cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suppression of the antibody response to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide with antigen coupled to syngeneic lymphoid cells.

Numerous models of immunologic nonresponsiveness or tolerance have been developed in order to investigate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of selftolerance and the immune response to foreign antigens. One very efficient means of inducing tolerance with haptens involves coupling of the hapten to lymphoid cell membranes (l-6). Such hapten-modified lymphocyte membranes induce a potent and long-lasting state of nonresponsiveness in T cells which mediate delayed hypersensitivity (l-3, 6) and also in hapten-specific B cells (4, 5). Mice injected with hapten-modified lymphocytes may appear tolerant by either of two mechanisms, namely clonal inhibition and the induction of specific suppressor T cells (Ts)~ (3,5,6). Both of these mechanisms may be operative in a tolerant animal although detectable Ts activity apparently appears later and is of shorter duration than clone inhibition (3). Studies of the mechanisms by which tolerance is induced by antigen-modified lymphocytes may have considerable significance for understanding the mechanisms of induction of tolerance to self and for understanding the role of cell surfaceassociated antigens in regulation of the immune response. In this regard it would be of interest to know whether other more complex types of antigens might similarly induce tolerance if they are coupled to lymphocytes. That the induction of tolerance with antigen-coupled lymphocytes may be a general phenomenon is suggested by very recent reports which showed that an amino acid terpolymer GLO (7) as well as several protein antigens (8,9) could induce tolerance and activate Ts in mice. In this paper we report that this concept may be further generalized to include a thymusindependent (TI) polysaccharide antigen, Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (S3). The parameters of tolerance induction by S3-coupled spleen cells (S3-SC) and its dependence on T cells will be described.
The Folk Heritage Collections in Crisis conference

The Folk Heritage Collections in Crisis conference pursued three themes: access, preservation, and intellectual property. The 100 invited participants were mainly middle‐aged, established, upper‐echelon professionals. What is interesting is how much agreement there was on issues like digital preservation and the use of encoded archival description. Participants saw the US copyright law as a barrier which neither upheld the rights of people of non‐European origin, nor facilitated the free movement of information.
Sustainability as Environmental Framework May Be Outdated, Lawyers Argue

Goals based on sustainability “are no longer the best framework” for thinking about environmental law, governance systems, and socioecological dynamics in a world that is rapidly changing due to climate change and other forces. That is according to Melinda Harm Benson, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of New Mexico, who challenged the long-held concept of environmental sustainability at an 8 July discussion entitled “The End of Sustainability?” sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute.
Digital image processing based identification of nodes and internodes of chopped biomass stems.

Abstract Chemical composition of biomass feedstock is an important parameter for optimizing the yield and economics of various bioconversion pathways. Although chemical composition of biomass varies among species, varieties, and plant components, there is distinct variation even among stem components, such as nodes and internodes. Separation of morphological components possessing different quality attributes and utilizing them in ‘segregated processing’ leads to better handling, more efficient processing, and high-valued products generation. Using equipment to separate morphological components such as node and internodes of biomass stem that have closely related physical properties (e.g., size, shape, density) is difficult. However, as the nodes and internodes are clearly distinct in appearance by visual observation, the potential of digital image analysis for node and internode identification and quantification was investigated. We used chopped stems of big bluestem, corn, and switchgrass as test materials. Pixel color variation along the length was used as the principle of identifying the nodes and internodes. An algorithm in MATLAB was developed to evaluate the gray value intensity within a narrow computational band along the major axis of nodes and internodes. Several extracted image features, such as minimum, maximum, average, standard deviation, and variation of the computational band gray values; ribbon length of the computational band normalized gray value curve (NGVC), unit ribbon length of NGVC; area under NGVC, and unit area under NGVC were tested for the identification. Unit area under NGVC was the best feature/parameter for the identification of the nodes and internodes with an accuracy of about 96.6% (9 incorrect out of 263 objects). This image processing methodology of nodes and internodes identification can form the supporting software for the hardware systems that perform the separation.
SEVIER-LARAMIDE DEFORMATION OF THE CONTINENTAL INTERIOR FROM CALCITE TWINNING ANALYSIS, WEST-CENTRAL NORTH AMERICA

Abstract Paleozoic–Mesozoic carbonates that cover cratonic western North America contain a regional layer-parallel shortening (LPS) fabric that is preserved by mechanically twinned calcite. Shortening directions are generally parallel to the Sevier thrust-transport direction (E–W) in carbonates of the Idaho–Wyoming portion of the thrust belt and within carbonates as far as 2000 km into the plate interior. The inferred calcite twinning differential stress magnitudes generally decrease across the thrust belt, and decrease exponentially away from the orogenic front into the craton. Synorogenic calcite cements and veins preserve a distinct twinning deformation history: in the thrust belt, twinning strains commonly record local, out-of-transport piggyback strain events with high differential stresses (
Multi-institutional analysis of long-term symptom resolution after cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia in children.

