cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A continuous spectrophotometric assay for cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase.

Abstract In the course of studies on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, the need for an assay which was both sensitive and continuous was realized. Most of the methods available for monitoring phosphodiesterase either depend on the use of accessory enzymes, and are accordingly subject to intrinsic limitations, or are not capable of continuously monitoring the enzymatic reaction. The present paper describes a new spectrophotometric assay for cyclic nucleotide phosphotidesterase which is highly reproducible, rapid, simple, and more sensitive than many of the previously published assays for this enzyme. The method is sensitive enough to detect the enzymatic conversion of 75 pmol of cAMP to 5′-AMP per minute. This assay is based on the fact that the hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotides to the corresponding 5′-phosphate ester by phosphodiesterase makes available an additional titratable proton of the 5′-phosphate group. By incorporating phenol red into the assay mixture, the rate of proton production can be continuously measured by monitoring the decrease in absorbance of the basic chromophore of phenol red at 560 nm. The primary advantages of the spectrophotometric assay described here are: (a) it provides initial velocity measurements, and thus is ideally suited to studying the kinetic properties of partially purified preparations of enzyme, and (b) it does not require the tedious and time-consuming purification of commercially available substrates which is often required when radioisotopic assays are used in detailed kinetic studies. The chief limitations are: (a) the sensitivity is not sufficient to accurately monitor the “low Km” enzyme, and (b) the use of the assay to quantitate revoveries throughout extensive purification, where different buffer salts at different pH values are used, would require that the enzyme be dialyzed prior to assay.
A case of monophasic synovial sarcoma presenting as a vulvar mass

Abstract Background. Synovial sarcoma is the fourth most commonly occurring sarcoma, accounting for 8–10% of all sarcomas. They arise from unknown pleuripotent stem cells that are capable of differentiating into mesenchymal and/or epithelial structures. Synovial sarcoma is characterized by specific chromosomal translocation t (X; 18)(p11, q11). Case. We report the first case of monophasic synovial sarcoma arising in soft tissues of the vulva in a 33-year-old female. Complete excision of the mass was possible with tumor-free margins. Conclusion. Only four previous cases of biphasic synovial sarcoma arising in the vulva have been reported. The finding of the SYT-SSX2 translocation is generally associated with a better prognosis, besides tumor negative margins after excision offer the possibility of a better outlook for this patient.
Sex Pheromone of the Saturniid Moth, Hemileuca burnsi , from the Western Mojave Desert of California

The sex pheromone blend of Hemileuca burnsi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) from the western Mojave Desert was determined to be a combination of (10E,12Z)-hexadecadien-1-yl acetate (E10,Z12-16:Ac), (10E,12Z)-hexadecadien-1-ol (E10,Z12-16:OH), (10E,12E)-hexadecadien-1-yl acetate (E10,E12-16:Ac), and hexadecyl acetate (16:Ac). (10E,12Z)-Hexadecadienal (E10,Z12-16:Ald) was tentatively identified in pheromone gland extracts based on electroantennographic responses and, when added to the above blend, it enhanced trap captures at low doses. The mean ratio of the compounds in extracts of pheromone glands was 100:23:232:14:0.4 (E10,Z12-16:Ac: E10,E12-16:Ac: 16:Ac: E10,Z12-16:OH: E10,Z12-16:Ald). Field trials indicated that although E10,Z12-16:Ac and E10,Z12-16:OH were essential for attraction, the two-component blend was not attractive by itself. Addition of the three other compounds was necessary for maximum attraction, rendering this the most complicated pheromone blend described for a Hemileuca species to date. Similarities between the sex pheromone of H. burnsi and that of the allopatric Hemileuca electra electra and differences between the blends of H. burnsi and that of the sympatric H. electra mojavensis support a case for reproductive character displacement in the pheromone communication channel of H. electra.
Thin-layer chromatographic in situ analysis of insect ecdysones via fluorescence-quenching

Abstract The possibility of quantitating insect ecdysones in situ on thin-layer Chromatographic plates was examined. Two approaches were evaluated: 1) the induction of ecdysone fluorescence by sulfurio acid treatments and 2) the fluorescence-quenching of fluorescent thin-layer Chromatographic plates by ecdysones. The fluorescence-quenching method was found to be most suitable and had a linear response range from 0.5 to 3 μg for α-ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone. Fluorescence-quenching and high pressure liquid Chromatographic analyses obtained, from extracts of α-ecdysone 20-hydroxylase incubations gave similar results. New data concerning the acid-induced fluorescence of ecdysones showed α-ecdysone to be twice as fluorescent as 20-hydroxyecdysone.
DIBs in captivity (

