cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fermion masses and phenomenology in SO(10) or SU(5) superstring compactifications

Abstract Symmetry breaking patterns and phenomenology of the SO(10) and SU(5) compactifications of the E 8 ×E 8 ′ heterotic superstring recently proposed by Witten are examined with regard to the fermion mass matrix. Under some circumstances there exist constraints due to the presence of relatively light charged leptons.
Service Learning Track in General Chemistry: Giving Students a Choice

Experiential learning is a foundation in chemistry courses from the introductory-level course to upper-level courses through laboratory experiences. Service learning is another type of experiential learning that is slowly gaining momentum in the sciences. There have been several reports in this Journal on this pedagogy with respect to student engagement and success. However, widespread adoption of this teaching tool will not be achieved until suitable, scalable models for implementation of service learning in chemistry are available. Reported here is an example of a service learning aspect of a traditional second-semester general chemistry course where a separate grading scheme is created within the course called the Service Track. The logistics of running a course within a course, how the instructor uses Service Track teaching assistants, descriptions of the service projects, and how they are incorporated into the classroom, and the assessment of these projects, is described.
Is nut cold tolerance a limitation to the restoration of American chestnut in the northeastern United States

American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once a dominant hardwood species in the eastern United States, growing from Maine to Georgia and west to the Ohio Valley (Harlow et al. 1979). Arguably, American chestnut may have been the most important hardwood species in North America, renowned for its quick growth, massive size, and great utility (Harlow et al. 1979). Unfortunately, within 50 years of the introduction of chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica)--a fungal disease native to Asia--American chestnut was functionally removed as an overstory tree from eastern forests (Griffin 2000).
Removal of Carbon Tetrachloride from a Layered Porous Medium by Means of Soil Vapor Extraction Enhanced by Desiccation and Water Table Reduction

A two-dimensional flow cell experiment was conducted to study the removal of the carbon tetrachloride component of a DNAPL mixture from a layered porous medium through soil vapor extraction (SVE) with moist and dry air. A dual-energy γ radiation system was used at various times to non-intrusively determine fluid saturations. The mixture, which contained the volatile organic carbon tetrachloride, mimics the DNAPL disposed at the Hanford Site in Washington State. The flow cell, which is 100 cm long, 75 cm high and 5.5 cm wide, was packed with two sloped coarse sand and two sloped silt layers in an otherwise uniform matrix of medium-grained sand. A V-shaped fine sand layer was placed at the bottom of the flow cell to prevent DNAPL from exiting the flow cell. The water table was located 2 cm from the bottom, creating variably saturated conditions. A 500-mL spill was introduced at the top of the flow cell from a small source area. It was observed that the DNAPL largely by-passed the silt layers but easily moved into the coarse sand layers. Residual DNAPL was formed in the medium-grained sand matrix. The DNAPL caused a distinct reduction of the capillary fringe. Most of the DNAPL ended up in a pool on top of the V-shaped fine sand. Through four treatments with moist air soil vapor extraction, most residual carbon tetrachloride was removed from the medium-grained matrix and the coarse sand layers. However, soil vapor extraction with moist air was not able to remove the carbon tetrachloride from the silt layers and the pool. Through a water table reduction and subsequent soil vapor extraction with dry air, the carbon tetrachloride in the silt layers and the pool was effectively removed. Based on γ measurements and carbon tetrachloride vapor concentration data, it was estimated that after the final remediation treatment, almost 90% of the total mass was removed.
Leadership by example: A perspective on the influence of Barry Boehm

Over the course of the past 10 years of working with Dr. Boehm on various projects has both influenced the software engineering program at Mississippi State University as well as provided growth opportunities and expansion of the MSU ABET accredited software engineering undergraduate degree program. Looking back over the key interactions with him, it is apparent that he leads (and influences) by his example, his work ethic, and his intellect in the software engineering field. This paper provides insights into his specific influences though collaborative work with another university.
Model for Rotating and Nonuniform Planetary Exospheres

The model neutral exosphere with a uniformly rotating exobase is generalized by allowing variations in exobase density and temperature which characterize the thermosphere just below the base. The corresponding velocity distribution function, satisfying the collisionless Boltzmann equation, is constructed and used to form a general expression for the velocity moments. Resulting density profiles of rotating exospheres with nonuniform densities and temperatures on the exobase are compared with corresponding nonrotating exospheres. Density enhancements due to rotation are found to be greatest above regions of exobase density or temperature minima. Equatorial density enhancements of terrestrial hydrogen, resulting from rotation, are estimated to be 15%‐17% at altitudes of 10‐20 earth radii. Corresponding increases in terrestrial helium are 30%‐50% on the equator at altitudes of 0.7 to 1 earth radii even when there is a polar density bulge in the barosphere.
Juridical Distinctions in Canadian Child Pornography Cases—Philosophical Perspectives, Following Bourdieu

