cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Hyaluronan During Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Human Restenotic Arteries and Balloon-Injured Rat Carotid Arteries

Background The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) is present in developing tissues and healing wounds and forms a loose, hydrated extracellular matrix (ECM) that promotes processes such as cell migration. To investigate the potential contribution of HA to the pathogenesis of restenosis, we studied (1) human lesions obtained by directional atherectomy and (2) experimentally induced neointima formation in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. Methods and Results A biotinylated proteoglycan fragment that binds specifically to HA was used to stain atherectomy specimens from 29 human restenotic lesions (mean restenosis interval, 6.0±4.4 months) and 8 human primary lesions. The loose myxoid ECM typical of human restenotic arteries demonstrated intense, diffuse staining for HA. The intensity was inversely related to the density of immunostaining for collagen types I and III and was lowest in hypocellular primary atherosclerotic plaque. Among 24 rat carotid arteries retrieved 3, 7, 14, 28, 42, or 56 days after bal...
Efficient Selection of Insured Currency Positions: Protective Puts vs. Fiduciary Calls

We examine the empirical results from implementation of portfolio insurance strategies employing currency spot and futures options. Hypotheses are generated from Ogden and Tucker's (1988) generalizations concerning the relative values of American spot currency options and currency futures options. We find that protective puts using futures options are generally dominated by both protective puts that use options on spot currencies and by fiduciary calls on futures contracts. This suggests that the prices of puts on foreign currency futures contracts are too high, relative to foreign currency futures calls and to puts on spot currencies.
Bathtub and Related Failure Rate Characterizations

Abstract Sufficient conditions are obtained that ensure that a lifetime density has a bathtub-shaped failure rate. Analogous conditions handle increasing, decreasing, and upside-down bathtub-shaped failure rates. Application of these results to exponential families of densities is particularly straightforward and effective. Examples are furnished that introduce new bathtub models and illustrate the use of the general results for existing models. Examples involving mixtures are also considered.
The Moss Attention Rating Scale for Traumatic Brain Injury: Further Explorations of Reliability and Sensitivity to Change

Abstract Whyte J, Hart T, Ellis CA, Chervoneva I. The Moss Attention Rating Scale for traumatic brain injury: further explorations of reliability and sensitivity to change. Objective To examine the interrater agreement and responsiveness to change of the Moss Attention Rating Scale (MARS), 22-item version, during acute inpatient rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design Observational study of clinician ratings (physical therapy [PT], occupational therapy [OT], speech-language pathology [SLP], nursing) of each patient's attentional function at 2 points in time, near the time of admission and near the time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Setting Dedicated acute inpatient brain injury rehabilitation program. Participants Inpatients (N=149) with moderate to severe TBI (58% enrolled in the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research−funded Traumatic Brain Injury Model System); age 16 years or older; receiving OT, PT, SLP, and nursing care on the inpatient TBI rehabilitation unit; and having Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale scores of IV (confused/agitated) or higher at enrollment. Patients were excluded if they had premorbid history of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, major psychiatric disorder (eg, bipolar), or neurologic impairment (eg, stroke). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Scores on the MARS (22-item version) and its 3 factor scores. Results Intraclass correlations among ratings from PT, OT, and SLP ranged from .69 to .78 at the initial assessment and .67 to .72 at the follow-up assessment. Agreement between nursing and the other disciplines was somewhat lower (at initial assessment, .59–.68; at follow-up, .48–.59), although still substantial. Agreement for 2 of the factor scores (restlessness and/or distractibility, initiation) was similar but agreement for the third factor (consistent and/or sustained attention) was lower (.25–.27). The total MARS scores were highly significantly improved ( P Conclusions The 22-item MARS showed good interrater agreement among PT, OT, and SLP and lower but still acceptable agreement between nursing and the other disciplines. Two of the 3 factor scores also showed good agreement. The 22-item total score and all 3 factor scores were highly sensitive to change occurring during inpatient rehabilitation. These results show that the 22-item MARS is a reliable instrument for the observational rating of attentiveness in an acute TBI rehabilitation sample. Lower agreement between nursing and the other disciplines suggests that the less structured environment of the nursing unit compared with therapy sessions reduces interrater agreement. The utility of the factor scores, particularly the least reliable sustained and/or consistent attention factor, requires additional investigation. Further research on construct validity and impact of the use of the MARS on clinical practice are warranted.
Fishing Mortality and Movements of Adult Male King Crabs, Paralithodes camtschatica (Tilesius), Released Seaward from Kodiak Island, Alaska

