cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single-cell analysis of localized low- and high-grade prostate cancers

SUMMARY Approximately, 30% of early-stage localized prostate cancer cases reoccur within 5 to 10 years [1, 2]. However, identifying precise molecular subtypes attributable to specific stages of prostate cancer has proven difficult due to high heterogeneity within localized tumors [3–5]. Bulk assays represent a population average, which is a result of the heterogeneity that exists at the individual prostate cancer cell level [6]. Here, we sequenced the accessible chromatin regions of 14,424 single-cells collected from 18 fresh-frozen prostate tumors using sci-ATAC-seq [7, 8]. We observed that shared chromatin features among low-grade prostate cancer epithelial cells were lost in high-grade tumors. Despite this loss, all high-grade tumors exhibited an enrichment for FOXA1, HOXB13 and CDX2 transcription factor binding sites within their accessible chromatin regions, indicating a shared trans-regulatory program. Single-cell analysis of the differentially accessible regions in high- versus low-grade prostate tumors identified two unique genes encoding neuronal adhesion molecules, NRXN1 and NLGN1. We found that NRXN1 and NLGN1 are expressed in the epithelial luminal, basal and neuroendocrine cells, as well as the immune, endothelial and neuronal cell types in all prostate tumors. Overall, these results provide a deeper understanding of the active gene regulatory networks in low- and high-grade prostate tumors at a striking resolution and provide critical insights for molecular stratification of the disease.
Explosive molecule sensing at lattice defect sites in metallic carbon nanotubes

Explosives and hazardous gas sensing using carbon nanotube (CNT) based sensors has been a focus of considerable experimental research. The simplest sensors have employed a chemiresistive sensing mechanism, and rely on substitutional doping or structural flaws (vacancy, divacancy, or Stone–Wales defects) to increase sensitivity. However since chemiresistive sensors often show poor selectivity, further improvements are needed. Ab initio analysis of the chemiresistive response of five metallic CNT sensors incorporating substitutional doping or structural flaws suggests that arrays of these devices may be effectively employed to improve selectivity. In particular, arrays composed of doped or flawed CNTs can distinguish nitroaromatic and nitramine explosive molecules from each other and from four common background gases. Array selectivity is improved by capitalizing upon the nonlinear current–voltage characteristics of the substitutionally doped or structurally flawed CNTs.
Coffee Metabolites and Kidney Disease: Answers or More Questions?

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world and has been the topic of hundreds of epidemiologic studies. Although large prospective analyses are few, meta-analyses report a significant 14%–28% lower risk of incident CKD, kidney failure, and death related to CKD among self-
Plant-Environment Interactions

Fundamentals of Plant Stress Physiology. Heat Stress. Cold Stress. Drought. Salinity. Flooding. Light. Nutrients. Soil Acidity. Soil Pollutant. Soil Compaction. Oxidative Stress. Pathogens. Methodology of Stress Tolerance Evaluation. Linking Stress Physiology/Molecular Biology to Biotechnology and Breeding.
Chapter 221 – Reproduction, Female

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the reproduction process in female insects. In female insects, reproduction generally involves producing yolky eggs, mating, and then laying fertilized eggs. Across the diversity of insects, however, different ways of reproducing illustrate an astounding variation in this simple series of events as well as divergence from it. In the most extreme examples, females can reproduce without supplying eggs with yolk, without mating, and even without laying eggs. Frequent confrontations between humans and insects in the arenas of agriculture and health make understanding insect reproduction of great practical importance. Production of the next generation of insects has several steps that are centered on the female. To reproduce, females need to make eggs or provide their embryos with nutrition in other ways. Once made, females must find an appropriate spot to deposit their eggs. For entomologists concerned with problem insects, these steps offer opportunities to disrupt reproduction and reduce the number of insects in the next generation. Second, the diversity of ways that insects reproduce provides a rich source of material for discovering the underlying rules of biology. For example, the extraordinary effectiveness of female insects in converting resources into eggs led to their use as an intensively studied model system. The process by which yolk is taken up into insect eggs serves as a model for how cells take up large molecules from the surrounding environment.
Design of a 25000 gate ASIC using VHDL

IEEE 1076 compatible VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language) was used to create a behavioral model for a complex ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) design. Specifically, VHDL was used in the development of the HTIU2000 Test-bus Interface Unit. The design process incorporated VHDL from the beginning of the design cycle; the behavioral description of the HTIU2000 was performed in VHDL from the beginning of the process, not converted to VHDL from another hardware description language. The behavioral model was successfully converted to a gate-level implementation in a standard cell library using some synthesis of the VHDL code. The part was fabricated and the behavior of the parts matched that of the VHDL model. The successful fabrication of the HTIU2000 chips, illustrates that VHDL and design synthesis can be used to design complex ASICs. >
Complexity of intensive communications on balanced generalized hypercubes

