin, is being studied as an adjuvant in DNA and protein-based vaccines. It appears particularly promising in mucosal vaccines. Finally, universal and organism-specific fungal vaccines have been formulated by conjugating fungal cell wall glycans to carrier proteins. A major challenge will be to advance these experimental findings so that at risk patients can be protected.
Palestinians in Central America: From Temporary Emigrants to a Permanent Diaspora

This survey of the understudied topic of the Palestinian diaspora in Central America, based on existing documentation and interviews, focuses mainly on Honduras and El Salvador, the areas of greatest Palestinian concentration. Two waves of immigration are studied: the first and largest, in the early decades of the 20th century, was mainly Christian from the Bethlehem area in search of economic opportunities and intending to return; the second, especially after 1967, came as a permanent diaspora. The article describes the arrival from Palestine, the factors behind their considerable success, the backlash of discrimination, and finally assimilation. Palestinian involvement in Central American politics ( Right and the Left) is also addressed. The article ends with a discussion of identity issues and renewal of ties with Palestine.
CMR imaging for the evaluation of myocardial stunning after acute myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of prospective trials

Background Myocardial stunning is an important sequela of acute coronary syndromes and its determination might affect decisions on defibrillator implantation and assist devices after myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) assessing myocardial stunning after acute myocardial infarction using low-dose dobutamine (LDD), end-diastolic wall thickness, and contrast delayed enhancement (DE). Methods and results A systematic review of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane for all prospective trials assessing myocardial stunning by CMR following AMI was performed using a standard approach for meta-analysis for diagnostic test and a bivariate analysis. Search results revealed 9384 studies, out of which 17 met criteria. A total of 634 patients (mean age 59 years, 85% male, mean left ventricular ejection fraction: 52%) were included. DE-CMR had a weighted sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 68% to detect myocardial stunning using 50% transmurality as a cut-off, with a PPV and NPV of 83 and 72%, respectively. With an overall diagnostic accuracy of 82%, LDD-CMR had a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 81%, with a PPV and NPV of 82 and 63%, respectively. LDD showed an overall accuracy of 74%. Conclusion DE-CMR has a higher sensitivity, whereas LDD-CMR has a higher specificity for the detection of viable stunned myocardium following myocardial infarction. Whether the combination of DE and LDD may improve the prediction of myocardial recovery remains to be determined.
Health literacy research: Looking forward

We are pleased to present this special issue on Health Literacy of the Journal of Health Communication. This marks the second year in a row that the Journal has published a special issue on this to...
A comparison of female and male adolescent victims of violence seen in the emergency department.

Abstract Background Violence is a leading cause of injury and death among adolescents. Reports indicate increasing incidence of violent injuries among adolescent females, but have not described characteristics of or charting completeness for these assault victims in the emergency department (ED). Objectives To compare demographic and injury-related characteristics of assaulted urban adolescent females and males presenting to an ED; and to compare completeness of hospital coding for intentionality of females’ and males’ injuries. Methods Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of potentially violent injuries (identified by E-codes and chart review) among urban youth presenting to a city’s only level I trauma center. Demographics, injury characteristics, and chart- vs. hospital-determined intentionality were described with proportions and relative risks. Results E-code search resulted in 828 charts with injury diagnoses; 385 were determined by chart review to represent violent injuries (150 females, 235 males). Female victims had similar race, age, and socioeconomic status to males. Females’ injuries were more likely to be documented as caused by a single person, by someone known to them, and at home. Females were less likely to be injured by weapons or in a public space. Females’ charts were more likely to contain information about the circumstances of injury. Intentionality was equally likely to be miscoded for females and males. Conclusions Adolescent female victims of community violence presenting to an urban ED have different assault characteristics from males. Females’ charts have less missing information. A high percentage of all charts have assault intentionality miscoded, suggesting that E-code-based violence surveillance in this population may not be accurate.
Posterolateral hypothalamic and midbrain central gray lesions impair visual and spatial reversal learning: Further additions to the "general learning system" of the rodent brain

It has been assumed that the components of the rodent’s “general learning system” (a group of brain structures essential for normal acquisition of a wide range of laboratory tasks) can roughly be identified by determining which lesion placements within the rat brain will lead to defective acquisition of a spatial discrimination habit and its reversal as well as a brightness discrimination habit and its reversal. The results of this experiment suggest that the regions of the posterolateral hypothalamus and mesencephalic central gray, but not the regions of the nucleus accumbens, septofornix, medial supraoptic area, or ventromedial hypothalamus, qualify as components of the general learning system.
APPETITE AND GROWTH RATE SELECTION WITH A METHIONINE DEFICIENT DIET.