Abstract Experiments involving the electrical discharge of trace amounts (0.5%) of methane in argon gas followed by freezing out of products of the discharge in an argon matrix at 10 K have produced absorption bands of known interstellar molecular species, including CH, C 2 (anion form), C 3 and HCO (“a frozen interstellar cloud”). These experiments also repeatedly produce absorption bands that correlate in approximate wavelength with those of some of the stronger diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs). Among the interesting absorption bands produced in our experiments is a strong, broad band at 4500 A. It is well known that because there is a difference between interaction of lower and higher energy states of a molecule or ion with the matrix, the absorption for a matrix-isolated species occurs at a different wavelength(s) than for the gas phase. Progressing from polar matrices to argon. and on to neon, the absorption wavelength converges toward what occurs in or is expected for the gas phase. Neon matrices affect an isolated species the least, with the result that wavelengths of absorptions are very close (∼ 0.1%) to that of the gas phase. The two 9700 A region bands of the matrix-isolated C 60 cation shift blueward when isolated in neon, by 94 and 86 A from what they are in argon (Gasyna. Z. et al., J. phys. Chem. , 96 , 1525–1527. 1992; Joblin. C. M., Ph.D. thesis, University of Paris. 1992). Isolated in neon, the pyrene cation exhibits an absorption at 4395 A. which is blueward by 40 A from the wavelength measured in argon (Salami, F. and Allamandola, L. J., Astrophys. J. , 395 , 301–306, 1992; Nature , 358 , 42–43, 1992). These results strongly suggested that the 4500 A band due to a reactive and as yet unidentified species isolated in argon in our experiments could shift blueward in the gas phase to coincide with the strong DIB at 4428 A (Wdowiak. T. J. et al., The Diffuse Interstellar Bands , 1994; Molecules and Grains in Space , 1994). Recently, it has been demonstrated that the absorption seen in an argon matrix at 4500 A for the photolysis product of methylpyrene shifts 60 A to 4440 A (Leger, A. and d'Hendecourt, L., The Diffuse Interstellar Bands , 1995) or 4442 A (Salarna, F. and Allamandola, L. J., The Diffuse Interstellar Bands , 1995). All of this strongly argues for intensive investigation of the band found in our experiments at 4500 A as a significant laboratory analog for the 4428 A DIB. Efforts are in progress to better characterize the nature of the absorption, optimize its production in a more controlled manner and identify the ‘culprit’. This report discusses the relative strength of the 4500 A band as compared with that of those bands due to identified species such as C 2 (anion) and C 3 , and the results of laser-induced fluorescence experiments. Future experiments will include the more difficult neon matrix isolation technique and laser desorption mass spectroscopy.
Relationship between larval and spat growth rates in the oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

Abstract The relationship between larval setting order and subsequent spat growth in the American oyster was analyzed. Four separate full-sib families were examined. In all cases, spat that metamorphosed during the first 3 days of the setting period were significantly ( P
Genre, Location, and Mary Austin's Ethos

Scholars in rhetoric are increasingly attentive to the power of places and spaces to shape rhetorical performance. This article takes up the connection between ethos and location identified by several recent scholars, arguing that affiliation with and representation of material environments plays a crucial role in ethos. Ethos strategies are further shaped by genres, which are theorized as locations and environments in order to capture a fundamental dynamic between strategy and social norm. To demonstrate the strengths of understanding ethos in relation to both geographical and genre location, I analyze the ethos-maneuvers of Mary Austin, prominent early twentieth-century feminist, activist, and nature writer whose thirty-year public career merits attention from rhetorical scholars. In articulating how genre shapes Austin's efforts to develop her location in the deserts of the American West into a persuasive public ethos, I argue that ethos emerges in genre-specific formations.
Clear cells of the nipple epidermis

Examination of 340 nipples from cancerous breasts revealed histologically benign clear-cell infiltrates in 31. Nipple-duct cancer coexisted in but a single instance. These findings suggested that the epidermal infiltrates were of nonneoplastic nature and, consequently, were to be distinguished from the infiltrate of Paget's disease. Examination of 190 nipples removed from 101 autopsy subjects disclosed, within 23, epidermal infiltrates morphologically similar to those present within the surgical specimens. Nipple-duct cancer was not encountered. Within the clear-cell aggregates, tubular structures resembling mammary ductules were observed. It is believed that the cellular complexes referred to represent nonneoplastic mammary elements within the nipple epidermis. These complexes may possibly provide an anatomical basis for the development of Paget's disease as a primary intra-epidermal malignancy. Distinction from the cancerous nipple infiltrate of Paget's disease is of both histogenetic and practical importance.
FcεRI signaling observed from the inside of the mast cell membrane

Abstract Crosslinking the high affinity IgE receptor, FceRI, on basophils and mast cells initiates cascades of biochemical events leading to degranulation, membrane ruffling and other physiological responses. Downstream of FceRI and its coupled tyrosine kinases, Lyn and Syk, scores of different proteins and lipids are implicated in these signaling cascades and new players are being identified continuously. Here, we use immunogold probes to label receptors and signaling proteins on the cytoplasmic face of membrane sheets prepared from RBL-2H3 mast cells and transmission electron microscopy to examine their distributions in relationship to each other and to features of the membrane. New topographical data are integrated with existing knowledge of the biochemistry of FceRI signaling and of cell shape during signaling to implicate at least two distinct membrane domains in FceRI signaling. “Primary signaling domains”, also called osmiophilic patches, are recognized by their dark staining with osmium, adjacency to coated pits (previously mapped to planar membrane between lamellae) and by the characteristic presence of receptor, Syk and PLCγ2, but not Lyn. “Secondary signaling domains” are characterized by the presence of large elliptical linker for activation of T cells (LAT) rafts and of PLCγ1 (previously mapped to lamellae) but not receptor. The signaling proteins, Vav, Grb2, Cbl and Gab2, and the endocytic proteins, AP2 and clathrin, all map to the primary domains, while the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI 3)-kinase maps to both domains. Recognition that FceRI signaling is controlled not only by which chemical species are available for interaction, but also by where the interactions occur, may provide new opportunities for the modeling of signaling cascades and new targets for the development of drugs to treat allergies and asthma.
Impact of prior electronic publication on manuscript consideration policies of scholarly journals

