cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gamma-ray-induced Polymerization of some Vinyltin Compounds

ALTHOUGH much work has recently been carried out on the syntheses of vinylmetallic compounds1, work on their polymerization has been surprisingly scarce, especially radiation polymerization. Moreover, these compounds seem to be regarded as substances scarcely polymerizable in general. For example, with triethylvinyltin, one of the compounds treated in this communication, Korshak et al.2 observed the formation of the oligomer, when they heated it with di-t-butylperoxide to 120° C under pressure as high as 6,000 atm. (ref. 2).
Alkyl and π-allyl intermediates in n-C4 hydrocarbon reactions over ruthenium

Abstract The reactions of n-butane and n-butenes were investigated over Ru SiO 2 at 150 °C using a reactive scavenging technique to test for the presence of alkyl species. Pyridine suppressed hydrogenation and hydrocracking reactions to an extent that double-bond isomerization was observable at a H2/ butene ratio of 11. 2-n-Butylpyridine and 2-sec-butylpyridine formed between pyridine and the n-butyl and sec-butyl species, respectively, revealing that these alkyl species form and can be scavenged. The distribution of the butylpyridines and the distribution of the hydrocarbon products are used to propose elementary steps in hydrogenolysis, homologation, hydrogenation, and doublebond isomerization over ruthenium.
An Auction-based pricing model for performance and revenue optimisation in mobile data services

Network traffic in mobile networks has grown exponentially in recent years which lead to increasing congestion, especially in data services. A pricing network resource could help resolve congestion and potentially increase revenue. However, determining the suitable congestion prices that optimise both performance and revenue of the networks could be challenging. This paper presents an auction-based pricing model that is used as an admission control mechanism for mobile data services. The proposed modelling approach allows mobile operators to improve performance of mobile data services and optimise network revenue by adjusting the reserve prices of the revenue-maximising auction (optimal auction). The paper presents numerical and simulation results illustrating the impact of the auction reserve prices on both network performance and operator's revenue. The methodology for identifying the suitable auction reserve prices for our application is also investigated.
Living strategies of unusual life forms on Earth and the relevance to astrobiology

In this paper we discuss the astrobiological importance of various viruses, nanobacteria, Archaea and bacteria. Viruses and nanobacteria challenge the current definitions of life, but we consider them here as life forms. Nanobacteria have interesting mode of fossilization and have a potential for creating biosignatures. Archaea and some bacteria make unique lipid-related compounds that can be used as biosignatures. We focus on the organisms and life forms that seem to be well suited for the life on Mars or other extraterrestrial environments that are harsh. Many of these organisms and life forms share their genetic material freely with other organisms and species. Such an altruistic approach may have been typical for the early life on Earth.
Autonomous Navigation in Unknown Road-Like Environments Using Support Vector Machines

In this paper enhancements have been done to the previously proposed Support Vector Machines (SVM) based path planning algorithm [1]. SVM, a data classification technique has been applied in conjunction with k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN) algorithm for autonomous navigation in unknown road-like environments. The features of the road such as lane markers and the obstacles in the robot’s visibility are divided into two classes using k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) algorithm and then a maximum margin hyperplane is obtained using SVM that optimally separates both the classes. This hyperplane represents a collision-free path. The proposed algorithm has been tested in a variety of environments and the scenarios where it was unsuccessful have been identified and addressed for improvement. The simulation results of the enhanced algorithm have been presented and its performance has been compared with vfh+, a purely local obstacle avoidance algorithm based on artificial potential field method.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
POISONINGS IN LABORATORY PERSONNEL AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

A case report of an unresponsive chemist presenting to the emergency department is presented; in retrospect, the patient was discovered to have intentionally ingested cyanide. A review of literature regarding ingestions in laboratory and health care personnel reveals five common points encountered in these personnel: barbiturates, carbon monoxide, cyanide, azides, and methemoglobin-inducing chemicals. Key diagnostic findings, in the absence of history of exposure, are discussed for these five agents.
Postsynthetic guanidinylation of primary amino groups in the minor and major grooves of oligonucleotides

Abstract Two different postsynthetic strategies were employed to introduce guanidinium moieties into oligonucleotides. A 2′-O-(6-aminohexyl) tether, which positions the modification in the minor groove, was selectively deprotected and guanidinylated on the solid support. In the second system, the aminoethoxy spacer of the tricyclic cytosine analog G-clamp, which protrudes into the major groove of the duplex, was guanidinylated in aqueous solution using the fully deprotected oligonucleotide. Both methods were successfully applied to synthesize and characterize various guanidinylated oligonucleotides.
Anomalous track development in CR-39: Effects of gamma irradiation

