cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Quantum chaos” in the irregular spectrum

Abstract We select an initial state ψ(0) “at random” from an appropriate ensemble and evaluate the probability P(t) = |ψ(0)|ψ( t )>| 2 to be in that state at time t . If the energy spectrum of the system is characteristic of the regular regime, the long-time behavior of P ( t ) is non-statistical; in the irregular spectrum we find statistical behavior.
Retroactivity attenuation in transcriptional networks: Design and analysis of an insulation device

Retroactivity is a phenomenon that changes the desired input/output response of a system when it is connected to ?downstream? systems. Transcriptional networks are not immune to this phenomenon. In this paper, we propose a phosphorylation-based design for a bio-molecular system that acts as an insulator between its upstream systems and its downstream ones in a transcriptional network. Performing singular perturbation analysis, we mathematically show that such a design attenuates retroactivity. Stochastic simulations are run to analyze the robustness of the proposed device to biological noise and to highlight design tradeoffs.
Liquid distribution in trickling flow trickle-bed reactors

Abstract A computer-generated, two dimensional packed column of uniform spheres is used to study liquid distribution in a trickle-bed reactor under trickling flow regime and with no gas flow. The effects of the liquid flow rate, liquid density, surface tension, a tilted column and the way in which the liquid is fed to the column, etc. can be included in the model.
Genetic algorithm for the reconstruction of Bragg grating sensor strain profiles

This paper presents a genetic algorithm for the interrogation of optical fibre Bragg grating strain sensors. The method encodes the axial strain distribution along the Bragg grating, here represented through the local period distribution, into a gene. To facilitate rapid calculation of the grating reflected intensity spectrum, the transfer-matrix approach is applied. The genetic algorithm inversion method presented requires only intensity information from the sensor and reconstructs non-linear and discontinuous distributions well, including regions with significant gradients. The development of this algorithm will permit the use of Bragg grating sensors for structural damage identification, allowing them to be located in regions where strong strain non-uniformities occur.
Effect of Diet on the Ether-Extract Content of Chicken Muscles

Abstract IN AN investigation designed to study the influence of certain feed ingredients on the flavor of broilers, a number of diets not ordinarily encountered in investigations with chicks were used. These diets produced interesting effects on the lipid content of the muscles. Various investigators have reported the effect of diets on the fat content of domestic fowl. Generally, the diets were composed entirely of natural ingredients and the experiments were designed to yield information on the comparative fat-producing capacities of various cereals and protein concentrates. The authors are unaware of experiments of this nature in which purified diets were used. Harshaw (1936) fed heavy-breed cockerels (20–25 weeks of age) diets in which the principal sources of carbohydrate were corn, oats, and wheat middlings. No significant differences that could be ascribed to diet were found in the chemical composition of the edible portions of the cockerels. Maw (1935a) supplemented yellow …
In situ measurements of sensor film dynamics by spectroscopic ellipsometry. Demonstration of back-side measurements and the etching of indium tin oxide

A new liquid flow cell design for in situ ellipsometric measurements on transparent multilayer samples using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry is presented. In this cell, films made on transparent substrates are in direct contact with liquid solution. Ellipsometry measurements are made through the transparent substrate, that is, from the back-side relative to the incident light so that films are in continuous contact with the liquid. This cell is not limited to just one angle of incidence of light allowing the films to be characterized at several angles before, during and after liquid contact. The spectral range of measurements is limited only by absorption of light in the underlying transparent substrate and not by the liquid solution that the film is in contact with. As a demonstration, we have measured and analyzed the dynamics of an indium tin oxide film on glass undergoing acid etching. Data from this in situ experiment were successfully modeled and the ITO layer thickness decreased uniformly during the etching process with an average etch rate of 0.23 nm/min.
Cholangiocarcinoma: molecular targeting strategies for chemoprevention and therapy.

Cholangiocarcinomas are devastating cancers that are increasing in both their worldwide incidence and mortality rates. The challenges posed by these often lethal biliary tract cancers are daunting, with conventional treatment options being limited and the only hope for long-term survival being that of complete surgical resection of the tumor. Unfortunately, the vast majority of patients with cholangiocarcinoma typically seek treatment with advanced disease, and often these patients are deemed poor candidates for curative surgery. Moreover, conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy have not been shown to be effective in prolonging long-term survival, and although photodynamic therapy combined with stenting has been reported to be effective as a palliative treatment, it is not curative. Thus, there is a real need to develop novel chemopreventive and adjuvant therapeutic strategies for cholangiocarcinoma based on exploiting select molecular targets that would impact in a significant way on clinical outcome. This review focuses on potential preventive targets in cholangiocarcinogenesis, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and altered bile acid signaling pathways. In addition, molecular alterations related to dysregulation of cholangiocarcinoma cell growth and survival, aberrant gene expression, invasion and metastasis, and tumor microenvironment are described in the context of various clinical and pathological presentations. Moreover, an emphasis is placed on the importance of critical signaling pathways and postulated interactions, including those of ErbB-2, hepatocyte growth factor/Met, interleukin-6/glycoprotein130, cyclooxygenase-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor-β, MUC1 and MUC4, β-catenin, telomerase, and Fas pathways as potential molecular therapeutic targets in cholangiocarcinoma. cholangiocarcinoma. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;41:5-15.)
An Essential Role for Zygotic Expression in the Pre-Cellular Drosophila Embryo