Abstract In October 1960, 800 large male king crabs were tagged and released in two groups 12 miles off the coast of Kodiak Island in ocean waters 100 fathoms deep. Adult male crabs were abundant in this area as well as in adjacent areas. No evidence of separate stocks was obtained. Two hundred sixty-three of these tagged crabs were recaptured by American fishermen during the 218 days of fishing which occurred after tagging and prior to the molt season. Harvest of tagged animals was 33 percent excluding tag loss. Adult male king crabs were available for commercial harvest in state waters during winter and spring and available in international waters during summer and fall. Most of the tagged crabs were recaptured from state waters. All of those captured after January came from the bays, indicating that shoreward movements occur before this time. Travel towards shore and away from shore is more predominant than travel along the coast.
Winter protection of container-grown nursery stock as affected by container design, hardening-off time and solar exposure

Abstract The effects of container type (round vs. square), solar exposure (100% vs. 50%) and hardening-off time (0, 3 or 6 weeks) on winter damage to Ilex crenata Thumb. ‘Hetzii’ (Hetz Japanese holly) and Buxus sempervirens L. (common boxwood) were studied. Container type and hardening-off time had significant effects on plant viability of Ilex crenata ‘Hetzii’ after exposure to freezing temperatures. Plants in square containers achieved substantially higher viability ratings than plants in round containers after freezing. Buxus sempervirens was significantly affected by hardening-off time only. Plant viability increased greatly with 3 or 6 weeks of hardening-off as compared to no hardening-off. Common boxwood plants in square containers did not achieve the same level of growth as plants in round containers during the 1980 growing-season (before freezing). Optimum growth for Buxus sempervirens occurred under full solar exposure.
Adenoviral-mediated expression and local deposition of recombinant tenascin-C perturbs cell-dependent matrix contraction.

Background To mimic the wound environment, we have developed a three-dimensional (3-D) fibrin-fibronectin (FN) matrix model that is formed in vitro from purified proteins and approximates the provisional matrix. Tenascin-C, a large extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein, is expressed transiently in tissue adjacent to areas of injury and contacts the provisional matrix in vivo . We have constructed a novel recombinant adenovirus vector (Ad-70Ten) to up-regulate local expression and secretion of a recombinant form of tenascin-C. Methods Ad-70Ten and a control vector were constructed and used to infect cultured mammalian cells. Post-infection monitoring of expression was accomplished by immunoblot and immunohistochemical techniques. Local protein deposition was examined by immunofluorescence. Cell contractility was assessed by ability of infected cells to contract 3-D fibrin-FN matrices. Some matrices also contained lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an activator of Rho GTPase. Results Adenovirus-infected cells demonstrated high recombinant tenascin-C expression and deposited protein at sites of cell-matrix contacts resulting in significantly reduced contractility with 2.5-fold lower contraction of the matrix compared with control cells. Matrix contraction could be restored by treatment with LPA. Conclusion These results show that endogenous expression of tenascin-C down-regulates cell contractility and strongly suggest that it exerts its effects via a Rho GTPase signaling pathway. Taken with previous findings, these results suggest that tenascin-C acts in both a paracrine and autocrine manner via Rho GTPase pathways. This report demonstrates that recombinant adenovirus infection is a feasible method to induce high expression of large matrix proteins in mammalian cells, allowing better approximation of in vivo circumstances for investigations of locally secreted matrix protein. While the current vector has been constructed for research purposes, it also represents a proof in principle that adenoviral vectors encoding large proteins may have potential benefit in clinical applications.
Characterization of the angle of repose of binary granular materials

When a heap or pile of granular material accumulates at the toe of a failed slope, the pile rests at its angle of repose. The gradual build up of a heap of soil in the laboratory simulates the form...
Facial perception studies using the macintosh

Research on how people perceive human faces has benefited from recent advances in microcomputer technology. The present paper describes techniques that can be used to prepare and present facial stimuli on a Macintosh computer and the advantages of using a computer for preparing and presenting such stimuli.
Deferred updates and data placement in distributed databases

Commercial distributed database systems generally support an optional protocol that provides loose consistency of replicas, allowing replicas to be inconsistent for some time. In such a protocol, each replicated data item is assigned a primary copy site. Typically, a transaction updates only the primary copies of data items, with updates to other copies deferred until after the transaction commits. After a transaction commits, its updates to primary copies are sent transactionally to the other sites containing secondary copies. We investigate the transaction model underlying the above protocol. We show that global serializability in such a system is a property of the placement of primary and secondary copies of replicated data items. We present a polynomial time algorithm to assign primary sites to data items so that the resulting topology ensures serializability.
Presurgical intravenous parecoxib sodium and follow‐up oral valdecoxib for pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery reduces opioid requirements and opioid‐related adverse effects