Abstract CR-39 solid state track recorder material was exposed to doses of gamma irradiation ranging up to 3.9 megarad to determine the effects of background radiation on bulk etch rate and track development. At doses as low as 1 MR development of tracks from alpha particles was markedly affected by the background. Nonlinear response of the material began at irradiation levels below 3 MR, which is a much lower level than the onset of comparable effects in lexan or cellulose nitrate.
Performance of wireless sensor topologies inspired by E. coli genetic networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) form a critical component in modern computing applications; given their size, ability to process and communicate information, and to sense stimuli, they are a promising part of The Internet of Things. However, they are also plagued by reliability and node failure problems. Here we address these problems by using E. coli Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs) — believed to be robust against signaling disruptions, such as gene failures — to study the transmission properties of randomly-generated WSNs and transmission structures derived from these genetic networks. Selection of sink nodes is crucial to the performance of these networks; here we introduce two sink-node selection techniques: a Motif-based, and a Highest Degree-based approach. Using NS-2 simulations, the performance of both networks is evaluated under varying channel loss models. Successful packet receipts are compared among these networks, which are shown to be higher using GRNs for the communication structure, rather than randomly generated WSNs. This work paves the way for future development of fault-tolerant and robust WSN deployment and routing algorithms.
Facile conversion of (η5-C5R5)M(CO)2-halide complexes to halomethyl, alkoxymethyl, and cyanomethyl derivatives (R=H, CH3;M=Fe, Ru; halide =Cl, Br, I)

Abstract The CpM(CO)2-X complexes (M  Fe, Ru; X  Cl, Br; Cp  η5-C5H5, Cp★  η5-C5Me5) are completely converted to the corresponding halomethyl derivatives over a 20–30 min period when ethereal diazomethane is added dropwise in the presence of Cu powder. Product work-up involves only simple extraction of the crude product with hexane followed by recrystallization at −40°C. Formation of iodomethyl derivatives from iodide precursors requires considerably longer CH2N2 addition times and cannot be completely freed of the starting iodide complexes. Fortunately, iodomethyl complexes can be prepared in 80–95% isolated yield by treating the chloromethyl or bromomethyl derivatives with NaI in acetone/Et2O. The CpFe(CO)2CH2I and Cp★Fe(CO)2CH2I complexes are the most sensitive, decomposing rapidly to polymethylene and the parent iodide complexes upon standing at room temperature. Metathetical reactions of the halomethyl complexes to give alkoxymethyl and cyanomethyl derivatives are described.
Taking the Measure of Labor: Rural Rationalization in Twentieth-Century Brazil

Rural sugarcane workers in the Brazilian Northeast negotiated with planters in 1963 to establish guidelines for measuring jobs, producing a document they called the Task Table. This article situates the Table in historical context, placing it in a long-term process of agricultural rationalization that generated struggles over flexibility, control, and freedom on the job. The Table emerged at one moment in these battles and since conflicts like these over productivity, efficiency, and control are common to industrial and agricultural work alike, analyzing the Table offers insight into a broad struggle between workers and employers over the conditions and regulation of labor. For a region of hundreds of thousands of sugarcane workers, the Task Table reflected and facilitated the transformation of labor relationships, views of the working environment, and worker consciousness.
The use of immobilized enzymes in the food industry: A review

The production of high fructose corn syrups was greatly facilitated by the use of immobilized glucose isomerase. Similarly, in Japan, the fermentation industry proved its processing efficiency for amino acids through the use of immobilized amino acid acylase. This article discusses the use of soluble enzymes in the food industry followed by a section on the various available methods to immobilize enzymes. Once enzymes are immobilized, many of their operational parameters could be altered. Rationale for the determination of the effects of immobilization is provided. A relatively new concept is the use of a single matrix for immobilizing more than one enzyme. Immobilized multi-enzyme systems offer many attractive advantages; however, such a process also raises some interesting questions about kinetics. These questions and their suggested answers are discussed in the penultimate section. The major emphasis of this article is on the use of immobilized enzymes in the food industry. Two systems--amino acylase and glucose isomerase--have been demonstrated to be techno-economically feasible. Immobilization of other enzymes, such as glucoamylase, lactase, protease, and flavor modifying enzymes, has received some attention. The potential of these new systems are also discussed.
Proof without Words: Geometric Series

(1994). Proof without Words: Geometric Series. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 67, No. 3, pp. 230-230.
Cold Spells and the Risk of Hospitalization for Asthma: New York, USA 1991–2006

A study was conducted to investigate whether prolonged periods of very cold temperatures were associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for asthma. Hospitalization admissions with a principal diagnosis of asthma were identified in New York State, USA, for the months November through April from 1991 to 2006. A cold spell was defined as three or more consecutive days where the daily mean of universal apparent temperature (UAT) within a week prior to admission was at the 10th percentile or less. The percentage change in asthma hospitalizations during and after a cold spell was compared to the average daily number of hospitalizations preceding the cold spell using time series analysis. The average temperature during winter cold spells (December through March) was −15 °C, compared to −6 and −2 °C for cold spells in November and April, respectively. Cold spells during the winter months were associated with a mean decline of 4.9 % in asthma admissions statewide (95 % CI −7.8, −1.9 %). After a cold spell, no statistically significant changes were apparent during the winter months, but asthma hospitalizations increased after cold spells in the transitional months of November (mean = 9.6, 95 % CI 5.5, 13.9 %) and April (mean = 5.0, 95 % CI 1.2, 9.0 %). The results suggest that during prolonged periods of severe cold asthmatics may adhere to medical guidelines and limit their exposure, thereby preventing exacerbations. They may be less likely to alter their behavior in the more moderate months of November and April.
Pion contributions to the electromagnetic interaction with a nucleus.