Lower bound complexities are derived for three intensive communication patterns assuming a balanced generalized hypercube (BGHC) topology. The BGHC is a generalized hypercube that has exactly w nodes along each of the d dimensions for a total of w/sup d/ nodes. A BGHC is said to be dense if the w nodes along each dimension form a complete directed graph. A BGHC is said to be sparse if the w nodes along each dimension form a unidirectional ring. It is shown that a dense N node BGHC with a node degree equal to Klog/sub 2/N, where K>or=2, can process certain intensive communication patterns K(K-1) times faster than an N node binary hypercube (which has a node degree equal to log/sub 2/N). Furthermore, a sparse N node BGHC with a node degree equal to /sup 1///sub L/log/sub 2/N, where L>or=2, is 2/sup L/ times slower at processing certain intensive communication patterns than an N node binary hypercube. >
Damping of Water Waves Over Porous Bed

Based on linearized Navier-Stokes equations and Darcy’s equations, the viscous damping of small amplitude surface waves over a permeable bed is reexamined. Boundary layer approximation is employed in order to solve the velocity field and pressure field. Demanding that the net dissipation per period must be balanced by the slow decay of wave energy, the damping rate is found. The shortcomings of previous works are examined and are improved. Theory agrees fairly well with the experimental results.
Spin-Lattice Relaxation and Motional Narrowing of Resonance Lines

We turn now to a discussion of how the nuclei arrive at their thermal equilibrium magnetization via the process of spin-lattice relaxation. We shall find it convenient to discuss two techniques for computing T 1.
On the Lorentz structure of the confining potential in the instantaneous Bethe-Salpeter equation

Abstract We investigate the Lorentz structure of the confining potential through a study of the meson spectrum using Salpeter's instantaneous approximation to the Bethe-Salpeter equation. The equivalence between Salpeter's and a random-phase-approximation (RPA) equation enables one to employ the same techniques developed by Thouless, in his study of nuclear collective excitations, to test the stability of the solutions. The stability analysis reveals the existence of imaginary eigenvalues for a confining potential that transforms as a Lorentz scalar. Moreover, we argue that the instability persists even for very large values of the consitituent quark mass. In contrast, we find no evidence of imaginary eigenvalues for a timelike vector potential — even for very small values of the constituent mass.
An Example of an Early STAPP Interview

Before describing the height of the treatment process, I would like to give in some detail a typical STAPP interview during its early phase.
Exchange and Social Structure in Norwegian Agricultural Communities: How Farmers Acquire Labour and Capital

Using interviews and survey data from Norwegian farms, I address the questions of how farmers make use of various forms of exchange to acquire labour and capital and how these exchange practices depend on community structure. The article questions the commonly used dichotomy of ‘hired’ versus ‘family’ labour, and argues that the notion of farming as a family business should be supplemented by the notion of farming as a community-based moral economy in which multiple forms of exchange and payment are used flexibly in a market that is embedded in several types of long-term relationships. I argue that the embeddedness of this market affects farm economies in ways that may enhance their viability. The study draws on three traditions of economic sociology: political economy, the New Economic Sociology, and social exchange theory. I argue that public policies have protected a community structure that provides for a local, socially embedded labour and capital market. This social embeddedness facilitates two exchange forms that have been neglected by previous research on modern farming: reciprocal and non-monetised exchange.
Clinical Use of CSF Neurotransmitters.

Abstract Background Cerebrospinal fluid neurotransmitter collection, analysis, and follow-up are integral to the diagnosis and management of multiple inborn metabolic errors, some of which require prompt identification and intervention to improve outcome. Cerebrospinal fluid pterins and monoamine metabolites are diagnostic in a range of primary neurotransmitter disorders, including disorders of biogenic amine synthesis, metabolism, and transport. Relevant Disorders Recently described mutations of the human dopamine transporter are associated with an elevated cerebrospinal fluid homovanillic acid:hydroxyindoleacetic acid ratio. Disorders of pyridoxine metabolism are also detectable via cerebrospinal fluid quantification of bioamines, amino acids, and pyridoxal-5-phosphate levels. Cerebrospinal fluid amino acids are diagnostic in disorders of gamma aminobutyric acid, glycine, and serine metabolism. A wide range of acquired and genetic disorders has also been associated with secondary alterations in cerebrospinal fluid levels of monoamine metabolites, glycine, and neopterin. Conclusions Lumbar puncture is required to detect abnormal cerebrospinal fluid metabolites in a significant proportion of these disorders, including treatable entities such as dopa-responsive deficiencies of guanosine-5'-triphosphate cyclohydrolase I (Segawa disease), sepiapterin reductase, and tyrosine hydroxylase.
Photochemical upconversion and triplet annihilation limit from a boron dipyrromethene emitter

