cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Praise of Buffer States

Buffer states keep armies apart and allow important countries to trade in peace. This is true for Ukraine, for Syria, for Afghanistan… yet NATO member states seem to have forgotten the importance of these Buffer States. The USA needs to remember that other states have interests, and regional powers must protect their frontiers: powers like Russia, Pakistan, Iran and others. Buffer States play a necessary function to protect regional peace.
Laparoscopic and Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy

Many studies have shown the prevalence of female pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), increases with age. Given the anticipated increase in the aging population, it is estimated that the number of women with POP will increase from 3.3 million in 2010 to 4.9 million in 2050, creating a need for safe, durable, and cost-effective procedures. Over the last 15 years there has been a movement away from invasive, open surgery towards more minimally invasive laparoscopic and more recently robotic procedures in many urologic specialties including female pelvic reconstruction. Robotic assisted laparoscopy has allowed surgeons to offer the “gold standard” treatment for post-hysterectomy vault prolapse, abdominal sacrocolpopexy, in a less invasive, less morbid way with similar anatomical outcomes. This chapter will review in detail the technique, outcomes, and complications of laparoscopic and robotic assisted sacrocolpopexy.
Intranasal administration of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) rapidly and significantly increases whole-brain GDNF level in rats

Previous studies have shown that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) exerts significant neuroprotective effects on substantia nigra (SN) neurons in the rat 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine GDNF brain levels and distribution to target regions (i.e. striatum and SN) following intranasal administration of GDNF at different time points after administration. Brain levels increased significantly within 1h following a single 50-μg dose of GDNF in a liposomal formulation, returning to baseline by 24h. In a second study, different doses of GDNF (10-150 μg) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were studied at the 1-h time point. Dose-dependent increases in brain GDNF levels were observed with apparent saturation of uptake at doses above 100 μg. Liposomes delivered 10-fold more GDNF to brain than PBS despite yielding similar neuroprotective efficacy in the 6-OHDA model, suggesting incomplete release of GDNF from liposomes in tissue. In a third study, autoradiography was performed on brain sections taken 1h after intranasal (125)I-labeled GDNF. Radioactivity was detected throughout the brain along the rostral-to-caudal axis, indicating that nasally administered GDNF can reach target areas. Collectively, these results demonstrate that intranasal administration of GDNF in liposomes or PBS achieves significant increases in GDNF in target brain areas, supporting use of intranasal administration as a non-invasive means of delivering GDNF to the brain to protect dopamine neurons and arrest disease progression in PD.
Regime changes and interest rate risk

This paper employs the Bai and Perron (1998, 2003) structural break methodology to investigate important structural shifts in US interest rates using data from 1890.01 to 1933.12. I find evidence for two large structural shifts in my monthly sample. The second shift is found to start in September 1917. This supports the view of several studies which argue that US entry into World War 1 and subsequent wartime policies, rather than the founding of the Federal Reserve in 1914, caused a major change in the behavior of nominal interest rates.
Vertical surface acceleration in a wind-generated sea

The output of a small accelerometer buoy (diameter 12 cm), whose sensor axis was vertical when floating undisturbed, was recorded in the open ocean at four wind speeds ranging from 4.5 to 11.0 m/sec. Records are discussed assuming they represent the vertical component of the sea surface acceleration. Points read from the records had a nearly Gaussian distribution such that the probability of the acceleration exceeding g/2 was about 0.01. The variance of the acceleration was found to increase with wind speed at a rate comparable with that found for the mean square surface slope from other studies. Spectra of the four accelerometer records are compared with the equilibrium spectrum of Phillips. Some observations of the increase of whitecap density with increase in wind speed are described.
A Fetal Hemoglobin Variant of Unusual Genetic Interest

A fetal hemoglobin variant abnormal in the α peptide chains has been found in an umbilical cord blood sample obtained from an infant who had inherited Hb-G (presumably identical with GPhila.) from his father. This provides evidence that α chain synthesis in fetal and adult life is under a single genetic control and that α chain mutations, unlike β chain mutations, may be manifested in intrauterine life.
Esophageal Electric Fields are Predictive of Atrial Defibrillation Thresholds

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia characterized by disorganized cardiac electrical activity. Defibrillation electrode placement has been shown to affect the amount of energy and number of shocks required to defibrillate. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between esophageal electric fields (EEFs) and atrial defibrillation thresholds (ADFTs) to determine the feasibility of using EEFs during a low-strength shock to predict patient-specific defibrillation electrode placements. Methods: AF was induced and defibrillated according to a Bayesian four-shock protocol for 12-electrode placements in six pigs. EEFs were measured during each of the four shocks of the protocol and during a 1-J shock for each electrode placement. Squared EEFs (EEF2s) during all shocks were compared to the ADFTs using a linear regression. Results:There was a negative relationship between EEF2s during the 1-J shocks and ADFTs, with median R2 values of 0.863 and 0.840 for anterior–anterior (AA) and anterior–posterior (AP) electrode placements, respectively. There was a strong, positive relationship between applied energy and EEF2s, with median R2 values of at least 0.866 for all animals. The placement with the highest EEF2 resulted in the lowest ADFT for both AA and AP placements in four of six pigs. In the other two animals, this held for one electrode set but not both. Conclusions: There was a strong negative relationship between EEF2s during 1-J shocks and ADFTs for both AA and AP electrode placements. These preliminary results suggest that using EEF2s to predict patient-specific electrode placements is feasible. (PACE 2011;1–6)
Radio channel sounders for modeling mobile communications at 28 GHz, 60 GHz and 83 GHz

