cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PULSAR: A MATLAB Toolbox for Parallel Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Array Coils and Multiple Channel Receivers

Partial parallel imaging (PPI) techniques using array coils and multichannel receivers have become an effective approach to achieving fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This article presents a Matlab toolbox called PULSAR (Parallel imaging Utilizing Localized Surface-coil Acquisition and Reconstruction) that can simulate the data acquisi- tion and image reconstruction, and analyze performance of five common PPI techniques. PULSAR can simulate sensitivity functions of rectangular loop coils using a quasi-static model based on Biot-Savart's Law and undersampled multichannel data acquisition on a rectilinear k-space grid. In addition, PULSAR provides performance evaluation of the techniques based on artifact power (AP), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and computational complexity. In this article, the structure and functionality of the PULSAR toolbox are described. Examples using both the simulated and real four-channel and eight-channel data were used to demonstrate the utilities of the toolbox and to show that PULSAR is a convenient and effective means to study the PPI under different coil geometries, acquisition strategies, and reconstruction methods. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn
New developments in the law for obesity discrimination protection

Background: Obese individuals are frequent targets of weight-based discrimination, particularly in the employment setting. Victims of weight discrimination have sought legal restitution like others who have suffered from different forms of discrimination. However, in the vast majority of the United States, body weight is not a protected class and weight-based employment discrimination does not provide a basis for a legal claim. Some have attempted to seek legal recourse under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (collectively, the ADA), which protect against discrimination based on mental or physical disabilities in a variety of settings. Until recently, claims of weight discrimination under the ADA have also been largely unsuccessful. However, Congress recently passed the ADA Amendments Act, expanding the definition of what constitutes a disability and incorporating a broad view of ADA's coverage. Objective: This short communication provides an update of the law as it relates to employment based discrimination of obese people. The authors propose a legislative direction for future legal recourse. Design and Methods: The authors conducted legal research into the ADA Amendments Act, and synthesized this work relating to discrimination against weight in the employment context. Results: In light of the ADA Amendments Act, courts and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have provided protection for severely obese people from discrimination based on actual or perceived disability in the employment context. Conclusion: The authors discuss this positive legal development and additionally propose a targeted solution to address weight discrimination in the employment setting. National polling suggests there is considerable public support for such a measure. The authors thus recommend the implementation of a “Weight Discrimination in Employment Act” modeled after the Age Discrimination in Employment Act to adequately address this pervasive and damaging injustice toward individuals who are affected by obesity.
Differences in thyroid function of several strains of mice.

SummaryI131 uptake and retention by the thyroid of several strains of mice was measured with an in vivo technic and compared with the histological reaction of the thyroid to sulfadiazine administration. The order in which the strains of mice rank in their thyroid hormone output rate was found not to parallel the order in which the strains rank in their histological reaction to sulfadiazine. Degree of reaction to sulfadiazine is thus not directly dependent upon the normal rate of thyroid hormone output, but they represent 2 separate independent aspects of the pituitary-thyroid axis.
Why I Signed, and Why I Would Do It Again

In “A Case Study in Unethical Transgressive Bioethics” Laurence McCullough and colleagues (2010) call for signers to disavow the Letter of Concern (LoC) regarding Maria New's ongoing work with and ...
SAR of a Series of 5,6-Dihydro-(9H)-pyrazolo[3,4-c]-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-α]pyridines as Potent Inhibitors of Human Eosinophil Phosphodiesterase

The potency and physical properties of a previously reported 7-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine series of human eosinophil phosphodiesterase inhibitors were improved by tying the lactam moiety into a triazolo ring. The resulting 5,6-dihydro-(9H)-pyrazolo[3,4-c]-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-alpha]pyridine series provided nonionizable analogs with melting point properties suitable for micronization. Substitution at the 3-position of the 5,6-dihydro-(9H)-pyrazolo[3,4-c]-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-alpha]pyridine tricycle led to a 2-thienyl analog, 19 (tofimilast), a potent PDE4 inhibitor with low oral bioavailability and no emesis-associated behaviors in ferrets at plasma concentrations up to 152 ng/mL.
Applicability of ferrimagnetic hosts to nanostructured negative index of refraction (left-handed) materials

There has been considerable interest generated by the demonstration of (epsilon) < 0, (mu) < 0 composite materials. These negative index of refraction materials, a subset of the class of materials labeled 'left-handed', possess two different arrays of resonant structures which separately give rise to negative (epsilon) and (mu) over the appropriate microwave frequency interval. Any attempt to significantly increase the operating frequency will require shrinking the resonant elements to a nanostructure. Replacing the array of elements responsible for (mu) < 0 with a nonconducting ferrimagnet significantly reduces the complexity of the resulting nanostructured material. This presentation includes a brief overview of the behavior of negative index of refraction materials and an enumeration of the advantages and disadvantages of using a ferrimagnet to produce (mu) < 0. In addition, calculations of the transmission of electromagnetic waves through a ferrimagnet based negative index of refraction material are presented. In particular, the prospects for operating in the far IR and microwave regimes, pro9blems with the interaction between the (epsilon) < 0 structures and the ferrimagnet, and tunability with externally applied magnetic fields are discussed.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Middle ultraviolet and visible spectrum of SO2 by electron impact