The Drosophila embryo proceeds through thirteen mitotic divisions as a syncytium. Its nuclei distribute in the embryo's interior during the first six divisions, dividing synchronously with a cycle time of less than ten minutes. After seven divisions (nuclear cycle 8), the syncytial blastoderm forms as the nuclei approach the embryo surface and slow their cycle time; subsequent divisions proceed in waves that initiate at the poles. Because genetic studies have not identified zygotic mutants that affect the early divisions and because transcription has not been detected before cycle 8, the early, pre-blastoderm embryo has been considered to rely entirely on maternal contributions and to be transcriptionally silent. Our studies identified several abnormal phenotypes in live engrailed (en) mutant embryos prior to cycle 8, as well as a small group of genes that are transcribed in embryos prior to cycle 7. Nuclei in en embryos divide asynchronously, an abnormality that was detected as early as nuclear cycle 2–3. Anti-En antibody detected nuclear En protein in embryos at cycle 2, and expression of an En:GFP fusion protein encoded in the paternal genome was also detected in cycle 2 nuclei. These findings demonstrate that the Drosophila embryo is functionally competent for gene expression prior to the onset of its rapid nuclear divisions and that the embryo requires functions that are expressed in the zygote in order to faithfully prosecute its early, pre-cellularization mitotic cycles.
Effects of species biology on the historical demography of sharks and their implications for likely consequences of contemporary climate change

Climate variation is an important factor shaping the demographic histories of many marine species, though impacts likely differ depending on species life history, habitat preferences and ecology. Investigating how species responded to historic climate fluctuations may provide critical insights into a species’ response to current climate change. Despite their ecological diversity, shark species share many similar life history characteristics and may be especially vulnerable to anthropogenic and climate impacts. We compared patterns of genetic variability, mismatch distributions and demographic reconstructions from coalescence approaches among temperate and tropical shark species with differing ecological characteristics, to investigate the effect of the past glaciation cycles on population abundance. Genetic diversity at two mitochondrial DNA regions (ND2 and control region) was assayed in four North Pacific species, Pacific spiny dogfish, Pacific sleeper sharks, salmon shark, and bluntnose sixgill shark. In addition, control region sequences acquired from GenBank for five shark species [tope shark (California/Australia), white shark (California), blacktip shark (eastern and western Gulf of Mexico), lemon shark (Bahamas), and whale shark] were analyzed. General patterns in genetic diversity, mismatch analyses and Bayesian skyline plots supported our hypothesis that species biology affected the impact of climate variation on demographic history. Consequently, our results suggest that effects of contemporary climate change on sharks may be to some degree predictable from species biology, distribution, habitat and the impact of past climate events.
Platinum-alkyl and hydride complexes supported by a tris(phosphino)borate ligand: structural and spectroscopic studies

The synthesis and characterization of platinum-methyl and hydride complexes containing the ligand [PhBP_3] ([PhBP_3]=[PhB(CH_2PPh_2)_3]^−) are described. Metalation of [PhBP_3][TBA] (1[TBA], [TBA]=[nBu_4N]^+) with platinum methyl precursors provided the corresponding phosphine methyl platinum species [PhBP_3]PtMe_3 (2) and [[κ^2-PhBP_3]PtMe_2][TBA] (3). The reactivity of octahedral 2 and square planar 3 are discussed, and their X-ray diffraction structures are reported. Octahedral Pt(IV) 2 was found to be very thermally and chemically robust. In contrast, the square planar Pt(II) complex 3 demonstrated reactivity at both the platinum center and the unbound phosphine. The reaction of 3 with one equivalent of elemental sulfur provided the corresponding phosphine-sulfide [[κ^2-PhB(CH_2P(S)Ph_2)(CH_2PPh_2)_2]PtMe_2][TBA] (4). Similarly, the reaction of 3 with one equivalent of BH_3 • SMe_2 generated the borane-protected complex [[κ^2-PhB(CH_2P(BH_3)Ph_2)(CH_2PPh_2)_2]PtMe_2][TBA] (5). Complex 5 was significantly less reactive than 3 to a variety of substrates under similar conditions; however, the reaction of 5 with additional BH_3 • SMe_2 resulted in the formation of the platinum(I) bridged hydride species [[κ^2-PhB(CH_2P(BH_3)Ph_2)(CH_2PPh_2)_2]Pt(μ-H)]_2[TBA]_2 (6).
Evaluation of superior vermal Purkinje cell placement in mental illness.