A theoretical approach to describing the electromagnetic interaction in hadronic field theories containing charged mesons at finite baryon density is presented. Path-integral methods and bilocal auxiliary fields are used to identify covariant, gauge-invariant levels of approximation, which sum infinite classes of Feynman diagrams. At the lowest level an isolated nucleon acquires a nontrivial electromagnetic structure, and the finite-density nucleus is described as a noninteracting system of quasiparticles with that structure.
Dietary Responses to Mid-Holocene Climatic Change

Faunal assemblages from Paleoindian, Early Archaic, and Middle Archaic sites are compared to evaluate changes in diet related to hot and dry Altithermal conditions in the North American Great Plains. Successful completion of this comparison requires that site function and seasonality be controlled. These criteria place serious restrictions on the number of site assemblages suitable for analysis, consequently the site sample is relatively limited. Notwithstanding the limited sample, provocative results are obtained. Preliminary statistical analysis suggests significant changes in diet breadth associated with increased emphasis on medium-sized terrestrial fauna and nonmammalian fauna such as fish, amphibians, and birds during the Altithermal. Although these results are based on a limited sample of sites, and must therefore be regarded as preliminary, they do suggest that hunter-gatherer responses to major climatic shifts may be accomplished by minor adjustments in faunal resource use.
SADCC: Energy and Development to the Year 2000

Book revewed in this article: SADCC: Energy and Development to the Year 2000 Editors: Jorge Tavares de Carvalho Simoaes
Hyperalgesia induced by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in the mouse spinal cord

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-like immunoreactivity in the mouse spinal cord using an antibody against PACAP38 and to determine the behavioral profile, particularly with respect to hyperalgesia, of PACAP38 given intrathecally (i.t.) in the mouse. Immunoreactivity to PACAP38 was detected in numerous nerve fibers in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn of cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral segments and a few fibers extended into the deeper layers of the spinal cord. In addition, PACAP-like immunoreactivity were seen in the intermediolateral cell column of the thoracic and sacral segments. In behavioral studies, PACAP38 (0.05-0.5 microgram) produced a dose-dependent decrease of the tail-flick latency when given i.t. in the mouse. At higher doses (1-10 micrograms), PACAP38 given i.t. elicited biting and scratching behaviors lasting 10-20 min after the injection. PACAP at high doses (1-10 micrograms) also produced licking at tail, paw and penis and intense grooming behaviors immediately after the i.t. injection. Similar to substance P, these behaviors produced by PACAP can be considered as pain-like syndrome. These findings suggest that PACAP may be a sensory neurotransmitter involved in nociceptive signalling in the mouse spinal cord.
The effect of rhizotomy on NADPH diaphorase staining in the lumbar spinal cord of the rat

Abstract In the L6-S1 spinal segments of the rat NADPH diaphorase fiber-like staining extending along the lateral edge of the dorsal horn to the sacral parasympathetic nucleus was eliminated 1–3 weeks following dorsal-ventral L6-S1 rhizotomy. However, other NADPH diaphorase staining in the dorsal horn was not affected by rhizotomy. Rhizotomy also doubled the number (5 versus 10 cells/section) of NADPH diaphorase positive neurons in the region of the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN). These data indicate that NADPH diaphorase is present in primary afferent projections to the SPN and that NADPH diaphorase activity in SPN neurons can be enhanced by neuronal injury. The functional significance of the NADPH diaphorase histochemical stain remains to be determined; however, if NADPH diaphorase is nitric oxide synthase then this would suggest that NO has an important role in the neural pathways to the pelvic viscera.
Mitogenic Activity of Growth Factors in the Human Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines HEC-1-A and KLE