[i] Electron-impact-induced fluorescence spectra of SO 2 in the middle ultraviolet and visible wavelength regions (200-600 nm) have been measured in the laboratory using a crossed beam experiment at three electron impact energies. The emission spectra at 8, 18, and 98 eV exhibit a broad and continuous emission region extending from 225 to near 600 nm with a peak emission close to 330 nm. The quasicontinuous SO 2 bands arise primarily from direct excitation of SO 2 . At 18 and 98 eV, simultaneous excitation and dissociation of SO 2 produces distinct vibrational bands from SO and from atomic emission lines from S I, S II, O I, and O II that are superimposed on the SO 2 electronic transitions. The laboratory spectra were compared to green/violet color ratios obtained at lo by the Galileo Orbiter Solid State Imaging experiment. The laboratory spectra were also applied to the Cassini Imaging Subsystem to determine which filter combinations are particularly sensitive to electron energy, if the atmospheric gas present in the auroral atmosphere is solely or primarily SO 2 .
Living with boisterous neighbors: Studying the interaction of adaptive jamming and anti-jamming

Jamming has long been a problem in wireless communications, but with recent advances in adaptive jamming, adaptive anti-jamming, and other advanced physical layer security techniques, it is hard to understand whether we can keep the jammer at bay. In this work, we consider this problem and introduce a game-theoretic framework which gives us a tool to analyze the complex adaptive jamming and anti-jamming space. To illustrate the strengths and weaknesses in intelligent jamming and anti-jamming techniques, we present a straightforward two-player instance and analyze a number of possible jamming and anti-jamming techniques.
Radar mapping of Isunnguata Sermia, Greenland

Ice thickness estimates using advanced nadir sounding and tomographic radar processing techniques are compared and combined in a study of Isunnguata Sermia glacier, Greenland. Using an ensemble of Operation IceBridge flight lines spaced at 500 m intervals and running approximately along the flow direction, we find there is a statistically excellent comparison between subglacial terrains derived from two-dimensional tomography and gridded nadir sounding. Analysis shows that tomographic data better capture short wavelength (1–2 km) patterns in basal terrain, but interpolated nadir sounding data yield more spatially extensive and continuous coverage across the glacier, especially in deep subglacial troughs. Using derived surface and basal topography maps, we find that driving stress and measured and modeled surface velocity comparisons indicate that basal sliding is an important component of the glacier motion, but is also only weakly coupled to the detailed bed topography save for the deepest troughs. As might be expected for this land-terminating, relatively slow-moving glacier, the subglacial and proglacial topography is similar, suggesting the erosional processes acting on the modern glacier bed once helped sculpt the now exposed land.
National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986: Using Tax Revenues to Assure Vaccine Availability

The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 was funded with an earmarked tax in an attempt to prevent a perceived crisis that was developing in the United States regarding the availability and affordability of vaccines for life-threatening childhood illnesses. The federal government felt compelled to intervene in a perceived failure of the private marketplace. In short, the inability of several pharmaceutical firms to obtain liability insurance due to high damage awards forced them to leave the marketplace or self-insure. This article details the history of the vaccine tax policy issues and updates the experiences of the financing mechanism. As the federal government attempts to broaden its role in the health care delivery system, the possibility of similar interventions exist.
Problems with evidence-based medicine

Evidence-based medicine is a modern paradigm by which to practice clinical medicine. It is rapidly gaining acceptance among academicians and clinicians as the optimal way to care for patients. Modern technology has facilitated easy access to information, improving the ability to put evidence-based medicine into practice. Data demonstrating its value are accumulating; however, like any innovation, evidence-based medicine has come under attack for a variety of shortcomings. These problems are both secondary to misapplication of basic principles inherent to the concept. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 6(2):237-240, 1999)
Sequential early and delayed myocardial 99mTc pyrophosphate scans: Evaluation of diffuse myocardial uptake

Of 114 pyrophosphate (PPi) myocardial studies, eleven were selected to assess the significance of diffuse uptake observed in the images obtained early (2–3 h) following injection and compared with delayed scintigrams at 6–24 h. From the results of the late studies the patients were divided into two groups; those with no or minimal residual activity in the delayed study (five cases) and those with approximately the same intensity of delayed scans as in the early study (six cases). No significant abnormalities in cardiac enzymes or the EKG (obtained within 24 h) were noted in the patients of the first group. Cardiac enzymes, EKG abnormalities, indicating myocardial damage, or decreased radionuclide LVEF dysfunction were found in the patients of second group. We concluded that a late image is required in a case of diffuse PPi myocardial uptake in the early image, and myocardial damage may be present if there is persistently diffuse uptake of PPi in the late image.
An NMR investigation of the transmission of substituent effects through silicon