Current literature for resolution of abdominal pain after cholecystectomy in children with biliary dyskinesia shows variable outcomes. We sought to compare early outcomes with long-term symptom resolution in children. Telephone surveys were conducted on children who underwent cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia between January 2000 and January 2011 at two centers. Retrospective review was performed to obtain demographics and short-term outcomes. Charts of 105 patients’ age 7.9–19 years were reviewed; 80.9 % were female. All were symptomatic with an ejection fraction (EF) <35 % or pain with cholecystokinin administration. At the postoperative visit, 76.1 % had resolution of symptoms. Fifty-six (53.3 %) patients were available for follow-up at median 3.7 (1.1–10.7) years. Of these, 34 (60.7 %) reported no ongoing abdominal pain. Of the 22 patients with persistent symptoms, satisfaction score was 7.3 ± 2.7 (scale of 1–10) and 19 (86.4 %) were glad that they had a cholecystectomy performed. EF, body mass index percentile (BMI %), and pain with cholecystokinin (CCK) were not predictive of ongoing pain at either follow-up periods. Short-term symptom resolution in children undergoing cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia is not reflective of long-term results. Neither EF, BMI % nor pain with CCK was predictive of symptom resolution. The majority of patients with ongoing complaints do not regret cholecystectomy.
Actin-membrane interaction in focal adhesions.

Abstract Focal adhesions are regions of the plasma membrane where cells in tissue culture adhere strongly to the underlying extracellular matrix, and which at their cytoplasmic face serve to anchor bundles of actin microfilaments. They provide an experimental model for studying the links between the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. Members of the integrin family of extracellular matrix receptors are prominent components, spanning the membrane in focal adhesions, but there is evidence that other membrane components are also needed for these structures to form. A number of proteins are concentrated at the cytoplasmic face of focal adhesions. Recent efforts have sought to determine the links between actin and the integrin cytoplasmic domains. Using in vitro binding assays, two potential bridges between actin and integrin have been identified. One involves talin, which has recently been shown to bind actin directly. The other involves the actin-binding protein, α-actinin, which has been found to interact with several integrins. The physiological significance of these two potential bridges between actin and integrin remains to be determined in vivo.
The Cortical Localization of the Microtubule Orientation Protein, Kar9p, Is Dependent upon Actin and Proteins Required for Polarization

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, positioning of the mitotic spindle requires both the cytoplasmic microtubules and actin. Kar9p is a novel cortical protein that is required for the correct position of the mitotic spindle and the orientation of the cytoplasmic microtubules. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)– Kar9p localizes to a single spot at the tip of the growing bud and the mating projection. However, the cortical localization of Kar9p does not require microtubules (Miller, R.K., and M.D. Rose. 1998. J. Cell Biol. 140: 377), suggesting that Kar9p interacts with other proteins at the cortex. To investigate Kar9p's cortical interactions, we treated cells with the actin-depolymerizing drug, latrunculin-A. In both shmoos and mitotic cells, Kar9p's cortical localization was completely dependent on polymerized actin. Kar9p localization was also altered by mutations in four genes, spa2Δ, pea2Δ, bud6Δ, and bni1Δ, required for normal polarization and actin cytoskeleton functions and, of these, bni1Δ affected Kar9p localization most severely. Like kar9Δ, bni1Δ mutants exhibited nuclear positioning defects during mitosis and in shmoos. Furthermore, like kar9Δ, the bni1Δ mutant exhibited misoriented cytoplasmic microtubules in shmoos. Genetic analysis placed BNI1 in the KAR9 pathway for nuclear migration. However, analysis of kar9Δ bni1Δ double mutants suggested that Kar9p retained some function in bni1Δ mitotic cells. Unlike the polarization mutants, kar9Δ shmoos had a normal morphology and diploids budded in the correct bipolar pattern. Furthermore, Bni1p localized normally in kar9Δ. We conclude that Kar9p's function is specific for cytoplasmic microtubule orientation and that Kar9p's role in nuclear positioning is to coordinate the interactions between the actin and microtubule networks.
Information assurance modeling using the Department of Defense architecture framework

Information assurance modeling is an important part of the overall security of an information technology system. In this paper we discuss the implementation of an Information Assurance Model using Department of Defense Architecture Framework so as to have traceability between systems and requirements. An assessment of the potential threats to a development effort is presented. Residual Risk was calculated using quantitative analysis. We describe a procedure to analyze the operational risk of an IT system using the DoDAF architecture and relate this operational risk to battlefield risk. We then present the verification and validation of the model. DIACAP scorecard and CNSSI 1253 control set are used as mediums to relate implementation and model.
Non-peptide fibrinogen receptor antagonists. 4. Proposed three-dimensional requirements in centrally constrained inhibitors.