This essay uses a template from the works of Pierre Bourdieu to examine court cases, principally. Canadian cases related to child pornography. Analysis of the cases, focusing on juridical discourse, demonstrates the confusion that exists when a government attempts to define new law under the constraints of antique canon as neoteric justice evolves. In the study, evidence emerged suggesting that (class) distinction, as defined by Bourdieu, may impact upon conviction and sentencing under these circumstances. A simplified concept of child pornography, guided by the principle that violence is not protected expression, is suggested.
Electromechanical Diode Cell for Cross-Point Nonvolatile Memory Arrays

An electromechanical diode nonvolatile memory cell design is proposed for implementation of compact (4F2) cross-point memory arrays. The first prototype cells are demonstrated to operate with relatively low set/reset voltages and excellent retention characteristics and are multi-time programmable (with endurance exceeding 104 set/reset cycles).
Extreme Curvature of Polynomials

(2004). Extreme Curvature of Polynomials. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 111, No. 10, pp. 890-899.
Masking of peptidyl transferase activity in polyribosomes.

Abstract The peptidyl transferase activity of polysomes from Escherichia coli , rabbit reticulocytes and chick embryos, assayed in the fragment reaction, is 3- to 10-fold lower than the corresponding activity of single ribosomes. The polysomal peptidyl transferase activity is restored in full under conditions of in vitro protein synthesis that result in conversion of polysomes to single ribosomes. Thus, the peptidyl transferase center is masked in translating ribosomes. Unmasking of peptidyl transferase, however, does not require the release of ribosomes from messenger RNA: it is also seen upon treatment of polysomes with puromycin, under conditions in which polysomes remain intact. Apparently, release of nascent polypeptide chains is sufficient to allow access of formylmethionyl hexanucleotide substrate to the peptidyl transferase site.
Large postnatally acquired porencephalic cysts: unexpected developmental outcomes.

To determine the neurodevelopmental outcome for infants with posthemorrhagic intraparenchymal cysts, we reviewed retrospectively clinical, ultrasonographic, and developmental features in 16 affected children. At a mean follow-up age of 33 months, five subjects had normal cognitive outcomes (developmental quotient [DQ] or IQ greater than 83), nine had borderline to mild deficits (DQ or IQ, 52 to 83), but only three had moderate to severe deficits (DQ or IQ less than 52). Spastic cerebral palsy was present in 13 (81%); only one child (6%) had a chronic seizure disorder requiring medication. Cognitively normal children were less likely to have had neonatal seizures (P less than .05) and tended to have more localized cysts. Otherwise, we found no relationship between outcome and neonatal clinical or laboratory findings. Overall, these results suggest that although motor deficits are common in infants with severe intraventricular hemorrhage and porencephalic cysts, cognitive outcomes may be more favorable than has been suspected previously.
BK virus and human cancer: Innocent until proven guilty

BK virus (BKV) is a polyomavirus that ubiquitously infects the human population. Following a typically subclinical primary infection, BKV establishes a life-long persistent infection in the kidney and urinary tract. BKV is known to reactivate and cause severe disease in immunosuppressed patients, particularly renal and bone marrow transplant patients. Infection of BKV in rodent animal models or cells in culture often results in tumor formation or transformation, respectively. When co-expressed with activated oncogenes, BKV large tumor antigen drives the transformation of primary human cells. An etiological role of BKV in human cancer, however, remains controversial. Multiple reports have demonstrated conflicting results in regards to the presence of BKV sequences and/or proteins in various tumor types. This review compiles the most recent findings of BKV detection in a number of human cancers. Due to the lack of conclusive causality data from these studies, there does not appear to be a definitive association between BKV and human cancers.
Tamarix as Habitat for Birds: Implications for Riparian Restoration in the Southwestern United States

Exotic vegetation has become a major habitat component in many ecosystems around the world, sometimes dramatically changing the vegetation community structure and composition. In the southwestern United States, riparian ecosystems are undergoing major changes in part due to the establishment and spread of the exotic Tamarix (saltcedar, tamarisk). There are concerns about the suitability of Tamarix as habitat for birds. Although Tamarix habitats tend to support fewer species and individuals than native habitats, Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas data and Birds of North America accounts show that 49 species use Tamarix as breeding habitat. Importantly, the relative use of Tamarix and its quality as habitat vary substantially by geographic location and bird species. Few studies have examined how breeding in Tamarix actually affects bird survivorship and productivity; recent research on Southwestern Willow Flycatchers has found no negative effects from breeding in Tamarix habitats. Therefore, the ecological benefits and costs of Tamarix control are difficult to predict and are likely to be species specif ic and site specific. Given the likelihood that high-quality native riparian vegetation will not develop at all Tamarix control sites, restoration projects that remove Tamarix but do not assure replacement by high-quality native habitat have the potential to reduce the net riparian habitat value for some local or regional bird populations. Therefore, an assessment of potential negative impacts is important in deciding if exotic control should be conducted. In addition, measurable project objectives, appropriate control and restoration techniques, and robust monitoring are all critical to effective restoration planning and execution.
Azidothymidine Enhances Fluorodeoxyuridine-Mediated Radiosensitization