Abstract Background: A number of neuroimaging and neuropathological studies have reported abnormalities in the cerebellar vermis in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In an effort to further understand vermal abnormalities in mental illness, we have analyzed ectopic placement of Purkinje-like cells. Methods: The superior cerebellar vermis was evaluated in 39 cases of severe mental illness [schizophrenia ( n = 12), bipolar disease ( n = 12), and depression ( n = 15)]. We also examined 9 subjects with polysubstance abuse and 15 normal controls. All normally placed Purkinje cells and displaced Purkinje-like cells (i.e., in the internal granule layer and intrafoliar white matter) were counted in the same foliar field. The ratio of displaced Purkinje-like cells to total Purkinje cells and Purkinje cell density were calculated. Results: No significant difference in the ratio of displaced to normally placed Purkinje cells or in Purkinje cell density between groups of subjects was found. Conclusions: Our study does not support a hypothesis of abnormalities of Purkinje cell migration or other events related to their displacement as a basis for the vermal abnormalities reported previously in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Ionization of the nasal mucosa. Relationship between reagins in the blood and effect of treatment

Abstract From these preliminary findings it would appear that in patients seeking ionization treatment for nasal allergy the chances of relief are greater if no reagins in the blood are present. Whether or not this is a probability can be confirmed only by further statistics.
Demography and the Evolution of Cooperative Breeding in the Bicolored Wren, Campylorhynchus Griseus

1. Two adjacent populations of the bicolored wren differ significantly in social structure. In one population 83% of groups consist of unaided pairs. The rest contain, in addition, a single male nonreproductive helper. About 43% of the groups in the other population consist of unaided pairs. The rest contain from one to three helpers, and helpers may be of either sex. 2. Helpers are always individuals who have failed to disperse from their natal territory. In both populations they augment group reproductive success and reduce mortality among the breeding pair, although a single helper produces a reproductive enhancement as great as that of multiple helpers. 3. Group-size-specific reproduction and adult mortality do not differ between the populations, but juvenile mortality and average territory size differ significantly. 4. The population consequences of these differences suggest that group size is held below its optimum in one habitat by high juvenile mortality, whereas habitat saturation is probably responsible for the fact that about one-third of all groups in the second habitat contain more than an optimum number of members. 5. These demographic parameters suggest that habitat saturation is not a necessary condition for the maintenance of helping behavior in either population.
Improving the Yield of Blood Cultures from Patients with Early Lyme Disease

This study was designed to improve the recovery of Borrelia burgdorferi from blood. With the techniques used, B. burgdorferi could be recovered from the blood of approximately 25% of patients with early Lyme disease associated with erythema migrans. Serum was a better source of culture material than whole blood. The volume of blood cultured correlated directly with yield, particularly for patients with a single erythema migrans lesion.
Early Childhood Mortality from Community-acquired Infections

In this study, the authors identified maternal and child characteristics that were independent predictors of death from infectious diseases acquired in the community and determined if these factors could be used to identify groups of children with excess risk of mortality from infection. A historical cohort study was conducted of children less than 5 years of age between 1985 and 1994 (the study period), who were born in Tennessee, and had complete information on their birth certificates. The primary outcome was death from infection identified from death certificates and confirmed through medical record review. Among the 1,014,976 children less than 5 years of age, who contributed 3,351,568 child-years of follow-up, there were 247 deaths from infections (7.4 deaths from infections per 100,000 child-years). Respiratory infections accounted for approximately one half of the deaths. Children having three or more older siblings or birth weight of less than 1,500 g had a 3-fold and 10-fold increased risk of death from infection, respectively, while children with both characteristics had a nearly 20-fold increased risk that persisted beyond the first year of life. Interventions should be focused on prevention of these infections in vulnerable children. At-risk children should be targeted for careful follow-up and early hospitalization when signs of infection develop.
Abstract B29: TGF-β2 induction in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines upon treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors as a mechanism of acquired resistance

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the 6th most common cancer worldwide, with 600,000 new diagnoses each year. Due to the fact that over 90% of HNSCC tumors overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), molecularly targeted therapy against EGFR was approved to treat HNSCC. However, the 5-year survival rate for HNSCC patients, largely unchanged over the past several decades, remains at a dismal 40–50%, and the use of cetixumab, an EGFR-specific monoclonal antibody, has only had a marginal effect on overall survival. Likewise, the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target EGFR has not resulted in an increased survival among HNSCC patients. The modest effect of these drugs on overall survival in HNSCC patients may be a result of tumors becoming resistant to treatment in responding patients. Acquired drug resistance has become a significant limitation to the efficacy of targeted therapeutics. Previously, our lab has identified fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and its receptor (FGFR) as being involved in an autocrine loop in gefitinib-insensitive cell lines, indicating that the FGFR pathway plays an important role in HNSCC as well. However, targeting FGFR with TKIs will almost undoubtedly lead to drug resistance in these FGFR-dependent cell lines, just as it does when targeting EGFR. To identify pathways important in acquired resistance to TKIs, our lab performed an Affymetrix GeneChip screen in which the cell lines UMSCC25, 584-A2, and Ca9-22 were treated for 4 days with 0.3μM AZ8010, a TKI selective for FGFRs, and/or 0.1μM gefitinib, an EGFR-selective TKI. TGF-β2 was consistently upregulated after treatment with TKIs that inhibited the dominant growth pathway in the HNSCC cell lines. Both ELISA and qRT-PCR confirmed this induction of TGF-β2 in these three cell lines. Treatment with a TGF-β2 neutralizing antibody and with small-molecule TGF-β receptor inhibitors provided additive reduction of growth in response to TKIs. Additionally, silencing TGF-β2 with shRNA in the cell line UMSCC25 leads to decreased clonogenic growth in combination with TKIs compared to a non-silencing control (NSC). Moreover, we found that an induction of NF-kB activity occurs in response to treatment with TKIs, and this induction is mitigated by the addition of a TGF-β2 neutralizing antibody. Furthermore, the cell lines UMSCC25 and UMSCC22A were chronically adapted to gefitinib over the course of several months, and we have observed a stable, prolonged increase in TGF-β2 mRNA expression in the resistant lines compared to the DMSO control lines. Taken together, this data suggests that TGF-β2 induction may provide a novel mechanism of acquired resistance to TKIs, and possibly contributes to oncogene switching programs in HNSCC.
PACED AND UNPACED OUTPUT AND RETROACTIVE INHIBITION IN FREE RECALL