Abstract A PREVIOUS report (Lepore, 1965) suggested three possible mechanisms for the achievement of genetic progress when chicks are selected for growth rate on a methionine deficient diet. Line separation was considered to occur through heritable differences in (a) methionine absorption and utilization, (b) appetite, or (c) some combination of (a) and (b). The data reported indicated that there were no between line differences in methionine requirement although large differences in growth rate were observed. It was concluded that alternative (a) was not operative in establishing the growth-selected lines. The current study was conducted to ascertain the influence of appetite upon selection for growth rate with a methionine deficient diet. The results of growth trials are reported in which the feed intake of two fast growing lines developed by selection on either a normal or a methionine deficient diet was restricted to that of two similarly selected slow growing lines. Preliminary…
MECHANICS OF DORMANCY IN SEEDS

Dormancy in plants is common in three organs, seeds, spores, and buds. In this paper I shall limit myself entirely to the discussion of dormancy in seeds for three reasons: far more critical and analytical work has been done on dormancy in seeds than upon the other two organs; obscure correlation effects do not play as prominent a part as in buds; and I am best acquainted with this phase of the subject. The title of this paper might imply that I am aligning myself with the mechanists as against the vitalists; such is not the case. The vitalists can justly claim that in growth we have as yet explained so little by known chemical and physical laws and have so much till to explain on this basis or on the basis of newly discovered laws that the title "Mechanism of Growth" would imply a very meager discussion of our knowledge of this process. To date we have to discuss growth mainly in physiological rather than mechanistic terms. The situation is rather different with the dormancy of seeds. Here so far as the work is analytical, it indicates that dormancy is brought about by factors inhibitory to general processes preceding or accompanying growth. In plants of the temperate zone, the seeds generally have a rest period. Howard' finds that more than 75 percent of the species, wild and cultivated, growing around Columbia, Missouri, have a distinct period of dormancy. The rest period is more general and much more persistent among wild than cultivated forms. Selection resulting from methods of cultivation have largely disposed of this character in domesticated forms, as is well illustrated by the two closely related species, Avena fatua and A. sativa.2 The former is delayed in its germination until the spring following ripening, con-
Cystoid macular edema associated with limbal melanoma

Early cystoid macular edema causing some loss of central vision in an eye with an 8-year history of limbal melanoma was studied histopathologically. A typical combination of slight chronic uveitis, vitreoretinal traction, parafoveal separation of posterior vitreous and inner-limiting membrane, swelling with distinct cystoid changes in Henle's fiber layer, and foldlike detachment of foveal cones is described and discussed.
Trans-Acting Transcriptional Activation of the Long Terminal Repeat of Human T Lymphotropic Viruses in Infected Cells

The transcription initiation signals for retroviruses lie within the long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences that flank the integrated provirus. Two subtypes of human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) are associated with different disease phenotypes. In this article it is shown that marked differences exist in the ability of LTR sequences of these subtypes to function as transcriptional elements in differentiated cell types. It is also shown that trans-acting regulatory factors present in HTLV-infected cells stimulate gene expression directed by these LTR sequences in a type-specific manner. These results have implications for understanding the diverse biological effects of HTLV infection.
Closed traumatic head injury: dural sinus and internal jugular vein thrombosis