Background: Opioids are associated with numerous adverse effects. It is unclear if reduced postoperative opioid consumption lowers the incidence and severity of opioid-related adverse effects. This analysis – from a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial – tested if the reduction of opioid consumption among patients who received intravenous preoperative parecoxib 40 mg, followed by oral valdecoxib 40 mg qd postoperatively, in Days 1–4 after outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery, reduced opioid-related symptoms. Methods: Patients received intravenous fentanyl for pain before discharge, and oral acetaminophen 500 mg hydrocodone 5 mg q 4–6 h prn postdischarge for up to 7 days postsurgery. Patients also received intravenous parecoxib 40 mg administered 30–45 min preoperatively, and valdecoxib 40 mg qd up to Day 4 and prn Days 5–7 postsurgery, or placebo. Patients completed an opioid-related Symptoms Distress Scale (SDS) questionnaire every 24 h for 7 days. Opioid use was converted to morphine-equivalent doses (MEDs). Clinically meaningful events (CMEs) for 12 opioid-related symptoms were assessed by three ordinal measures: frequency, severity, and bothersomeness. Reduction of CMEs on Day 1 and number of patient-days with CMEs on Days 1–4 were examined. Results: Cumulative MEDs on Day 0, Day 1, and Days 1–4 were significantly lower in the parecoxib/valdecoxib group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.001). At the end of Day 1, parecoxib/valdecoxib-treated patients had significantly lower SDS scores (P < 0.02), a significantly reduced incidence of CMEs (P < 0.05), and significantly fewer patient-days with CMEs in Days 1–4 than placebo patients (P < 0.05). Patients in the parecoxib/valdecoxib group were less likely to have CMEs for multiple symptoms than those in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Treatment with parecoxib and valdecoxib significantly reduced the cumulative MED requirements, the incidence of opioid-related adverse effects, and patient-days with CMEs.
Gold nanoparticle-based assays for the detection of biologically relevant molecules.

Metallic nanoparticles of different sizes, shapes and compositions are being avidly explored as materials for next-generation biological labels, therapeutic agents, ‘artificial viruses’ and diagnostic probes. Gold nanoparticles especially, are making a major impact in these areas, owing in large part to their ease of functionality, low toxicity and unique optical properties. In particular, gold nanoparticles are having a major role in the development of highly sensitive and selective assays for biologically relevant molecules. Some of the assays for nucleic acids and proteins developed in the last 10 years outperform established methods and may soon find routine use in hospital settings.
LEGAL CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR COMPARISON SHOPPING AND DATA REUSE

New technologies have been continuously emerging to enable effective reuse of an ever-growing amount of data on the Web. Innovative firms can leverage the available technologies and data to provide useful services. Comparison-shopping services are an example of reusing existing data to make bargain-finding easier. Certain reuses have caused conflicts with the firms whose data has been reused. Countries in the European Union have implemented the Database Directive to provide legal protection for database creators, but the impact and the interpretation of the new law are unclear and still evolving. Lawmakers in the U.S. have not decided on a policy concerning database protection and data reuse. Both data creating and data reusing firms need to develop strategies to operate effectively in this uncertain environment. Comparison-shopping and other data reuse services face similar legal and strategic challenges. Thus we address these challenges in the broader data reuse context. We use economic reasoning to formulate strategies in anticipation of the likely policy choices and interpretations of existing legislation. Both data creating firms and data reusing firms should focus on innovative ways of using or reusing data to create differentiated products and services. For firms that gather data from multiple sources, they can also use the insights gained from integrated data to provide other value-added services.
Performance evaluation of lithium polymer batteries for use in electric vehicles

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of 100 A-h lithium polymer batteries to determine their suitability for use in battery powered electric vehicles (BPEVs). The performance includes: battery cell capacity evaluation, battery efficiency, temperature effects on the performance of the batteries, self discharge, fast chargeability, and realistic load test. These are important factors that determine this batterypsilas suitability for BPEVs. The characteristics are conducted at four different temperatures to study the effect of seasonal changes in temperature. The tests show that the lithium batteries performed well during the evaluation at 0, +20, and +40 Degree Celsius (degC). Also it shows that the batteries can be fast charged. The battery voltage and temperature stayed with the limits during the realistic load test. More over the batteries exhibited very high energy efficiency and low self discharge rate.
Comparison of dogs with septic peritonitis: 1988–1993 versus 1999–2003

Objective: To describe and compare the patient population, treatment, and outcome in dogs with septic peritonitis from 2 time periods at the same institution. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. Animals: Dogs treated surgically for septic peritonitis between 1988–1993 and 1999–2003. Interventions: None. Measurements: Preoperative physical and clinicopathologic data, surgical findings, anesthetic parameters, treatment, and outcome. Main results: No significant difference in survival among dogs treated surgically for septic peritonitis between 1988 and 1993 (21/33 [64%]) and 1999–2003 (29/51 [57%]) was detected. The patient populations of the two time periods were similar. Changes in treatment between the study periods reflected availability of new antibiotics and synthetic colloids, as well as greater attention to pain management and ulcer prevention. Duration of hospitalization was not significantly different between the two time periods, but the daily cost adjusted to 2005 dollars was higher in 1999–2003. Potential prognostic indicators were compared between survivors and non-survivors after combining the data from both time periods, and although several parameters reached statistical significance, of greatest clinical significance were the higher blood pressure and preoperative serum albumin in survivors. Conclusions: Although new treatments were added to the supportive care of dogs with septic peritonitis, survival did not change sufficiently to detect a significant difference between the time periods evaluated. Identifying reliable prognostic indicators for septic peritonitis remains a challenge, but hypotension and decreased preoperative serum albumin were associated with non-survival in this group of dogs.
The role of thyroid hormone therapy in acutely ill cardiac patients