The purpose of this research was to study current policies and practices of scholarly journals on evaluating manuscripts for publication that had been previously published electronically. Various electronic forms were considered: a manuscript having been e-mailed to members of a listserv, attached to a personal or institutional home page, stored in an electronic preprint collection, or published in an electronic proceedings or electronic journal. Factors that might affect the consideration of such manuscripts were also examined, including characteristics of the journal, the previously published work, and the submitted manuscript. A sample of 202 scholarly journals in the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities was selected for study. A questionnaire and cover letters were sent to the journal editors in the summer and fall of 1997, with an overall return rate of 57.4%. Results are reported for all journals, with comparisons being made between journals edited in the Unites States and outside the Unites States, by journal impact factor, and by discipline. The findings suggest that editorial policies regarding prior electronic publication are in an early stage of development. Most journal editors do not have a formal policy regarding the evaluation of work previously published in electronic form, nor are they currently evaluating such a policy. Editors disagreed widely on the importance of the various factors that might affect their decision to consider a work previously published electronically. The form or type of prior electronic publication was an important variable. Although some editors currently have a fairly rigid and negative posture towards work previously published electronically, most are willing to consider certain forms of such work for publication in their journals. Probably the most significant results of the study were the many differences in practices among scholarly disciplines. The findings of this study reveal how the Internet and the World Wide Web are currently affecting manuscript consideration policies of scholarly journals at this early stage of Web and Internet publishing.
Selectivity of whitefly traps in cotton for Eretmocerus eremicus (Hymenoptera : Aphelinidae), a native parasitoid of Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Yellow sticky traps are widely used for monitoring and management of whiteflies and certain other pests and have also been used to monitor their natural enemy activity. A new, nonsticky whitefly trap (CC trap), standard yellow sticky cards, and clear colorless sticky cards were evaluated in cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) to compare their attractiveness to Eretmocerus eremicus Rose and Zolnerowich, an aphelinid parasitoid of Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring [= Bernisia tabaci (Gennadius) B-strain] that is indigenous to southwestern U.S. deserts. The CC traps caught an average of 264 adult whiteflies during 24-h test periods compared with 523 adult whiteflies on yellow sticky traps. The colorless sticky cards trapped only 37 whiteflies per card during the same period. The CC traps caught an average of 0.4 adult E. eremicus over a 24-h period compared with 26.6 adult E. eremicus trapped by yellow sticky cards. Colorless plastic sticky cards trapped an average of 1.1 parasitoids per card, demonstrating that E. eremicus was strongly attracted to the yellow sticky cards. Thirty-nine percent of E. eremicus trapped on yellow sticky cards and 42% trapped on colorless sticky cards were female. CC traps caught the lowest numbers of other arthropods. On average, <1 individual of any other species was captured per CC trap in each 24-h period. Yellow sticky traps caught the greatest number of other arthropods; these included thrips, flies, cotton leafperforator ( Buccalatrix thurberiella Busck) moths; small beetles, and other parasitic wasps. Clear sticky traps caught a similar mixture of species but in lower numbers. These results demonstrate that CC traps are highly selective for whitefly, while preserving parasitoid populations. CC traps may be especially useful in greenhouses where yellow sticky traps are frequently used in conjunction with releases of parasitoids.
Chris Gratton and Harry Arne Solberg, The Economics of Sports Broadcasting

London: Routledge, 2007, pp. x, 233. Paperback. ISBN: 978-0-415-35780-7 Although broadcasting is the largest revenue source of major professional sports in advanced, industrialized economies, littl...
Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of isoelectric focusing with electrochemically defined ampholytes

A mathematical model of isoelectric focusing at the steady state has been developed for an M-component system of electrochemically defined ampholytes. The model is formulated from fundamental principles describing the components' chemical equilibria, mass transfer resulting from diffusion and electromigration, and electroneutrality. The model consists of ordinary differential equations coupled with a system of algebraic equations. The model is implemented on a digital computer using FORTRAN-based simulation software. Computer simulation data are presented for several two-component systems showing the effects of varying the isoelectric points and dissociation constants of the constituents.
Real-time holographic display: improvements using a multichannel acousto-optic modulator and holographic optical elements