Dural sinus thrombosis (DST) has an annual incidence of 3–4 per million and can result from many aetiologies. Presentation of the disease can vary considerably, as can the aetiology and delay of symptoms to clinical detection. Symptoms on presentation include headache, seizures, focal neural deficits and altered mental status. There are many aetiological risk factors associated with DST, which include hypercoagulable states, oral contraceptive use, infection and mechanical causes such as cranial trauma. DST as a result of trauma is rare and aetiologies range from mechanical falls with or without skull fracture, firework explosions, gunshots to the head, blunt trauma to the head and closed head injury. Internal jugular vein thrombosis is also a rare disease and as with DST, traumatic aetiologies are uncommon. More common aetiologies include iatrogenic causes related to catheterisation as well as infectious causes (eg, Lemierre’s syndrome). A case of thrombosis of the transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus and internal jugular vein associated with a closed head injury as the result of a motorcycle accident is presented.
Serum amyloid A induces IL-8 secretion through a G protein-coupled receptor, FPRL1/LXA4R

Host response to injury and infection is accompanied by a rapid rise in the blood of acute-phase proteins such as serum amyloid A (SAA). Although SAA has been used as a marker for inflammatory diseases, its role in the modulation of inflammation and immunity has not been defined. Human neutrophils respond to SAA with secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 8 (IL-8) and, to a lesser extent, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). The induction of IL-8 secretion by SAA involves both transcription and translation and correlates with activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). The proximal signaling events induced by SAA include mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 and p38, both required for the induced IL-8 secretion. Pertussis toxin effectively blocks SAA-induced IL-8 secretion indicating involvement of a Gi-coupled receptor. Overexpression of FPRL1/LXA4R in HeLa cells results in a significant increase of the expression of NF-κB and IL-8 luciferase reporters by SAA, and an antibody against the N-terminal domain of FPRL1/LXA4R inhibits IL-8 secretion. Lipoxin A4, which binds to FPRL1/LXA4R specifically, decreases SAA-induced IL-8 secretion significantly. Collectively, these results indicate that the cytokine-like property of SAA is manifested through activation of the Gi-coupled FPRL1/LXA4R, which has been known to mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of lipoxin A4. The ability of FPRL1/LXA4R to mediate 2 drastically different and opposite functions suggests that it plays a role in the modulation of inflammatory and immune responses.
Active noise control using phase-compensated, damped resonant filters

An active noise control device called active noise absorber or ANA, which is based upon damped, resonant filters is developed and demonstrated. It is similar to structural positive position feedback (PPF) control, with two exceptions: (1) Acoustic transducers (microphone and speaker) cannot be truly collocated, and (2) the acoustic actuator (loudspeaker) has significant dynamics. The speaker dynamics can affect performance and stability and must be compensated. While acoustic modal control approaches are typically not sought, there are a number of applications where controlling a few room modes is adequate. A model of a duct with speakers at each end is developed and used to demonstrate the control method, including the impact of the speaker dynamics. An all-pass filter is used to provide phase compensation and improve controller performance and permits the control of nonminimum phase plants. A companion experimental study validated the simulation results and demonstrated nearly 8 dB of control in the first duct mode. A multi-modal control example was also demonstrated producing an average of 3 dB of control in the first four duct modes.
KANDIDATS: An interactive image processing system

KANDIDATS is a comprehensive digital image processing system that interacts with the user at a command string level. It includes prompting for parameter input, and checks user input for errors. Image analysis operations available in KANDIDATS consist of utility functions, image transforms, spatial clustering, and Bayesian classification. The versatility and capabilities of KANDIDATB arise h.om a modular programming structure and file structure. These attributes allow processing of images that are a few thousand rows by a few thousand columns in a minicomputer system with only 32K words of main memory.
Sequential priming is not constrained by the shape of long-term learning curves.