The presence of a 'low T3 syndrome' in the setting of nonthyroidal illness has long been recognized as the 'euthyroid sick syndrome', with the recommendation to observe and not treat with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. That approach has recently been challenged in the setting of critical cardiac illness. Research demonstrating that thyroid hormone therapy may improve hemodynamic parameters has rekindled interest in the use of thyroid hormone therapy in critical illness. Continued improvements in survival after critical cardiac illness provokes the question of whether thyroid hormone therapy would provide further incremental benefit.
Patient-provider communication and cancer screening among unmarried women.

Abstract Objectives Unmarried women are less likely than married women to receive recommended cancer screenings. Patient–provider communication is a consistent predictor of cancer screening among women. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between patient and provider communication, barriers to cancer screening, and on-schedule breast and cervical cancer screening (BCCS) among unmarried women. Methods Data were from the Cancer Screening Project for Women, a 2003–2005 survey examining cancer screening practices. We computed polytomous logistic regression models to examine the relationship between communication (communication about tests, communication about sexual and intimate relationships), barriers to screening, and on-schedule BCCS among unmarried women. Results A total of 630 women were enrolled, and 605 women completed the baseline questionnaire. Overall, more than 60% reported on-schedule BCCS. More than half reported that their providers communicated about BCCS most or all of the time. Fewer than half communicated about sexual history and intimate relationships. Women who reported that their providers communicated about screening tests and their sexual and intimate relationships were more likely to be on-schedule for BCCS. Conclusion Patient–provider communication about multiple topics may encourage women to remain on-schedule for their recommended cancer screenings. Longitudinal research should be conducted to examine whether communication predicts BCCS, and to examine how patient and provider characteristics may influence communication in order to promote adherence to screening guidelines for unmarried women. Practice implications Comprehensive communication that goes beyond information about screening tests may impact adherence to cancer screening guidelines.
Characterizing cancer cells with cancer stem cell-like features in 293T human embryonic kidney cells

Since the first suggestion of prospectively identifiable cancer stem cells in solid tumors, efforts have been made to characterize reported cancer stem cell surrogates in existing cancer cell lines, and cell lines rich with these surrogates have been used to screen for cancer stem cell targeted agents. Although 293T cells were derived from human embryonic kidney, transplantation of these cells into the mammary fat pad yields aggressive tumors that self-renew as evidenced by serial xenograft passages through transplantation. Herein we fully characterize cancer stem cell-like features in 293T human embryonic kidney cells. 293T cells can be readily cultured and passaged as spheres in serum-free stem cell promoting culture conditions. Cells cultured in vitro as three-dimensional spheres (3D) were shown to contain higher ALDH1 and CD44+/CD24- population compared to monolayer cells. These cells were also resistant to radiation and upregulate stem cell survival signaling including β-catenin, Notch1 and Survivin in response to radiation. Moreover, 3D spheres generated from the 293T cells have increased expression of mesenchymal genes including vimentin, n-cadherin, zeb1, snail and slug as well as pro-metastatic genes RhoC, Tenascin C and MTA1. In addition, microRNAs implicated in self-renewal and metastases were markedly reduced in 3D spheres. 293T cells exhibit a cancer stem cell-like phenotype when cultured as 3D spheres and represent an important research tool for studying the molecular and biological mechanisms of cancer stem cells and for testing and developing novel targets for cancer therapy.
Inhibition of Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 Expression Results in Predominance of Cell Growth Stimulatory Effects of Interferon-γ Due to Phosphorylation of Stat1 and Stat3