Purpose To examine the role of DNA repair and altered thymidine analogues in altering the response to radiation during thymidine deprivation. Methods and Materials Mismatch repair–deficient and -proficient cell lines HEC59 and HC-2.4 were treated with fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR), azidothymidine (AZT), and irradiation either alone or in combination, and outcomes of clonogenic survival and cell-cycle distributions were determined. Results Survival outcomes for all treatments were similar for both cell lines, suggesting that hMSH2 does not significantly influence thymidine deprivation toxicity or radiosensitization. The chain-terminating thymidine analogue AZT increased the toxicity of FUdR and increased DNA fragmentation. The combination of FUdR and AZT afforded greater radiosensitization than either drug alone. Drug enhancement ratios, the degree of excess radiation-induced cell death in drug-treated cultures compared with radiation alone for HEC59, were 1.2, 1.4, and 1.8 for AZT, FUdR, and the combination, respectively. Enhancement ratios for HC-2.4 were 1.3, 1.5, and 1.8 for AZT, FUdR, and the combination, respectively. Conclusion Azidothymidine, a chain-terminating thymidine analogue, can enhance the radiosensitizing affects of thymidine deprivation. Deoxyribonucleic acid strand breaks may play an important role in the mechanism of thymidine deprivation–induced radiosensitization.
Impact of a Gill Parasite Upon the Minnow Notropis telescopus

Dactylogyrus is a holarctic genus of monogene fl atworms that infects the gills of cyprinid fi shes. Dactylogyrus species are usually highly host specifi c, and little is known about their life history in North America. The purpose of this study was twofold: to determine 1) whether Dactylogyrus exhibits seasonality in its life cycle, and 2) if there is any potential effect upon reproductive effort of the host as a result of Dactylogyrus infection. Over a 12-month period, 967 Dactylogyrus were found on the gills of 383 Notropis telescopus (Telescope Shiner), a cyprinid fi sh collected in the upper Paint Rock River system in northeastern Alabama. A signifi cant positive relationship was found be- tween prevalence of infection and host somatic weight and gonadosomatic index (GSI). The assumptions that parasite presence is evenly distributed among individual host fi sh and within each month were rejected by chi square tests, with the months of March through July as a peak for the extent of Dactylogyrus infection. These months are the time of gonadal development and reproduction in Telescope Shiners.
Complex population of nonpolyadenylated messenger RNA in mouse brain

The complexity of nonadenylated mRNA [poly(A)-mRNA] has been determined by hybridization with single-copy DNA (scDNA) and cDNA. Our results show that poly(A)- and poly(A)+ mRNA are essentially nonoverlapping (nonhomologous) sequence populations of similar complexity. The sum of the complexities of poly(A)+ mRNA and poly(A)- mRNA is equal to that of total polysomal RNA or total mRNA, or the equivalent of approximately 1.7 x 10(5) different sequences 1.5 kb in length. Poly(A)- mRNA, isolated from polysomal RNA by benzoylated cellulose chromatography, hybridized with 3.6% of the scDNA, corresponding to a complexity of 7.8 x 10(4) different 1.5 kb sequences. The equivalent of only one adenosine tract of approximately 20 nucleotides per 100 poly(A)- mRNA molecules 1.5 kb in size was observed by hybridization with poly(U). cDNA was transcribed from poly(A)- mRNA using random oligonucleotides as primers. Only 1-2% of the single-copy fraction of this cDNA was hybridized using poly(A)+ mRNA as a driver. These results show that poly(A)- mRNA shares few sequences with poly(A)+ mRNA and thus constitutes a separate, complex class of messenger RNA. These measurements preclude the presence of a complex class of bimorphic mRNAs [that is, species present in both poly(A)+ and poly(A)- forms] in brain polysomes.
Ocular inflammatory effects of intravitreally injected interleukin-2