Any practical holographic display device relying on the MIT synthetic aperture approach will require time-bandwidth products far exceeding those available with single channel acousto- optic modulators (AOMs). A solution to this problem is to use a multichannel AOM, thus making use of the parallelism inherent in optical systems. It is now technically feasible to accommodate a large number of acoustic channels on a single crystal with a corresponding improvement in image characteristics. The vertical view zone also becomes a significant problem for any large size display since each horizontal scan line is visible only from a narrow angle in the vertical direction. Using holographic optical elements (HOEs) alleviates this limitation in two ways: First, the interline spacing can be adjusted easily with HOEs. Second, it is possible to manufacture an HOE which will act as a one-dimensional diffuser. Placing such an HOE in the vertical focus plane of the display increases the view zone by diffusing each line in the vertical direction, but leaves the horizontal image content unaltered.
Adult cognitive and epistemological development in systems education

The purpose of this paper is to identify competencies that are essential to systems learning in undergraduate and graduate education. Specifically, the paper describes various stages of adult cognitive development, utilizing the theoretical framework of William Perry, and shows how these stages are related to basic epistemological issues and concerns that have predominated in the evolution of the philosophy of science. The paper identifies the stage of adult cognitive development and its related epistemological position that is most compatible with the assumptions of general systems theory. The paper argues that general systems theory cannot be adequately understood or applied by undergraduate or graduate students until their thinking has reached a particular developmental level and they have integrated particular epistemological assumptions into their world views. The paper demonstrates that the goals and requirements of systems learning are compatible with the goals and requirements of liberal or general education and suggests that educators in all disciplines, not just systems experts, must contribute to the development of systems competencies.
Stratospheric minor constituent distributions from far‐infrared thermal emission spectra

We retrieve mixing ratio profiles of O3, H2(O-16), H2(O-17), H2(O-18), HF, and HCl from far-infrared thermal emission observations of the limb in the 80-220 cm/sec spectral region. The observations were made with a balloon-borne Fourier transform spectrometer as a part of the 1983 Balloon Intercomparison Campaign (BIC-2). A subset of the data was analyzed previously using the method in the work of Traub et al. (1982, 1991); in the present paper we use an alternative method of calibration and analysis, given by Abbas et al. (1985). The retrieved constituent profiles are compared with the measurements made with other instruments on the BIC-2 flights. The results for the concentrations of H2(O-17) and H2(O-18) obtained in this study indicate no isotopic enhancement or depletion with a standard deviation of about 20 percent.
A Meshless Finite Difference Scheme for Compressible Potential Flows

A meshless solution algorithm for the full potential equation has been developed by applying the principles of the Taylor Least Squares (TLS) method. This method allows for a PDE to be discretized on a local cloud of scattered nodes without the need of connectivity data. The process for discretizing the full potential equation within a meshless framework is outlined along with a novel Hermite TLS technique for enforcement of Neumann boundary conditions. Several two-dimensional test cases were solved that compare well with analytical and benchmark solutions. The first test case solved for the subcritical compressible flow over a circular cylinder at a freestream Mach number of 0.375. The last two cases solved for the non-lifting and lifting subcritical flows over a NACA 0012 airfoil with freestream conditions (M∞ = 0.72, α = 0 ◦ ) and (M∞ = 0.63, α = 2 ◦ ) respectively.
The electrochemical reduction of organosilicon compounds

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of phenyltrimethylsilane was studied in both a divided and an undivided cell. In the undivided cell, phenyltrimethylsilane was reduced cleanly to (1,4-dihydrophenyl)trimethylsilane, but, in the divided cell, considerable cleavage of the carbon—silicon bond occured. A similar cleavage was observed for (phenylethynyl)trimethylsilane even in the undivided cell. The presence of isopropanol influenced the nature of the products in the latter case.
Is race a risk factor for the development of renal artery stenosis

Atherosclerotic renal artery disease is a common cause of hypertension and chronic kidney disease that may progress into end stage renal failure if not diagnosed and treated early. Renal artery stenosis (RAS) has been shown to be an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. We sought to determine whether race is an independent risk factor for developing RAS. A retrospective study was conducted including 324 patients with resistant hypertension who underwent renal angiography with or without coronary angiography. In univariate analysis, Caucasian race was associated with significant risk of RAS (OR = 2.3, P = .01). However, this association was no longer significant after correcting for additional clinical variables in a multivariate model (OR = 1.5, P = .07). There was a strong association between smoking and RAS (OR 2.0, P = .02). We conclude that traditional risk factors, especially smoking, rather than race, are the most important predictors of RAS development.
A PUZZLE OF MATHEMATICAL FORMULAS

ABSTRACT Twenty-four of the most beautiful and important formulas in undergraduate mathematics are assembled to form a puzzle.
Bilateral symmetrical supernumerary heads of biceps brachii with rare pectoralis major insertion