NIST has developed a new channel sounder design specifically to support radio-channel model development for 5G millimeter-wave mobile communications. Design elements include 40 GB/s real-time sampling; an electronically switched, high-gain, directional receive antenna array covering the upper hemisphere; and automated mobile operations. These features allow measurement of calibrated received signal strength and the spatio-temporal channel response for both indoor and outdoor environments under mobile conditions. An 83 GHz system is described in this paper while 28 GHz and 60 GHz systems, in process, have similar capabilities. To our knowledge, this work contributes the first channel sounder which is capable of broadband, 3D, mobile measurements at millimeter-wave frequencies.
Transforming growth factor β regulation of migration in wounded rat intestinal epithelial monolayers

Abstract Background: In vitro studies have suggested that transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF- β 1 ) plays an important role in the regulation of proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells, effecting strong inhibition of proliferation in intestinal epithelial cell lines. Studies were undertaken to assess its role in repair after injury using an in vitro wounding model. Methods: Wounds were created in confluent monolayers of the intestinal epithelial cell line of IEC-6. Exogenous TGF- β 1 , conditioned media from wounded IEC-6 cultures, or control media were added. Restitution was quantified as the number of cells migrating across the wound edge. Proliferation was assessed by uptake of bromodeoxyuridine and thymidine incorporation. Results: Although TGF-β was a potent inhibitor of proliferation, it promoted rapid "healing" of the monolayers through stimulation of migration of cells across the wound margin. The physiological importance of this activity was supported by the demonstration that conditioned medium from IEC-6 cells stimulated repair of the wounded monolayers. Effects of the conditioned medium could be entirely blocked by immunoneutralizing anti-TGF-β antisera. Further, addition of protease inhibitors (aprotinin, e-aminocaproic acid) that prevented the bioactivation of latent TGF-β secreted by the IEC-6 cells also ablated the effect of the conditioned medium. In addition, expression of TGF- β 1 messenger RNA was significantly enhanced in the wounded monolayers. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TGF-β may play an important role in reconstitution of epithelial integrity after mucosal injury.
Does Gender Matter? Relationship of Gender, Spousal Support, Spirituality, and Dispositional Forgiveness to Pastoral Restoration

We examined the relationship of gender, forgiveness, and spirituality to restoration attitudes expressed toward pastors who committed a transgression. In Study 1, participants’ restoration responses favored the opposite gender. In Study 2, men and women responded differently depending on the offense. Dispositional forgiveness was significantly associated with pastoral restoration following offenses of infidelity, anger, child abuse, and substance abuse. Measures of spirituality were primarily associated with forgiveness but explained little of the variance in restoration attitudes.
A Gaussian wavepacket approach for including correlation in the time-dependent Hartree wavefunction for short times

Abstract A hybrid Gaussian wavepacket time-dependent Hartree approach to quantum dynamics is presented. The time-dependent Hartree method yields an efficient methodology for solving the multi-dimensional time-dependent Schrodinger equation, but has the deficiency of enforcing a factorized form of the wavepacket for all time. We present a strategy for including the correlations in the time-dependent Hartree wavefunction by including a time-dependent correction to the Hartree wavefunction. This correction has the form of a time-dependent Gaussian wavepacket. We test the hybrid Gaussian wavepacket-time-dependent Hartree approach and find that it is able to predict correlations in the wavefunctions for at least a single vibrational period.
Requirement of vitamin C for cartilage calcification in a differentiating chick limb-bud mesenchymal cell culture

Mesenchymal cells isolated from stage 21-24 chick limb-buds plated in a micro-mass culture differentiate to form chondrocytes and synthesize a calcifiable matrix. In the presence of inorganic phosphate (4 mM), hydroxyapatite mineral deposits around cartilage nodules. Ascorbic acid is, in general, an essential co-factor for extracellular matrix synthesis in culture, since it is required for collagen synthesis. In this study we demonstrate that in the absence of ascorbic acid supplementation in the mesenchymal cell cultures, mineral deposition (indicated by X-ray diffraction, measurement of Ca:hydroxyproline ratio, and 45Ca uptake) does not occur. Concentrations of 10-50 micrograms/ml ascorbate were compared to find the "optimal" concentration for cell mediated mineralization; 25 micrograms/ml was selected as optimal based on matrix appearance at the EM level and the rate of 45Ca uptake. High concentrations of ascorbic acid (greater than 75 micrograms/ml), while increasing the amount of hydroxyproline in the matrix synthesized, caused some cell death and hence less cell-mediated mineralization. This study demonstrates both the need for viable cells and a proper matrix for in vitro cell-mediated mineralization, and shows that varying the concentration of L-ascorbate (vitamin C) in the medium can have a marked effect on mineralization in vitro.
Local accumulation of titanium released from a titanium implant in the absence of wear.