Endometrial adenocarcinoma is the most common gynecologic malignancy occurring in the United States. Evidence is accumulating that links peptide growth factors with malignant proliferation. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are known mitogens for endometrial adenocarcinoma in vitro. However, the biological activity of other growth factors in this malignancy is unclear. This study was undertaken to determine the influence of growth factors on the mitogenic activity of the human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell lines HEC-1-A and KLE. Incubation with EGF, IGF-I, insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), or insulin stimulated a time-dependent mitogenic response in both cell lines, with the peak response occurring at 24 hr for HEC-1-A and 48 hr for KLE. After two doubling intervals, the number of HEC-1-A cells was increased 3.5-fold by EGF (100 ng/ml), 2.7-fold by IGF-I (100 ng/ml), 2.3-fold by IGF-II (100 ng/ml), and 2.2-fold by insulin (1000 ng/ml) when compared to untreated controls (P < 0.05). The number of KLE cells was increased 2.6-fold by EGF (100 ng/ml), 2.3-fold by IGF-I (100 ng/ml), 2.1-fold by IGF-II (100 ng/ml), and 2.0-fold by insulin (1000 ng/ml) when compared to untreated controls (P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained when DNA content was measured. PDGF failed to stimulate any mitogenic response in either cell line at all concentrations tested (0.1-100 ng/ml). These findings suggest that EGF, IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin may play a regulatory role in the proliferation of endometrial adenocarcinoma.
Comparison of HER-2 status determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization in primary and metastatic breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Accurate assessment of HER-2 status is necessary prior to anti-HER-2 antibody (trastuzumab) therapy for metastatic breast carcinoma. However, controversy exists regarding whether to assess HER-2 status in the primary tumor or in metastatic lesions. It is also unclear whether HER-2 status can change during disease progression or after chemotherapy. METHODS Breast carcinoma samples from 60 women with known HER-2 status in both primary tumors and paired metastases (locoregional disease, n = 43 patients; distant disease, n = 17 patients) were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-two patients underwent chemotherapy before their metastatic lesions were sampled, including 18 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 14 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. The HER-2 gene was examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization either in paraffin-embedded tissue samples (48 primary tumors and 9 metastatic tumors) or in fine-needle aspirates (12 primary tumors and 51 metastatic tumors). HER-2 gene amplification was defined as a HER-2:chromosome 17 signal ratio ≥ 2.0. RESULTS The HER-2 status of primary and metastatic tumors agreed in 58 of 60 patients (97%), including 18 (30%) amplified tumors and 40 (67%) nonamplified tumors. A discrepancy in HER-2 status was observed in specimens from two patients in which HER-2 amplification was detected in the primary tumor but not the metastatic tumors. In one patient, three foci of tumor nodules were found in the same breast; the HER-2 status was assessed in only one of them, which showed amplification; however, HER-2 amplification was not detected in the axillary lymph node metastasis. In another patient, the HER-2 gene was amplified in the primary tumor but not in the liver metastasis. No metastases showed HER-2 amplification without amplification in the primary tumor. Locoregional and distant metastases demonstrated similar concordance rates with their corresponding primary tumors (98% and 94%, respectively). Complete concordance of HER-2 status was found between primary tumors prior to chemotherapy and metastases that were sampled after chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS The HER-2 status in breast carcinoma generally was stable during metastasis, whether to locoregional or distant sites. Chemotherapy did not modify the HER-2 status in metastatic lesions. Therefore, HER-2 amplification can be evaluated reliably in material from either primary or metastatic tumors in most patients. Further study with larger series is warranted to elucidate the significance of discordant results. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
A calcium channel reversibly blocked by ω-conotoxin GVIA lacking the class D α1 subunit

In acutely dissociated rat medium-spiny neostriatal neurons, a substantial fraction (approximately 40%) of the calcium current block by omega-conotoxin-GVIA (CgTx) reverses rapidly with washing. The reversibly blocked current differed in voltage dependence from the current irreversibly blocked by CgTx. To test the hypothesis that the reversibly blocked current was attributable to calcium channels with a class D alpha 1 subunit, acutely isolated neurons were subjected to combined patch clamp/reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. These studies revealed no correlation between the reversibility of the CgTx block and the expression of class D alpha 1 subunit mRNA.
Myocardial protection by insulin is dependent on phospatidylinositol 3-kinase but not protein kinase C or KATP channels in the isolated rabbit heart.