During a routine dissection of a 51-year-old Caucasian male cadaver, bilateral symmetrical supernumerary heads (SH) of the biceps brachii muscles with insertion into the pectoralis major (PM) muscles were discovered. Multiple case reports have documented supernumerary heads for the biceps brachii; however, none have shown bilateral insertion into the pectoralis major. This study describes a previously undocumented variation of the SH that has potential for clinical impact. Healthcare providers could be confounded by patients presenting with shoulder pain or muscle tears as a result of the anomaly. Furthermore, MRI studies on patients with possible shoulder muscle tears could reveal unexpected results. Such cases would warrant consideration of SH anomaly and treatment should be adjusted accordingly. The significant bulk and angle of the SH insertion on the PM we observed changes force vectors which would have an unknown effect in performance, surgical interventions and pain syndromes. A second biceps brachii anomaly was observed on the left brachium in addition to the bilateral SH. We postulate that these variants provide the potential for clinical complications regarding muscular injury to these aforementioned muscle groups.
Statistical Detection of Defect Patterns Using Hough Transform

Surface defects on semiconductor wafers often exhibit particular spatial patterns. These patterns contain valuable information of the fabrication processes and can help engineers identify the potential root causes. In this paper, we present a control chart technique to detect spatial patterns of surface defects by using the Hough transform. An approximate distribution model of the monitoring statistic is proposed, and a comprehensive control chart design method is developed. This method is characterized by its intuitive implication and a simple design procedure which relates the statistical performance of the control chart to the design parameters. A case study is presented to validate the effectiveness of this method.
Force provider: An emergency response system

Abstract The Army has been developing a new system that can be beneficial to disaster relief efforts: Force Provider. Force Provider is a “tent city” designed to temporarily house and support soldiers. Army commanders identified the requirement for a collective support package during Operation Desert Storm. The commanders observed the need to maintain the soldier's overall combat readiness during prolonged periods of inactivity in combative environments. The soldier's overall combat readiness can be increased through improvements in the field food services, sleeping quarters, hygiene facilities, and morale and welfare activities. Additional military applications include theater of operations reception missions, reconstitution missions, and Force Provider system support training. p]All the equipment necessary to operate and support Force Provider is pre-positioned as a complete system at one location. It is easily accessed and transported. Furthermore, a command team has been permanently assigned to maintain, operate and support Force Provider. A team of specialists has been identified to operate the system when deployed and will train on a regular basis.
Effects of changing ambient temperature on finite element model updating of the Dowling Hall Footbridge

Abstract In this paper, effects of changing ambient temperatures on finite element (FE) model updating of the Dowling Hall Footbridge are investigated. The Dowling Hall Footbridge is located on the Tufts University campus in Medford, Massachusetts. The footbridge is equipped with a continuous monitoring system that records vibration and temperature of the bridge once an hour or when triggered by large vibrations. Natural frequencies, mode shapes, and modal damping ratios of the structure are extracted from measured ambient vibration data using an automated data-driven stochastic subspace identification algorithm. The identified natural frequencies and mode shapes are then used for calibration/updating of an initial FE model of the bridge. However, the identified natural frequencies show significant variability with changing ambient temperature. This variability propagates through the FE model updating process and therefore yields uncertainty in the FE model updating results. A static polynomial model is estimated to represent the relationship between identified natural frequencies and measured temperatures. This model is then used to “remove” the temperature effects from the identified natural frequencies. Two sets of FE models are updated in this study based on 17 weeks of hourly-identified modal parameters, before and after removing the temperature effects. The proposed approach is successful in minimizing the effects of changing ambient temperature on FE model updating of the Dowling Hall Footbridge. Accounting for the temperature effects in the FE model updating process reduces the variability of temperature-sensitive updating parameters and therefore decreases the probability of missed identification of damage.
Delta CK-MB outperforms delta troponin I at 2 hours during the ED rule out of acute myocardial infarction.

It has been shown that a rise in creatine kinase MB bank (CK-MB) of ≥ + 1.6 ng/mL in 2 hours is more sensitive and equally specific for detection of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as compared with a 2-hour CK-MB ≥ 6 ng/mL during the emergency department (ED) evaluation of chest pain. Because cardiac specific troponin I (cTnl) is thought to have similar early release kinetics as compared with CK-MB mass, we undertook a retrospective cohort study in 578 chest pain patients whose baseline CK-MB and cTnl was less than two times the hospital's upper limits of normal and who underwent a 2-hour CK-MB and cTnl to compare sensitivities and specificities of the 2-hour delta CK-MB (ΔCK-MB) and delta cTnl (ΔcTnl) for AMI and 30-day Adverse Outcome (AO). Thirty day AO was defined as AMI, life-threatening complication, death, or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)/coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) within 30 days of ED presentation. Optimum delta values were determined by choosing the smallest cutoff value greater than the assay precision where the ΔCK-MB and ΔcTnl had a positive likelihood ratio for 30-day AO of ≥ 15. A ΔCK-MB ≥ +1.5 ng/mL was more sensitive than a ΔTnl ≥ +0.2 ng/mL for AMI (87.7% versus 61.4%; P < .0005) and 30-day AO (56.7% versus 42.3%; P < .005). There were no differences in specificities for AMI and 30-day AO. Combining the two tests (MBΔ ≥ +1.5 ng/mL and/or a ΔTnl ≥ +0.2 ng/mL) resulted in an incremental increase in sensitivity of 89.5% for AMI and 61.9% for AO (P < .005). Patients with either a rise in CK-MB of ≥ +1.5 ng/mL or rise in cTnl of ≥ +0.2 ng/mL in 2 hours should receive consideration for aggressive antiischemic therapy and further diagnostic testing before making an exclusionary diagnosis of nonischemic chest pain.
Resonant excitation of the quasi-decadal oscillation by the 11-year signal in the Sun's irradiance