Abstract A three-dimensional description of ligand conformations consistent with GPIIbIIIa antagonist activity was developed from a systematic conformational search of centrally-constrained fibrinogen receptor antagonists.
Social Responsiveness, Profitability and Catastrophic Events: Evidence on the Corporate Philanthropic Response to 9/11

In this study we seek to determine whether catastrophic events lead to corporate charitable giving unrelated to levels of firm profitability. We examine the issue relative to the corporate philanthropic response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks of 2001. Based on a sample of 489 Fortune 500 companies, we find that differences in the extent of corporate contributions following 9/11 are positively and significantly associated with differences in firms' profitability. Further, while the degree of connection to the catastrophic event led to higher levels of giving in comparison to the contributions of less connected firms, differences in the extent of philanthropy are still␣related to short-term profitability for the more connected firms. The study thus provides evidence suggesting that even in the wake of catastrophic events, corporate philanthropic giving is constrained by economic concerns.
Advancing genetic nursing knowledge

Although genetic discoveries affect nursing education, practice, and research, the use of genetic principles in research design and methodologies is a recent approach in nursing science. This article describes results of a needs assessment to identify barriers and strategies to overcome problems encountered by nurse scholars in the integration of genetic principles into nursing investigations. A Delphi survey was conducted with attendees at a nursing genetics research consensus meeting. Understanding genetics, need for sensitive measures, limited resources, and difficulties in networking were major themes identified as barriers. Key strategies include educational preparation, appropriate research methods, institutional support, and research collaboration. Nurses must understand genetics in order to participate in knowledge discovery regarding relationships between genetics, health, and nursing. Integration of genetic concepts into nursing science requires development of collegial relationships among nursing researchers, as well as with those in genetics and related disciplines.
Adenosine and the Stunned Heart

Adenosine is one agent under investigation as a therapeutic intervention of myocardial stunning. Adenosine caused numerous effects on the cardiovascular system through its interaction with A1 and A2 receptors. We investigated adenosine A1 receptor mediated mechanisms of cardiac protection in the stunned rat myocardium. Previous studies showed that both adenosine and R-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA), an A1 receptor agonist, prolonged the time to onset of ischemic contracture in ischemic isolated rat hearts. Phenylaminoadenosine, an A2 receptor agonist, did not have any effect, while receptor antagonists blocked adenosine and PIA action. Direct attenuation of the effects of myocardial stunning was observed by altering levels of interstitial fluid adenosine. Our laboratory has shown that administration of erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA; an adenosine deaminase inhibitor) to dogs subjected to left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion followed by reperfusion results in dramatic increases in ischemic levels of interstitial fluid adenosine and postischemic myocardial function. Using a similar model in dogs, we have shown that exogenous intracoronary adenosine (50 micrograms/kg per min) augmented postischemic recovery of function, as assessed by significant enhancement (p < 0.01) of systolic wall thickness (7.0 +/- 3.0 pretreatment vs -5.7 +/- 1.7 controls). These data support the role for an adenosine A1 receptor mediated mechanism for protection against myocardial stunning.
Can One’s Temper be Cooled?: A Role for Agreeableness in Moderating Neuroticism’s Influence on Anger and Aggression

The study followed from the idea that neuroticism captures hot or facilitative vulnerabilities related to anger and aggression, whereas agreeableness captures cool or inhibitory processes in relation to these same outcomes. As such, it was predicted that neuroticism and agreeableness should interact to predict anger and aggression according to hot/cool models of self-regulation. This hypothesis was systematically examined among three independent samples of participants (total N = 176). As predicted, neuroticism and agreeableness interacted to predict anger and aggression among all samples, and did so in a manner consistent with the hypothesis that neuroticism-anger relations would be lower at high levels of agreeableness. The results therefore highlight the distinct roles of neuroticism and agreeableness in predicting anger and aggression, while placing these traits in a common interactive self-regulatory framework.
Barometric Pressure and Seizures.

Comment and summaryThe present study in mice has failed to demonstrate significant changes in susceptibility, pattern, or severity of seizures in response to moderate increases and decreases in atmospheric pressure. The results suggest that fluctuations in barometric pressure are an unlikely explanation for the periodicity of recurrent seizures in epileptic patients. Further experiments in other animal species with alternative methods of measurement of seizure thresholds might be indicated.
Did Americans Choose Sprawl

In the debate over urban sprawl in the United States, there is serious contention concerning its origins: Does sprawl exist because of or in spite of peoples' values and choices? As the debate plays out, it becomes clear that this question has only partly to do with the historical causes of sprawl and much more to do with questions of political legitimacy in decisions about the built environment. It also becomes clear that the debate as currently framed is not very fruitful. One way of getting a better understanding of these issues is to reconsider what it means for people to make free choices in particular contexts. Doing so yields some perspective on the complexity of the causes of sprawl and on the scope and limits of reasoned deliberation in private and public decision making.
wjm's Hanging Committee