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a potent inhibitor of hematopoiesis in vitro and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of human bone marrow failure syndromes. IFN-gamma both inhibits cell cycling and induces expression of the Fas-receptor, resulting in subsequent apoptosis of hematopoietic progenitor cells. IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) mediates some of these suppressive effects by activation of downstream inducible genes, such as double-stranded RNA-activatable protein kinase and inducible nitric oxide synthase. However, under certain experimental conditions, IFN-gamma appears to stimulate proliferation of hematopoietic cells. Based on the hypothesis that IFN-gamma-receptor triggering may activate diverse signaling cascades, we designed experiments to determine which intracellular mechanisms (in addition to the IRF-1 transduction pathway) influence the biologic effects of IFN-gamma. Using antisense technique, we inhibited the IRF-1-mediated pathway in KG1a cells stimulated with IFN-gamma. In contrast to the suppressive effects of IFN-gamma observed in control cells, untreated and IFN-gamma-treated KG-1a cells that were transduced with retroviral vectors expressing IRF-1 antisense mRNA showed enhanced proliferation. The increased growth rate was associated with decreased levels of IRF-1 mRNA and protein but unchanged levels of IRF-2. We inferred that IFN-gamma could also activate a stimulatory transduction pathway that, under specific conditions, may control the cellular response to this cytokine. The family of Stat proteins is involved in signal transduction of hematopoietic growth factors. We showed that, in KG-1a cells, IFN-gamma also induced phosphorylation of Stat1 and Stat3, whereas p42 MAP kinase was phosphorylated regardless of the presence of IFN-gamma. Using electrophoresis mobility shift assays, IFN-gamma enhanced Stat1-Stat1 homodimer and Stat1-Stat3 heterodimer formation, suggesting that, in addition to inhibitory signals mediated by IRF-1, IFN-gamma may activate proliferative signals by phosphorylation of Stat1 and Stat3 proteins. The observations made in experiments with KG-1a cells were confirmed in primary hematopoietic cells. After inhibition of the IRF-1 pathway by transduction of an antisense IRF-1 retrovirus into human CD34+ cells, IFN-gamma produced an aberrant stimulatory effect on hematopoietic colony formation. Conversely, in control vector-transduced CD34+ cells, the typical inhibitory response to IFN-gamma was seen. Our results indicate that inhibitory cytokines such as IFN-gamma may exhibit diverse biologic effects depending on the intracellular balance of transcriptional regulators, in turn influenced by the activation and differentiation status of the target cells.
Impact of Gate-Induced Strain on MuGFET Reliability

Hot carrier injection (HCI) reliability and negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) of multiple-gate field-effect transistors (MuGFETs) with highly tensile metal gate electrodes were investigated. The results were compared with those from control devices with poly-Si gate electrodes. It was found that gate strain boosts performance without any detrimental effect on HCI or NBTI reliability, indicating MuGFET compatibility with strained silicon technology. The impact of fin width (W fin) scaling was also investigated. HCI reliability improves with W fin scaling, whereas NBTI reliability degrades with W fin scaling. The same W fin scaling trends were observed in both strained and unstrained devices.
Randomized clinical trial of intermittent pneumatic compression and low molecular weight heparin in trauma

Background: After trauma, up to 60 per cent of immobilized patients have been reported to develop a silent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). No large, prospective randomized trials have tested the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices in these patients. Methods: A prospective randomized trial was performed of 442 patients who received thromboprophylaxis using either an IPC device or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Duplex imaging was performed on both legs on admission, and was repeated weekly thereafter until discharge, at 30 days or when there was a thrombotic event, whichever occurred first. Results: There were no significant differences in time spent in intensive care, or the proportion of patients with pelvic fractures, spinal cord or head injuries between the two groups. Six patients (2·7 per cent) developed a DVT in the IPC group and one (0·5 per cent) in the LMWH group (P = 0·122). Pulmonary embolism occurred in one patient in each group. There were 13 minor bleeding episodes (four in the IPC group and nine in the LMWH group) and eight major bleeding episodes (four in each group), none of which required operative intervention. Conclusion: The low rate of thromboembolic complications and the cost savings suggest that IPC might be used safely and effectively for thromboprophylaxis in trauma patients. Copyright © 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The intracellular distribution of gamma globulin in a mouse plasma cell tumor (x5563) as revealed by fluorescence and electron microscopy.

Ferritin- and fluorescein-conjugated antibody staining has been applied to a study of a mouse plasma cell tumor. The presence of myeloma globulin within cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum was observed at a stage of the secretory process when the remainder of the cytoplasm was essentially free of labeled globulin. The distribution of ferritin suggested a functional heterogeneity among units of the endoplasmic reticulum. Apparently, progressive accumulation of globulin results in distension of the endoplasmic reticulum and, occasionally, in the appearance of considerable quantities of this secretory protein in the extracisternal cytoplasmic matrix. Participation of the Golgi apparatus in the packaging and release of small quantitites of globulin seems likely. In addition, however, fragmentation of the peripheral cytoplasm with rupture of distended ergastoplasmic vesicles appeared to be another pathway whereby globulin is secreted.
Sexual dimorphism in Upper Palaeolithic hand stencils

Sexual roles in deep prehistory are among the most intriguing puzzles still to solve. Here the author shows how men and women can be distinguished by scientific measurement in the prints and stencils of the human hand that occur widely in Upper Palaeolithic art. Six hand stencils from four French caves are attributed to four adult females, an adult male, and a sub-adult male. Here we take a step closer to showing that both sexes are engaged in cave art and whatever dreams and rituals it implies.
Compositional controller synthesis for vehicular traffic networks

We tackle the issue of scalability when synthesizing controllers for large signalized vehicular traffic networks with linear temporal logic specifications. Traffic networks lend themselves to a compositional synthesis approach because they are naturally decomposed into sub-networks. However, naively synthesizing controllers for individual sub-networks and interconnecting them can violate the specifications on the monolithic network. By exploiting notions of supply and demand in our system dynamics, we construct contracts between sub-networks that guarantee the soundness of the overall synthesized controller. The resulting decentralized control architecture consists of controllers that rely only on local state information.
Information content in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy: binary mixtures and detection volume distortion.