The primary, known physiologic effect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) is to act as a T lymphocyte growth factor. We investigated the potential contribution of IL-2 to intraocular inflammation by studying the inflammation resulting from the intravitreal injection of recombinant, human IL-2 in New Zealand white rabbits. Serial slit lamp observations indicated that 40 microgram of intravitreally injected IL-2 induced an anterior uveitis which was maximal 5 days after the injection. Inflammation was less marked but still significant with amounts of IL-2 as low as 400 ng. Direct examination of aqueous humor confirmed elevations of protein, prostaglandin E2, and mononuclear cells which correlated with the clinical observations. The kinetics of the response to intravitreal IL-2 distinguished it from the responses to other intravitreally injected cytokines such as interleukins 1, 6, or 8 as well as tumor necrosis factor. Intramuscular injection of cyclosporine A significantly reduced the protein extravasation associated with IL-2 injection, but cyclosporine had no effect on inflammation secondary to an intravitreal injection of interleukin-1. These observations implicate IL-2 as a potential contributor to uveitis. In addition, the studies with cyclosporine indicate the heterogeneity of inflammation such that pharmacologic agents which affect one cause of uveitis are not necessarily efficacious in another model.
Laparoscopy in women with unexplained infertility: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Objective To evaluate the cost effectiveness of laparoscopy for unexplained infertility. Design We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using a computer-generated decision analysis tree. Data used to construct the mathematical model were extracted from the literature or obtained from our practice. We compared outcomes following four treatment strategies: [1] no treatment, [2] standard infertility treatment algorithm (SITA), [3] laparoscopy with expectant management (LSC/EM), and [4] laparoscopy with infertility therapy (LSC/IT). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated, and one-way sensitivity analyses assessed the impact of varying base-case estimates. Setting Academic in vitro fertilization practice. Patient(s) Computer-simulated patients assigned to one of four treatments. Intervention(s) Fertility treatment or laparoscopy. Main Outcome Measure(s) Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Result(s) Using base-case assumptions, LSC/EM was preferred (ICER =$128,400 per live-birth in U.S. dollars). Changing the following did not alter results: rates and costs of multiple gestations, penalty for high-order multiples, infertility treatment costs, and endometriosis prevalence. Outcomes were most affected by patient dropout from infertility treatments—SITA was preferred when dropout was less than 9% per cycle. Less important factors included surgical costs, acceptability of twins, and the effects of untreated endometriosis on fecundity. Conclusion(s) Laparoscopy is cost effective in the initial management of young women with infertility, particularly when infertility treatment dropout rates exceed 9% per cycle.
MODIFYING LETTER AND NUMBER REVERSALS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN1

Children from regular and special-education classes were exposed to tutoring procedures designed to modify letter and number reversals. In Experiment I, two students showed reversals during letter-naming (e.g., saying p for q) and two-digit number (e.g., writing 31 for 13) exercises. In Experiment II, one subject made two-digit reversals, while the other child reversed single-digit numbers (e.g., 9 written with circle on right side of stem). The subject in Experiment III emitted letter reversals under naming, dictation, and copying exercises. The child in Experiment IV showed written letter reversals on both sides of the “body midline” under dictation procedures. Basic treatment procedures during all experiments involved modelling of correct and incorrect symbol formation, and differential experimenter feedback following student responses. During Experiments I and II, subjects were praised for each correct response, and informed when a reversal occurred. Experiment III included a Modelling Only Phase before these feedback procedures. Besides praise, treatment conditions in Experiment IV consisted of additional feedback following correct responses (e.g., charting correct responses), and temporal delays imposed between dictated letters and student responses. Except for occasional letter-naming reversals of one subject (Experiment I), and letter dictation errors of another (Experiment IV), reversals were eliminated when all experiments terminated. The Modelling Only Phase in Experiment III also reduced reversals to a low level. These findings suggest that a variety of reversal problems may be effectively assessed and remediated via simple modelling and reinforcement procedures. In addition, postcheck observations indicated that the effects were enduring. The present procedures should be easily implemented by school personnel.
Effect of Low Sodium, Tetrodotoxin, and Temperature Variation upon Excitation

The lowering of external sodium raised both the constant quantity threshold, Qo, and the rheobase, Io, in both real space-clamped squid axons and the theoretical axon as computed on the basis of the standard Hodgkin-Huxley equations. In both real and theoretical axons the minimum intensity for excitability for short pulses, which occurs at about 15°C, was still present when low sodium replaced seawater. Low sodium did not affect the temperature dependence of the strength-duration relationship in the range, 5° to 25°C. The excitability of tetrodotoxin-treated real axons was found to be more temperature-dependent than that of normal real axons. Also the data on dosage-response to TTX of real axons fit the dose-response relationship of a hypothetical system in which one TTX ion binds reversibly to its receptor to produce a fraction of the inhibitory effect, the curve being identical to a simple adsorption isotherm. The Hodgkin-Huxley equations describe the broad outline of events occurring during excitation quite well.
Angiographic exclusion of intracranial arteriovenous malformations using onyx

Historically, endovascular treatment for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) has been reserved as an adjunct to other modalities, namely radiosurgery and microsurgery, as the cure rate for cerebral AVMs treated solely with endovascular technique and older embolic agents is low. We report a series of five consecutive patients treated successfully with Onyx®, the newest available embolic agent, with resultant angiographic cure. Five patients aged three, nine, 33, 49, and 63 years were treated endovascularly for cerebral AVMs with a total of 19 embolizations with Onyx(®). All procedures were performed under general anesthesia with biplanar fluoroscopy. Complete angiographic obliteration of the AVM nidus was obtained in all cases with no residual filling. No immediate hemorrhagic or thromboembolic complications were observed. This early experience suggests that Onyx® has excellent embolization potential, and endovascular cure of AVMs may now be achieved with single modality therapy. Long terms data needs to be collected to further validate this observation.
Determination of phthalate esters in non-alcoholic beverages by GC-MS and optimization of the extraction conditions.