Have you wondered about our “hanging committee” on the wjm masthead? These knowledgeable and talented individuals volunteer a great deal of time and expertise to the journal. Experts in clinical epidemiology, statistics, and study design, they scrutinize all manuscripts previously subjected to peer review and found to merit serious consideration. They not only help decide on suitability for publication, but also provide methodologic advice and suggestions to prospective authors. The “hanging committee” is not where manuscripts are sent to their execution. Rather, the term derives from an old British Medical Association custom (and one shared by many other privileged groups in the United Kingdom), where a special committee served as final arbiter of whether, and precisely where and how, a new portrait of some dignitary should be hung. We are grateful for the support of this group of experts. We are lucky to have them.
Clockwise rotation of the western Mojave Desert

A study of paleomagnetic data from Miocene volcanic rocks in the western Mojave Desert, which suggests about 25 deg of clockwise rotation, is presented. A total of 166 oriented core samples of two types of basalt were taken from 19 sites in the region. After demagnetization to 40 or 60 mT, application of structural corrections, and inversion of reversed sites, the data yielded an average direction of 51.6 deg inclination and 15.6 deg declination. When compared with the expected direction for Miocene rocks for stable North America, the direction for these Mojave rocks shows a clockwise rotation of 23.8 deg + or - 11.3 deg and a flattening of about 2.1 deg, a rotation which agrees in direction with oroclinal bending of the southern Sierra Nevada due to right-lateral shear along the western margin of North America. Most of this rotation is constrained by other paleomagnetic and strucural information to have occurred soon after the sampled basalts were deposited (about 20 Ma) and before about 16 Ma. These clockwise declination anomalies indicate that any subsequent counterclockwise rotation is small and/or compensated by previous clockwise rotation.
Gamma-ray burst afterglows from decelerating material: Blast waves and plasmoids

Abstract We examine the dynamics and emitted radiation from material with a large initial bulk Lorentz factor which decelerates as it sweeps up ambient matter. The bulk kinetic energy of the material is converted into non-thermal energy of electrons which radiate isotropically in the locally co-moving frame. Self-consistent solutions for the dynamics of the material are computed which account for changes in its bulk relativistic inertia due to accretion and the emitted radiation. Fully radiative and non-radiative solutions are shown to be limiting cases agreeing with standard solutions for spherically expanding blast waves. We have calculated the afterglow synchrotron emission for a variety of parameters and geometries, and we compare a fiducial example to the afterglow behavior observed from recent gamma-ray burst X-ray and optical couterparts.
Cancer epigenetics: linking basic biology to clinical medicine

Cancer evolution at all stages is driven by both epigenetic abnormalities as well as genetic alterations. Dysregulation of epigenetic control events may lead to abnormal patterns of DNA methylation and chromatin configurations, both of which are critical contributors to the pathogenesis of cancer. These epigenetic abnormalities are set and maintained by multiple protein complexes and the interplay between their individual components including DNA methylation machinery, histone modifiers, particularly, polycomb (PcG) proteins, and chromatin remodeling proteins. Recent advances in genome-wide technology have revealed that the involvement of these dysregulated epigenetic components appears to be extensive. Moreover, there is a growing connection between epigenetic abnormalities in cancer and concepts concerning stem-like cell subpopulations as a driving force for cancer. Emerging data suggest that aspects of the epigenetic landscape inherent to normal embryonic and adult stem/progenitor cells may help foster, under the stress of chronic inflammation or accumulating reactive oxygen species, evolution of malignant subpopulations. Finally, understanding molecular mechanisms involved in initiation and maintenance of epigenetic abnormalities in all types of cancer has great potential for translational purposes. This is already evident for epigenetic biomarker development, and for pharmacological targeting aimed at reversing cancer-specific epigenetic alterations.
Interaction of O2 with a (9,0) carbon nanotube

Abstract The physisorption and chemisorption of O 2 on the inner and outer walls of a (9,0) carbon nanotube have been studied using the ONIOM method and the MP2 correlation treatment which includes long-range dispersion interactions. We have compared our results with previous theoretical work using density functional theory and with experiment. Physisorption occurs both inside and outside the tube but the binding is weak and very little charge transfer occurs. Chemisorption on the outer wall is energetically favorable but has a very high barrier and is not likely to occur under normal conditions. Dangling bonds must be present at the surface for O 2 to react.
THE EFFECT OF THYROID EXTIRPATION ON THE HYPOPHYSIS CEREBRI IN THE RABBIT

The thyroid glands were completely removed from twelve adult rabbits which were killed at periods varying from 10 to 179 days after the operation. The hypophyses were weighed after death, and found to be distinctly heavier than in control animals. The increase in weight appears to run parallel with the time that intervenes between thyroidectomy and the death of the animal. After an interval of 179 days (six months) the pituitary had increased to about three times the normal size.
Definition of the Catalytic Site of Cytochrome c Oxidase: Specific Ligands of Heme a and the Heme a3 CuB Center