Separate and simultaneous free recall of two lists containing both repeated and nonrepeated category words were compared under paced and unpaced conditions. 84 undergraduates served as subjects. Retroactive inhibition, measured as loss between original learning and final recall, was greater for separate recall than simultaneous, greater for paced recall than unpaced, and greater for nonrepeated than repeated categories. The recall test and pacing conditions interacted, as separate recall yielded greater retroactive inhibition than simultaneous with paced but not with unpaced recall. The unusual finding of greater retroactive inhibition in nonrepeated categories was attributed to the relatively large number of small categories. The interaction of recall test and pacing may indicate that a temporal effect has been mistaken for a recall-test effect in previous studies.
A Brief Quantitative Experiment on Matrix Effect in the D.C. Arc Using Anode Excitation

In the course of establishing a method for examining sediments for the concentration of V, Ti, Zr, Ni, Co, Sc, Cr, and La, marked matrix effects were associated with large variations in calcium content of the samples. This was not unexpected because the samples ranged from clays to calcium-rich globigerina ooze.
Structural Report for Sc[( R , R )-norephedrine-pybox](OTf) 3 Dimeric Complex

The title compound containing two metal centers each complexes to one enantiopure chiral norephedrine-derived pyridyl-(bis) oxazoline (pybox) ligand and linked by two hydroxide bridges, crystallizes to give rodlike form in the space group P21(# 4). Cell Parameters are a = 10.2344(18) A, b = 13.952(3) A, c = 23.371(4) A, β = 94.586(4)°, V = 3326.6(10) A3. The metal-hydroxide motif forms a square plane at the center of the structure with the scandium centers exhibiting a distorted pentagonal bipyramid coordination sphere consisting of the chelating ligand and two additional triflouromethyl sulfonyloxy species positioned anti to each other. The complex contains two metal centers each complexes to one enantiopure chiral norephedrine-derived pyridyl-(bis) oxazoline (pybox) ligand and linked by two hydroxide bridges.
Acute Ca2+-dependent desensitization of 5-HT1A receptors is mediated by activation of protein kinase A (PKA) in rat serotonergic neurons

This report investigates acute changes in the sensitivity of 5-HT1A receptors in dorsal raphe (dr) neurons in response to elevated serotonin. DR neurons were isolated from adult rats and measurements of inhibition of Ca2+ current by 5-HT were obtained using the whole cell patch clamp technique. During a 10-min application of 5-HT (with normal [Ca2+]i∼100 nM) a desensitization occurred. The response to 20 nM 5-HT decreased by 66% relative to control and remained depressed for about 30 min. When the internal [Ca2+] was buffered to <1 nM only a weak transient desensitization occurred that was surmountable with higher [5-HT]. Adenylyl cyclase activation with forskolin mimicked the desensitization and selective inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA), but not protein kinase C (PKC), partially antagonized the desensitization induced by 5-HT. To measure the activity of PKA and phosphatase enzymes, dr slices were incubated with the selective agonist dipropyl-5-carboxamidotryptamine (DP-5-CT, 1 μM) for 10 min and the phosphorylation of the PKA substrate Kemptide was followed using ATP-γ32P. DP-5-CT inhibited the cAMP stimulated maximal activity of PKA but raised basal PKA activity, thus increasing the percentage of PKA in the active state (activity ratio), an effect that was prevented by the selective 5-HT1A antagonist WAY100635. DP-5-CT also caused a significant inhibition of phosphatase activity. These data support a model in the dr where 5-HT1A-receptor stimulation of PKA promotes phosphorylation of a target and phosphatase inhibition leading to heterologous desensitization. The effect would be expected to have physiological consequences for 5-HT-mediated inhibitory post synaptic potentials and the Ca2+ component of the action potentials of dr neurons.
Green's functions and the adiabatic hyperspherical method