When properly implemented, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) reveals numerous static and dynamic properties of molecules in solution. However, complications arise whenever the measurement scenario is complex. Specific limitations occur when the detection region does not match the ideal Gaussian geometry ubiquitously assumed by FCS theory, or when properties of multiple fluorescent species are assessed simultaneously. A simple binary solution of diffusers, where both mole fraction and diffusion constants are sought, can face interpretive difficulty. In order to better understand the limits of FCS, this study systematically explores the relationship between detection–volume distortion, diffusion constants, species mole fraction, and fitting methodology in analyses that utilize a two-component autocorrelation model. FCS measurements from solution mixtures of dye-labeled protein and free dye are compared to simulations, which predict the performance of FCS under a variety of experimental circumstanc...
The Democratic Dogma And The Future of Political Science

Everyone has heard the gibe that the specialist is a man who knows more and more about less and less, while a sociologist is one who knows less and less about more and more. Another quip has it that while psychology is all data and no conclusions, sociology is all conclusions and no data. Political science itself has not escaped a certain amount of cheap disparagement from those who know little or nothing about it. Thus a political scientist has been described as one who among politicians is reckoned a scientist, and among scientists is reckoned a politician; or, indeed, as one who is called a political scientist because he is neither—an obvious paraphrase of Voltaire's famous sarcasm regarding the Holy Roman Empire. At any rate, the time has come when a certain group of political scientists have wearied of such gibes, to say nothing of that condescension which they think they detect in the attitude of laboratory scientists toward them; and they have registered a vow to convert political science from a “normative” or “telic” science, as it has been variously called, into a natural science, into a science which will hereafter be printed in lower case instead of in upper, and will, moreover (the height of ambition of all true sciences) be able to predict the future just as astronomy, physics, and chemistry are able to do—not to mention astrology, alchemy, and palmistry. Nor is this newly conceived ambition the product merely of discontent; it is rather more, perhaps, response to the beckoning of opportunity—the opportunity spelled by the rise of the behavioristic psychology.
Effect of additives on interfacial interactions for viscosity reduction of carbonaceous solid-water slurries

Abstract The interfacial interactions in carbonaceous solid–water slurries (CSWS) influence slurry viscosity. Additives impact the slurry viscosities by modifying the surface chemistry of the carbonaceous solids, thereby affecting the interfacial interactions in CSWS. The focus of this study was to determine the effect of the additives on the interfacial interactions which results in viscosity reduction in CSWS. Since additives are extremely specific to surface chemistry of solids in the slurry, this understanding would help in the selection of appropriate additive for viscosity reduction for specific carbonaceous water slurries. The study was conducted using three carbonaceous solids with different O/C ratios and two additives-one anionic and the other non-ionic. The adsorption of the additives on the carbonaceous solids, the change in the zeta potential and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the solids and the change in the free water content of the slurries were experimentally determined. It was observed that adsorption of the additives increased with an increase in the mineral matter content of the carbonaceous solids. There was also an increase in the zeta potential of the carbonaceous solids in water upon addition of the anionic additive. However, the calculated resultant electrostatic repulsion energy upon the addition of the anionic additive was 5–6 orders of magnitude lower than the polar interaction energy of the carbonaceous solids in water. Contact angle measurements indicated that both additives changed the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the solid surface. This resulted in the release of bound water into the bulk slurries, resulting in greater fluidity. The increase in free water content of the slurries with additives was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A correlation predicting slurry viscosity on the basis of weight fraction of free water in the slurries was developed.
Tuning the biological activity profile of antibacterial polymers via subunit substitution pattern.

Binary nylon-3 copolymers containing cationic and hydrophobic subunits can mimic the biological properties of host-defense peptides, but relationships between composition and activity are not yet well understood for these materials. Hydrophobic subunits in previously studied examples have been limited mostly to cycloalkane-derived structures, with cyclohexyl proving to be particularly promising. The present study evaluates alternative hydrophobic subunits that are isomeric or nearly isomeric with the cyclohexyl example; each has four sp3 carbons in the side chains. The results show that varying the substitution pattern of the hydrophobic subunit leads to relatively small changes in antibacterial activity but causes significant changes in hemolytic activity. We hypothesize that these differences in biological activity profile arise, at least in part, from variations among the conformational propensities of the hydrophobic subunits. The α,α,β,β-tetramethyl unit is optimal among the subunits we have examined...
Antisense therapeutics: lessons from early clinical trials.