Non-coherent sensitized red-to-green upconversion has been achieved utilizing platinum(II) tetraphenyltetrabenzoporphyrin (PtTPTBP) as the triplet sensitizer and a nearly quantitatively fluorescent meso-(2,6-dichloropyridyl)-substituted boron dipyrromethene (Cl2PyBODIPY) chromophore (Φ = 0.99 in toluene) as the energy acceptor/annihilator in deoxygenated toluene. Dynamic Stern–Volmer analysis revealed that PtTPTBP phosphorescence as quenched by Cl2PyBODIPY occurs with a KSV of 108000 M−1, yielding a triplet–triplet energy transfer rate constant of 2.3 × 109 M−1 s−1. Using a non-coherent red light-emitting diode excitation source centered at 626 nm, the incident power dependence responsible for generating singlet BODIPY fluorescence in the green was shown to traverse quadratic to linear regimes, the latter being achieved near 60 mW cm−2. These data were consistent with a photochemical upconversion mechanism being responsible for generating singlet fluorescence from the Cl2PyBODIPY chromophores through sensitized triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA). Integrated delayed fluorescence transients were utilized to reveal the TTA efficiency for the Cl2PyBODIPY chromophore and saturated near 46%, representing the lower limit for the TTA process. Kinetic modelling of the delayed fluorescence transient produced from 1.5 mJ laser pulses (λex = 615 nm) revealed a maximum limiting TTA efficiency of 64% for this upconverting composition, implying that this is indeed an extremely relevant acceptor/annihilator composition for photochemical upconversion.
PET-guided three-dimensional treatment planning of intracavitary gynecologic implants.

Abstract Purpose: Positron emission tomography (PET) provides physiologic information that is not available from computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance studies. PET images may allow more accurate delineation of three-dimensional treatment planning target volumes of brachytherapy gynecologic (GYN) implants. This study evaluates the feasibility of using PET as the sole source of target, normal structure, and applicator delineation for intracavitary GYN implant treatment planning. Methods and Materials: Standard Fletcher-Suit brachytherapy tandem and colpostat applicators were used for radiation delivery. After insertion of the applicator in the operating room, the patient was taken to a PET scanner, where 555 MBq (15 mCi) 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) was administered intravenously. Forty-five minutes later, three localization tubes containing 18 F-FDG were inserted into the source afterloading compartments of the tandem and colpostat. A whole-pelvis scan was performed, and the images were transferred to a commercial brachytherapy three-dimensional treatment planning system. A Foley catheter was inserted into the urinary bladder while the patient was in the operating room. The regions of radioactivity in the three applicator tube image were contoured for reconstruction of the applicator, along with the bladder, rectum, and 18 F-FDG-defined target volumes. A treatment plan was generated that included dose-volume histograms and three-dimensional dose distribution displays, allowing the physician an opportunity to determine if adequate target coverage and normal-tissue sparing had been obtained. For a more conservative approach, three-dimensional dose distributions and dose-volume histograms delivered with conventional source arrangements and loading could be observed. The accuracy of applicator localization from the PET images was verified using a water phantom containing two aluminum CT-compatible tandems. The PET-defined and CT scan applicator reconstructions were compared. Results: Feasibility of using PET images for treatment planning of brachytherapy intracavitary GYN implants has been demonstrated. A phantom study demonstrated applicator reconstruction accuracy in the axial direction to be better than 2 mm. Reconstruction accuracy in the longitudinal direction (principally craniocaudal) was similar to the PET scanner's voxel size of 4.3 mm. Conclusions: Brachytherapy intracavitary GYN implant design has traditionally been based on patient tumor staging, palpation, and clinical experience. PET images have the potential to provide better spatial information about the relationship of tumor and normal structures to the applicator. This information can be used to optimize the delivery of radiation therapy treatments. Thus far, six patients have been scanned using this process.
Long-term methadone maintenance treatment: some clinical examples

After 27 years methadone maintenance remains perhaps the most controversial form of available opiate addiction treatment. Recognizing that many patients choose to remain in methadone treatment for extended periods of time the authors have wondered whether such patients might actually be harmed by long-term involvement. A review of the records of 3 patients who had been in continuous treatment for 15 years or more revealed that all of their lives had improved over the course of their treatment involvement. They varied in the length of time required before they showed improvement and all three indicated that they wished to remain on methadone because previously they had resumed drug use when they tried detoxing either alone or in treatment. There were periods during their treatment involvement when these patients were not doing well and could have been regarded as treatment failures. Continuing on in treatment, however, all three had made positive changes in their lives, changes which were of benefit to the society as well as the individual.
Expression of leukocyte antigen CD34 by brain capillaries in Alzheimer's disease and neurologically normal subjects.