Because tyrosine kinase blockade prevents protection by ischemic preconditioning (PC) in several species, activation of tyrosine kinase appears to be critical for cardioprotection. The tyrosine kinase's identity, however, is unknown. The present study tested whether activation of a receptor tyrosine kinase, the insulin receptor, could mimic PC and if the mechanism of protection was similar to that of PC. Isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion. Infarct size was determined by triphenyltetrazolium staining and expressed as a percentage of the area at risk. Infarct size in control hearts was 32.6 ± 2.3 %. A 5-min infusion of insulin (5 mU/ml) followed by a 10-min washout period prior to ischemia significantly reduced infarction to 14.7 ± 2.1 % (P < 0.05). The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (50 μM) given around the insulin infusion blocked protection (28.9 ± 2.8 %). However, when present during the onset of ischemia, genistein had no effect on protection triggered by insulin (14.0 ± 2.4 %; P < 0.05). Inhibition of either PKC by polymyxin B (50 μM) or KATP channels by 5-hydroxydecanoate (100 μM) also failed to prevent protection by insulin (17.5 ± 3.2 % and 17.6 ± 3.0 %, respectively). However, the reduction in infarct size by insulin was significantly attenuated by wortmannin (100 nM), a selective inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P13K, 28.3 ± 2.2 %). Insulin was still able to protect the heart when given only during the reperfusion period (13.2 ± 3.4 %). PC reduced infarction to 12.8 ± 2.0 % (P < 0.05). In conclusion, activation of the insulin receptor reduces infarct size in the rabbit heart even when instituted upon reperfusion. However, the mechanism of protection is quite different from that of PC and involves activation of P13K but not PKC or KATP channels.
The Treatment of Periprosthetic Femur Fractures After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Periprosthetic femur fractures after total knee arthroplasty are a rising concern; however, when properly diagnosed, they can be managed nonoperatively or operatively in the form of locking plate fixation, intramedullary nailing, and arthroplasty. The degree of osteoporosis, stability of the femoral implant, and goals of the patient are a few critical variables in determining the ideal treatment. Despite excellent outcomes from each of these operative choices, the risk of nonunion, malunion, instability, and refracture cannot be ignored.
Phase stability theory of Bloch eigenstates in active photonic lattices with coupled microlaser arrays

An generic model for the lattice dynamics of coupled microlaser arrays is employed for the lattice stability analysis. Nonlinear cross-cavity gain-coupling effects, characterizing active lattices, are included via the gain dependence on carrier depletion and cross-cavity hole burning. Passive near neighbor interactions (inter-cavity absorption and mirror reflection interference) are also included. The introduction of lattice-orthogonal modes simplifies the derivation of the coupled rate equations. The interaction phase among sites exhibits spontaneous long range “crystallization" into periodic Bloch states whereby the cavity radiation envelopes behave as laser “macro-atoms". The sign of the coupling coefficients as a function of geometry determines in- vs. out-of-phase locking and has practical implications for array design. Emphasis is placed on the stability analysis of Bloch states by including earlier omitted [1] effects of phase perturbations. The importance of the linewidth factor ι is uncovered: unconditional stability results for ι ≤1, otherwise a stability threshold exists for the coupling strength among sites. Choice of low ι gain material permits phase stability with high coupling strength, beneficial in overcoming manufacturing variations among array cavity parameters.
098 Cytokine Dynamics in Three‐Dimensional Extracellular Matrices

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy was used to measure the binding and diffusion of growth factors in model extracellular matrices in order to investigate the importance of protein-matrix interactions in regulating signaling molecules within a three-dimensional matrix. Two important growth factors were studied, transforming growth factor β1 and basic fibroblast growth factor, which are known to have specific affinities for fibronectin and the heparan-sulfate-proteoglycan perlecan, respectively. Collagen-based matrices were prepared by polymerizing type I collagen in the presence of fibronectin or perlecan, and we measured diffusion constants and binding constants of the two growth factors. The binding constant measured for transforming growth factor β1 with fibronectin-containing matrices was in good agreement with that measured using affinity chromatography. However, the interactions measured between fibroblast growth factor and perlecan were significantly weaker than expected. Surprisingly, the strongest interactions by far were with monomeric collagen solutions and fibrillar collagen matrices. Our findings suggest a central role for the three-dimensional fibrillar collagen matrix in growth factor interactions, with modulatory roles for fibronectin or perlecan.
Evaporated cadmium telluride films on steel foil substrates

Adherent CdTe films were vacuum-evaporated on steel foil substrates heated to between 240 ‡C and 320 ‡C. As-deposited films were p-type and had a preferred (111) orientation with an average grain size of 0.6 Μm. To control the electrical properties of the films, gold or tellurium interlayers were deposited between the steel and the CdTe. A tellurium interlayer caused larger as-deposited grains than either the gold or bare steel. Annealing of CdTe films at 550 ‡C increased the grain size and tended to transform p-type CdTe into n-type. X-ray fluorescence analysis indicated that annealing had caused iron to diffuse into the CdTe, which may have caused the type reversion.
Fungal Infection of a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: Histoplasmosis Diagnosis and Treatment

Background Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, commonly found in the Americas, and Histoplasma duboisii, located in Africa. In the United States, H. capsulatum is prevalent in the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. In rare circumstances, central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis infection can be caused by shunt placement. We present a case report of a 45-year-old woman in whom CNS histoplasmosis developed after having a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placed for communicating hydrocephalus. A review of the literature on fungal infections after CNS shunt placement as well as treatment options for this subset of patients was undertaken. Methods The PubMed database current to 1958 was filtered and limited to English-language articles. Fifty-eight articles were selected for review based on evidence of information regarding the fungal organism responsible for shunt infection, symptoms, treatment, and/or outcomes. Also included in this review is our case study. Results A thorough analysis of the PubMed database revealed 58 reported cases of CNS shunt–related fungal infections in the English-language medical literature as well as 7 therapeutic agents used to treat patients in whom postshunt fungal infections developed. Conclusions We describe the steps in diagnosis of histoplasmosis after shunt placement, provide an effective therapeutic regimen, and review the present understanding of CNS fungal infections. The medical literature was surveyed to compare and analyze various CNS fungal infections that can arise from shunt placement as well as treatments rendered.
Inbred Strain-Specific Response to Biglycan Deficiency in the Cortical Bone of C57BL6/129 and C3H/He Mice