We address the few-body problem using the adiabatic hyperspherical representation. A general form for the hyperangular Green's function in $d$ dimensions is derived. The resulting Lippmann-Schwinger equation is solved for the case of three particles with $s$-wave zero-range interactions. Identical particle symmetry is incorporated in a general and intuitive way. Complete semianalytic expressions for the nonadiabatic channel couplings are derived. Finally, a model to describe the atom loss due to three-body recombination for a three-component Fermi gas of $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ atoms is presented.
The adoption of radical manufacturing technologies and firm survival

The emergence of dramatically innovative, or radical, new manufacturing technologies can force pivotal and life-threatening decisions for industry competitors. These technologies can represent a huge cost for adopting firms, but may also offer the chance to achieve competitive advantage through superior manufacturing. While prior research has considered a range of production process decisions (e.g., JIT, mass customization) and outcomes for end-product technologies, little attention has been given to adoption decisions relative to core manufacturing technologies. This study examines an industry's adoption of major manufacturing technologies over several decades and demonstrates that two groups of contingencies related to adoption (e.g., timing and cumulative effects) have a significant impact on firm performance. Based on a sample of over 1,000 firms, the results provide insights into the effects of adoption timing and ‘manufacturing technology bundles’ on firm survival. We also find that adoption of manufacturing technologies prior to the inflection point of the estimated Bass diffusion curve for each technology leads to significant reduction in firm mortality. Thus, we are able to demonstrate the ability of the Bass model to predict the survival outcomes of firms facing manufacturing technology adoption decisions. The strategic implications of these pivotal decisions are considered. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Delta opioid receptor mRNA distribution in the brain: Comparison to delta receptor binding and proenkephalin mRNA

The recent cloning of the mouse delta opioid receptor (Evans ~'t a/., 1992; Kieffer eta/., 1992) has demonstrated it to be a member of the seven transmembrane G-protein coupled family of neurotransmitter receptors. The present study describes the cellular localization in the central nervous system ICNS) of an mRNA encoding this receptor and compares it with the distribution of delta receptor binding and proenkephalin mRNA using a combination of m situ hybridization and receptor autoradiographic techniques, Delta receptor mRNA was visualized with a cRNA probe (472 903 bp) corresponding to transmembrane domains I11 VI of the receptor, while proenkephalin mRNA was labeled with a cRNA probe to exon 3 (139 832 bp). A high level of correspondence v~as observed between the distribution of delta receptor mRNA and delta recepto, binding as delined by thc selective ligand [~H]l)-Pen-LPenLenkephalin. Deha receptor mRNA and binding w, ere expressed in the neocortex, caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, diagonal band of Broca. amygdala and the nucleus of the solitary tract. Discrepancies in the distribution of delta receptor mR.NA and binding in the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticulata, may in part be due to differential receptor synthesis and transport. These results arc discussed in relation to the distribution of proenkephalin m R NA and hm~ this may affect our understanding of opioid circuitry in the CNS.
Drinking with Dinosaurs

We are told that we must learn from failure, but agreement with this principle does little to foster its enactment in the face of persistent psychological and organizational barriers.
Influence of heteroatom pre-selection on the molecular formula assignment of soil organic matter components determined by ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry

Soil organic matter (SOM) is involved in many important ecosystem processes. Ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry has become a powerful technique in the chemical characterization of SOM, allowing assignment of elemental formulae for thousands of peaks resolved in a typical mass spectrum. We investigated how the addition of N, S, and P heteroatoms in the formula calculation stage of the mass spectra processing workflow affected the formula assignments of mass spectra peaks. Dissolved organic matter extracted from plant biomass and soil as well as the soil humic acid fraction was studied. We show that the addition of S and P into the molecular formula calculation increased peak assignments on average by 17.3 % and 10.7 %, respectively, over the assignments based on the CHON elements frequently reported by SOM researchers using ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry. The organic matter chemical characteristics as represented by van Krevelen diagrams were appreciably affected by differences in the heteroatom pre-selection for the three organic matter samples investigated, especially so for the wheat-derived dissolved organic matter. These results show that inclusion of both S and P heteroatoms into the formula calculation step, which is not routinely done, is important to obtain a more chemically complete interpretation of the ultrahigh resolution mass spectra of SOM.
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder scores are elevated and respond to N-acetylcysteine treatment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease that often has debilitating and potentially life-threatening consequences. The cause of SLE is unknown, and current therapies lack specificity and are associated with significant side effects (1). Existing data in the literature provide evidence that a natural antioxidant, glutathione, is depleted in patients with SLE (which may be a key factor underlying abnormal activation of T lymphocytes) and contributes to self-destructive autoimmunity (2). N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which serves as a precursor of glutathione, is widely available, and large doses can be safely administered intravenously to humans. However, NAC is currently unavailable as an oral medication. Therefore, we initiated a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized phase I/II study to evaluate the safety and tolerance as well as the metabolic, immunologic, and therapeutic impact of orally formulated NAC in SLE (3). The results of that recently completed pilot study showed NAC to be safe and capable of improving disease activity and fatigue by inhibiting the autoimmune inflammatory process in 36 patients over a 3-month treatment period (3). Neuropsychiatric manifestations are a significant cause of morbidity in SLE. The American College of Rheumatology formulated case definitions for neuropsychiatric SLE syndromes (4) that include cognitive dysfunction in patients who have difficulty with attention, concentration, memory, and word-finding. NAC has been shown in controlled clinical trials to improve memory and cognitive function (5), bipolar disease (6), and schizophrenia (7). Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be an early sign of cognitive impairment and progressive mania or depression (8). In the current study, we documented that ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) scores (9) are elevated in patients with SLE relative to healthy subjects matched for sex, ethnicity, and age within 10 years. Moreover, the cognitive/inattentive components (ASRS part A scores) rather than the hyperactivity/impulsive components (ASRS part B scores) were markedly improved by treatment with NAC. These results suggest that the ASRS can be used to detect cognitive dysfunction, and that early detection of ADHD symptoms may predict and potentially prevent serious neuropsychiatric complications in patients with SLE.
Stochastic comparisons in frailty models