We studied the expression of a hemopoietic progenitor cell antigen, designated CD34, in brains from subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and nonneurological controls. Immunoblots of brain microvessel proteins probed with monoclonal antibody QBEND/10 to the leukocyte antigen CD34 recognized a protein band with an apparent molecular mass of 90–100 kDa. Immunocytochemical staining of brain tissue sections showed CD34 to be expressed by all microvasculature including those of the circumventricular organs. In normal control brains such specific staining exhibited by QBEND/10 was indistinguishable from that obtained with collagen IV antibodies. In AD, however, increased vascular tendrils in form of endothelial abluminal processes and intraparenchymal abnormalities were evident in cortical and hippocampal regions, predominant in cases with severe pathology. Our results demonstrate that the leukocyte antigen CD34 is localized with the vascular endothelium throughout the human brain. These results also suggest that CD34 detects endothelial abnormalities in brains of AD subjects and support previous observations on the usefulness of CD34 to label abluminal microprocesses.
The dispersion of short wavelets in the presence of a dominant long wave

The characteristics are studied of short surface waves superimposed upon, and interacting with, a long, finite-amplitude dominant wave of frequency N . An asymptotic analysis allows the numerical investigation of Longuet-Higgins (1978) to be extended to higher superharmonic perturbations, and it is found that, although they are distorted by the underlying finite-amplitude wave, gravity wavelets continue to propagate freely provided the dominant wave does not break. Capillary waves can, however, be blocked by short, steep, non-breaking gravity waves, so that in a wind-wave tank at short fetch and high wind speed, freely travelling gravity-capillary waves can be erased by the successive dominant wave crests. A train or group of short gravity waves suffers modulations δ k in its local wave-number because of the straining of the long wave, and large modulations C δ k in its apparent frequency measured at a fixed point (where C is the long wave phase speed), largely because of the Doppler shifting produced by the dominant wave orbital velocity. The spectral signatures of a wave train are calculated by stationary phase and are found to have maxima at the upper wavenumber or frequency in the range. If an ensemble of short-wave groups is sampled at a given frequency f at a fixed point, the signal is derived from groups with a range of intrinsic frequencies δ, but is dominated by those at the long-wave crest for which f = δ + k.u 0 , where u 0 is the orbital velocity of the dominant wave. The apparent phase speed measured by a pair of such probes is the sum of the propagation speed c of the wavelet and the orbital velocity u 0 of the long wave. When f / N is large, the apparent phase speed approaches u 0 , independent of f . These results are consistent with measurements by Ramamonjiarisoa & Giovanangeli (1978) and others in which the apparent phase speed at high frequencies is found to be independent of the frequency — the measurements do not therefore imply a lack of dispersion of short gravity waves on the ocean surface.
Increased performance of inverted organic photovoltaic cells using a cationically functionalized fullerene interfacial layer

Abstract The incorporation of a cationically functionalized fullerene interfacial layer (NMFP-Br) into an inverted poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cell results in a significant power conversion efficiency (PCE) improvement of 67%, from 2.1% to 3.5%, relative to cells without an interfacial layer. The incorporation of NMFP-Br as an ITO modifying interfacial layer results in a 190 mV increase in the open-circuit voltage, 13% increase in fill factor, and 250% reduction in series resistance. Cell efficiencies are greater than or comparable to other reported cells based on organic electron injection layers with the same active layer and electrode configuration. The orthogonal solubility afforded by ionic functionality allows for sequential solution phase deposition without the necessity of chemical cross-linking of the fullerene based interfacial layer. Inverted devices incorporating a single phase, ionically functionalized fullerene interfacial layer have not been previously demonstrated. The unusually high conductivity of NMFP-Br films is investigated and shown to be ~3 orders of magnitude higher than PCBM and contributes to the substantial reduction in series resistance.
At what time scale does the nervous system operate

A novel statistical strategy, the spike jitter method, was developed to assess temporal structure in spike trains from neuronal ensembles. Its keyfeature is the introduction of a null hy pothesis that assumes a uniform relative likelihood of observing a spike at one temporal location versus another within a small temporal window. We applied the method to simultaneouslyrecorded motor cortical neurons in behaving monkeys and examined the occurrence of /nely timed synchronybetween neuron pairs. Evidence was found for millisecond sy nchronythat could onlybe accounted for byassuming /ne temporal structure in the constituent neurons’ spike trains. The method was also applied to higher-order patterns. c 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Role of vitamin C in infectious disease and allergic reactions

Summary Vitamin C exerts significant anti-microbial and anti-histaminic effects under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. It is proposed that such actions are mediated by free radicals generated during ascorbic acid metabolism. These effects appear to be optimal under conditions in which the dietary intake of vitamin C far exceeds the amount necessary to prevent scurvy.
Late, out-of-laboratory, abrupt closure after angiographically successful directional coronary atherectomy