Titanium and its alloys, like the majority of metallic implant materials, release passive metal dissolution products. This raises the issues of amount and fate, i.e. transport, storage, and/or excretion of these metal dissolution products. In this paper we document titanium levels in tissues local to a commercially pure titanium implant in the absence of wear ; compare these values to control tissues ; and determine the relative contribution of the local accumulation to total release. Titanium fiber felts were implanted into the tibia of rabbits for periods up to 1 year. Bone and muscle tissue samples near the implant were collected. Using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry the samples were analyzed for titanium content. Compared to controls, titanium levels in the bone near the implant were elevated at 1-, 4-, and 12-month postoperative time points. The 12-month time point had higher periprosthetic bone titanium levels than both the 1- and the 4-month implant groups. Titanium levels in muscle tissue near the felt also indicated release was occurring. The data support the hypothesis that metal species released from titanium implants in the absence of wear have a limited solubility. As a result, they tend to remain in an area local to the implant.
Evolution of surgery for large-intestinal obstruction.

Since the early 1930s, it has been possible to distinguish clinically small- and large-intestinal obstructions. The hazard of perforation of the cecum in instances of complete colonic obstruction with great distention is today recognized by all abdominal surgeons. Decompression by transverse colostomy has been the operation of choice in this clinic. In this surgeon's judgment, primary resection is rarely justified. The patient deserves to be treated like a drowning man, dragged to shore. It is not the proper time for a swimming lesson.
A theoretical analysis of the lateral pressure coefficients in a soft-packed stuffing-box seal

Abstract This paper represents a theoretical analysis concerning the relationship of the lateral pressure coefficients Ki (between packing and stem) and K0 (between packing and housing) in a soft-packed stuffing-box seal, with the result of K i K 0 = μ 0 μ i 1+ 2t d 4d+3t 4d+5t The theoretical values are consistent with the results of the experiment by W. Ochonski, K. Hayashis and K. Hirasata, and one of the authors.
Adrenergic and non-adrenergic neurons in the C1 and C3 areas project to locus coeruleus: a fluorescent double labeling study.

Following iontophoretic injections of the retrograde tracer Fluoro-gold into the rat locus coeruleus (LC), retrogradely labeled neurons were seen predominantly in the area of C1 adrenergic neurons in the ventrolateral medulla (nucleus paragigantocellularis; PGi) and in the area of C3 adrenergic neurons in the dorsomedial medulla (nucleus prepositus hypoglossi; PrH). Subsequent immunofluorescence for phenylethanolamine-N-methytransferase indicated that adrenergic and non-adrenergic LC projecting neurons in both areas are interdigitated, and that 21% of LC afferent neurons in the PGi are adrenergic while only 4% of LC afferent neurons in the area of PrH are adrenergic.
Ethnic Schools: A Historical Case Study of Ethnically Focused Supplemental Education Programs

This article covers three primary topics within the broad heading of ethnically focused supplemental education. The first is a general overview of the topic of supplemental ethnic schools. The second is a specific case history of one such program, the Mount Zion Ethnic School. The third is a discussion, informed by that case history, of how and why such programs may be beneficial elements of a holistic system of education that combines formal schooling with informal and nonformal educational efforts, especially those grounded in and generated by diverse and marginalized communities. The value of such programs is only partially reflected in measurable academic products of their programs, as it also includes the symbolic power of fostering a sense of agency, empowerment, and possibility within a community and in how that community is viewed by others.
Computational Work and Time on Finite Machines

Measures of the computational work and computational delay required by machines to compute functions are given. Exchange inequalities are developed for random access, tape, and drum machines to show that product inequalities between storage and time, number of drum tracks and time, number of bits in an address and time, etc., must be satisfied to compute finite functions on bounded machines.
Social regulation of human gene expression: mechanisms and implications for public health.

Recent analyses have discovered broad alterations in the expression of human genes across different social environments. The emerging field of social genomics has begun to identify the types of genes sensitive to social regulation, the biological signaling pathways mediating these effects, and the genetic polymorphisms that modify their individual impact. The human genome appears to have evolved specific “social programs” to adapt molecular physiology to the changing patterns of threat and opportunity ancestrally associated with changing social conditions. In the context of the immune system, this programming now fosters many of the diseases that dominate public health. The embedding of individual genomes within a broader metagenomic network provides a framework for integrating molecular, physiologic, and social perspectives on human health.
Hold it! Memory affects attentional dwell time

The allocation of attention, including the initial orienting and the subsequent dwell time, is affected by several bottom-up and top-down factors. How item memory affects these processes, however, remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether item memory affects attentional dwell time by using a modified version of the attentional blink (AB) paradigm. Across four experiments, our results revealed that the AB was significantly affected by memory status (novel vs. old), but critically, this effect depended on the ongoing memory context. Specifically, items that were unique in terms of memory status demanded more resources, as measured by a protracted AB. The present findings suggest that a more comprehensive understanding of memory’s effects on attention can be obtained by accounting for an item’s memorial context, as well as its individual item memory strength. Our results provide new evidence that item memory and memory context play a significant role in the temporal allocation of attention.
The Use of a Universal Force-Moment Sensor to Determine In-Situ Forces in Ligaments: A New Methodology