The three-subunit aa3-type cytochrome c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides is structurally and functionally homologous to the more complex mitochondrial oxidase. The largest subunit, subunit I, is highly conserved and predicted to contain 12 transmembrane segments that provide all the ligands for three of the four metal centers: heme a, heme a3, and CuB. A variety of spectroscopic techniques identify these ligands as histidines. We have used site-directed mutagenesis to change all the conserved histidines within subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase from Rb. sphaeroides. Analysis of the membrane-bound and purified mutant proteins by optical absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy indicates that His-102 and His-421 are the ligands of heme a, while His-284, His-333, His-334, and His-419 ligate the heme a3-CuB center. To satisfy this ligation assignment, helices II, VI, VII, and X, which contain these histidine residues, must be in close proximity. These data provide empirical evidence regarding the three-dimensional protein structure at the catalytic core of cytochrome c oxidase.
The synthesis and characterization of tricarbonylchromium complexes of substituted anilines and fluorobenzenes

Abstract The tricarbonylchromium complexes of the o , m and p isomers of the following arenes were prepared: fluorotoluene, fluoroanisole, fluoroaniline and anisidine together with the complexes of 1-fluoro-2,3-dimethylbenzene, 5-fluoro-2-methylaniline and methyl anthranilate. Preparative and spectral information is presented.
Computational study of methane activation by mercury(II) complexes

A computational investigation of methane activation by HgII complexes is reported. Calculated geometries and energetics of Hg(II)-containing reactants and products are consistent with available experimental data for a wide range of diverse ligand types. Calculated reaction enthalpies and activation barriers for HgII complexes cover a wide range of values for different ligands. This diversity suggests that the kinetics and thermodynamics of methane activation by Hg(II) and related medium-valent complexes can be tailored through rational modification of the ligand environment. Calculated activation barriers and reaction enthalpies for methane activation by Hg(II) complexes indicates that harder, more electronegative, ligands are kinetically and thermodynamically preferred. Potential donor groups on the activating ligand can stabilize the transition state versus the ground state reactants and hence result in substantially lower methane activation barriers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 902–911, 1998
Behavioral differentiation of septal lesions in two strains of rats

Wistar albino rats and Long-Evans hooded rats were subjected to lesions of the septum or to control procedures, and then were tested for emotional reactivity and acquisition of shuttle avoidance, one-way avoidance, or passive avoidance tasks. While septal lesioned animals differed from controls on all measures, there was a strain difference between lesioned Wistar and lesioned Long-Evans rats only on tests of emotionality and one-way avoidance. There were no strain differences observed on shuttle or passive avoidance tasks. Additionally, there were no statistical differences between albino controls and hooded controls on any measure, although albino animals did score consistently lower in emotionality.
The characterization of algal and microbial mucilages and their aggregates in aquatic ecosystems

Abstract The mucilage ‘phenomenon’ of marine waters, a sporadic but massive accumulation of gelatinous material at and below the water surface, can create serious environmental and economic problems. To address these problems, we must understand better the causes of the phenomenon, its modulation by environmental factors and its adverse effects on ecosystems. In the context of an improved understanding, this brief review describes the means to characterize mucilage types and mucilage aggregates in their native condition, or as close to native as state-of-the-art technology will permit. Biological, chemical and physical factors interact to determine mucilage ‘speciation’ and thus the specific properties of mucilaginous materials. These factors and their interactions are described briefly in relation to the molecular biology of mucilage synthesis, the formation of submicroscopic ‘particles’ of mucilage and the morphology of mucilage aggregates. To facilitate current attempts to relate mucilage fine structure to the macroscale morphology of large aggregates (e.g., as found in the Adriatic Sea), attention will be focused on the ‘fibril’, a ribbon-like colloid rich in polysaccharide molecules. Such colloids (submicrometre particles) present many morphotypes which are identifiable by transmission electron microscopy; several fibril types appear as basic structural units in many kinds of mucilage aggregates in aquatic ecosystems. Attention will also be focused on (1) the problems of coping with analyzing mixtures of highly-hydrated, physically-unstable materials and (2) the detection, assessment and minimization of colloid instability artifacts which have confounded morphological analyses of mucilage aggregates in the past.
Acquisition of procedural knowledge about a pattern of stimuli that cannot be articulated.