A quantificational method for 7 phthalate esters in non-alcoholic beverages was developed. Dimethyl phthalate, di-ethyl phthalate, di-propyl phthalate (DPP), di-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-octyl phthalate (DOP) were extracted from non-alcoholic beverages with the optimized solid-phase extraction method, and quantification was achieved by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with isotope internal standard of d4-di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP-d4). The inter-day method repeatability (RSD) was 8–13 %, whereas the intra-day method repeatability (RSD) was 9–15 %. The mean spiking recoveries were 84–105 %. A wide variety of phthalate concentrations was observed in 48 non-alcoholic beverages. DEHP was the most abundant phthalate compound followed by DBP, DPP, and DOP. DEHP was found in sport drinks (0.015–0.098 mg L−1), tea (0.016–0.123 mg L−1), coffee (0.028–0.159 mg L−1), and fruit juices (0.022–0.126 mg L−1).
Effect of external inspiratory loading on ventilation of premature infants

Summary: The ventilatory response of 11 growing premature infants to external inspiratory resistive loads was evaluated. Air flow, tidal volume, minute ventilation, inspiratory duration and total breath duration were measured before and after application of a flow resistive load. A significant (P < 0.001) immediate decrease in minute ventilation and tidal volume was observed in all infants after load application. Minute ventilation and tidal volume remained decreased throughout the 10-min study period. Minute ventilation and tidal volume for the group decreased to 48 and 50% of control mean value, respectively. In addition, there was a significant (P < 0.001) sustained increase in inspiratory time resulting in an increase in the ratio of inspiratory time/total respiratory time.
Reactions of Young Adults to the Death of Apple CEO Steve Jobs: Implications for Cancer Communication

On October 5, 2011, the Chief Executive Officer of Apple®, Inc., Steve Jobs, died from pancreatic cancer. Media outlets covered the event with fervor, and the public responded in kind. The purpose of this study was to examine public reaction to Jobs's death from pancreatic cancer in relation to general and health-specific information-seeking, as well as interpersonal communication. Using a survey conducted within weeks of Jobs's death (N = 401), high awareness of this event was found, as were significant amounts of information-seeking and interpersonal communication with regard to his death. Emotional responses to his death were found to be the best predictors of related health communication behaviors. Along with descriptive findings of who communicated, with whom, when, and about what, these findings provide guidance for health communicators, who may use celebrity cancer announcements or deaths to capitalize on increased attention to the disease.
Effects of Rheumatoid Sera on Fibroblast Proliferation and Hyaluronic Acid Synthesis

Rheumatoid serum depresses synovial fibroblast proliferation in vitro and tends to enhance the rate of hyaluronic acid formed per cellular unit. Quantitatively, the observed effects are not large, are apparently not disease specific, and not related to the titer of rheumatoid factor as measured by latex fixation. An improved method for measuring acid mucopolysaccharide in tissue culture medium is described.
Television viewing and adult sex-role attitudes

Although American television programs present highly stereotyped sex roles, no previous studies have shown in adults a relationship between sex-role stereotyping and TV viewing behavior. The present study assessed 78 college students' self-descriptions in relation to their TV viewing behavior. The results indicated that the amount of sex-role stereotyping in self-descriptions was positively correlated with amount of TV viewing of stereotyped programs. These findings were replicated with a group of 19 elderly adults.
A new generation of scanning probe technology

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) analysis of materials is reliant upon direct physical interaction between a scanning probe and a sample surface. This physical interaction provides a range of analysis and surface modification techniques that are unique in microscopy and offers particular advantages and limitations. Precise computer-controlled positioning capabilities of SPM instrumentation continues to improve and is being combined with new nanoengineered probe types to achieve long-sought nanotechnology goals and minimize some of the traditional limitations of scanning probe technology.
Plasma tumor necrosis factor and post-traumatic hyperdynamic sepsis evoked by endotoxin

To examine the role of systemic plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the septic response following trauma, an endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) challenge was administered to anesthetized mongrel pigs 72 h following either hemorrhagic shock/resuscitation or sham shock. For TNF to be considered a mediator, at least two conditions should be satisfied: a TNF increase should precede other manifestations of the septic response and the magnitude of that increase should correlate with the symptoms. Immediately following resuscitation from shock, hemodynamics were stable, but heart rate, cardiac index (CI), and systemic oxygen delivery (DO2) were elevated 20-60%, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was decreased 40%, relative to the preshock baseline. After 72 h, the animals were reanesthetized, reinstrumented, and all hemodynamic values were near normal in both groups. At this point, either 1.5 (shock, n = 2; sham, n = 2), 15 (shock, n = 7; sham, n = 6) or 150 (shock, n = 11; sham, n = 4) micrograms/kg of Escherichia coli LPS was administered intravenously over 30 min. Serial hemodynamic data, complete blood counts, and TNF were recorded for 3 h post-LPS. LPS evoked profound leukopenia and pulmonary hypertension within 15 min that was followed by a hyperdynamic septic response (i.e., progressive arterial desaturation, tachypnea, tachycardia, increased CI, and decreased SVR) and rise in plasma TNF at 60-90 min. In the shock group, LPS-evoked TNF changes were less than or equal to those in the sham group, even though mortality was higher after shock.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The concept of dementia