Determination of ligament forces is an integral part of understanding their contribution during motion and external loading of an intact joint. While almost all previous investigations have reported only the magnitude of tension, this alone cannot adequately describe the function of a particular ligament. An alternative approach to determine the in-situ forces in ligaments has been developed which utilizes a universal force-moment sensor in conjunction with a force transformation scheme. In addition to providing the magnitude of ligament force, the direction and point of application of this in-situ force can also be determined. Further, the approach does not require mechanical contact with the ligament. Application of this new methodology is demonstrated for the human anterior cruciate ligament in the present study (n = 7) although it may be similarly applied to other ligaments at the knee or in other synovial joints of the human body.
Fabrication using the computer controlled polisher

The computer controlled polisher uses a small grinding–polishing tool assembly which travels over the workpiece surface under computer control. The machine has been used to fabricate successfully a number of difficult substrates including a beryllium mirror, a nonrotationally symmetric corrector plate, and a flexible aspheric mirror. These efforts have demonstrated the capability of CCP to fabricate 1/15 wave surfaces for difficult substrates.
Identification of IgE and IgG binding epitopes on β- and κ-casein in cow's milk allergic patients

Background Cow's milk allergy (CMA) affects 2.5% of children aged less than 2 years of age. Although β- and κ-casein are considered among the major allergens responsible for CMA, no data are available on their allergenic epitopes in humans. Objective The aim of the study was to identify IgE- and IgG-binding epitopes on β- and κ-casein and to determine whether the pattern of epitope recognition is associated with the natural history of CMA. Methods Overlapping decapeptides representing the entire length of β- and κ-casein, respectively, were synthesized on a cellulose-derivatized membrane. Sera from 15 milk-allergic children, 4–18 years of age, with high levels of specific IgE antibodies to cow's milk were used to identify IgE- and IgG-binding epitopes. In addition, IgE epitopes were screened with pooled or individual sera from younger patients aged less than 3 years and who had low levels of specific serum IgE, who are likely to outgrow CMA. Results Six major and three minor IgE-binding epitopes, as well as eight major and one minor IgG binding regions, were identified on β-casein. Eight major IgE-binding epitopes, as well as two major and two minor IgG-binding epitopes, were detected on κ-casein. Three of the IgE binding regions on β-casein and six on κ-casein were recognized by the majority of patients in the older age group, but not by the younger patients. Conclusion Information regarding the immunodominant epitopes in β- and κ-casein may be important for understanding the pathophysiology and natural history of CMA. Differences in epitope recognition may be useful in identifying children who will have persistent milk hypersensitivity.
Hydrogen abstraction by fluorine atoms under conditions of thermal initiation: hydrocarbons and fluorinated hydrocarbons

Modified nuclear recoil techniques have been used to obtain accurate relative bimolecular rate coefficients for thermally induced hydrogen abstraction reactions by atomic fluorine. New results are reported for 12 hydrocarbons and partially fluorinated hydrocarbons studied at 303°K.
Live or let die: CCM2 provides the link.

TrkA receptors are well known for promoting neuronal cell survival. However, in some neuroblastic tumors, TrkA activation can instead induce apoptosis. In this issue of Neuron , Harel et al. identify CCM2 as a mediator of TrkA-dependent cell death, suggesting that CCM2 is a distinctive type of tumor suppressor that modulates tyrosine kinase signaling.
Pretransplant positive positron emission tomography/gallium scans predict poor outcome in patients with recurrent/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.

BACKGROUND The objective was to determine the prognostic value of functional imaging (FI) in predicting outcome of patients with recurrent/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) before undergoing high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). METHODS Clinical and imaging data were retrospectively reviewed in 211 consecutive patients treated with ASCT from February 1993 to May 2004. The FI results were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS Responses were assessed by conventional criteria and evaluated by positron emission tomography (PET) (n = 68) and gallium scans (n = 144) before ASCT. A complete response (CR) or unconfirmed CR (CRu) was seen in 51% of patients, a partial response (PR) in 41% of patients, and stable or progressive disease in 7% of patients. FI was positive in only 6 of 110 (5%) of CR/CRu patients, in 48 of 86 (56%) of PR patients, and in all 3 patients with progressive disease. The 3-year PFS was 69% for patients with negative FI versus 23% for patients with positive FI (P < .0001). The 3-year OS rates were 87% and 58%, respectively (P < .0001). The 3-year PFS for patients in PR with negative FI was 51% comparable to patients in CR (76%) versus 27% for patients in PR with positive FI (P < .0001). In a multivariate model, positive FI was found to be independently prognostic of PFS. CONCLUSIONS Pretransplant FI status predicts outcome in patients with recurrent/refractory HL. Positive FI confers a poor prognosis, independent of other traditional presalvage prognostic factors. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
TC21 mediates transformation and cell survival via activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathway

The signaling pathways of TC21-mediated transformation and cell survival are not well-established. In this study, we have investigated the role of PI3-K/Akt signaling pathway in oncogenic-TC21-mediated transformation and cell survival. We found that oncogenic-TC21 stimulated the PI3-K activity. This was associated with the activation of Akt, a key component of PI3-K signaling pathway. We also found that TC21 interacted and formed complex with PI3-K. Mutations in the GTP-binding region of TC21, which enhanced GTP-binding potential of this protein, also stimulated its association with PI3-K, suggesting that PI3-K may preferentially interact with the GTP-bound form. Suppression of PI3-K and Akt by specific inhibitors LY294002 and Wortmannin reversed TC21-induced transformation. Likewise, inhibition of PI3-K activity by the PI3-K phosphotase PTEN reduced TC21-mediated focus formation in NIH3T3 cells. Investigation of TC21's effect on cell survival revealed that mutant-TC21 expressing cells were more resistant to etoposide- and cisplatin-induced cell death, and this was associated with the activation of anti-apoptotic protein NF-kappaB, a downstream target of Akt. Treatment of PI3-K inhibitor LY294002 significantly suppressed TC21-mediated NF-kappaB activation. In conclusion, we have identified PI3-K as an effector of TC21 and demonstrated that the PI3-K/Akt signaling pathway plays important roles in TC21-mediated transformation and cell survival.
Worsening Headache and Nasal Congestion

Awoman inher 50spresentedwith an8-weekhistory of increasing headache, hyposmia, hypogeusia, and nasal congestion. Endoscopic nasopharyngoscopy revealed a large polypoid nasal mass occupying the left nasal roof and completely obstructing the nasal passage. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 1.7 × 3.5 × 2.6-cm soft-tissuemasswithin the left ethmoid cavity, eroding through the cribriform plate with adjacent dural enhancement (Figure, A). Intraoperative pathologic examination showed polypoid spindle cell proliferation. Histopathologic findings showed respiratory epithelium with submucosal vascular proliferation with no atypia among the lining endothelial cells. The Figure, B, shows a central vessel surrounded by lobules of endothelial lined capillaries. The Figure, C, highlights the endothelial cells of the numerous capillaries and the central vessel. Quiz at jamaotolaryngology.com A
Drought adaptation policy development and assessment in East Africa using hydrologic and system dynamics modeling

Drought is a natural disaster that affects millions of people across the globe. Lack of rainfall reduces crop yields and livestock productivity and, in turn, food availability and income. In developing countries, these effects are even more detrimental. As droughts become more frequent, adaptation is a fundamental concern for countries and their policymakers. To support a development of drought adaptation policies, a combined hydrologic and system dynamics model was developed for a region in East Africa, focused on the Horn of Africa (i.e., a region bordering Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia), an area that has endured multiple droughts in the last few decades. The model simulates the interdependencies between water availability, land degradation, food availability, and socioeconomic welfare. The impacts of new adaptation policies on the region were evaluated over a 10-year simulation period using historical weather data. It was found that a combination of increased hydraulic infrastructure and innovative agricultural practice policy can reduce domestic water deficits by 54–100 % while increasing the income per capita up to 285 % over the 10 years. Innovatively combining hydrologic and systems dynamic modeling produces a realistic simulation of water scarcity and the effects on natural systems. Implementation of policies within the model aids the selection process by evaluating multiple options, quantifying the effectiveness the policies have on individual stakeholder livelihood (i.e., pastoralist, agro-pastoralists, and farmers), and analyzing the overall outcome to ensure equitable costs and benefits among the stakeholders.
Micro/Nanowell Arrays Fabricated from Covalently Immobilized Polymer Thin Films on a Flat Substrate

This Letter describes a new method to create micro/nanowell arrays from covalently attached polymer thin films on a silicon wafer. The immobilization chemistry utilized a photoactive cross-linker, resulting in polymer thin films of several to a few tens of nanometers. Micro/nanowell arrays were obtained when two polymers were immobilized sequentially and the second was thicker than the first polymer. The well arrays were generated from either different polymers, or the same polymer with different molecular weights.
Critical behavior of the planar magnet model in three dimensions

We study the critical behavior of the three-dimensional planar magnet model in which each spin is considered to have three components of which only the x and y components are coupled. We use a hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm in which a single-cluster update is combined with the over-relaxation and Metropolis spin reorientation algorithm. Periodic boundary conditions were applied in all directions. We have calculated the fourth-order cumulant in finite-size lattices using the single-histogram reweighting method. Using finite-size scaling theory, we obtained the critical temperature which is very different from that of the usual $\mathrm{XY}$ model. At the critical temperature, we calculated the susceptibility and the magnetization on lattices of size up to ${42}^{3}$. Using finite-size scaling theory we accurately determine the critical exponents of the model and find that $\ensuremath{\nu}=0.670(7),$ $\ensuremath{\gamma}/\ensuremath{\nu}=1.9696(37)$, and $\ensuremath{\beta}/\ensuremath{\nu}=0.515(2)$. Thus we conclude that the model belongs to the same universality class with the $\mathrm{XY}$ model, as expected.
Orientation of α-Neurotoxin at the Subunit Interfaces of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor†