The authors review the early clinical experience with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, documenting their limited toxicity profile and initial reports of efficacy. Several oncogene products, most notably bcl-2, c-raf-1, protein kinase C-α, and H-ras, have been evaluated as targets for therapeutic dow
The interaction of pyrite {100} surfaces with O 2 and H 2 O; fundamental oxidation mechanisms

The interaction of gaseous O 2 , H 2 O, and their mixtures with clean {100} surfaces of pyrite (FeS 2 ) were investigated in ultra-high vacuum using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM-STS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and ab initio calculations. He I UPS spectra of O 2 exposed surfaces show that the density of states decreases at the top of the valence band but increases deeper in the valence band. These changes indicate oxidative consumption of low binding energy electrons occupying dangling bond surface states localized on surface Fe atoms, and the formation of Fe-O bonds. No such changes in the valence band spectra are observed for pyrite surfaces exposed to H 2 O. However, UPS spectra of surfaces exposed to mixtures of O 2 and H 2 O demonstrate that the combined gases more aggressively oxidize the surface compared to equivalent exposures of pure O 2 . Atomically resolved STM images of O 2 and O 2 -H 2 O exposed surfaces show discrete oxidation "patches" where reacted surface Fe sites have lost surface state density to the sorbed species. STS spectra show the removal of highest occupied and lowest unoccupied surface state density associated with dangling bond states consistent with the interaction of sorbates with surface Fe sites. Ab initio cluster calculations of adsorption energies and the interaction of O 2 and water species with the surface show that O 2 dissociatively sorbs and H 2 O molecularly sorbs to surface Fe. For the mixtures, the calculations indicate that H 2 O dissociatively sorbs when O 2 is present on the surface. Charge population analyses also show that the surface S sites become more electropositive in this environment which should allow for easier formation of S-O surface bonds, thus promoting the production of sulfate during oxidation.
High-Dimensional Quantum Key Distribution using Dispersive Optics

We propose a high-dimensional quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol suitable for integration with telecommunication infrastructure. The key is generated by the temporal correlations of photons measured in mutually unbiased bases using dispersive optics.
What is meant by tetralogy of Fallot S,D,I?

A s the French say, "chacun a son gofit.'" Nomenclature is, perhaps, very much a matter of taste, especially when the taste is based on a particular tradition. Before the introduction of the segmental approach, lesions tended to be pigeon-holed into well-recognized categories according to their characteristic morphology. Complex and unusual malformations were usually consigned to the "miscellaneous" group. The advent of segmental diagnosis changed that, with each case being treated strictly upon its own merits. The problem that I find with the concept of segmental notation, however, is its cryptic nature when applied to rare and unusual lesions. Thus, does the patient described in the report by Santini and associates [1] in this issue of The Annals really have the typical morphology of tetralogy of Fallot? And does }he chosen title convey the morphology present to the working surgeon? Most surgeons would recognize immediately typical tetralogy of Fallot as seen in the operating room when opening the right ventricle (or approaching through the tricuspid valve). The aortic orifice would be overriding the crest of the ventricular septum, this made possible by
Evaluation of computer-aided monitoring of patients after heart surgery.

The medical and economic benefits of a computer-aided monitoring system were evaluated in a prospective, randomized study of 810 patients after open-heart surgery. The design of the study separated benefits of systematized postoperative care from benefits unique to the computer system and established measurable criteria by which computer-aided monitoring systems could be objectively evaluated. Criteria for comparison included the rapidity, safety, and smoothness of convalescence and time spent for various nursing activities. The study showed that the computer-aided monitoring system did not provide discernible medical benefits nor favorably affect nursing activities. Downtime of the system averaged 1 day per week. Reliability and accuracy of the system were inadequate and the benefit / cost ratio was low. Future development of computer-aided monitoring systems for open cardiac surgery should stress reliability, accuracy, and relevance of the monitored measurements.
Deas, Michael J.The Portraits and Daguerreotypes of Edgar Allan Poe: Charlottesville: Univ. Press of Virginia, 1989. x, 198 pp. $60.00 (cloth), $29.95 (cardboard)

(1990). Deas, Michael J. The Portraits and Daguerreotypes of Edgar Allan Poe. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews: Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 199-201.
Zircon U-Pb ages and petrologic evolution of the English Peak granitic pluton: Jurassic crustal growth in northwestern California