T he incidence of abrupt closure occurring out of the catheterization laboratory after angiographically successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in native coronary arteries is approximately 2% (Table I).*-5 Directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) has been associated with a lower incidence. This study reports our experience with abrupt closure after angiographically successful DCA. From December 1989 to May 1991, DCA was performed electively at 302 coronary arterial sites in 284 patients. There were IO protected left main, 175 left anterior descending, 46 left circumflex and 58 right coronary artery, and 15 saphenous vein grafts. The 15 vein grafts in 14 patients were excluded from analysis. A review of the clinical records, coronary angiograms, DCAs and in-hospital coronary events form the basis of this report. All patients received 325 mg of aspirin before, the day of and after DCA. The heparinization routine was 10,000 to 15,000 units intravenously at the beginning of the procedure, with additional doses during the procedure to maintain an activated clotting time 2300 seconds. Afterward, heparin was discontinued before the patient left the laboratory, and the femoral artery and venous sheaths were removed when the activated clotting time was <I50 seconds. Patients did not leave the laboratory on a heparin drip. Heparin was not restarted after sheath removal. Intracoronary nitroglycerin and oral or sublingual calcium antagonists were administered to all patients. Coronary arteriography was performed in orthogonal views for quantitative analysis before and after DCA. DCA was performed with the Devices for Vascular Intervention, Inc. (Redwood City, California) device. For the right coronary artery, initially 11 Fr, then 9.5Fr guid-
Proton-irradiation effects on In-Ge:As tunnel junctions

The effects of 3-MeV proton irradiation on indium-degenerate germanium (arsenic) tunnel junctions have been studied through measurement of the characteristic curves at 4.2 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The acceptor states introduced by the irradiation reduced the net doping in.the semiconductor resulting in increased incremental resistance and reduced semiconductor Fermi level. A calculation of the elastic one-step tunneling conductance which incorporates the doping effects of the irradiation is presented and compared to the data for low levels of irradiation. For high levels of irradiation the characteristic curves are dominated by a large, anomalous, zero-bias, resistance peak which is qualitatively interpreted in terms of impurity assisted, two-step tunneling.
Data Visualization Optimization via Computational Modeling of Perception

We present a method for automatically evaluating and optimizing visualizations using a computational model of human vision. The method relies on a neural network simulation of early perceptual processing in the retina and primary visual cortex. The neural activity resulting from viewing flow visualizations is simulated and evaluated to produce a metric of visualization effectiveness. Visualization optimization is achieved by applying this effectiveness metric as the utility function in a hill-climbing algorithm. We apply this method to the evaluation and optimization of 2D flow visualizations, using two visualization parameterizations: streaklet-based and pixel-based. An emergent property of the streaklet-based optimization is head-to-tail streaklet alignment. It had been previously hypothesized the effectiveness of head-to-tail alignment results from the perceptual processing of the visual system, but this theory had not been computationally modeled. A second optimization using a pixel-based parameterization resulted in a LIC-like result. The implications in terms of the selection of primitives is discussed. We argue that computational models can be used for optimizing complex visualizations. In addition, we argue that they can provide a means of computationally evaluating perceptual theories of visualization, and as a method for quality control of display methods.
A Simple, Safe, and Rapid Technique for the Management of Recurrent Coarctation of the Aorta

Abstract Six patients treated in infancy for coarctation of the aorta developed severe stenosis of the end-to-end aortic anastomosis that produced marked collateral circulation and upper extremity hypertension. Operation relieved the anastomotic obstruction in all 6 patients. A resection of the stenotic anastomosis with end-to-end aortic anastomosis was performed in 2 patients, bypass grafting between the transverse aortic arch and the distal aorta was done in 3 patients, and bypass grafting between the enlarged left subclavian artery and the distal aorta was performed in 1 patient. Interposed graft segments were short and had a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the aorta above or below the stenosis. Insertion of such short graft segments over an anastomotic obstruction provides an easy, rapid, and safe method for relieving hypertension and restoring distal pulsatile blood flow. Bypass grafting should be reserved for patients in whom anatomical considerations present an unusual hazard for a second aortic resection.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis versus Spinal Stenosis: Does a Slip Matter? Comparison of Baseline Characteristics and Outcomes (SPORT)

Lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and spinal stenosis (SPS) were originally described as separate pathoanatomic entities, though both cause narrowing of the spinal canal, compression of the nerve roots, and can lead to neurogenic claudication.1,2 Given these commonalities, DS was originally classified as a subgroup among other degenerative causes of stenosis.3 Because listhetic deformities were thought to be inherently unstable, it was debated if fusion in addition to decompression improved outcomes in DS patients. The most definitive answer to that question was provided by Herkowitz and Kurz, who demonstrated significantly improved outcomes when fusion was combined with decompression in a cohort of DS patients.4 As a result, fusion is performed routinely for most DS patients. Less debated has been the role of fusion in SPS. Although there has been no definitive study, two meta-analyses suggested that fusion in addition to decompression did not improve outcomes in SPS.5,6 Most clinicians continue to treat their SPS patients with decompression alone. Despite the fact that DS and SPS patients typically undergo different surgical treatments, investigators have traditionally combined DS and SPS patients in clinical studies.5,7-12 Prior studies that included both DS and SPS patients have analyzed small subgroups to evaluate the relationship between listhesis and outcomes, and most found that listhesis was not associated with surgical outcomes.12-15 However, a meta-analysis reported that studies including only DS patients had better surgical results than those that combined DS and SPS patients,5 and a recent trial including DS and SPS patients found better outcomes among patients who underwent fusion, 90% of whom had DS.10 Given the lack of consensus about whether DS and SPS patients actually differ clinically, a formal comparison of these two diagnostic groups is needed. Because DS patients and SPS patients are generally treated with different surgical techniques, the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) evaluated and reported results for these two patient groups separately.16,17 This allows us to address two important questions: “Apart from the listhetic deformity, are there clinically relevant differences between patients presenting with DS and SPS ?” and “Are there significant differences between the clinical outcomes of patients with these two conditions?”
Representing reductions of NP-complete problems in logical frameworks: a case study

Under the widely believed conjecture P≠NP, NP-complete problems cannot be solved exactly using efficient polynomial time algorithms. Furthermore, any instance of a NP-complete problem can be converted to an instance of another problem in NP in polynomial time. Thus, identifying NP-complete problems is very important in algorithm design and can help computer scientists and engineers redirect their efforts towards finding approximate solutions to these problems. As a first step towards a digital library for NP-complete problems, we describe a case study involving two well-known NP-complete problems 3-SAT and CHROMATIC together with a reduction and the corresponding soundness proof in a logical framework.
Regulation of macrophage biology by lithium: a new look at an old drug.

Lithium (Li) continues to be a standard small compound used for the treatment of neurological disorders. Besides neuronal cells, Li is also known to affect immune cell function. In spite of its clinical use, potential mechanisms by which Li modulates immune cells, especially macrophages and its clinical relevance in bipolar patients are not well understood. Here, we provide an overview of the literature with regard to Li’s effects on monocytes and macrophages. We have also included some of our results showing that Li differentially modulates chemokine gene expression in the absence and presence of Toll-like receptor-4 stimulation in a human macrophage model. Given that Li has a wide range of intracellular targets both in macrophages as well as in other cell types, more studies are needed to further understand the mechanistic basis of Li’s effect in neurological and other inflammatory diseases. These studies could undoubtedly identify new therapeutic targets for treating such diseases.
Solution conduits as indicators of late Quaternary sea level position

Abstract Solution conduits or caves can provide a measure of glacio-eustatic sea level position for the Quaternary. In high latitudes, cave deposits contain artifacts, fossils and sediments that reflect surface conditions with respect to climate. Secondary calcite deposits, most notably stalagmites, record growth episodes during ice minima and non-growth during ice maxima. They provide an indirect estimate of areal ice cover at high latitudes, and are an indirect measure of sea level. In low latitudes, stable carbonate platforms contain caves that provide a direct measure of past sea level position. Solution conduits developing in a fresh water lens will record the position of the lens and therefore sea level. As sea level fluctuates, fresh water lens horizons and conduit development horizons will shift, preserving a record of past sea level position. Cave wall rock and cave deposits can produce a chronology for given conduit positions. Secondary calcite deposits, notably stalagmites, record growth periods during sea level low stands (or ice maxima) and record growth hiatuses during flooding by sea level high stands (or ice minima); the inverse of high latitude stalagmites. Lighthouse Cave, San Salvador Island, Bahamas, records a sea level high stand at +1 to +6 m for some time period between 85,000 and 70,000 years ago, based on position and timing of conduit development; and records sea level at present elevation for some time period between 49,000 and 37,000 years ago, based on a stalagmite with a marine overgrowth.
Factors determining polaron mobility in light-emitting diodes

ABSTRACT Mobility of positive polarons in poly (phenylene vinylene), PPV, measured by time of flight methods, ranges from -10-3 to 10-7 cm2/Vs at room temperature. The large range indicates that thematerials are disordered. Both disorder and polaronic effects contribute to the activation energy forhopping, but in PPV the polaronic effects are less important and to first approximation may beneglected. Comparison ofthe observed field dependence of mobility for two sets of samples with the results of Monte Carlo simulations leads to the conclusion that the contribution of site energy disorder is predominant in one case, but comparable to that of orientational disorder in the other.We suggest that the most important factor leading to the wide range of mobility values is different distributions of conjugation lengths, resulting from different choices of precursor polymer and conversion protocol.Keywords: Disorder, time of flight, activation energy, dispersive transport, hopping, site energyvariation, off diagonal disorder, electric field dependence, photons, conjugation length.
Eisenhower's Scientists: Policy Entrepreneurs and the Test-Ban Debate 1954–1958