Abstract The frailty model in survival analysis accounts for unobserved heterogeneity between individuals by assuming that the hazard rate of an individual is the product of an individual specific quantity, called “frailty” and a baseline hazard rate. It is well known that the choice of the frailty distribution strongly affects the nonparametric estimate of the baseline hazard as well as that of the conditional probabilities. This paper reviews the basic concepts of a frailty model, presents various probability inequalities and other monotonicity results which may prove useful in choosing among alternative specifications. More specifically, our main result lies in seeing how well known stochastic orderings between distributions of two frailities translate into orderings between the corresponding survival functions. Some probabilistic aspects and implications of the models resulting from competing choices of the distributions of frailty or the baseline are compared.
Finite plastic strain in annealed copper during non-proportional loading

Abstract In this paper it is shown that experimental results obtained for finite plastic strain produced by widely different non-proportional loading paths in annealed copper are in close accord with a recently developed incremental theory of finite strain plasticity. The measured strain components exceed 30%. Some attention also is given to the magnitude of the error introduced by a deformation theory approximation.
“End-stage” Pulmonary Fibrosis in Sarcoidosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is an unusual "end stage" in patients with sarcoidosis. Fibrosis occurs in a minority of patients, and presents with a unique physiologic combination of airways dysfunction (obstruction) superimposed on the more common restrictive dysfunction. Imagin techniques are essential to the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Standard chest radiographs and CT scans may reveal streaks, bullae, cephalad retraction of the hilar areas, deviation of the trachea and tented diaphragm. Positive gallium and PET scans indicate residual reversible granulomatous disease and are important guides to therapy decisions. Treatment, usually with corticosteroids, is effective in those patients with positive scans, but fibrosis does not improve with any treatment. With severe functional impariment and patient disability, pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure may supervene for which the patient will require treatment. Oxygen, careful diuresis, sildenafil and bosentan may be salutary. These patients are candidates for lung transplantation.
Answering questions with an electroencephalogram-based brain-computer interface

Abstract Objective: To demonstrate that humans can learn to control selected electroencephalographic components and use that control to answer simple questions. Methods: Four adults (one with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) learned to use electroencephalogram (EEG) mu rhythm (8 to 12Hz) or beta rhythm (18 to 25Hz) activity over sensorimotor cortex to control vertical cursor movement to targets at the top or bottom edge of a video screen. In subsequent sessions, the targets were replaced with the words YES and NO, and individuals used the cursor to answer spoken YES/NO questions from single- or multiple-topic question sets. They confirmed their answers through the response verification (RV) procedure, in which the word positions were switched and the question was answered again. Results: For 5 consecutive sessions after initial question training, individuals were asked an average of 4.0 to 4.6 questions per minute; 64% to 87% of their answers were confirmed by the RV procedure and 93% to 99% of these answers were correct. Performances for single- and multipletopic question sets did not differ significantly. Conclusions: The results indicate that (1) EEG-based cursor control can be used to answer simple questions with a high degree of accuracy, (2) attention to auditory queries and formulation of answers does not interfere with EEG-based cursor control, (3) question complexity (at least as represented by single versus multiple-topic question sets) does not noticeably affect performance, and (4) the RV procedure improves accuracy as expected. Several options for increasing the speed of communication appear promising. An EEG-based brain-computer interface could provide a new communication and control modality for people with severe motor disabilities.
A novel and efficient synthesis of the naturally occurring nucleoside doridosine

Abstract 1-Methylisoguanosine was synthesized by a one-pot reaction involving a condensation of 5-amino-1-(β- D -ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carboxamide (1) with methyl isothiocyanate, treatment of the resulting thiourea derivative with DCC furnished 5-(3-methyl-1-ureido)-1-(β- D -ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carbonitrile (4) which was then annulated with ethanolic ammonia to furnish doridosine in a 68% yield from 1.
Mucormycosis of the Bronchial Anastomosis: A Case of Successful Medical Treatment and Historic Review