Abstract We review historical aspects of dementia, the current status of the syndrome, and the relation between cognitive changes of normal aging and cognitive changes of dementia. We discuss the role of sociocultural factors on the diagnosis of dementia and the nature of personhood. We offer an alternative operational definition for dementia, namely, a disorder of (1) cognition, (2) emotion, (3) personality, and (4) psychosocial, interpersonal interaction. Finally, we suggest that the essence of dementia resides in a loss of personhood.
AtGGM2014, an Arabidopsis gene co-expression network for functional studies

Gene co-expression networks provide an important tool for systems biology studies. Using microarray data from the ArrayExpress database, we constructed an Arabidopsis gene co-expression network, termed AtGGM2014, based on the graphical Gaussian model, which contains 102,644 co-expression gene pairs among 18,068 genes. The network was grouped into 622 gene co-expression modules. These modules function in diverse house-keeping, cell cycle, development, hormone response, metabolism, and stress response pathways. We developed a tool to facilitate easy visualization of the expression patterns of these modules either in a tissue context or their regulation under different treatment conditions. The results indicate that at least six modules with tissue-specific expression pattern failed to record modular regulation under various stress conditions. This discrepancy could be best explained by the fact that experiments to study plant stress responses focused mainly on leaves and less on roots, and thus failed to recover specific regulation pattern in other tissues. Overall, the modular structures revealed by our network provide extensive information to generate testable hypotheses about diverse plant signaling pathways. AtGGM2014 offers a constructive tool for plant systems biology studies.
Eco(nomics/logy)

This note discusses the analytic tools available for studying the interrelations between the economy and the ecological system. It points out the importance of the concept of cooperative games as an addition to the emphasis on non-cooperative games in both economics and ecology. The relation between both concepts of the games and the market system is discussed.
THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE OF SEX AND GENDER

: Several decades ago, feminists differentiated between the biologically given basis of sex identity (sex) and the socially constructed cultural practices anchored by sex identity (gender). In recent years, many feminists have challenged that distinction, arguing that biological sex is as much a social construct as are the practices comprising gender. I survey two examples from biological studies of sex identity that, by contrast (I maintain), warrant saving the concept of biologically given sex identity. The result is not antithetical to feminism, however, since these studies also suggest that sex identity proliferates beyond the rigid female/male dichotomy. If articulated carefully, this view can avoid metaphysically essentialist baggage while enriching feminist conceptions of sex identity.
Application of the measured equation of invariance to transmission lines and discontinuities

The MEI (measured equation of invariance) method can easily be applied to static analyses of uniform transmission lines, such as single and coupled microstrip lines. Laplace's equation is solved for the static electric potential, and the total charges on the metal structures are found. Solving the problem with the correct permittivity values for the dielectrics yields the capacitance of the structures, while solving the problem with all permittivities equal to the free-space value yields the inductances. The quasi-static impedance values may then be obtained. Planar microstrip-type structures, where currents are confined to two dimensions are also considered. Results are presented for cases where no dielectric is present. This simplifies the Green's function calculation for the present purposes, but the method may be applied to more general cases. >
IMPAIRED PULMONARY FUNCTION AS A RISK FACTOR FOR MORTALITY

Prospective follow-up information obtained between 1976 and 1981 on mortality among 2539 individuals showed that pulmonary function impairment is a risk factor for short-term mortality, even when risk factors such as age, sex, and smoking are considered. Predicted risk curves for impaired individuals (those with forced expiratory volume in one second less than 68% of forced vital capacity) are consistently higher among all race-sex categories over all ages. Survival analysis using the proportional hazards model shows a steeper decline in estimated survival among individuals with poor pulmonary function compared to those with good pulmonary function, adjusted for age, race, and smoking effects. These observations are consistent with the concept that impairment of pulmonary function is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality from several nonrespiratory as well as respiratory diseases and that it acts by contributing to various pathogenic mechanisms in different organ systems.
Using Apples to Schedule Simple SARA on the Computational Grid

Computational Grids, composed of distributed and often heterogeneous computing resources, have become the platform of choice for many performance-challenged applications. Proof-of-concept implementations have demonstrated that both Grids and clustered environments have the potential to provide great performance benefits to distributed resource-intensive applications. However, at the present time, careful staging, scheduling, and/or reservation of resources is essential in order for applications to achieve performance in Grid environments. If Computational Grids and shared computational clusters are to achieve their full potential, it must be possible for users to achieve application performance at any given time, and when other users are present in the system. In this paper, we describe the initial development of an AppLeS (application-level scheduler) for the resource selection portion of the Synthetic Aperture Radar Atlas (SARA) application, developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC). We demonstrate the effectiveness of application scheduling for distributed data applications such as SARA by providing a performance-efficient strategy for retrieving SARA data files in everyday, multiple-user Grid environments.
Improved Performance and Reliability in Aggressively-Scaled Nmos and Pmos Fets: I) Monolayer Interface Nitridation and II) Replacement of Stacked Oxide/Nitride Dielectrics with Optimized Oxide/Oxynitride Stacks