Abstract The proton NMR spectra of five triphenylsilyl derivatives (-OH, -OCH 3 , -H, -C, -F) have been analyzed exactly in terms of chemical shifts and coupling constants. Varying substituents on silicon appears to have little effect on the π-interaction between silicon and the phenyl rings. However, substituents do affect the sigma electron framework of the phenyl rings as evidenced by the correlation between J (H o -H m ) and the electronegativity of the substituent.
Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Materials that Rapidly Swell in Non-Polar Liquids: Nanoscale Morphology and Swelling Mechanism

A novel type of sol–gel derived zerogels that instantaneously swell greater than three times their dried volume in nonpolar solvents were investigated. Hybrid organic–inorganic materials that swell were only produced from a narrow set of precursors that possess an organic bridging group that contains an aromatic segment that is flexibly linked to the alkoxysilane polymerizable ends. Careful control over the processing conditions (catalyst, solvent, aging time) was necessary to yield animated zerogels. Various materials were studied by electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy using a covalently linked pyrene reporter. Collectively, the data support a model where swelling is derived from a morphology of interconnected organosilicate nanoparticles that are cross-linked to a particular extent during the gel state. Upon drying to the zerogel form, tensile forces generated by capillary-induced collapse of the polymeric matrix are released when interparticle ...
Temperature effects on fatigue crack growth in polycarbonate

The fatigue behaviour of a high strength thermoplastic, polycarbonate, has been investigated as a function of temperature. Fatigue crack growth properties were measured in the temperature range of 100 to 373 K and were analysed using a fracture mechanics approach. Fatigue behaviour was found to be related to the fracture toughness of the material. This correlation with fracture toughness was used to develop an empirical model based on the toughness for describing the effect of temperature on fatigue crack growth, and to consider fatigue in terms of the secondary losses of the polymer.
A successful conversion of failed Fontan circulation to total cavopulmonary connection in a case of tricuspid atresia without pulmonary stenosis

A 12-year-old boy was first admitted to Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Hospital at 2 days of age with the diagnosis of tricuspid atresia without pulmonary stenosis, normally related great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC). He underwent pulmonary artery banding at the age of 1 year and atrial septectomy at 2.9 years. At the age of 6.3 years, he underwent successful Bjork operation in conjunction with closure of a trial and ventricular septal defects. Late after surgery, however, he developed progressive intolerance to exercise (NYHA III), cardiomegaly, and depressed ST segments in the left precordial leads. Catheter examination at the age of 11.9 years disclosed moderately elevated pressures (15 mmHg) in the right atrium and pulmonary artery, depressed left ventricular function with ejection fraction (EF) of 0.48, and marked dilatation of the coronary sinus (CS). Right atriography revealed retrograde filling of the dilated CS up to the junction with PLSVC. With supposition that the combined elevation of the volume and pressure loads on CS had disturbed both coronary circulation and ventricular function, he, at the age of 12 years, underwent take down of the Fontan circulation and conversion to the total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). His postoperative recovery was uneventful and, at 2.5 years after the latest surgery, he is leading a normal life. The findings of the chest roentgenogram and electrocardiogram reverted to normal and EF returned to the normal value (0.66). This experience draws us to conclude that conversion to TCPC is a safe and effective mean to salvage the patients with failed Fontan circulation. This experience also suggests that dilatation of CS is a predictor of the failed or failing Fontan circulation.
At what rate do new premutation alleles arise at the fragile X locus

Two mutation rates are the key to understanding the population dynamics of fragile X syndrome. Hagerman (2008) estimated one of these mutation rates from empirical data: the rate at which premutation alleles at the fragile X locus, FMR1, undergo further expansion to the full-mutation alleles that can give rise to fragile X syndrome. Here, we use newly published empirical data to estimate the other: the rate at which premutation alleles arise, de novo, in the United States population. Before the molecular characterization of the FMR1 locus, it seemed that almost all full-mutation fragile X alleles arose through further expansion of existing premutation alleles segregating in families (see, e.g. Smits et al. 1992), with no evidence that new premutation alleles could be produced through mutational expansion of smaller alleles. However, several mutation-selection balance models suggested that fragile X mutation rates would have to be quite high to explain the observed frequency of males with fragile X syndrome, especially given the reduced reproductive fitness of these individuals. Mutation rates estimated under these population-genetic models ranged from 0.00010 to 0.00072 (Table 1)—values at the high end of the range reported for disease-causing alleles at other human loci (Vogel and Motulsky 1986). Here, we use published data on FMR1 allele frequencies and expansion probabilities to calculate the rate at which new FMR1 premutation alleles arise in the United States. Our results are in accord with several earlier population-genetic estimates of a very high mutation rate for FMR1. Existing data indicate that new premutation alleles arise mostly or exclusively via expansion of intermediate alleles, which are defined as having CGG-repeat numbers ranging from 45 to 54. In a study of more than 1,000 parent-to-child transmissions of normal alleles, which have fewer than 45 repeats, Nolin et al. (2011) reported no transitions directly into the premutation class. These empirical findings inform our approach of calculating the overall rate at which new premutation alleles arise, using exclusively mutation rate and frequency data for intermediate alleles.
Validity and reliability of the critical care pain observation tool: a replication study.