Rhizomucor is a genus of zygomycetes that can cause pulmonary mucormycosis. In the immunocompromised host, mucormycosis was fatal until advances in anti-fungal therapy were combined with surgery. Although uncommon, fungal infection at the bronchial anastomosis is associated with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. Our patient is a middle-aged woman with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who received a bilateral lung transplant. After discharge, she developed increasing dyspnea. Bronchoscopy revealed stenosis and Rhizomucor at the right anastomosis. Repeated endobronchial debridement, systemic lipid-soluble amphotericin, and inhaled amphotericin successfully resolved the infection. The residual stenosis was treated with a self-expandable metal stent. At 3 months, the patient continues on inhaled amphotericin suppression therapy without sequelae. Anastomosis mucormycosis is a grave complication after lung transplantation. Without combination therapy of surgery and anti-fungal drugs, mortality has been exceedingly high. We present a case wherein endobronchial debridement and anti-fungal therapy were successful without surgery.
Seeking the optimal aspirin dose in acute coronary syndromes.

V results from previous aspirin trials have underscored the uncertain relation between aspirin dose and reduction of secondary vascular events. In the largest investigation to date, the Antiplatelet Trialists’ Collaboration (ATC), a systematic overview of 11 trials of antiplatelet therapy suggested that there was no dose relation of aspirin to the secondary prevention of cardiovascular outcomes. Although there are inherent limitations and indirect comparisons in meta-analytic methods, 1 effective strategy is to accommodate the heterogeneity among trials using random effects methods. Using such models, we sought to re-examine the ATC data to evaluate optimal cardiovascular dosing of aspirin while adjusting for patient populations and time trends.
Radar Data Objective Analysis

Abstract The spherical geometry of weather radar scans results in a data distribution wherein datapoint separation in one coordinate direction and/or in one part of the analysis domain can differ widely from that in another. Objective analysis of the nonuniform radar data to a uniform Cartesian grid is desirable for many diagnostic purposes. For the benefit of the diagnostic data analyst as well as of users of these analyses, the authors evaluate properties of techniques typically used for such objective analysis. This is done partly through theoretical consideration of the properties of the schemes, but mostly by empirical testing. In terms of preservation of the phase and amplitude of the input data, predictability of the degree of smoothing and filtering, and relative insensitivity to input data unsteadiness or spatial characteristic, the isotropic Gaussian or Barnes-type weight function with constant smoothing parameter appears to be the most desirable of the schemes considered. Modification of this s...
Federation of Brain Data through Knowledge-guided Mediation

In this chapter, we describe a data integration framework for multi-resolution data and some of the tools we have created for achieving integration of distributed data sources. The chapter is divided into two parts. In the first part, we describe a recently developed database for high resolution 3D data on cell structure and protein localization, the Cell Centered Database or CCDB. In the second part, we describe how we can link data sources such as the CCDB to other databases using a mediation-based approach. By incorporating additional knowledge into the system, we are able to link together sources that are related conceptually, even if they do not contain similar elements in their schemata. For each of the tools and resources described, we indicate its current state of development and availability.
Comparison of self-aligned and non-self-aligned GaAs E/D MESFETs

The device characteristics and circuit performance of self-aligned GaAs E/D-MESFETs have been compared. The fabrication process for both devices is discussed. Electrical measurements across a 2-in wafer showed that an average self-aligned 40- mu m-wide, 1- mu m-long enhancement device has transconductance of 275+or-17 mS/mm, an intrinsic K-value of 16.3+or-2.7 mS/V, a series resistance of 0.88+or-0.1 Omega -mm, and a threshold deviation of 28 mV. Corresponding data for the non-self-aligned devices were 191+or-19 mS/mm, 10.3+or-1.4 mS/V, 1.2+or-0.2 Omega -mm, and 45 mV, respectively. An ECL-compatible 1-kb static RAM and a 4-kb static RAM were fabricated using both self-aligned and non-self-aligned processes for comparison. Using the self-aligned process, the power consumption of the 1-kb SRAM was 230 mW, compared to 530 mW for the non-self-aligned SRAM, while access times remained the same. Typical access times for self-aligned 4-b SRAM devices ranged from a minimum of 2.8 ns to a maximum of 3.8 ns. This 1-ns range is considerably less than that of a typical non-self-aligned device with 2.5 ns of access time scatter. >
Comparison of thermal-hydraulic performance of singe-phase micro-pin-fin and micro-channel heat sinks