This paper demonstrates optimized performance and reliability in ‘second generation’ gate dielectrics which include monolayer nitrided Si-SiO 2 interfaces, and deposited silicon oxynitride alloy gate dielectrics. Devices with oxynitride alloy gate dielectrics with an approximate 2:1 ratio of N:O display reduced tunneling current, improved hole mobilities and improved reliability compared to devices with Si-nitride gate dielectrics and the same nitrided interface.
Long-lived plasma cells: a mechanism for maintaining persistent antibody production

Current models suggest that continuous antigenic stimulation of memory B cells is required to maintain long-term antibody production. In view of recent developments concerning plasma cell longevity, a new model is described that incorporates the important role of long-lived plasma cells in sustaining persistent antibody responses.
Species-appropriate computer mediated interaction

Given the importance of our non-human companions, do we not want to extend social media to our nonhuman co-species? If "human computer interfaces" should be designed for "Anyone. Anywhere." (the theme of CHI 2001), then why not for all species? Recent pioneering efforts have shown that computer mediated interactions between humans and dogs, cats, chickens, cows, hamsters, and other species are technically possible. These efforts excite the imagination and challenge our understanding the basic nature of computer mediated interaction.
Local compression patterns beneath pneumatic tourniquets applied to arms and thighs of human cadavera

Summary: Distributions of tissue fluid pressure were examined beneath a standard pneumatic tourniquet in six upper extremities and six lower extremities of fresh human cadavera, disarticulated at the shoulder and hip, respectively. A standard 8-cm-wide tourniquet cuff was applied at mid-humerus or mid-femur position. Tissue fluid pressures were measured by 100-cm-long slit catheters inserted parallel to the bone at four tissue depths: (a) subcutaneous, (b) subfascial, (c) mid-muscle, and (d) adjacent to bone. All arms and thighs were studied at the following cuff pressures: 100, 150, 200, 250, 300,400, and 500 mm Hg. Tissue fluid pressure was always maximal in subcutaneous tissue at mid-cuff. Transmission of cuff pressures to deeper tissues was significantly less (p < 0.01) in the thighs with a girth of 40-52 cm than in the arms with a girth of 22-33 cm. At the four tissue depths studied, tissue fluid pressures fell steeply in a longitudinal direction near the cuff edge to levels near zero at points 1-2 cm outside each cuff edge. Our results suggest that wider cuffs are required on thighs than on arms to provide a bloodless field during limb surgery and to minimize underlying tissue injury associated with high cuff pressures. Our recommendation for wider tourniquet cuffs than those presently used during orthopaedic surgery is contrary to recent prevailing knowledge.
Quadrotor Helicopter Trajectory Tracking Control

The Stanford Testbed of Autonomous Rotorcraft for Multi-Agent Control (STARMAC), a eet of quadrotor helicopters, has been developed as a testbed for novel algorithms that enable autonomous operation of aerial vehicles. This paper develops an autonomous vehicle trajectory tracking algorithm through cluttered environments for the STARMAC platform. A system relying on a single optimization must trade o the complexity of the planned path with the rate of update of the control input. In this paper, a trajectory tracking controller for quadrotor helicopters is developed to decouple the two problems. By accepting as inputs a path of waypoints and desired velocities, the control input can be updated frequently to accurately track the desired path, while the path planning occurs as a separate process on a slower timescale. To enable the use of planning algorithms that do not consider dynamic feasibility or provide feedforward inputs, a computationally ecient algorithm using space-indexed waypoints is presented to modify the speed prole of input paths to guarantee feasibility of the planned trajectory and minimum time traversal of the planned. The algorithm is an ecient alternative to formulating a nonlinear optimization or mixed integer program. Both indoor and outdoor ight test results are presented for path tracking on the STARMAC vehicles.
T Lymphocyte Response to Neisseria gonorrhoeae Porin in Individuals with Mucosal Gonococcal Infections

Abstract T lymphocytes from a majority of patients with urogenital gonococcal disease (67%-80%) proliferated on incubation with gonococcal porin (Por), compared with minimal induced proliferation of T lymphocytes from normal volunteers. A significant increase in Por-specific interleukin (IL)-4-producing CD4+ T helper lymphocytes was seen in patients with mucosal gonococcal disease and not in normal controls. Similar results were observed in CD8+ T lymphocytes from these patients. There was no measured increase in IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, interferon-gamma, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by T lymphocytes from infected subjects on incubation with Por. Concomitant increases in IL-4 production in T lymphocytes from infected subjects expressing the mucosal addresin VLAalpha4/beta7 on their surface were also observed on Por incubation, but the increases were similar in T lymphocytes that were VLAalpha4/beta7 negative. In conclusion, mucosal gonococcal disease can induce Por-specific circulating T lymphocytes with a Th2 phenotype, and a portion of these Por-specific T lymphocytes can potentially traffic to mucosal surfaces.
NEONICOTINOID INSECTICIDE TOXICOLOGY: Mechanisms of Selective Action