Abstract Critically ill patients are often not able to self-report the presence of pain. Currently there is no generally accepted assessment tool for this population. The Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) was developed for pain assessment of critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to replicate the findings of the Gelinas et al. (2006) CPOT reference study and examine the interrater reliability (IRR), discriminant validity (DV), and criterion validity (CV) of the CPOT. This quantitative study used a repeated measures design with a convenience sample of 21 postoperative open heart surgery patients cared for in a tertiary-care teaching hospital. Testing for IRR in this sample showed a range of results resulting in fair to almost perfect IRR; the findings of this study suggest that the instrument's IRR is acceptable but variable. Testing for DV demonstrated a significant difference in mean scores between noxious (painful) and nonnoxious (nonpainful) procedures. Testing for CV showed a weak nonsignificant Spearman correlation of 0.26 ( P
Hydrodynamical Analogy to E = m c2

For many years the study from certain viewpoints of the theory of gravity waves in a simple fluid has formed one of my scientific occupations. Of late I have been stimulated in this direction by the work of others, for example through the accomplishments of my friend, Professor R. LONG, who in 1956 succeeded in the specification of the more exact solution for the solitary wave problem. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1959.tb00013.x
Characterization techniques for x-ray lithography sources

Simple measurements techniques for evaluation of x-ray lithography sources are presented in this paper. Experimental results obtained with this simple method in a point source x-ray system consisting of a Cu target irradiated by a Nd:glass laser agree with complete calculations performed taking into account the spectrum from the x-ray source measured with calibrated crystal and CCD detectors.
Light scattering from a tricritical multicomponent fluid mixture

Light scattering from a multicomponent fluid mixture, ammonium sulfate-water-ethanol-benzene, has been studied near its tricritical point. From the angular dependence of the scattering intensity, tricritical singularities for the concentration susceptibility and for the correlation length were found to diverge with mean-field-value exponents. Rayleigh linewidths measured both above and below the tricritical temperature were compared with the existing theories.
Fat cell function and insulin in a patient with generalized lipodystrophy

on glaucoma, Philadelphia, 1965, Lea & Febiger, Publishers. 4. Witkop, C. J., Jr., and Barros, L.: Oral and genetic studies of Chileans, 1960. I. Oral anomalies, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 21: 15, 1963. 5. Francois, J.: Heredity in ophthalmology, St. Louis, 1961, The C. V. Mosb3/ Company, pp. 291-294. 6. Friedman, M. W., and Wright, E. S.: Hereditary microcornea and cataract in five generations, Am. J. Ophth. 35: 1017, 1952. 7. Batra, D. V., and Paul, S. D.: Unilateral 8.
Variable Null Optics for Subaperture Stitching of Aspheres

Aspheres are often tested with null optics, but these are usually specific to the asphere prescription. We present a variable null system suitable for flexible asphere testing when employed with subaperture stitching.
A note on solving Volterra integral equations with convolution kernels

A method described previously by the authors is applied to certain smooth kernels of convolution type in order to obtain numerical solutions to certain Volterra integral equations. Several one-dimensional approximation techniques are compared, and the finite Tchebycheff expansion is found to be most effective in terms of decreased computational effort. A number of numerical examples are cited.
Matrices and the structure of random number sequences

Abstract This note provides a short, self-contained treatment, using linear algebra and matrix theory, for establishing maximal periods, underlying structure, and choice of starting values for shift-register and lagged-Fibonacci random number generators.
Pathophysiology of congenital diaphragmatic hernia XVI : elevated pulmonary collagen in the lamb model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

The pathophysiologic features of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) include pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension, surfactant deficiency, and decreased pulmonary compliance. When the surfactant deficiency is corrected using exogenous surfactant therapy, the pulmonary compliance improves, but does not reach normal values. Quasistatic saline pressure-volume measurements, which eliminate the air-liquid interface, confirm that CDH lungs are intrinsically less compliant than control lungs. The authors hypothesized that this abnormal lung compliance results from elevated concentrations of collagen and/or elastin in the lung. Therefore, they measured the collagen and elastin concentrations in CDH and control lung tissue. Also measured was the collagen concentration in the kidney, intestine, and dissected third-generation arterioles, venules, and bronchioles, to characterize further the pathology of CDH. The CDH model was created on the left side of fetuses in pregnant ewes at 80 days' gestation. The fetuses were delivered and killed at 140 days (full term, 145). The concentrations of collagen (as hydroxyproline), elastin, DNA, and total protein were measured using standard techniques. Although there was significantly more collagen per gram of lung tissue in the CDH lungs (1.334 mg/g v 0.885 mg/g in the controls) the elastin concentrations were not different. The elevated collagen concentration was not associated specifically with the conducting airways or vasculature. The collagen concentrations in CDH kidneys and intestines were the same as those of controls. The DNA/total protein ratios in the CDH and control lungs were identical. The results suggest that the elevated collagen concentration was present only in the lungs of CDH lambs, and that it was not attributable to atrophy or hypertrophy of the lungs. Thus, increased collagen in the lung parenchyma may be responsible for the intrinsic stiffness and decreased compliance of the CDH lungs.
The age–period–cohort conundrum as two fundamental problems