The alpha-neurotoxins are three-fingered peptide toxins that bind selectively at interfaces formed by the alpha subunit and its associating subunit partner, gamma, delta, or epsilon of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Because the alpha-neurotoxin from Naja mossambica mossambica I shows an unusual selectivity for the alpha gamma and alpha delta over the alpha epsilon subunit interface, residue replacement and mutant cycle analysis of paired residues enabled us to identify the determinants in the gamma and delta sequences governing alpha-toxin recognition. To complement this approach, we have similarly analyzed residues on the alpha subunit face of the binding site dictating specificity for alpha-toxin. Analysis of the alpha gamma interface shows unique pairwise interactions between the charged residues on the alpha-toxin and three regions on the alpha subunit located around residue Asp(99), between residues Trp(149) and Val(153), and between residues Trp(187) and Asp(200). Substitutions of cationic residues at positions between Trp(149) and Val(153) markedly reduce the rate of alpha-toxin binding, and these cationic residues appear to be determinants in preventing alpha-toxin binding to alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 4 subunit containing receptors. Replacement of selected residues in the alpha-toxin shows that Ser(8) on loop I and Arg(33) and Arg(36) on the face of loop II, in apposition to loop I, are critical to the alpha-toxin for association with the alpha subunit. Pairwise mutant cycle analysis has enabled us to position residues on the concave face of the three alpha-toxin loops with respect to alpha and gamma subunit residues in the alpha-toxin binding site. Binding of NmmI alpha-toxin to the alpha gamma interface appears to have dominant electrostatic interactions not seen at the alpha delta interface.
Influence of Age on the Temperature Response of Chickens to Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium Endotoxins

Abstract An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of age on the temperature responses of chickens given bacterial endotoxins. Broiler cockerels 1 to 8 weeks of age received a single intravenous injection of either distilled water (controls), Escherichia coli 0127:B8, or Salmonella typhimurium endotoxins. Rectal temperatures were recorded before and after injection, the birds were placed in an environmental chamber preheated to 33 C, and thereafter rectal temperatures were taken every 30 min for 180 min. In one-week-old chicks, a significant temperature loss was found 30 min after E. coli treatment, and this was followed 60 min later by a significant increase in rectal temperature. The E. coli and S. typhimurium treatments caused a .4 and .5 C increase, respectively, in 2-week-old chicks. Birds aged 3 to 8 weeks developed fevers with maximum changes in rectal temperatures ranging from .3 to 1.6 C. Seven- and eight-week-old chicks developed the highest and most persistent fevers. The febrile response of 5 to 8 week-old chicks was of longer duration than that of younger chicks. It was concluded that the febrile response following endotoxin administration is affected by age.
Squatting Mechanics in People With and Without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction The Influence of Graft Type

Background:Single-legged squat mechanics change after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and rehabilitation, but it is unclear if changes in squat mechanics are graft specific.Purpose:To investigate graft differences in biomechanics of the knee, hip, and trunk during the single-legged squat in patients with ACL-reconstructed knees, determine if these factors were associated with deficits in knee extension moment, and determine if subjective knee function and squat biomechanics are related.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A total of 106 individuals were grouped based on surgical status and graft type (51 control, 34 bone–patellar tendon–bone [BPTB], 21 ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autograft [ISGA]). Motion capture interfaced with force plates was used to capture single-legged squat performance in the ACL reconstructed and dominant control limbs. Variables were captured at peak knee flexion.Results:Controls exhibited greater knee extension moment (P = ...
Complete graphs in the Rubáiyát

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam has fascinated readers for centuries, and it has been translated and interpreted many times. In this paper, we will describe a few basic graph theory concepts, and discuss how graph theory can be used to explore the connections between the various quatrains contained in Edward FitzGerald's several translations of the Rubaiyat. We will explain the process of searching for certain complete subgraphs of the full graph of the Rubaiyat, and will briefly discuss how these ideas may be relevant in other areas. These applications include analysing other collections of poetry, teaching certain types of incidence geometry and poetic forms for composing short collections of poetry.
A comparison of nest construction behavior in two species ofPolistes paper wasps (Insecta, Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Polistes fuscatus variatus (a north temperate wasp) andP. instabilis (a tropical wasp) begin building their nests by applying pulp in a linear sequence of steps: surface preparation, petiole, flat sheet, first cell. After the initiation of first cell there are multiple locations for pulp addition (petiole, new cell, old cell), which become increasingly varied inP. fuscatus as the nest grows (secondary petioles, comb back, substrate, and pupal caps). AlthoughP. fuscatus also adds oral secretion to the petiole, comb back, and pupal caps,P. instabilis only applies oral secretion and no pulp to these locations and does not build secondary petioles or place pulp on the substrate. Both species show a similar series of behavioral acts leading from pulp foraging to application. In both species queens initiate more cells than do subordinates; nonetheless, subordinates account for a large percentage of initiated cells. During pre-emergence and early post-emergence the majority of pulp is used for cell lengthening. BothP. instabilis andP. fuscatus show a bimodal pattern of growth in cell number. The numbers of cells in a mature comb at the end of the nesting cycle are similar in both species (P.f.=274.4 andP.i.=282.6 cells).
Hysterectomy rates in the United States 1990-1997.