What accounts for the variation in the influence of scientists in the policy-making process? Why is it that scientists sometimes appear to exercise significant autonomy in shaping policy agendas, while at other times very little? Scientists are most influential, this paper contends, when they can leverage their recognized expertise by strategically co-opting institutionalized channels of advice. This is most likely to occur in issue areas of high complexity and ambiguity when key policy makers are dependent upon scientists for their counsel. Policy entrepreneurs within competing scientific communities, prevented from accessing key decision makers, wait until windows of opportunity open to undermine the credibility of the incumbent experts, gain access to political leaders, and refocus the policy agenda. This theory is developed and tested through a case-study analysis of the nuclear test-ban debate during the Eisenhower administration from 1954 to 1958. The findings of this paper underscore the need to treat foreign policy decision making as a series of strategic interactions between multiple actors with a broader capacity to influence the policy-making process than traditionally conceived. By doing so, scholars can better understand variations in government decision making across time and issue area, providing important insights into the role of experts in a wide range of public policy domains.
Psychogenic seizures: clinical features and psychological analysis.

Abstract Approximately 25–30% of patients referred to epilepsy centers for refractory epilepsy are found to have nonepileptic seizures (NES). In many cases psychological assessments are performed to evaluate for underlying psychiatric disorders. The authors analyzed the clinical features of 23 patients with NES and correlated the features with underlying psychological status. Thirteen of the twenty-three patients (56.5%) had motor manifestations and 10 presented with limpness and unresponsiveness. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, or malingering between patients with limpness and those with motor manifestations. However, only patients with motor manifestations had a history of sexual and physical abuse. Those with limp and unresponsive presentations were less likely to have a history of sexual and/or physical abuse. This finding may help treating physicians to choose optimum psychiatric treatment for patients with NES. Additional studies are needed to clarify the association.
Pioneer Venus Orbiter Fluxgate Magnetometer

The fluxgate magnetometer on the Pioneer Venus orbiter spacecraft is described. Special features include gradiometer operation, on board despinning, a floating point processor and variable Nyquist filters. Initial operations have been entirely successful.
Sectoral Foreign Investment and Nitrous Oxide Emissions: A Quantitative Investigation

Studies of the anthropogenic contributors to greenhouse gas emissions have increased markedly in recent years. However, not all greenhouse gases have received their deserved attention. This study tests the theoretically derived assertion that foreign investment dependence increases the emissions of one such neglected greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide. Findings of the cross-national ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis of 44 countries show that foreign investment dependence is associated with higher levels of nitrous oxide emissions. However, the findings are contingent upon the sector of investment. That is, primary-sector investment is associated with higher levels of emissions, whereas secondary-sector investment is not. The findings support the theory of foreign investment dependence while also underscoring the need to study these sorts of structural relationships at the sector level.
Review of pathogenesis and treatment of degenerative joint disease

Treatment of degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) is discussed in relationship to pathogenesis of five clinical entities, defined to facilitate discussion:-1) occurring in high motion joints and associated with synovitis; 2) associated with low motion joints; 3) "non-progressive" articular cartilage erosion; 4) secondary to other identified problems (intra-articular fractures, ligamentous damage, wounds, septic arthritis, osteochondrosis); and 5) chondromalacia of the patella. In addition to direct damage to articular cartilage, synovitis and capsulitis and depletion of matrical glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans play important roles. The natural healing response in damaged articular cartilage is inadequate. The principles of treatment are divided into: 1) prevention or treatment of primary causes. These include the effects of track surface, shoeing, and the appropriate resolution of intra-articular fractures, septic arthritis and osteochondritis dissecans. 2) treatment of active soft tissue disease contributing to articular cartilage degeneration, including rest, physical therapy, synovectomy and administration of anti-inflammatory drugs, sodium hyaluronate and polysulfated glycosaminoglycans. 3) attempts at treatment of articular cartilage loss or degeneration, including articular cartilage curettage, subchondral bone drilling, osteophyte removal, articular cartilage grafting and arthrodesis.
Maternal reproductive history and birth characteristics in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Using birth-registration data, a case-control study was done to investigate the possible associations of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with birth characteristics and maternal reproductive history. The data included cases born and diagnosed in Minnesota since 1969. Matched analyses were conducted using 337 cases and 1336 birth year-matched controls. There was a statistically significant increased odds of ALL for birth to older (greater than 35 years) mothers (odds ratio (OR) = 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28, 3.58), older fathers (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.14, 2.30), mothers with at least a high school education (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.05, 2.48), and larger intervals (greater than 5 years) between the birth of the proband and the preceding sibling (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.12, 3.09). The increased odds of ALL for birth by Caesarean section approached significance (OR = 1.42, P = 0.06). No overall association was found for: gender, race, paternal education, fetal-loss history, birth order, prenatal care history, pregnancy complications, inducement of labor, multiple birth, gestational age, or birth weight. Age at diagnosis was an important effect modifier of some analyses. For cases diagnosed before age 2 years, there was a 2.7-fold increased odds of ALL if the last pregnancy had resulted in a fetal loss (P = 0.03). For cases diagnosed before age 4 years, birth weight greater than 3800 g was associated with a significant 2.05-fold increased odds of ALL. These data strengthen the hypothesis that prenatal events may play a causative role in childhood ALL, particularly in those cases diagnosed at a younger age.
Pathogenic properties of encephalomyocarditis virus isolates in swine fetuses.