In general the age–period–cohort (APC) conundrum refers to the problem of separating the effects of age-groups, periods, and cohorts. This formulation, however, fails to differentiate two fundamental problems in APC analysis: (1) the problem of the complete confounding of the linear effects of age with the effects of period and cohort, the linear effects of cohorts with period and age, and the linear effects of period with age and cohort; and (2) the problem of model identification. We elucidate both problems and show how the first problem makes the partitioning of variance between cohort effects, period effects, and age effects and the deviation of their effects from linearity problematic even when these approaches do not suffer from the problems associated with model identification. We conclude by examining the affects of this linear confounding on estimates of the individual effect coefficients for age-groups, periods, and cohorts when a linear constraint it imposed on the matrix of independent variables to produce an identifiable model.
Bilden und Brechen von Peptidbindungen: Protein-Engineering mithilfe von Sortase

Sortasen gehoren zu einer Klasse bakterieller Enzyme, die Transpeptidaseaktivitat aufweisen. Die Fahigkeit, Peptidbindungen ortsspezifisch zu brechen und neue Bindungen mit einem angreifenden Nukleophil zu bilden, macht Sortase zu einem hervorragenden Hilfsmittel fur das Protein-Engineering. Diese Methode wurde fur eine Reihe von Anwendungen angepasst, die von der Chemie uber die Zellbiologie bis hin zu technischen Gebieten reichen. Wir wollen hier einen kurzen Uberblick uber die Biologie der Sortaseenzyme und ihre Anwendungen im Protein-Engineering geben, auf Gebiete fur zukunftige Innovationen hinweisen und neue Anwendungen vorschlagen.
How to "peer review" a medical journal manuscript.

BACKGROUND The accuracy, validity, and appropriateness of what gets published in the medical literature depends upon a pool of competent peer referees. However, the requisite skills needed to become such a peer are not taught at the residency training program level or subsequently by the journals themselves, who offer no training and little written instruction. OBJECTIVE To outline a logical, orderly approach to the task of reviewing a “raw” medical manuscript. By breaking the overall endeavor down into smaller, step-by-step components, the novice reviewer should attain the direction and skills to complete a review with confidence. METHODS Explore the role of the reviewer, discuss the philosophy of review, identify the key elements to look for when reading and rereading the manuscript, and outline a orderly approach to the decision making process. CONCLUSIONS A “peer” is a physician with expertise on the subject under scrutiny who spends sufficient time and thought to fulfill two main obligations: to render an honest, unbiased decision on whether or not the manuscript should be published and, if it is acceptable, to help make it better. It is possible to perform the review process in a relatively simple, organized, and logical manner.
Gradenigo Syndrome: Unusual Consequence of Otitis Media

Introduction: In 1904, Giuseppe Gradenigo published his case series on the triad of ipsilateral abducens nerve palsy, facial pain in the trigeminal nerve distribution, and suppurative otitis media, which would subsequently be referred to as Gradenigo syndrome. Case Report: Our patient was a 36-year-old female, 23 weeks pregnant, with a 6-day history of right-sided otalgia and hearing loss and a 4-day history of purulent otorrhea, who presented with severe, holocephalic headache, meningeal signs, fever, photophobia, and mental status decline. Lumbar puncture yielded a white blood cell count of 1,559 cells/mm3 with 95% polymorphonuclear leukocytes, a red blood cell count of 111 cells/mm3, a protein level of 61 mg/dl, and a glucose level of Streptococcus pneumoniae and treated with ceftriaxone. On the second hospital day, she developed horizontal diplopia due to right abducens nerve palsy and right mydriasis. Both symptoms resolved on the third hospital day. Erosion of temporal bone and opacification of mastoid air cells was shown on CT scan. A CT venogram showed an irregularity of the left transverse and superior sagittal sinuses. She was treated with enoxaparin for possible sinus thrombosis. Discussion: This case demonstrates rare but serious sequelae of otitis media and Gradenigo syndrome. Holocephalic headache from meningitis masked trigeminal pain. Involvement of the ipsilateral petrous apex and surrounding structures on imaging and clinical improvement with antibiotic treatment supports Gradenigo syndrome over intracranial hypertension due to venous sinus thrombosis as the cause of the abducens nerve palsy.
Viral shape-shifting: Norovirus evasion of the human immune system