Abstract This research demonstrates a process of nonconscious acquisition of information about a pattern of stimuli and the facilitating influence of this knowledge on subjects' subsequent performance. Subjects were exposed to a sequence of frames containing a target, and their task was to search for the target in each frame. The sequence of target locations followed a complex pattern. The specific sample of subjects was selected to ensure that they would be sufficiently motivated and that they would have appropriate analytical and verbal skills to report whatever they experienced while participating in the task: All subjects were faculty members of a psychology department. Extensive postexperimental interviews with subjects indicated that none of them noticed anything even remotely similar to the actual nature of the manipulation (i.e., the pattern). However, the accuracy and latency of their responses indicated that, in fact, they had acquired a specific working knowledge about the pattern, and that this knowledge facilitated their performance. The results demonstrate that nonconsciously acquired knowledge can automatically be utilized to facilitate performance, without requiring conscious awareness or control over this knowledge. This phenomenon is discussed as a ubiquitous process involved in the development of both elementary and high-level cognitive skills.
Stability of heavy circular arches with hinged ends

5 Spurk, J. H. and Bartos, J. M., "Interferometric Measurement of the Non-equilibrium Flow Field around a Cone," The Physics of Fluids, Vol. 9, 1963, p. 1278. 6 Stalker, R. J. and Hornung, H. G., "Two Developments with Free Piston Drivers," 7th International Shock Tube Symposium, Institute of Aerospace Studies, Univ. of Toronto, Toronto, 1969. 7 Vincenti and Kruger, Introduction to Physical Gas Dynamics, Wiley, New York, 1965, p. 231. 8 Lomax, H. and Inouye, M., "Numerical Analysis of Flow Properties about Blunt Bodies moving at Supersonic Speed in an Equilibrium Gas," TR R-204, 1964, NASA. 9 Alpher, R. A. and White, D. R., "Optical Refractivity of High-Temperature Gases," The Physics of Fluids, Vol. 2, 1959, p. 162.
Numerical reconstruction of optical surfaces

There are several problems in optics that involve the reconstruction of surfaces such as wavefronts, reflectors, and lenses. The reconstruction problem often leads to a system of first-order differential equations for the unknown surface. We compare several numerical methods for integrating differential equations of this kind. One class of methods involves a direct integration. It is shown that such a technique often fails in practice. We thus consider one method that provides an approximate direct integration; we show that it is always converging and that it provides a stable, accurate solution even in the presence of measurement noise. In addition, we consider a number of methods that are based on converting the original equation into a minimization problem.
Validity of the X-factor computation methods and relationship between the X-factor parameters and clubhead velocity in skilled golfers

The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the X-factor computation methods and to examine whether direct relationships exist between the X-factor parameters and the clubhead velocity in a group of skilled male golfers (n = 18, handicap = -0.6 +/- 2.1). Five driver trials were captured from each golfer using an optical motion capture system (250 Hz). Two plane-based methods (conventional vs. functional swing plane-based) and one Cardan rotation-based method (relative orientation) were used to compute select X-factor (end of pelvis rotation, top of backswing, ball impact (BI), and maximum), X-factor stretch (stretch and maximum stretch), and X-factor velocity (BI and maximum) parameters. The maximum clubhead velocity was extracted and normalized to golfer's body height to eliminate the effect of body size. A one-way repeated MANOVA revealed that the computation methods generated significantly different X-factor parameter values (p < 0.001). The conventional method provided substantially larger X-factor values than the other methods in the untwisting phase and the meaningfulness of select X-factor parameters generated by this method was deemed questionable. The correlation analysis revealed that the X-factor parameters were not directly related to the maximum clubhead velocity (both unnormalized and normalized).
Is Fluid Overload as Measured by Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Harmful in CKD—If So, Why?

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) technology to assess clinical fluid status has been around for more than two decades. In patients with CKD, BIS has not created much of a splash until just recently ([1][1],[2][2]). The most recent BIS splash is in this issue of CJASN ([3][3]). Here, Tsai et al. ([3][
Primary and secondary angiosarcoma of the breast: the Mayo Clinic experience.

Background and Objectives Angiosarcoma of the breast can be divided into primary and secondary. The objective was to determine clinicopathologic factors associated with breast angiosarcoma and to compare primary versus secondary angiosarcoma. Methods Breast angiosarcoma cases at Mayo Clinic from 1960 to 2008 were identified. Clinicopathologic factors were reviewed. Characteristics of primary and secondary angiosarcoma were compared. Results Twenty-seven cases of primary angiosarcoma and 14 cases of secondary angiosarcoma were identified. The median age of primary angiosarcoma patients was lower than that of secondary angiosarcoma—43 years versus 73 years (P < 0.0001). Primary angiosarcoma more frequently presented with a mass, whereas secondary angiosarcoma presented with a rash (P < 0.0001). Median time from radiation to secondary angiosarcoma diagnosis was 6.8 years. Median tumor size was 7.0 cm for primary angiosarcoma and 5.0 cm for secondary angiosarcoma (P = 0.7). Tumors were high grade in 33% of primary angiosarcoma and 82% of secondary angiosarcoma (P = 0.02). Five-year survival for primary and secondary angiosarcoma was 46% and 69%, respectively (P = 0.8). Conclusion Primary angiosarcoma occurs in younger patients than secondary and more frequently presents with a mass. Mastectomy is the mainstay of treatment for breast angiosarcoma. Breast angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy with poor long-term prognosis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010; 101:401–407. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sex pheromones and aggressive behavior in male rats