This study compared thermal-hydraulic performance of a single-phase micro-pin-fin heat sink with that of a micro-channel heat sink having the same characteristic dimensions and operating under the same conditions. The objective was to explore the potential of micro-pin-fin heat sinks as an effective alternative to micro-channel heat sinks for dissipating high-heat-fluxes from small areas. The micro-pin-fin heat sink performance, represented by average convection thermal resistance and pressure loss, was determined experimentally. A micro-pin-fin heat sink was fabricated from 110 copper, and contained an array of 1950 staggered square micro-pin-fins with a 200times200 cross-section and a 670 mum height. Deionized water was employed as the cooling liquid. Coolant inlet temperatures of 30degC and 60degC, and six mass flow rates for each inlet temperature, ranging from 36.7 to 84.5 g/min, were tested. The micro-channel heat sink performance was determined using analytical models. A comparison of the performance showed that the micro-pin-fin heat sink had a lower convection thermal resistance at high cooling liquid flow rates, though it is accompanied by a higher pressure loss.
Surgical cytoreduction in stage IV endometrioid endometrial carcinoma

Abstract Objective To evaluate the role of surgical cytoreduction and the amount of residual disease in patients with newly diagnosed stage IV endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EC). Methods Patients with stage IV EC of endometrioid histology who underwent surgery at our institution from 1977 to 2003 were identified. Patients with microscopic stage IV disease were excluded. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan Meier method and compared with log-rank test. Results A total of 58 patients were identified, of which 9 (15.5%) had no gross residual (NGR) after surgery, 11 (19.0%) had residual disease≤1cm, 32 (55.1%) had residual disease >1cm, and 6 (10.3%) had no cytoreduction attempted. The median PFS was 11.1months (95% CI, 9.8–12.3) and the median OS was 19.2months (95% CI, 8.5–29.9) for the cohort. The median PFS was 40.3months (95% CI, 0–93.9) for patients with NGR disease, 11months (95% CI, 9.9–12.1) for patients with any residual disease, and 2.2months (95% CI, 0.1–4.2) for patients who did not have attempted cytoreduction ( P P Conclusion Though stage IV endometrioid EC has a poor prognosis, surgical cytoreduction to no gross residual disease in a highly select group of patients is associated with improved survival.
Religious Contrasts in Consumer Decision Behaviour Patterns: Their Dimensions and Marketing Implications

Studying the influence of the religious construct on consumer decision making is important owing to its stability over time and the observable nature of many of its elements. This research is, therefore, designed to explore the relationships between religiosity and consumer‐related marital roles in the process of automobile purchase decision making. Data were collected from Catholic and Jewish households residing in the North‐East region of the USA. Findings suggest that differential role behaviour varies according to religious influences. Results may imply that marketers should seek a niche within a given market. Marketing should not be seen as a quick‐fix solution for current problems, but rather entailing sensitivity in meeting the needs and wants of the consumers served. In developing marketing mix strategies, the importance of the decision maker′s religiousness must be considered. Specifically, enhanced knowledge of religious differences in consumption decision processes should have significant impac...
A preliminary study of the sedimentary history of Lake Vanda, Antarctica: Climatic implications

Abstract We have analysed sections of DVDP4 sediment core from Lake Vanda, Antarctica for total dissolved salt, calcium carbonate, organic carbon, biogenic silica, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Three peaks of these chemical constituents appear with depth in the top 91 cm of sediment core. It is thought that these three peaks represent cold and/or dry paleoclimatic events. This work, together with other published data from Lake Vanda, indicates that the sediments contain a useful climatic history of Wright Valley.
Comparison of mitigation strategies for supplier risks: A multi agent-based simulation approach

Experiments on simulation models were conducted to determine appropriate risk mitigation strategies for a supply chain network under supplier risks. To model the supply chain network, an agent-based simulation model was designed and implemented using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) standard and Java Agent DEvelopment (JADE) platform respectively. In order to model the risks in the simulation models, unexpected events were randomly generated to mimic the risks that possibly occur in the supply chain. Particularly, four types of risks were considered, including rare and short, rare but long, frequent but short, and frequent and long risks. In addition, two risk mitigation strategies, i.e. having a redundant supplier and reserving more inventory, were applied and compared. By considering average total operating cost and average product shortage, results are generated for appropriate mitigation strategy for each type of risk.
N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation Decreases Osteoclast Differentiation and Increases Bone Mass in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Obesity induced by high-fat (HF) diets increases bone resorption, decreases trabecular bone mass, and reduces bone strength in various animal models. This study investigated whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant and a glutathione precursor, alters glutathione status and mitigates bone microstructure deterioration in mice fed an HF diet. Forty-eight 6-wk-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups (n = 12 per group) and fed either a normal-fat [NF (10% energy as fat)] or an HF (45% energy as fat) diet ad libitum with or without NAC supplementation at 1 g/kg diet for 17 wk. Compared with the NF groups, mice in the HF groups had higher body weight, greater serum leptin concentrations and osteoclast differentiation, and lower trabecular bone volume, trabecular number, and connectivity density (P < 0.05). NAC supplementation increased the serum-reduced glutathione concentration and bone volume and decreased osteoclast differentiation in HF-fed mice (P < 0.05). We further demonstrated that osteoclast differentiation was directly regulated by glutathione status. NAC treatment of murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in vitro increased glutathione status and decreased osteoclast formation. These results show that NAC supplementation increases the bone mass of obese mice induced by an HF diet through elevating glutathione status and decreasing bone resorption.