In the central Klamath Mountains, the English Peak plutonic complex (EPC) invaded the faulted contact between the outboard Eastern Hayfork and inboard North Fork terranes of the Western Paleozoic and Triassic Belt (WTrPz). This calc-alkaline igneous complex is composed of two small, ~1–2-km-diame­ter, relatively mafic satellitic plutons peripheral to the younger, much larger, ~10–15-km-diameter English Peak zoned granitic pluton. The EPC magmas were mantle derived and reflect temporary residence and mixing at various depths in the overlying crust, with initial storage and modification near the Moho, and uppermost crustal emplacement at 5–10 km depths. Phase assemblages suggest pre-emplacement magma storage at a depth of ~20–25 km for the early satellitic plutons, versus ~15–20 km for samples from the larger zoned granitic pluton. We obtained zircon U-Pb geochronologic results (reported as internal and external weighted-mean 207 Pb-corrected 206 Pb/ 238 U ages, 95% confidence level) from seven samples in the complex via laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The 172.3 ± 2.0 [3.7] Ma Uncles Creek and 166.9 ± 1.6 [3.4] Ma Heiney Bar satellitic plutons range from gabbro–quartz diorite to granodiorite in bulk-rock composition. The main English Peak pluton consists of an early stage of gabbro-tonalite (three samples: 160.4 ± 1.1 [3.1] Ma, 158.1 ± 1.1 [3.1] Ma, and 158.0 ± 1.2 [3.1] Ma) and a late stage (two samples: 156.3 ± 1.3 [3.1] Ma and 155.3 ± 1.2 [3.0] Ma) passing inward from tonalite through granodiorite to a central zone of granite. The 172 Ma age of the Uncles Creek pluton makes it coeval with Middle Jurassic Western Hayfork arc magmatism. In contrast, Heiney Bar and the main English Peak igneous ages overlap some of the oldest and youngest components, respectively, of the Middle to Late Jurassic Wooley Creek plutonic suite. Study of this multiple-intrusion complex provides an illuminating example of the gradual intermediate-to-felsic modification of the upper crust in the central Klamath Mountains. Inherited zircon ages of ca. 172 Ma in two other EPC samples indicate potential Middle Jurassic crustal sources or contaminants. Geochronologic correlation of the EPC with geologic histories of other Klamath terranes provides fresh insights for understanding spatial and temporal elements of Middle to Late Jurassic arc magmatism in the Klamath Mountains sector of the Cordilleran margin. This igneous activity illuminates some petrotectonic processes whereby accreted ophiolitic basement terranes were modified and incorporated into the evolving Jurassic continental crust. It took place prior to the earliest Cretaceous onset of westward transport of the stack of Klamath allochthons relative to the active Jura-Cretaceous Sierran calc-alkaline arc.
Marijuana Use Is Associated with Behavioral Approach and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents and Emerging Adults.

Background Repeated CB1 binding due to THC results in downregulation of the endocannabinoid system in cortex and limbic regions, perhaps disrupting frontolimbic functioning. This is particularly a concern in young adults who are still undergoing neurodevelopment in frontal and limbic regions. Such disruptions may be linked to increased depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and executive dysfunction, and decreased behavioral approach. Objectives Here we examine the influence of young adult marijuana use on anxiety, depressive symptoms, behavioral approach, and executive dysfunction. The influence of alcohol and gender were also assessed. Methods 84 participants (42 MJ, 42 controls) aged 18–25 were balanced for gender (39 F). Exclusion criteria included: MRI contraindications, left handed, comorbid Axis-I disorders, major medical or neurologic disorders, prenatal issues, or prenatal alcohol/illicit drug exposure, or excessive other drug use. Participants completed the FrsBE, BIS/BAS, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (State), and BDI-II. Multiple regressions were run to predict anxiety, depressive symptoms, behavioral approach, and executive dysfunction from MJ group status, past year alcohol use, gender, and MJ*gender interactions, controlling for cotinine and ecstasy. Results MJ group predicted increased depressive symptoms (p =.049). Decreased fun-seeking (p =.04), reward response (p =.01), and BAS total (p =.01) were predicted by MJ group. Gender predicted decreased reward responsiveness in females (p =.049) and decreased BIS in females (p =.03). Female marijuana users had increased anxiety symptoms (p =.04) and increased disinhibition (p =.04). Increased cotinine predicted increased drive (p =.046), reward responsiveness (p =.008) and BAS Total (p =.02). Apathy and Executive Dysfunction were not predicted by any measures. All results had small effect sizes. Conclusions/Importance Depressive symptoms were greater in MJ users, while behavioral approach was decreased. Cotinine levels predicted increased behavioral approach. Female MJ users also had greater anxiety and disinhibition. In sum, these findings suggest sub-clinical threshold deficits related to regular marijuana use that are indicative of a need to prevent marijuana use in adolescents and young adults.
Langland: Piers Plowman , Recollection, Confession, and the Penitent

Passus V of the B-text of Langland’s Piers Plowman and the representation of Haukyn the Active Man with his sin-soiled coat reveal the transformative function of the process of memory within literary representations of confession, positive and negative types of forgetfulness, and the reinvention of identity through remembering the past. Langland presents allegorized personifications of the Deadly Sins who narrate their misdeeds to Repentance and seek to mitigate the wickedness of their pasts—or, in some cases, to boast of their sinfulness—through confession. Depictions of memory in the Sins’ confessions and the subsequent confession of Haukyn reveal, first, contrasting representations, ideal and flawed, of the memorial process within confession and, second, how recollection, or a lack thereof, can lead towards spiritual salvation or corruption.