[1] The quasidecadal oscillation (QDO) of 9- to 13-year period in the Earth's climate system has been found governed by a delayed action oscillator (DAO) mechanism in the tropical Pacific Ocean similar to that governing the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) of 3- to 5-year period. It also fluctuated in phase with the ∼11-year-period signal in the Sun's total irradiance throughout the twentieth century. In earlier attempts to explain this association, a conceptual ocean-atmosphere coupled model of the DAO mechanism in the tropical Pacific Basin was driven by 11-year-period solar forcing, producing a QDO that was in damped resonance with the solar forcing. In the present study, we likewise force a fully coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model (i.e., Fast Ocean-Atmosphere Model (FOAM)) of Jacob et al. (2001), adding an 11-year-period cosine signal of amplitude ∼2.0 W m−2 to the solar constant in the model. In the presence of this 11-year-period solar forcing the FOAM simulates both the ENSO and the QDO, while in its absence the FOAM simulates only the ENSO. We find the model QDO governed by a tropical DAO mechanism with patterns and evolution similar to those observed. We find its warm phase lagging peak solar forcing by ∼1–3 years, as observed and consistent with damped-resonant excitation of the tropical DAO of the QDO by the 11-year-period solar forcing in the earlier conceptual model.
Sexual Harassment: A Preliminary Test of an Integrative Model1

Despite the recent increase in research on sexual harassment, most studies have examined the relevant variables in isolation, and little is known concerning the ways in which they may interact or the relative importance of their effects for individuals or organizations. Fitzgerald and her colleagues (Fitzgerald, Hulin, & Drasgow. 1995; Fitzgerald & Ormerod, 1993) proposed a model of the antecedents and outcomes of sexual harassment in organizations. The present study examines a modified version of this model using path analysis with a sample of women employed by the federal government in the late 1980s. These analyses support the basic form of the model, suggesting that sexual harassment is a joint function of the gender context of the victim's job, her relative vulnerability, and the tolerance of the organization for sexual harassment. In turn, harassment was shown to have a negative impact on work and health-related outcomes, exacerbated by assertive coping responses. The implications for organizations are discussed along with recommendations for more stringent tests of the model.
Improved bootstrap decoding scheme for space time codes with imperfect channel estimation

Incomplete channel state information, resulted from imperfect channel estimation, is known to degrade the performance of space time codes based communication systems. The bootstrap decoder was suggested as an adaptive decoding scheme to mitigate the effect of decoding with erroneous channel coefficients. Never the less, the suggested algorithm requires relatively long block size which may not comply with the channel coherence time. In addition, due to the long block size, the computational load required by the bootstrap algorithm can be very high. In this work, a different implementation of the bootstrap algorithm is suggested involving the use of short orthogonal data sequences. This novel approach addresses both problems with minimal rate and performance loss.
Changes in Heart Rate, Muscle Activity, and Anxiety Level Following Shock Threat

Variations in HR, forearm EMG, and anxiety level were recorded over a 6-min interval scheduled to end with an electric shock. Sixty subjects were divided equally among four groups. Only two of the groups could watch a clock while waiting for the shock; the other two had no clock available. One group in each of these two conditions gave verbal reports of anxiety at various times while waiting for the shock. The results showed an increase in HR at the end of the anticipation interval in the two Clock groups, and no such rise in the two No Clock groups. Very similar results were found for anxiety level, but not for forearm EMG. These findings suggest that HR increases during anticipation of shock reflect a rising anxiety level, rather than a concomitant increase in muscle activity.
Liarozole Markedly Increases all trans-Retinoic Acid Toxicity in Mouse Limb Bud Cell Cultures: A Model to Explain the Potency of the Aromatic Retinoid (E)-4-[2-(5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthylenyl)-1-propenyl] Benzoic Acid

The remarkable toxicity of (E)-4-[2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthylenyl)-1-propenyl] benzoic acid (TTNPB) compared to all trans-retinoic acid (tRA) is due to multiple factors, including reduced affinities for cytosolic binding proteins (CRABPs), resistance to metabolism, and prolonged nuclear receptor activation. To further investigate the role of half-life in retinoid toxicity, experiments were performed to determine whether, and to what extent, inhibition of tRA metabolism by liarozole increased its toxicity comparable to that of TTNPB in the mouse limb bud system. Liarozole is a known inhibitor of tRA 4-hydroxylation (CYP26). In the absence of liarozole, the IC50 for inhibition of chondrogenesis by tRA was 140 nM compared to 0.3 nM for TTNPB, a 467-fold difference. Following the addition of liarozole (10(-6) M) to limb bud cultures, the potency of tRA to inhibit chondrogenesis was increased approximately 14-fold (IC50 of 9.8 nM). Although liarozole markedly increased toxicity of tRA in mouse limb bud micromass cultures, tRA metabolism was inhibited only about 10%. These results indicate that a relatively minor decrease in the metabolism of tRA in the mouse limb bud system is associated with a marked enhancement of toxicity that is likely related to the prolongation of tRA half-life during a critical period of development. Thus, the prolonged half-life of TTNPB is the most significant factor contributing to the remarkable teratogenicity of this synthetic aromatic retinoid.
Optimal renal preservation with timely percutaneous intervention: a changing concept in the management of blunt renal trauma in children in the 1990s