Abstract Objective: To assess hysterectomy rates, type of hysterectomy, and other factors associated within the United States from 1990–1997. Methods: A descriptive statistical analysis of national discharge data was undertaken. Data from the nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (from which national estimates are generated based on a 20% stratified sample of US community hospitals) were used for the years 1990–1997. All women who underwent hysterectomy were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification, procedure codes. Outcome measures included rate, type of hysterectomy, age of patients, length of stay, total hospital charges, and diagnostic categories. Results: Rates of hysterectomy have not changed significantly over the years from 1990–1997. Rates for hysterectomy in 1990 were 5.5 per 1000 women and increased slightly by 1997 to 5.6 per 1000 women. The type of hysterectomy has changed, with laparoscopic hysterectomy accounting for 9.9% of cases by 1997, with a concomitant decline in abdominal hysterectomy but no substantial change in vaginal hysterectomy rates. Length of stay decreased and total charges increased for all types of hysterectomy. Vaginal hysterectomy and laparoscopic hysterectomy are associated with shorter length of stay than abdominal hysterectomy. Abdominal hysterectomy is the most common procedure (63.0% in 1997). Conclusion: The majority of hysterectomies are abdominal, and the most common indication is uterine fibroids. The introduction of alternative techniques for controlling abnormal uterine bleeding such as endometrial ablation has not had an impact on hysterectomy rates, and there has only been a limited uptake of laparoscopic approaches.
Cooperative Trajectory-Based Map Construction

Map construction is an integral part of many location-based services. In this paper, we propose a feedback-based heuristic map construction algorithm (FHMCA). This is a lightweight, cooperative, map construction technique which can accurately capture the unique characteristics of each intersection and the length of every road without requiring the users to transmit large amounts of data or use GPS. The proposed algorithm improves the bandwidth and energy efficiency of cooperative map construction as no detailed maps are needed. However, the resulting map is still useful for location-based services. Moreover, our method is applicable when the existing of malicious users, who report wrong data. We validate the effectiveness of our solutions through extensive simulation experiments.
Detergent-activation of latent collagenase and resolution of its component molecules

Summary Latent collagenase was activated by brief exposure to SDS and resolved by acrylamide slab gel electrophoresis in the presence of this detergent. Specific collagenase activity in the SDS-electrophoretogram was demonstrated by an overlay technique after removal of SDS by Triton X-100. Clostridial collagenase (M r = 126,000) and active collagenase harvested from bovine gingival organ culture (M r = 65,000) migrated as single bands whereas human fibroblast collagenase was resolved into two distinct double bands at M r 65,000/55,000 and 50,000/45,000. Preincubation with trypsin led to activation of latent enzyme and to concomitant disappearance of the larger doublet. The data suggest a precursor-product relationship between the two sets of double bands.
ATP-triggered ADP release from the asymmetric chaperonin GroEL/GroES/ADP7 is not the rate-limiting step of the GroEL/GroES reaction cycle.

Abstract The GroEL/GroES protein folding chamber is formed and dissociated by ATP binding and hydrolysis. ATP hydrolysis in the GroES-bound (cis) ring gates entry of ATP into the opposite unoccupied trans ring, which allosterically ejects cis ligands. While earlier studies suggested that hydrolysis of cis ATP is the rate-limiting step of the cycle (t½ ∼ 10 s), a recent study suggested that ADP release from the cis ring may be rate-limiting (t½ ∼ 15–20 s). Here we have measured ADP release using a coupled enzyme assay and observed a t½ for release of ⩽4–5 s, indicating that this is not the rate-limiting step of the reaction cycle.
The Dialectology of Late Jewish Literary Aramaic

‭This study attempts to disambiguate the various subdialect groups within the corpus of late Targum and Targum-like texts grouped together under the rubric of Late Jewish Literary Aramaic (LJLA) in the database of the online Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon Project. The relationship with the Syriac lexicon was tested separately for each text in the group. The result shows five distinct groups within the larger corpus ranging from texts ‘translated’ from Syriac to texts showing little contact at all with native Aramaic traditions. A particularly surprising result was that Targum Sheni appears to belong to the core group of LJLA texts.‬
Tungsten-Promoted Pyridine Ring Scission: The Selective Formation of η2-Cyanine and η2-Merocyanine Complexes and Their Derivatives

Nucleophiles capable of four-electron donation (e.g., anilines, enolates) add to C2 of the N-acetylpyridinium (NAPy) ligand of TpW(NO)(PMe3)(NAPy)(OTf) and induce a Zincke−Konig-like ring scission to generate 3,4-coordinated acetamidotrienes or 1-azatrienes with 3Z,5E stereochemistry. This ring opening is driven by the enhanced π-acidity of the cyanine, relative to its purported dihydropyridine predecessor, which stabilizes the π-base {TpW(NO)(PMe3)}. X-ray data of the indoline-derived analogue (2) indicates that metal coordination disrupts the donor−acceptor (i.e., amide−iminium) conjugation in the cyanine ligand. Photolysis of 2 in the presence of indoline liberates a further derivatized cyanine.
Precursors of embryonic chick proteins.