Noroviruses are the most common cause of food-borne gastroenteritis worldwide, and explosive outbreaks frequently occur in community settings, where the virus can immobilize large numbers of infected individuals for 24-48 hours, making the development of effective vaccines and antiviral therapies a priority. However, several challenges have hampered therapeutic design, including: the limitations of cell culture and small-animal model systems; the complex effects of host pre-exposure histories; differential host susceptibility, which is correlated with blood group and secretor status; and the evolution of novel immune escape variants. In this Review, we discuss the molecular and structural mechanisms that facilitate the persistence of noroviruses in human populations.
Flow Cytometric Measurement of Rat Lymphocyte Subpopulations After Burn Injury and Burn Injury With Infection

• Increased infection rates in burned patients may result from a disproportionate increase in the suppressor subpopulations. Measurement of lymphocyte subpopulations is difficult in burned patients because gradient-purified cells are contaminated by nonlymphoid cells. The accuracy of flow cytometric subpopulation analysis was improved by restricting (gating) the analysis to cells with light-scatter intensity typical of lymphocytes. Blood was obtained 48 hours after burn from rats receiving no burns, 30% scald burns, or burns seeded withPseudomonas aeruginosato induce infection. Subpopulations were identified by monoclonal antibodies to T-lymphocyte antigens. Gating increased the values obtained for most subpopulations, but the relative differences between groups were unchanged. Burned and infected animals, but not animals burned only, had a decreased ratio of helper to suppressor lymphocytes (HSR) relative to control. A decreased HSR correlated with sepsis, but not with infection susceptibility. This suggests that a decrease in HSR may be a result of infection rather than a cause of susceptibility to infection. (Arch Surg1987;122:216-220)
Catalase, but not MnSOD, inhibits glucose deprivation-activated ASK1-MEK-MAPK signal transduction pathway and prevents relocalization of Daxx: hydrogen peroxide as a major second messenger of metabolic oxidative stress.

Overexpression of catalase, but not manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), inhibited glucose deprivation-induced cytotoxicity and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) activation in human prostate adenocarcinoma DU-145 cells. Suppression of JNK1 activation by catalase overexpression resulted from inhibition of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) activation by preventing dissociation of thioredoxin (TRX) from ASK1. Overexpression of catalase also inhibited relocalization of Daxx from the nucleus to the cytoplasm as well as association of Daxx with ASK1 during glucose deprivation. Taken together, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) rather than superoxide anion (O(2) (*-)) acts as a second messenger of metabolic oxidative stress to activate the ASK1-MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway.
MNC Interdependence and Local Embeddedness Influences on Perceptions of Career Benefits from Global Integration

This manuscript examines when global integration is perceived as being beneficial and/or detrimental to employee careers. Study results demonstrate that employees of more interdependent offices generally perceive greater career benefits from global integration, while employees of more locally embedded offices perceive negative career consequences. Hypotheses are guided by a theory of attention focus.
Monte Carlo study of three-dimensional QCD at finite temperature

Abstract Three-dimensional QCD at finite temperature is analyzed using Monte Carlo calculations. It is shown that confinement at low temperature is lost through a second-order phase transition. At high temperature, static quarks are liberated and screened and it is argued that timelike (A0) gluons are liberated. Just above the critical temperature electric correlation functions seem to be dominated by a resonance of two timelike gluons, whose existence is suggested by perturbation theory. The influence of an external magnetic field close to the critical point is considered.
If You Fail to Plan, Do You Plan to Fail?

The article presents a brief of current research in the area of management practice. The article discusses business planning and its relationship to business failure. The article considers the speed with which the global market moves, causing companies to forego planning and necessitating immediate action. Looking at a study from Delmar and Shane that addresses the importance of planning to new ventures and the need for immediate action, the article finds that new companies that plan are least likely to disband within 30 months. Those that do plan find themselves in a stronger position when critical decision making is necessary. The author notes that Delmar/Shane study did not consider the quality of business planning.
EFFECTS OF ORGANOPHOSPHATES ON CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY AND NEURITE REGENERATION IN APLYSIA