OBJECTIVE To report the results of treatment of 132 children with blunt renal trauma and indicate our treatment recommendations. RESULTS Between 1971 and 1991 132 children presented with blunt renal trauma. Grade I injuries (renal contusion) were seen in 97 children, grade II injuries (renal laceration) in 32 and grade III (shattered kidney and pedicle injury) in three. Twenty-six children with grade II injuries were treated non-surgically. Urinomas developed in three, which were drained percutaneously with complete resolution. Prior to 1985 six patients with grade II injuries underwent total or partial nephrectomy for major renal lacerations. Repair of shattered kidneys resulted in significant morbidity. Conservative management of major blunt injuries with judicious percutaneous intervention resulted in no renal loss. CONCLUSION We believe that conservative therapy with timely percutaneous drainage of urinomas in children with major blunt renal injury, other than shattered kidney or pedicle injuries, optimizes renal preservation and minimizes secondary complications.
Switching of Extra-High-Voltage Circuits IV-Compound Circuit Test Facility for High-Voltage Circuit Breakers

A compound circuit is described for development and acceptance testing of circuit-breaker modules and circuit breakers up to 50,000 equivalent 3-phase module mva (megavoltamperes). The paper discusses high-current-source voltage requirements, synchronization of high-voltage-source application with final current zero, and high-voltage-source impedance requirements. Flexibility of the recovery voltage wave shape is demonstrated and its response to post-arc conductance discussed. Functioning of the circuit is described and test results and oscillograms shown. Major circuit components and their operation are explained. The facility may also be used without assistance from other sources for capacitance-switching tests up to 500 equivalent 3-phase module mvar (megavars). It is expected that this circuit will provide effective short-circuit testing for high megavolt-ampere breakers which is economically impractical by any other means.
Marinade Composition and Vacuum Effects on Liquid Uptake and Retention in Tumbled Fish Portions

A combination of higher pH (pH 8 vs. pH 6 or 7), higher NaCl content (6% vs. 2%), and shorter chain polyphosphates (sodium tripoly- or pyro-phosphate vs. hexametaphosphate, all at 1.6% in the marinade) during tumbling of halibut pieces (uniform size, shape) resulted in greatest marinade uptake and yields following subsequent purge and cook losses. Surface slime formation noted in optimum treatments, likely the result of increased surface extraction of protein, could dictate moderating ionic strength and solution pH as a marketing consideration. Unfrozen (fresh) fish exhibited a greater uptake of marinade than previously frozen fish, but also higher subsequent purge and cook losses such that yields after cooking for the two treatments were similar. Contrary to conventional industry belief, vacuum (9.2 kPa) during tumbling did not affect uptake of marinade.
The Effects Of Various Reservoir And Well Parameters On Water Coning Performance

Most research on water coning has been directed toward minimizing water production by reduced well penetration or production rate control. However, complete depletion of an oil column underlain by water will necessarily be accompanied by considerable water production, at least in the latter stages of depletion. By means of numerical simulation, a systematic study was made of the effects of reservoir and well parameters on water coning performance. These studies revealed that higher water-oil ratios, at every stage of depletion, resulted from increasing well penetration or increasing pressure drawdown at the producing well. Accompanying the increase in water-oil ratio is an increase in oil production rate of the same magnitude, thus decreasing the operating life of the well. There is no indication that the ultimate oil recovery is adversely affected by increased production rates. As a matter of fact, it appears that high production rates could lead to improved economic oil recovery. (12 refs.)
Jim Blaut's Model of the World

Jim Blaut’s model of the world remained incomplete at his untimely death (Wissoker, this issue), but its outlines were clear. Rooted in his lifelong engagement with the Puerto Rican independence movement and appreciation of peasant livelihood strategies, he seeks to recover the agency of what he termed the Third World from its marginalization in First World practice and thought. Beginning with the seemingly straightforward question of where capitalism was born (Blaut 1976), he concluded that conventional answers to this question shape knowledge production about the Third World (Blaut 2000). In developing this argument, he sought to articulate geographic with Marxist theory, and theoretical argument with a rich cross-section of mostly second-hand empirical evidence, all the while maintaining a characteristically uncompromising critique of any accounts contaminated by the Eurocentrism that he analyzes as the root of the marginalization of Third World agency.
Application of pyramidal directional filters for biometric identification using conjunctival vasculature patterns