WE wish to report some preliminary findings obtained in the course of a rather extensive investigation into the nature of precursors of embryonic chick proteins (for some recent reviews, see refs. 1 and 2). In these experiments, amino-acids, chicken serum globulin and ovalbumin, labelled in their sulphur amino-acids with sulphur-35, were prepared. Torulopsis utilis was grown on sulphur-35 sulphate (obtained from Oak Ridge National Laboratory), according to Wood and Perkinson3; after extracting the yeast protein with organic solvents4 it was hydrolysed with a 1 : 1 mixture of 6 N hydrochloric acid and 90 per cent formic acid. The humin was removed by centrifugation, and a portion of the neutralized hydrolysate corresponding to 50 mc. of the original sulphur-35 sulphate was injected intraperitoneally into a laying White Leghorn hen in two doses, about five hours apart. Eight hours after the second injection the blood was withdrawn by heart puncture, allowed to clot and serum globulin prepared5. The oviduct was removed from the hen and ovalbumin prepared essentially as described by Steinberg and Anfinsen6. Both proteins were treated with cysteine at a pH of 8.0–8.5 to assure removal of all exchangeable sulphur-35, and were afterwards dialysed. Peptides were prepared by peptic hydrolysis of the ovalbumin and of the serum globulin. Aliquots of the radioactive amino-acids, ovalbumin, ovalbumin peptides, serum globulin or serum globulin peptides were counted as described for proteins, peptides and amino-acids7. Others were injected into the yolks of unincubated, embryonated White Rock eggs. The eggs were first swabbed with 70 per cent ethanol at the place to be injected; a small hole was made in the side of the egg, and 0.05–0.1 ml. of the radioactive solution containing 0.3–1.8 mgm. and 6,000–25,000 counts per min. was injected into the yolk. The hole was immediately sealed with paraffin, and the eggs were incubated at 38° C. under conditions of controlled humidity. Two to three dozen eggs were normally injected with one of the protein precursors. Starting with the fifth and ending on the ninth day after the injection, embryos were harvested and a number pooled. The mixture was homogenized for about 3 min. in a Potter–Elvehjem homogenizer in Ringer's or isotonic saline solution, made up to either 10 ml. (fifth and sixth days) or 20 ml. (seventh–ninth days) and precipitated by the addition of 40 per cent trichloroacetic acid, to a final concentration of 8 per cent. Dry protein powders were then prepared and counted to within 5 per cent of standard deviation, corrections for self-absorption and decay being made in each case7.
Arctigenin in combination with quercetin synergistically enhances the antiproliferative effect in prostate cancer cells

Scope We investigated whether a combination of two promising chemopreventive agents arctigenin (Arc) and quercetin (Q) increases the anticarcinogenic potency at lower concentrations than necessary when used individually in prostate cancer. Methods and results Androgen-dependent LAPC-4 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells were treated with low doses of Arc and Q alone or in combination for 48 h. The antiproliferative activity of Arc was 10- to 20-fold stronger than Q in both cell lines. Their combination synergistically enhanced the antiproliferative effect, with a stronger effect in androgen receptor (AR) wild-type LAPC-4 cells than in AR mutated LNCaP cells. Arc demonstrated a strong ability to inhibit AR protein expression in LAPC-4 cells. The combination treatment significantly inhibited both AR and PI3K/Akt pathways compared to control. A protein array analysis revealed that the mixture targets multiple pathways particularly in LAPC-4 cells including Stat3 pathway. The mixture significantly inhibited the expression of several oncogenic microRNAs including miR-21, miR-19b, and miR-148a compared to control. The mixture also enhanced the inhibition of cell migration in both cell lines compared to individual compounds tested. Conclusion The combination of Arc and Q that target similar pathways, at low physiological doses, provides a novel regimen with enhanced chemoprevention in prostate cancer.
Average-power reduction techniques for multiple-subcarrier optical intensity modulation

We describe two classes of simple, effective techniques for reducing the average optical power requirement in intensity-modulated optical systems using multiple BPSK or QPSK-modulated subcarriers. The first class of techniques involves alteration of the mapping between information bits and the symbol amplitudes modulated onto the subcarriers, in order to increase the minimum value of the MSM electrical waveform. The second class of techniques involves replacing the fixed d.c. bias by a bias signal that varies on a symbol-by-symbol basis. These two classes of techniques can be applied separately or in tandem. The reduction in power requirement increases with the number of subcarriers, and with eight subcarriers, can be as high as about 3.6 dB and 3.2 dB with BPSK and QPSK, respectively. The techniques described here are applicable as long as all subcarriers originate from a single transmitter and are symbol-synchronized.