Inbred strain-specific differences in mice exist in bone cross-sectional geometry, mechanical properties, and indices of bone formation. Inbred strain-specific responses to external stimuli also exist, but the role of background strain in response to genetic deletion is not fully understood. Biglycan (bgn) deficiency impacts bone through negative regulation of osteoblasts, resulting in extracellular matrix alterations and decreased mechanical properties. Because osteoblasts from C3H/He (C3H) mice are inherently more active versus osteoblasts from other inbred strains, and the bones of C3H mice are less responsive to other insults, it was hypothesized that C3H mice would be relatively more resistant to changes associated with bgn deficiency compared with C57BL6/129 (B6;129) mice. Changes in mRNA expression, tissue composition, mineral density, bone formation rate, cross-sectional geometry, and mechanical properties were studied at 8 and 11 wk of age in the tibias of male wildtype and bgn-deficient mice bred on B6;129 and C3H background strains. Bgn deficiency altered collagen cross-linking and gene expression and the amount and composition of mineral in vivo. In bgn's absence, changes in collagen were independent of mouse strain. Bgn-deficiency increased the amount of mineral in both strains, but changes in mineral composition, cross-sectional geometry, and mechanical properties were dependent on genetic background. Bgn deficiency influenced the amount and composition of bone in mice from both strains at 8 wk, but C3H mice were better able to maintain properties close to wildtype (WT) levels. By 11 wk, most properties from C3H knockout (KO) bones were equal to or greater than WT levels, whereas phenotypic differences persisted in B6;129 KO mice. This is the first study into mouse strain-specific changes in a small leucine-rich proteoglycan gene disruption model in properties across the bone hierarchy and is also one of the first to relate these changes to mechanical competence. This study supports the importance of genetic factors in determining the response to a gene deletion and defines biglycan's importance to collagen and mineral composition in vivo.
Self-consistent calculations of carrier distribution and energy bands in InGaAs/InP p-i-n diodes

Abstract One dimensional semiconductor device equations are solved for the double-heterojunction p-i-n diode using a state variable model. Using this model, Poisson equation and the current density equation are solved simultaneously in a single integration step. The boundary conditions at both the heterojunctions are satisfied for a given device geometry with abrupt junctions. The degeneracy of the semiconductor is considered in the simulations and the depletion width is obtained without the abrupt space-charge approximation. The numerical integration step is varied to ensure charge neutrality across the junctions. The integration is combined with Extended Kalman Filter to ensure consistency with the boundary conditions and among the variables. The electric field, the energy bands, and the carrier distributions obtained are self-consistent. The results obtained for two types of device structures, one grown with an undoped InP buffer layer and one without the buffer layer are discussed.
Superconducting cosmic strings with coupled zero modes

Abstract The physics of fermion zero modes on bosonic superconducting strings is investigated. The charged field at the core couples left movers to right movers, giving an effective theory of massive fermions on the string world sheet. Despite their mass, the fermions still contribute to the bosonic current through the two-dimensional anomaly. Even when the Higgs field is neutral and there is no anomaly, the string remains superconducting provided the sum of the charges of the zero modes do not vanish. The mechanism is closely analogous to a theory of superconductivity proposed by Frohlich.
Nucleic acid changes in rat nerve tissue after parenteral administration of vitamin B12.

SummaryThese preliminary results support the contention that vit. B12 is related to the genesis of ribonucleoproteins in rat tissues. Weanling and immature rats were placed in 2 dietary groups, chow and basal, the latter dietary group deficient in vit. B12, folic acid and PABA. One-half of each group received parenteral B12 every other day. Liver, spinal cord and cervical sympathetic ganglia were examined histologically for changes in pentose and desoxypentose nucleic acids. These 3 tissues from animals which received vit. B12 showed more PNA than the controls. No consistent observable difference was seen in spinal cord and cervical sympathetic ganglia for the DNA as visualized by the Feulgen stain. There was a slight increase in the intensity of the Feulgen stain in hepatic cell nuclei from rats which had received vit. B12 over the controls.
Gene Therapy for Hemophilia A and B: Patient Selection and Follow-up, Requirements for a Cure