When multiple stimulus-to-response (S-R) mappings are randomly intermixed and repeated in a block of trials, immediate repetitions of an aspect of a stimulus and/or a response can facilitate stimulus detection, classification, and/or response selection—known assequential priming. In addition to these short-term effects, response times (RTs) for almost any task diminish with extended practice; improvements can occur over many days, and RT learning curves typically assume exponential or power functions. We investigated whether short-term sequential priming and long-term practice modulate RT through a common mechanism, using a variant of the additive factors method. We tracked how various priming effects, presumably affecting different processing stages (e.g., stimulus selection, stimulus identification/classification, and S-R mapping), varied over training sessions as RT diminished. All the priming effects either were not reduced or reduced approximately linearly at rates much slower than those predicted by the shapes of the corresponding RT learning curves. The overall results suggest that short-term sequential priming and long-term practice modulate RT through relatively separate mechanisms, even though they appear to affect a common set of behaviorally defined processing stages.
X-ray intensity ratios for 17 ⩽ Z ⩽ 54

Abstract Non-relativistic calculations for the K-shell X-ray intensities are in good (better than 10%) agreement with experimental K β K α intensity ratios for 24 ⩽ Z ⩽ 42. Above Z = 42 the non-relativistic K β K α ratio saturates, while relativistic calculations and experiment indicate the ratio increases with Z.
The effect of pump depletion on reversible photodegradation

Abstract We model the effect of pump depletion on reversible photodegradation using the extended domain model [Anderson and Kuzyk, arXiv:1309.5176v1, 2013] and the Beer–Lambert law. We find that neglecting pump absorption in the analysis of the linear optical transmittance leads to an underestimate of the degree and rate of photodegradation. The model is used to accurately measure the molecular absorbance cross sections of the three species involved in photodegradation of disperse orange 11 dye in (poly)methyl-methacralate polymer (DO11/PMMA). Finally we find that the processing history of a dye-doped polymer affects reversible photodegradation, with polymerized monomer solutions of DO11 being more photostable than those prepared from solvent evaporated dye-polymer solutions.
Effects of Dietary Aluminum and Niacin on Chick Tibiae

Abstract Effects of dietary aluminum chloride and niacin on bone mineral content and bone structural measurements were studied using young male Leghorn chicks. Standard chick rations containing .8% Ca and .4 or .5% available P were fed as control diets in three experiments. Experimental diets contained .05, .1, or .3% Al, or 1.0 or 1.5% niacin, or both and were fed for 2 wk. Tibia weights were decreased by 1.5% niacin, .3% Al, and by .1% Al plus 1.5% niacin (P
Electrosurgical Management of Hunner Ulcers in a Referral Center's Interstitial Cystitis Population

Objective To characterize electrocautery (EC) as a valid treatment option in interstitial cystitis (IC) patients with Hunner ulcers (HUs). Methods From 1997 to 2013, a single urologist's IC population was retrospectively reviewed to identify HU patients as well as their demographics, operative characteristics, and response to a 2-page questionnaire evaluating parameters of their experience with EC. Descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square test, Student t test, and Pearson coefficient were used. Results Two hundred fourteen EC procedures were performed in 76 patients (87% women; mean age, 66 ± 1.67 years). Fifty-one patients (69%) who underwent multiple EC had mean initial bladder capacity of 438.62 ± 27.90 mL and final bladder capacity of 422.40 ± 30.10 mL. Mean number of EC procedures was 2.98 ± 0.25 (range, 1-11). Mean time between sessions was 14.52 ± 1.34 months (range, 1-121 months). Fifty-two patients (68%) completed our questionnaire, with 13.54 ± 1.28 years of symptoms and 10.66 ± 0.96 years since diagnosis. Ranking IC treatments, 37 patients (84%) reported EC most beneficial. On a 0-10 (none to worst possible) scale before and after EC, frequency improved from 9.04 ± 1.30 to 3.65 ± 2.75 ( P P P Conclusion EC of HU is an effective and safe procedure with high patient satisfaction that does not diminish bladder capacity.
The impact of surgeon choice on the cost of performing laparoscopic appendectomy.

While laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) can be performed using a myriad of techniques, the cost of each method varies. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of surgeon choice of technique on the cost of key steps in LA. Surgeon operative notes, hospital invoice lists, and surgeon instrumentation preference sheets were obtained for all LA cases in 2008 at Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA). Only cases (N = 89) performed by fulltime staff general surgeons (N = 8) were analyzed. Disposable costs were calculated for the following components of LA: port access, mesoappendix division, and management of the appendiceal stump. The actual cost of each disposable was determined based on the hospital’s materials management database. Actual hospital reimbursements for LA in 2008 were obtained for all payers and compared with the disposable cost per case. Disposable cost per case for the three portions analyzed for 126 theoretical models were calculated and found to range from US $81 to US $873. The surgeon with the most cost-effective preferred method (US $299) utilized one multi-use endoscopic clip applier for mesoappendix division, two commercially available pretied loops for management of the appendiceal stump, and three 5-mm trocars as their preferred technique. The surgeon with the least cost-effective preferred method (US $552) utilized two staple firings for mesoappendix division, one staple firing for management of the appendiceal stump, and 12/5/10-mm trocars for access. The two main payers for LA patients were Medicaid and Health Safety Net, whose total hospital reimbursements ranged from US $264 to US $504 and from US $0 to US $545 per case, respectively, for patients discharged on day 1. Disposable costs frequently exceeded hospital reimbursements. Currently, there is no scientific literature that clearly illustrates a superior surgical method for performing these portions of LA in routine cases. This study suggests that surgeons should review the cost implications of their practice and to find ways to provide the most cost-effective care without jeopardizing clinical outcome.
Oxygen Ion Implantation in the Solar Panel Coverglass of GPS Satellites

Summary form only given. Global positioning satellites (GPS) have been experiencing an anomalous, accelerated degradation of solar array power. This phenomenon, analyzed since the early 80's, remains unexplained. Recently, low-energy ( 10 keV). After each implant step, the optical properties of the samples are measured. Results of this investigation will be presented
Resolution enhancement of incoherent digital holography using the super resolution image reconstruction technique

The reconstruction process of incoherent digital holography, which can overcome the resolution limitation imposed by the imaging device, is proposed based on the super resolution image reconstruction technique.
Development of an immuno tandem mass spectrometry (iMALDI) assay for EGFR diagnosis.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly expressed in a variety of tumors, and is therefore an important biomarker for cancer diagnosis and a target for cancer therapy. We have developed a novel peptide-based immuno tandem mass spectrometry (iMALDI) diagnostic assay for highly sensitive, highly specific, and quantitative analysis of EGFR, which we have applied to the detection of the EGFR peptide in three cell lines and in a tumor biopsy sample. This assay is capable of detecting the EGFR target peptide bound to the antibody beads at attomole levels. The ability to directly obtain amino acid sequence data by MS/MS on any affinity-captured peptides provides specificity to this diagnostic technique. This avoids the problem of “false positives” which can result from the nonspecific binding that can occur with any affinity-based technique. The addition of stable-labeled versions of the target peptide (synthesized from stable-isotope coded amino acids) as internal standards allows absolute quantitation of the target protein.
Microbiologic and histologic characteristics of the extremely preterm infant's placenta predict white matter damage and later cerebral palsy. The ELGAN Study

Inflammatory phenomena seem to contribute to the occurrence of perinatal cerebral white matter damage and CP. The stimulus that initiates the inflammation remains obscure. One thousand two hundred forty-six infants born before the 28th postmenstrual week had a protocol ultrasound scan of the brain read concordantly by two independent sonologists. Eight hundred ninety-nine of the children had a neurologic examination at approximately 24-mo postterm equivalent. The placenta of each child had been biopsied under sterile conditions and later cultured. Histologic slides of the placenta were examined specifically for this study. Recovery of a single microorganism predicted an echolucent lesion, whereas polymicrobial cultures and recovery of skin flora predicted both ventriculomegaly and an echolucent lesion. Diparetic CP was predicted by recovery of a single microorganism, multiple organisms, and skin flora. Histologic inflammation predicted ventriculomegaly and diparetic CP. The risk of ventriculomegaly associated with organism recovery was heightened when accompanied by histologic inflammation, but the risk of diparetic CP was not. Low-virulence microorganisms isolated from the placenta, including common skin microflora, predict ultrasound lesions of the brain and diparetic CP in the very preterm infant. Organism recovery does not seem to be needed for placenta inflammation to predict diparetic CP.
One American Educators' Sensitivity to Mongolia

No abstract available. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v4i0.423 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs Vol.4 2007: 79-83