In Aplysia, a marine mollusc, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is present in cholinergic and non-cholinergic neurons and in hemolymph. Aplysia hemolymph has a very high level of AChE which promotes neurite growth in primary cultures of dopaminergic neurons via a non-catalytic mechanism. In contrast, AChE is known to facilitate neurite growth in cholinoceptive neurons by hydrolyzing ACh which inhibits neurite growth. In order to test whether AChE's site-specific neurotrophic action varies with the neuronal phenotype, we investigated the effects of active-site inhibited hemolymph AChE on neurite growth of cholinergic neurons of Aplysia in primary culture. Organophosphates being long-acting active site inhibitors of AChE were chosen for this study. The effects of active site inhibited hemolymph AChE was tested on large cholinergic neurons, R2 (abdominal ganglion) and LPL1 (left pleural ganglion) as well as small cholinergic neurons (buccal ganglion) of Aplysia, maintained in culture. Partially purified hemolymph AChE was inhibited by either 10 microM of echothiophate or 5 microM of paraoxon. Neurons were maintained in (1) L15 (defined medium) alone; (2) L15 + echothiophate; (3) L-15 + paraoxon; (4) L-15 + hemolymph AChE; (5) L15 + hemolymph AChE + echothiophate; and (6) L-15 + hemolymph AChE + paraoxon. Addition of uninhibited hemolymph AChE significantly increased neurite growth of cultured neurons compared to L15 alone. In the presence of echothiophate-inhibited or praoxon-inhibited AChE, neurite growth was significantly reduced when compared to L15 + uninhibited AChE. While the presence of echothiophate by itself did not reduce survival or neurite growth when compared to L-15 alone, the presence of paraoxon by itself markedly reduced survival and neurite growth of cultured neurons. The results show that AChE's catalytic action contributes to enhance neurite growth in cholinergic neurons and the effects of paraoxon appears to differ from that of echothiophate on cholinergic neurons of Aplysia.
Cylindrical internal reflectance: A new method for high-pressure in situ catalytic studies

Abstract Cylindrical internal reflectance using crystals embedded into well-stirred high-pressure autoclaves was developed as a new technique for in situ infrared studies of a variety of catalytic reactions. The technique demonstrated several advantages for in situ analysis permitting the direct infrared observation of catalytically active intermediates which were not previously observable. Examples of a variety of high-pressure homogeneous metal-catalyzed reactions, coordination complex reactions, zeolite syntheses, and heterogeneous catalyst analyses are presented to demonstrate the unique advantages of the technique at autogeneous conditions. Spectral data are presented for reactions operating up to 1500 psi (10.3 MPa) and 150 s°C for methanol catalyzed carbonylation by cobalt and rhodium, cobalt-ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylations, and ZSM-5 zeolite synthesis. The technique was found to be useful for several other catalytic reactions and for the study of the reactions of coordination complexes used as homogeneous catalysts.
Design and Costs of a Measurement Protocol for Trades in Soil Carbon Credits

Previous work has demonstrated that in the absence of transaction costs, contracts that pay producers per carbon (C) credit are more efficient than those that tie payments to changes in management practices. In this paper we develop a measurement protocol to support contracts for C credits and estimate its implementation costs using an empirical example. We find that the costs of implementing a measurement protocol for soil C credits depend on: the price of credits; the regional heterogeneity in C values as well as assumed error and confidence intervals. We find that the upper estimate of measurement costs associated with a contract that pays producers per C credit can be as little as 3% of the value of a credit. These contract measurement costs are less than the efficiency gains from implementing a per-credit contract. Des travaux anterieurs montrent que si la transaction ne coute rien, les ententes prevoyant la remune ration des agriculteurs par cre dit carbone (C) sont plus efficaces que celles oe les paiements sont lie s a l'adaptation des pratiques culturales. Dans leur article, les auteurs proposent une me thode de calculpour de telles ententes et estiment ce que couterait son implantation au moyen d'un exemple empirique. On constate que, pour les cre dits C du sol, le cout de mise en aeuvre depend du prix des cre dits, de l'he terogeneite regionale de la valeur des credits ainsi que dxe l'erreur presumee et des intervalles de confiance. On se rend compte que la plus haute estimation du cout des ententes remunerant les agriculteurs enfonction des credits C ne depasse pas trois pour cent de la valeur du credit. De tels couts sont inferieurs aux gains de productivite resultant de l'adoption d'une entente articulee sur les credits C.
The Rhetorical River

Publication of Malcom Sillars' “Persistent Problems in Rhetorical Criticism” in 1976 presented rhetorical critics with eight recalcitrant issues concerning the practice of rhetorical criticism. In revisiting this important essay, one finds missing from Sillars' observations one important consideration: the ideological turn in criticism. In the essay that follows, I carry-on in the tradition of Sillars and explore how the ideological turn that occurred after the publication of Sillars' essay has introduced new possibilities and problems for rhetorical criticism.
Through-the-Earth, Two-Way, Mine Emergency, Voice Communication Systems

Recent mine tragedies have focused attention on wireless mine emergency communication systems that will function in a post disaster environment. Wireless, through-the-earth, voice communication systems have been developed based on propagation characteristics of very low frequency radio signals operating between 3000 and 8000 Hz. These radio frequencies have been demonstrated in a real-time voice communication system to propagate through the earth. This paper will discuss in-mine testing of a prototype through-the-earth, two-way voice communication system. The limitations imposed by overburden depth, electromagnetic interference and permissibility requirements will be presented.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci for a neotropical leaf-litter frog (Craugastor bransfordii) characterized through Illumina sequencing