Directional pyramidal filter banks as feature extractors for ocular vascular biometrics are proposed. Apart from the red, green, and blue (RGB) format, we analyze the significance of using HSV, YCbCr, and layer combinations (R+Cr)/2, (G+Cr)/2, (B+Cr)/2. For classification, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) is used. We outline the advantages of a Contourlet transform implementation for eye vein biometrics, based on vascular patterns seen on the white of the eye. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. Area under the curve (AUC), equal error rate (EER), and decidability values are used as performance metrics. The dataset consists of more than 1600 still images and video frames acquired in two separate sessions from 40 subjects. All images were captured from a distance of 5 feet using a DSLR camera with an attached white LED light source. We evaluate and discuss the results of cross matching features extracted from still images and video recordings of conjunctival vasculature patterns. The best AUC value of 0.9999 with an EER of 0.064% resulted from using Cb layer in YCbCr color space. The best (lowest value) EER of 0.032% was obtained with an AUC value of 0.9998 using the green layer of the RGB images.
Local cardinal spline interpolation and its application to image processing

This paper presents an image interpolation algorithm using the recently developed local cardinal interpolatory spline (LCIS). The procedures for constructing the LCIS basis are described for both univariate and bivariate cases. This new LCIS algorithm is very efficient and can be implemented easily. Without the need of a mapping procedure, this method is faster than any other polynomial interpolation approach. The C2 property of the LCIS also allows the gradient operator to be constructed for edge detection. Both image interpolation and edge detection algorithms are compared with existing methods in two different examples.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of metal size on coordination geometry of N,N′,N″-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-cis,cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane: synthesis and structure of [MIIL](ClO4)2 (M=Zn, Cd and Hg)

Abstract The hexadentate ligand N , N ′, N ″-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)- cis , cis -1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (tachpyr) forms stable metal complexes from the salts M(ClO 4 ) 2 ·6H 2 O (M=Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ ) and Hg(ClO 4 ) 2 in methanol or ethanol. The complexes [Zn(tachpyr)](ClO 4 ) 2 ·CH 3 OH ( 1 ·CH 3 OH), [Cd(tachpyr)](ClO 4 ) 2 ( 2 ) and [Hg(tachpyr)](ClO 4 ) 2 ( 3 ) have been isolated, and their solid state structures have been determined and analyzed. The coordination sphere changes from octahedral to trigonal-prismatic geometry with increasing metal radius. The trigonal twist angles ( α ) are 43.7(2)° in compound 1 ·CH 3 OH, range between 11.0(4)° and 21.7(2)° in compound 2 and range between 3.1(3)° and 5.5(2)° in compound 3 . To accommodate larger metal ions there is also a slight outward expansion of the triaminocyclohexane nitrogens, which leads to a reduction in the average cyclohexyl ring C–C–C–C torsion angles ( β ) with concomitant flattening of the ring. The torsion angles ( β ) in 1 ·CH 3 OH are 52.3(6)° and 52.4(6)°, range between 46.1(9)° and 52.7(9)° in compound 2 and range between 45.1(6)° and 52.9(7)° in compound 3 .
Activation of TAK1 by MYD88 L265P drives malignant B-cell Growth in non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Massively parallel sequencing analyses have revealed a common mutation within the MYD88 gene (MYD88L265P) occurring at high frequencies in many non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) including the rare lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). Using whole-exome sequencing, Sanger sequencing and allele-specific PCR, we validate the initial studies and detect the MYD88L265P mutation in the tumor genome of 97% of WM patients analyzed (n=39). Due to the high frequency of MYD88 mutation in WM and other NHL, and its known effects on malignant B-cell survival, therapeutic targeting of MYD88 signaling pathways may be clinically useful. However, we are lacking a thorough characterization of the role of intermediary signaling proteins on the biology of MYD88L265P-expressing B cells. We report here that MYD88L265P signaling is constitutively active in both WM and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells leading to heightened MYD88L265P, IRAK and TRAF6 oligomerization and NF-κB activation. Furthermore, we have identified the signaling protein, TAK1, to be an essential mediator of MYD88L265P-driven signaling, cellular proliferation and cytokine secretion in malignant B cells. Our studies highlight the biological significance of MYD88L265P in NHL and reveal TAK1 inhibition to be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of WM and other diseases characterized by MYD88L265P.
Plasma immersion ion implantation as an alternative doping technology for ULSI

Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) has much attracted attention as a promising and innovatory doping technology for silicon (Si) processing of ultra-large-scale-integrated circuits (ULSI). In this article, we review and demonstrate the most attractive application areas of PIII for the development of advanced devices. PIII not only shows its unique characteristics for each application area, but also improves device performances very remarkably.
Angiogenin variation and Parkinson disease

Genetic studies have highlighted an overlap in risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and parkinsonism.1, 2 A recent study by van Es and colleagues has shown that variation in the ALS gene, Angiogenin (ANG), is more frequent in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients than controls; the study showed that ANG variants were present in 0.46% of ALS, 0.45% of PD and 0.04% of controls.3, 4 In the present study we sequenced ANG in our PD patient-control series to assess the mutation burden in patients and risk of disease.