Two experiments were performed to examine the relationships among the sexual cycle of the female, sex pheromones, and the agonistic behavior of male rats. Data suggest that the presence of an inaccessible sexually receptive female provokes increased intermale fighting. The present research investigated the possibility that a sex pheromone from the female mediates the change in male hostilities. In Experiment 1, a combination between-subject and within-subject design was used to expose half the males to the female by several sensory modalities. The other males were exposed to the female primarily by olfaction. In Experiment 2, a completely between-subject design was used to expose some males only to the soiled bedding of the female. The results suggest that olfaction is sufficient to increase the male’s aggressiveness in the presence of an estrous female, although additional sensory input, such as the female’s movements, may be necessary to produce the full aggression-inducing effect.
Biometric template security

Biometric recognition offers a reliable solution to the problem of user authentication in identity management systems. With the widespread deployment of biometric systems in various applications, there are increasing concerns about the security and privacy of biometric technology. Public acceptance of biometrics technology will depend on the ability of system designers to demonstrate that these systems are robust, have low error rates, and are tamper proof. We present a high-level categorization of the various vulnerabilities of a biometric system and discuss countermeasures that have been proposed to address these vulnerabilities. In particular, we focus on biometric template security which is an important issue because, unlike passwords and tokens, compromised biometric templates cannot be revoked and reissued. Protecting the template is a challenging task due to intrauser variability in the acquired biometric traits. We present an overview of various biometric template protection schemes and discuss their advantages and limitations in terms of security, revocability, and impact on matching accuracy. A template protection scheme with provable security and acceptable recognition performance has thus far remained elusive. Development of such a scheme is crucial as biometric systems are beginning to proliferate into the core physical and information infrastructure of our society.
Continuous Flow Density Driven Passive Solar Water Pasteurization

A solar water pasteurization system with a total collector area of 0.45 m2 , an operating temperature of 80°C, and a holding time of 30 seconds has been constructed. The system was most recently tested in Fort Collins, Colorado during September/October of 2003. The system is capable of producing 80–90kg of treated water during a sunny day. To establish the potential effectiveness of the system, studies on the thermal resistance of waterborne pathogens that the World Health Organization has classified as having high health significance have been assembled and evaluated. It was determined that the process should be highly effective against most enteric pathogens. However, more information is needed about thermal resistance of some important virus families.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Increased IFNα activity and differential antibody response in patients with a history of Lyme disease and persistent cognitive deficits

Following antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease, some patients report persistent or relapsing symptoms of pain, fatigue, and/or cognitive deficits. Factors other than active infection, including immune abnormalities, have been suggested, but few clues regarding mechanism have emerged. Furthermore, the effect of antibiotic treatment on immune response in affected individuals remains unknown. In this study, a longitudinal analysis of specific immune markers of interest was carried out in patients with a history of Lyme disease and persistent objective memory impairment, prior to and following treatment with either ceftriaxone or placebo. IFNα activity was measured by detection of serum-induced changes in specific target genes, using a functional cell-based assay and quantitative real-time PCR. Level and pattern of antibody reactivity to brain antigens and to Borrelia burgdorferi proteins were analyzed by ELISA and immunoblotting. Sera from the patient cohort induced significantly higher expression of IFIT1 and IFI44 target genes than those from healthy controls, indicating increased IFNα activity. Antibody reactivity to specific brain and borrelial proteins was significantly elevated in affected patients. IFNα activity and antibody profile did not change significantly in response to ceftriaxone. The heightened antibody response implies enhanced immune stimulation, possibly due to prolonged exposure to the organism prior to the initial diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease. The increase in IFNα activity is suggestive of a mechanism contributing to the ongoing neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Solution of the radiative transfer equation in discrete ordinate form by sequential function approximation

Abstract An adaptive and scalable alternative to the finite element and finite volume methods is developed to solve the steady multi-dimensional radiative transport equation. Solutions to the problem of heat transfer within a two-dimensional box through a non–scattering medium are presented and compared to the results from popular finite volume methods. The accuracy level of the developed method, using skewed piecewise linear bases, surpasses that of the finite volume results using the popular step and diamond schemes on a regular grid. Moreover, the accuracy levels are achieved with less than 1 % of the number of control volumes used by the finite volume methods.
Hypothalamic hypopituitarism in an adolescent girl: assessment by a direct functional test of the adenohypophysis.