There are relatively few molecular resources for amphibians in the tropics where widespread habitat loss, disease, and contamination threaten the world’s most diverse assemblages. We used Illumina sequencing to develop microsatellite primers for a dominant amphibian species in Costa Rica that has recently experienced population declines. We characterized 12 polymorphic loci and have provided sequences for over 200 additional primers. These novel molecular resources will be useful for future studies of population genetic structure and may help explain recent declines in one of many species that are decreasing in Central America.
Design rule considerations for 65-nm node contact using off axis illumination

Perhaps the most critical lithographic challenge at teh 65 nm node can be found printing contact holes for random logic. Achieving all pitches from dense to isolated simultaneously in a single mask print requires high numerical aperture (NA) with novel low-k1 imaging techniques. As is typical in complex engineering problems, requirements compete against each other. The requirement to achieve the desired dense resolution suggests the use of off axis illumination (OAI) techniques such annular and Quasar. At the same time, the need to meet other figures of merit (FOM) such as depth of focus (DOF) and mask error enhancement factor (MEEF) for larger pitches are strong considerations for choosing the more conventional illumination conditions. Moreover, previously unconsidered FOMs such as contact asymmetry and displacement must now also be strongly considered. In particular, we discuss design limitations which may be incorporated to avoid fundamental patterning issues when using OAI and sub-resolution assist features (SRAF) for printing CT level at 65 nm node.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Facilitating referential communication among children: The listener as teacher

Abstract This study was designed to test the hypothesis that systematic variations in listener behavior can have an important influence on both speaker behavior and communicative success among children. In particular, we investigated the idea that systematic variations in listener behavior might have not only within-trial effects on the adequacy of speakers' messages and the accuracy of communication among children, but also cumulative effects on speakers' initial messages across trials. Effects of stimulus complexity were also examined. Pairs of 7- and 9-year-old children participated in a referential communication game, with the younger child serving as speaker and the older one as listener. Half of the listeners were given a plan for effective listening which emphasized the importance of asking questions if the speakers' messages were ambiguous. Replicating earlier findings, the plan manipulation was successful in encouraging listeners to ask questions when necessary. The major result was that listener questions not only had the expected trial-by-trial effect on message adequacy and communicative accuracy, but also showed a cumulative effect on speaker performance. When exposed to systematic listener feedback, speakers improved their initial messages over trials. Stimulus complexity was not a major determinant of performances. These findings suggest that provision of systematic listener feedback may be an effective method for teaching speaker skills to young children.
New Vehicle Data Bus Architecture and In-Vehicle Information System Evaluation Platform for Intelligent Transportation Systems Modules

An increasing number of intelligent transportation systems- (ITS-) after-market systems present a set of in-vehicle installation and use problems relatively unique in the history of automobile use. Many automobile manufacturers would like to offer these new state-of-the-art devices to customers, but are hampered by the current design cycle of new cars. While automobile manufacturers are indeed using multiplex buses [the automotive equivalent of a computer local area network (LAN)], problems remain because manufacturers are not converging on a single bus standard. A new dual-bus architecture to address these problems is presented with an in-vehicle information system (IVIS) research platform on which the principles embodied in the ITS data bus architecture can be evaluated. The dual-bus architecture has been embodied in a proposed Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard, with support from both automobile and consumer electronics manufacturers. The architecture and a reference model for the interface...
Current state of nuclear matter calculations

The current state of nuclear matter calculations is described with special reference to the present disagreement between the variational and Brueckner--Bethe methods. The system is assumed to consist of point nucleons with a nonrelativistic Hamiltonian containing the kinetic energy and two-body potentials. The physical ideas of the variational method, especially of its hypernetted-chain version, and of the Brueckner: Bethe method are outlined. Practical ways of testing the validity of these mehtods are discussed and are illustrated by numerical results taken from the literature. It is found for central forces that the hypernetted-chain variational method, if properly used, gives reliable upper bounds to the ground-state energy. Lowest-order Brueckner--Bethe results lie well above these upper bounds, and it is both important and feasible to check whether higher-order corrections will bring the Brueckner--Bethe results into agreement with the variational ones. For realistic nuclear potentials, which have tensor forces, spin--orbit forces, etc., the situation is much less clear. An adequate calculation has not yet been done by either the variational or Brueckner--Bethe method. For the Reid potential, with the presently available numerical results, the variational calculation predicts a much higher saturation density than the Brueckner--Bethe calculation. Feasible calculations that will help to resolve thismore » discrepancy are discussed.« less
Methodological considerations in the use of name generators and interpreters

Abstract With data from the Clergy Health Initiative Longitudinal Survey, we look for interviewer effects, differences between web and telephone delivery, and panel conditioning bias in an “important matters” name generator and interpreter, replicated from the U.S. General Social Survey. We find evidence of phone interviewers systematically influencing the number of confidants named, we observe that respondents assigned to the web survey reported a larger number of confidants, and we uncover strong support for panel conditioning. We discuss the possible mechanisms behind these observations and conclude with a brief discussion of the implications of our findings for similar studies.