The pathogenicity of 5 different encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus isolates was investigated in swine fetuses following injection of each virus in utero. Laparotomies were performed on 3 pregnant sows in early mid-third (39–40 days) of gestation and on 5 sows in the late mid-third (70–72 days) of gestation, and groups of fetuses were inoculated with different viruses into the amniotic sacs. The uninoculated fetuses served as controls. Thirty-five (71.4%) of 49 infected and 1 of 26 control fetuses were grossly abnormal. Virus was recovered from 18 of 28 infected fetuses and 1 of 16 control fetuses examined. Antibody to EMC virus was detected in all of 14 fetuses infected at 70–72 days of gestation and examined 11–26 days post-infection. The fetal pathogenicity was different depending on the virus strains and the fetal age at the time of virus infection. The EMC ATCC-VR 129 virus was not pathogenic but NVSL-PR, MN-25 and MN-30 were highly pathogenic to the fetuses in both early and late mid-thirds of gestation, while NVSL-MDV was pathogenic to the fetus in early but not in late mid-third of gestation. Possible mechanisms for differences in the pathogenicity between the virus strains are discussed.
Approximating maps of 2-manifolds with zero-dimensional nondegeneracy sets

Abstract Let ƒ:M 2 →M 3 be a map of a 2-manifold into a 3-manifold where N ƒ is 0-dimensional. In this paper we present progress towards proving the conjecture that ƒ can be approximated by an embedding. In particular, we prove that the conjecture is true if N ƒ is closed. We also show that the conjecture is equivalent to two other conjectures; the first being a special case of itself, namely, when M 2 is a 2-disk, and the second, a conjecture about the existence of tamely embedded 1-skeleta of a triangulation of Int M 2 . Finally, we weaken the goal of finding an embedding approximation, and prove that ƒ can be approximated by a map with arbitrarily small diameter point preimages. An important corollary of this last result is that all 3-manifolds possess the general position property LMSP ∗ .
Benzenepolycarboxylic acid salts as eluents in anion chromatography

Abstract Several benzenepolycarboxylate salts were used as eluents for separating common inorganic anions on a highly efficient anion-exchange column. Eluents containing a — 3-charged benzenetricarboxylate (BTA) anion or a — 4 pyromellitate anion gave better separations than — 2 phthalate eluents of samples containing both — 1 and — 2 anions. Compared with phthalate, a lower concentration of BTA or pyromellitate is used in the eluent, with a consequent improvement in the sensitivity of detection by indirect spectrophotometry. With BTA and pyromellitate eluents, sulfate elutes much earlier than nitrate and other monovalent anions than it does with phthalate. However, this effect may depend partly on the type and capacity of the ion-exchange resin in addition to the eluent.
Heat-transfer telemetry from free-flight models in wind tunnels. I.

Heat transfer telemetry from free flight models in hypersonic wind tunnels, using miniature FM transmitter with thin film thermistor sensor
Older sibling influences on the language environment and language development of toddlers in bilingual homes

Two separate studies examined older siblings' influence on the language exposure and language development of U.S.-born toddlers who were being raised in bilingual homes. The participants in Study 1 were 60 children between 16 and 30 months who had heard English and another language at home from birth; 26 had older siblings and 34 did not. The participants in Study 2 were 27 children, assessed at 22 and 30 months, who had heard English and Spanish from birth; 14 had school aged older siblings and 13 did not. Both studies found that older siblings used English more in talking to the toddlers than did other household members and that toddlers with older siblings were more advanced in English language development. Study 2 also found that the presence of a school aged older sibling increased mothers' use of English with their toddlers and that toddlers without a school aged older sibling were more advanced in Spanish than the toddlers with a school aged older sibling. These findings contribute to a picture of the complex processes that shape language use in bilingual homes and cause variability in young children's bilingual development.