ABSTRACT The integrity of the adenohypophysis in a 16-½-yr-old girl with hypopituitarism, hyperprolactinemia and diabetes insipidus due to an anterior hypothalamic tumor was assessed by sequential administration of arginine and luteinizing-releasing factor (LRF) plus thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF). Clinical manifestations and base line laboratory data are consistent with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, hypoadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism with normal thyrotropin (TSH), hyposomatotropinism, hyperprolactinemia and diabetes insipidus. A 1-cm neoplastic lesion of the anterior hypothalamus possibly representing Hand-Schuller-Christian disease was revealed by pneumoencephalogram and craniotomy. The responsiveness of the adenohypophysis during the sequential stimuli was impaired; the associated rise of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) seen in normal subjects in response to arginine infusion was absent; low base line follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) responded normally to LR...
Perfect graphs and complex surface singularities with perfect local fundamental group

In this paper we introduce the term "perfect graph" to refer to those graphs which characterize resolutions of certain isolated singular points of complex surfaces. Using techniques for graphical evaluation of determinants, we reduce questions about perfect graphs to problems involving partial fraction representations of positive integers; the solutions to those Diophantine problems thus have interesting geometric interpretations. 1. Introduction and statement of results. In (5) Brieskorn gave the first examples of isolated singularities of complex n- varieties, n> 3, that are topologically non-singular (locally homeomorphic to the 2/2-ball) but analytically singular. Earlier Mumford (16) had shown that this is impossible in dimension 2. In this paper we pursue the natural analogue of the Brieskorn singularities for complex surfaces, namely those singular points xeX which are homologically non-singular in the sense of being locally homeomorphic to the cone on a homology 3-sphere. (The rational double point E8 is the most familiar example.) This condition is equivalent to the requirement that the local fundamental group of x in X be a perfect group (cf., for example, (16), (17), and (19), where the topic of classifying isolated two-dimensional singularities by the group-theoretic properties of the local fundamental group is introduced and developed). Let x be an isolated singularity of a normal complex surface X, and let p: X^>X be the minimal resolution of singularities . We will assume that the exceptional curve C=p~1(x)=\Jni = 1Ci is contractible, that each component Cf is non-singular rational, and that the components meet transversally with no triple intersections. In this case the topology of the singularity is completely determined by the weighted dual intersection graph Gp of the exceptional curve. In particular, the local fundamental group πx(x) can be computed directly from Gp in terms of generators and relations, by the technique of Mumford (16). Using this method it can be shown that πx(x) is perfect exactly when the intersection matrix { — Ci'C^ has determinant 1. Indeed, the following are necessary and sufficient conditions for a weighted graph G to be the dual graph of the minimal resolution of a normal complex surface singularity whose minimal resolution is normal ("good") and whose local fundamental group is perfect: (a) G is a tree (a connected graph with no circuits). (b) Each weight wt is an integer >2. (c) The associated intersection matrix is positive definite with determinant 1. (Section 1 of (4) gives an elementary expository review of the geometry of complex surface
Immunocontraceptive effect of Izumo and enhancement by combination vaccination

Sperm proteins are being investigated for their applications in the development of contraceptive vaccines (CV) in several laboratories. In the present study, various synthetic peptides based upon four sperm proteins, namely Izumo, fertilization antigen-1 (FA-1), YLP(12), and SP56 that are involved in various steps of the fertilization cascade were examined for their immunocontraceptive effect. The synthetic peptides were conjugated to four carrier proteins namely keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), bovine serum albumin (BSA), chicken gamma-globulin, and chicken ovalbumin. Female mice were immunized with various peptide vaccines and each booster injection was given with the peptide conjugated to a different carrier protein. Two different fertility trials with different doses of the peptide vaccines were conducted to examine the contraceptive effect. Injection of 150 microg of the peptides (Trial II) caused a significantly higher immune response in serum as well as in the vaginal tract causing enhanced contraceptive effect than those observed after injection with 75 microg of the peptides (Trial I). Immunization with the peptide vaccines based upon Izumo, which is involved in sperm-egg plasma membrane fusion, caused a significant reduction in fertility. The contraceptive effect was enhanced by immunizing with the peptides based upon other antigens (FA-1, YLP(12), and SP56), resulting in an overall 73.33% reduction in fertility. When the antibodies against the peptides disappeared after >9-10 months from circulation and genital tract, all the animals regained fertility. These findings indicate for the first time that the immunization with Izumo and other sperm peptides namely FA-1, YLP(12), and SP56 induces antibodies in serum and genital tract that cause a reversible long-term contraceptive effect in female mice. The data further indicate that the proteins involved in sperm-egg fusion can also be used for contraceptive vaccine development. The contraceptive effects are enhanced by immunizing with the multipeptide vaccines.
Optimal matching of nonconvex polygons

Abstract The proposed polygonal model is to represent the object silhouette by a set of primitives which uniquely define its pose and dimension. Based on this model, an optimization matching procedure that uses the least-squares criterion is developed.