Introduction: The treatment of hemophilia A and B has improved considerably in recent years. The availability of hepatitis A and B vaccines, safer clotting factor concentrates (particularly recombinant factor VIII and recombinant factor IX concentrates), and synthetic agents, such as desmopressin,1 has resulted in earlier, more aggressive treatment and prophylactic regimens aimed at preventing chronic, debilitating joint disease.2-8 There have been no new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease attributable to clotting factor in North America since 1987, and documented instances of hepatitis transmission by clotting factor concentrates have been rare in the 1990s. Concerns remain that certain nonenveloped viruses, such as human parvovirus B19 and hepatitis A virus, can still be transmitted by some plasma-derived clotting factor concentrates,9 and questions linger as to whether the agents causing Creutzfeld-Jacob disease (CJD) and new variant CJD might also be transmitted. Overall, however, the products available to treat hemophilia today are safer than ever before. An increasing number of persons with hemophilia are receiving exclusively recombinant (r) products, and manufacturers are now producing new, second-generation r-factor VIII products that are stabilized with sugars, rather than albumin, or are smaller, truncated molecules.10 Scientists are now designing specific changes into the factor VIII genes in an attempt to derive unique and improved forms of r-factor VIII.11 The next logical areas of focus are to bring to fruition the promise of an “unlimited supply” of r-factor VIII and r-factor IX products, to meet the needs of persons with hemophilia, not only in developed countries, but throughout the world, and to be able to cure hemophilia through gene therapy. As gene therapy trials begin in humans with hemophilia, the scientists involved, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and perhaps most importantly, members of the hemophilia community must decide which categories of affected individuals should be entered in these trials, particularly the earliest, Phase I trials. Who is most likely to benefit if gene therapy proves to be both effective and safe? Who should be the first patients to be enrolled in each new trial? Who is at greatest risk if something unexpected happens? What would be considered a good outcome? Clearly, some of these questions are more difficult to answer than others.
Pattern matching encryption, strategic equivalence of range voting and approval voting, and statistical robustness of voting rules

We present new results in the areas of cryptography and voting systems. 1. Pattern matching encryption: We present new, general definitions for queryable encryption schemes encryption schemes that allow evaluation of private queries on enc1ypted data without performing full decryption. We construct an efficient queryable encryption scheme supporting pattern matching queries, based on suffix trees. Storage and communication complexity are comparable to those for (unencrypted) suffix trees. The construction is based only on symmetric-key primitives, so it is practical. 2. Strategic equivalence of range voting and approval voting: We study strategic voting in the context of range voting in a formal model. We show that under general conditions, as the number of voters becomes large, strategic range voting becomes equivalent to approval voting. We propose beta distributions as a new and interesting way to model voter's subjective information about other votes. 3. Statistical robustness of voting rules: We introduce a new notion called "statistical robustness" for voting rules: a voting rule is statistically robust if, for any profile of votes, the most likely winner of a sample of the profile is the winner of the complete profile. We show that plurality is the only interesting voting rule that is statistically robust; approval voting (perhaps surprisingly) and other common voting rules are not statistically robust. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, libraries.mit.edu/docs - docs@mit.edu)
The Generation of Random Equilateral Polygons

Freely jointed random equilateral polygons serve as a common model for polymer rings, reflecting their statistical properties under theta conditions. To generate equilateral polygons, researchers employ many procedures that have been proved, or at least are believed, to be random with respect to the natural measure on the space of polygonal knots. As a result, the random selection of equilateral polygons, as well as the statistical robustness of this selection, is of particular interest. In this research, we study the key features of four popular methods: the Polygonal Folding, the Crankshaft Rotation, the Hedgehog, and the Triangle Methods. In particular, we compare the implementation and efficacy of these procedures, especially in regards to the population distribution of polygons in the space of polygonal knots, the distribution of edge vectors, the local curvature, and the local torsion. In addition, we give a rigorous proof that the Crankshaft Rotation Method is ergodic.
Personality Predictors of Protégé Mentoring History

The present study identifies personality characteristics that are predicted to be associated with protege status in a series of mentoring relationships, an area of research that has not been explored previously. Predictors of mentoring history identified are need for achievement, need for dominance, self-esteem, and tension dissipation. A MANOVA, using number of previous mentors as the independent variable and 4 personality characteristics (need for achievement, need for dominance, self-esteem, and tension dissipation) as outcome variables, showed a significant relationship. Univariate follow-up tests indicated that the number of previous mentoring relationships was significantly associated with need for achievement, need for dominance, and self-esteem, but not tension dissipation. Results are discussed in terms of protege development, and directions for future research are suggested.
On M-ary Sequential Hypothesis Testing for the Classification of Radar Signals

This paper is concerned with the performance of M-ary sequential hypothesis tests applied to the classification of radar signals. This investigation is primarily motivated by interest in the design of radar target identification (RTI) systems, where the decision algorithm produces the identity, among M possibilities, based upon several observations of vectors of signal parameters. The performance of several M-ary sequential algorithms are considered. These include the parametric algorithms due to Reed, Palmer, and Armitage, as well as a sequential version of the nonparametric nearest neighbor algorithm. The average number of required measurements and the resulting error performance, of these techniques are compared, and modifications of the algorithmis are considered.
Propagation of a mode-III interfacial conductive crack along a conductive interface between two piezoelectric materials