▪ Abstract The neonicotinoids, the newest major class of insecticides, have outstanding potency and systemic action for crop protection against piercing-sucking pests, and they are highly effective for flea control on cats and dogs. Their common names are acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam. They generally have low toxicity to mammals (acute and chronic), birds, and fish. Biotransformations involve some activation reactions but largely detoxification mechanisms. In contrast to nicotine, epibatidine, and other ammonium or iminium nicotinoids, which are mostly protonated at physiological pH, the neonicotinoids are not protonated and have an electronegative nitro or cyano pharmacophore. Agonist recognition by the nicotinic receptor involves cation-π interaction for nicotinoids in mammals and possibly a cationic subsite for interaction with the nitro or cyano substituent of neonicotinoids in insects. The low affinity of neonicotinoids for vertebrate ...
A theory of static deflection in magnetically immersed conical deflectrons

A theory of static deflection is presented for conical deflectrons immersed in a uniform axial magnetic field. Both twisted and untwisted deflectrons are considered. Such arrangements for deflecting low-energy electron beams find applications in vidicons, scan converters, and similar devices. The equations of electron motion are solved analytically. Deflection sensitivity, scan rotation angle, and beam landing angle follow from the solutions. It is shown that beam landing error cannot be eliminated in conical deflectrons as it can be in cylindrical deflectrons. Several numerical examples illustrate the uses of these results.
Phase diagram of a lipid monolayer on the surface of water

The monolayer isotherms of heneicosanoic acid show a variety of features in the range 1--8 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C; such features are often assumed to be solid-fluid or fluid-fluid transitions. Using x-ray diffraction (and searching for in-plane and off-plane peaks) we find (a) two distinct distorted-hexagonal (DH) solids at high pressures, both with essentially vertical chains; (b) two distinct tilted-DH solids at intermediate pressures; and (c) an expanded solid at the lowest pressures. All ``plateaus'' in these isotherms are in-plane structural transitions; all ``kinks'' are solid-solid tilting transitions.
Advances in neurosurgical technique in the current management of brain tumors

Despite significant advances in anatomical and functional neuroimaging modalities (eg, magnetic resonance [MR] imaging [MRI], MR spectroscopy [MRS], diffusion and perfusion MR, functional MRI [fMRI], magnetic-source imaging [MSI], diffusion tensor imaging [DTI]) and neuronavigation techniques, intraoperatively obtained functional information remains of crucial importance to the neurosurgeon, especially when operating on tumors that are located in or adjacent to functional cortical sites and subcortical pathways. This article focuses on recent advances in the surgical management of of intracerebral tumors with special emphasis on intraoperative cortical and subcortical stimulation mapping methods, and the prognostic significance of surgery on patient outcome.
Segmenting sport video gamers by motivation: a cluster analysis

Using the Uses and Gratifications paradigm, the present study examines motives for playing sport video games (SVG). Based on motivations, this study identifies segments of SVG users using a cluster analysis, and then explores potential similarities and differences between segments based upon demographic and behavioral variables. With a sample of 378 SVG users from four popular video game websites, the cluster analysis yielded two distinct clusters: Fun seekers and Fantasy seekers. Results indicated that the members of each cluster seek various gratifications from SVG use. Each cluster also was further distinguished based upon gender, marital status, and media consumption behaviors. Implications are discussed relative to virtual sport experience in the mediated environment and its corresponding marketing strategies.
Spectral Broadening Functions

Many astrophysical phenomena involving velocity elds produce broadening of spectral lines. Frequently, the cross-correlation function (CCF) is used to extract information about this broadening from segments of high resolution spectra. CCF has become the standard tool for handing extraction of radial-velocity and broadening information from high resolution spectra as it permits integration of information which is common to many spectral lines into one function which is easy to calculate, visualize and interpret. However, it can be argued that this is not the best tool for applications such as determinations of metallicities ([Fe/H]), for nding locations of star spots on active stars or to study projected shapes of such distorted stars as contact binaries. For such applications, the proper broadening functions (BF) should be used. Properties of the BF’s are discussed in this paper with a stress on the fact that the CCF’s are not broadening functions. This note concentrates on the advantages of determining the BF’s through the process of linear inversion, preferably accomplished using the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). 1. Convolution and cross-correlation This review attempts to have some practical value. Therefore, several examples of practical applications will be given. Because the IDL programming language contains many relevant routines and oers one of the most concise notations, the examples will be given in this language. They will be marked by a symbolic prompt: IDL> . We should note that stellar spectra will be treated as simple, one-dimensional vectors. Convolution is an operation that the nature does for us. We seldom see ‘naked" functions; they are usually accessible as convolutions. These could be a convolution with the spectrograph’s instrumental prole or with the radial component of the microturbulence velocity eld in the stellar atmosphere or a rotational broadening function making spectrum of one star dierent relative to that of another star. Thus, instead of