Abstract An analysis is presented for transient response of a mode-III interfacial crack propagating between two dissimilar piezoelectric half spaces. The dynamic fracture toughness of a piezoelectric interface is examined, which is a central issue related to the interface strength of multi-layered sensors and ferroelectric thin film devices. For the mode-III crack propagation in piezoelectric materials, an electro-acoustic surface wave, the Bleustein–Gulyaev wave, controls the crack propagation speed. It is shown that the propagation of an interfacial crack in piezoelectric media may excite an interfacial electro-acoustic surface wave, the Maerfeld–Tournois wave, which is fundamentally different from the mode-III interfacial crack propagation in purely elastic media. Moreover, it has been discovered that the existence of the Maerfeld–Tournois wave may play a significant role in determining the dynamic fracture toughness for piezoelectric composites.
Income taxation and the validity of state capacity indicators

State capacity is a key concept for research in public policy and political science. Despite its importance, there is no broadly accepted measure of state capacity in the existing literature, and frequently used measures of capacity have not been examined for their validity. We begin with an explicit definition of state capacity – the state's ability to implement public policy – and connect this definition to a measurable outcome of state capacity – the state's taxation of income. We show that this measure, income taxes as a percentage of total tax revenue, is a useful indicator of state capacity and meets higher standards of measurement validity than other tax-based indicators. We also compare our measure to the most common existing indicators of state capacity to show that income taxation is a better theoretical and statistical measure of states’ effectiveness in policy implementation.
Cutting position, leaf removal and time of year affects Rosa axillary shoot development

Abstract The interaction between the cutting position, leaf removal and the time of year on Rosa X hybrida L. cvs ‘Royalty’ and ‘Lovely Girl’ axillary shoot development was studied. The axillary shoot number per stem increased from 1.4 to 3.3 shoots as the cutting position increased from 1 to 13. The blind shoot number increased on ‘Royalty’ but not on the ‘Lovely Girl’ plants as the cutting position increased from 1 to 13. Flower numbers increased from 0.5 to 2.6 as the cutting position increased from 1 to 13. The removal of all the leaves on the stem decreased the axillary shoot number on ‘Royalty’ and the flower numbers on both cultivars when cut above the 9th node. The removal of all stem leaves increased the blind shoot number on ‘Lovely Girl’ but not on the ‘Royalty’ plants. Cutting from the spring compared with from the fall resulted in fewer axillary and blind shoots, but more flowers that flowered sooner, were composed of fewer nodes and were shorter than fall-cut mother stems. Axillary shoot days to harvest and length decreased from 51 to 41 days and from 72 to 54 cm, respectively, as the cutting position increased from 1 to 13. The axillary shoot node number increased from 11 to 12 as the cutting position increased from 1 to 5 then decreased from 12 to 9 nodes as the cutting position increased from 5 to 13.
SIGBDP (Paper Session)

The data base of a corporation represents a vital tool for the success and growth of the enterprise, and its correct use is therefore of utmost importance. This session discusses some fundamental issues in the protection of information in shared data bases which are applicable to the data management systems of any business environment. The results presented are also useful for the implementation of some of the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974.
Adaptive real-time update dissemination in distributed virtual simulation environments

In this work we propose and evaluate a framework for efficient and real-time dissemination of dynamic data in distributed simulation virtual environments in a scalable fashion. A peer-to-peer overlay is used to create self-organizing groups of participants. Filters that combine application-level knowledge are utilized to control the message propagations and minimize the end-to-end delays. Our approach enables nodes to trade-off processing overhead for consistency precision. Our simulation results illustrate that our techniques meet the consistency requirements of the participants, while minimizing the data transmissions and the message delays.
Nature of Age-Related Changes in Muscle Strength of the Extremities of Women

Age-related changes in the muscle strength of the extremities of 123 women (20-79 years) were measured using a hand-held dynamometer. The isometric strength of three upper- and three lower-extremity muscle actions declined across ages. The magnitudes of strength decreases were a function of both the action and side tested. The earlier and steeper strength declines in actions of functional importance, e.g., knee extension, should alert those working with aging women of the potential importance of strengthening such muscle actions.
A 50 MS/s 12-bit CMOS pipeline A/D converter with nonlinear background calibration

A new background calibration method, based on stage error pattern estimation, is presented. The method corrects both linear and nonlinear errors. The procedure converges in a few ms and requires minimal hardware without the need of high-capacity ROM or RAM. The calibration procedure is tested on a 0.6 mum CMOS pipeline ADC, which suffered from a high degree of nonlinear errors. The calibration gives improvements of 18dB and 28dB for SNR and SFDR, respectively, at the sampling rate of 50MSample/s. The calibrated ADC achieves SNR of 70.9dB and SFDR of 82.0dB at 50MSample/s, which results in a resolution of about 12 bits