cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic factors for survival after stereotactic radiosurgery vary with the number of cerebral metastases

BACKGROUND. Little is understood about the factors that influence survival in patients who undergo gamma-knife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases. METHODS. Demographic, disease, treatment, and survival data on 334 patients with intracranial metastases who underwent initial SRS from 1998 to 2004 were abstracted from treatment records and from the Connecticut Tumor Registry. Multivariate survival analysis was used to identify factors that independently affected survival. RESULTS. The median age of the patient population was 57.3 years. The median number of lesions treated in a single session was 2 (range, 1–36 lesions treated). The most common tumor histologies were nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (36%), breast cancer (16%), and melanoma (16%). Three hundred patients (90%) had confirmed deaths; the median survival after SRS was 8.1 months. Survival was significantly better in patients who had from 1 to 3 metastases (median, 8.5 months) compared with patients who had ≥4 metastases (median, 6.3 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.65; P = .003). In the subgroup of patients who had from 1 to 3 metastases, systemic control (HR, 0.49; P < .001), breast cancer (HR, 0.57; P = .003), and total tumor volume < 5 cc (HR, 0.65; P = .002) were associated independently with increased survival, and esophageal cancer (HR, 2.36; P = .042) was associated with decreased survival. In the subgroup of patients who had ≥4 metastases, only age <45 years was associated independently with increased survival (HR, 0.39; P = .006); and melanoma (HR, 2.32; P = .008) and the receipt chemotherapy (HR, 2.59; P = .077) were associated with decreased survival. Sex, race, metastases location, whole-brain radiation, and cranial surgery had no independent associations with altered survival. CONCLUSIONS. The data from this study suggested that different factors affected survival in patients who had from 1 to 3 metastases and patients who had ≥4 metastases. Further research into this area may clarify causes for this discrepancy and improve prognostication. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Papain Hydrolysis of Bovine TSH

Radioimmunoassay and bioassay were performed on papain digests of TSH to determine whether or not the hormone was inactivated by the enzyme. Crude TSH (2 U/mg) was 75% inactived in 6 hr; highly purified hormone (18 U/mg) lost all activity after 3 hr. Papain resistance of TSH activity has been reported several times; this observation appears to reflect the low rate of proteolysis of very impure preparations of the TSH available to other workers. The supplemental observation was made that the response of mice to TSH in the McKenzie assay is poor when animals are prepared with the standard Remington diet. Response is improved by addition of desiccated liver NF to this corn-based diet. (Endocrinology 86: 139, 1970)
FGF-2 influences cell movements and gene expression during limb development

FGF-2 is proposed to be an important ectodermal signal directing limb outgrowth and patterning. Consistent with this hypothesis we show that ectopic application of FGF-2 can maintain the apical ectodermal ridge (AER)-dependent expression of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), and AER-dependent zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) signaling. We also find that ectopic FGF-2 applied to the posterior wing bud caused a dramatic change in the morphology of the limb bud, and results in limbs that display a reduction in the length of individual skeletal elements and loss of digits. Associated with these morphological changes was an FGF-2-stimulated expansion and bifurcation of the expression domains of two posteriorly expressed genes, Shh and HoxD13. Applying FGF-2 at a central or anterior location in the limb bud did not alter the Shh expression domain or cause digit loss. To test whether ectopic application of FGF-2 into the posterior limb bud was influencing the movement of limb bud cells, we used the lipophilic dye DiI to map the behavior of posterior cells in response to FGF-2. In response to FGF-2 posterior limb bud cells move in both a proximal and a distal direction, causing the initially labeled cell population to bifurcate into two distinct domains. Our data suggest that FGF-2 is influencing limb outgrowth by modifying cell movements and subsequent position-specific cell-cell interactions that are important for limb morphogenesis. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The hole shrink problem: Theoretical studies of directed self-assembly in cylindrical confinement

We use self-consistent field theory (SCFT) to study the self-assembly of cylinder-forming diblock copolymers confined in a cylindrical prepattern. This situation arises in contact holes -the hole shrink problem- where the goal is to produce a cylindrical hole with reduced dimensions relative to a guiding prepattern. In this study, we focus on systems with a critical dimension (CD) ranging from 50nm to 100nm and which consequently lead to the formation of a single cylinder in the middle of the hole. We found that different morphologies arise from the self-assembly process and are strongly governed by the prepattern dimensions, wetting conditions as well as the polymer molecular weight. We also considered blends of diblock copolymers and homopolymers and determined optimal blending configurations that not only favor the formation of the desired cylindrical morphology but also extend the processing window relative to the pure diblock case.
A splice site mutation in hERG leads to cryptic splicing in human long QT syndrome

Abstract Mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) cause type 2 long QT syndrome. In this study, we investigated the pathogenic mechanism of the hERG splice site mutation 2398+1G>C and the genotype–phenotype relationship of mutation carriers in three unrelated kindreds with long QT syndrome. The effect of 2398+1G>C on mRNA splicing was studied by analysis of RNA isolated from lymphocytes of index patients and using minigenes expressed in HEK293 cells and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the 2398+1G>C mutation disrupted the normal splicing and activated a cryptic splice donor site in intron 9, leading to the inclusion of 54 nt of the intron 9 sequence in hERG mRNA. The cryptic splicing resulted in an in-frame insertion of 18 amino acids in the middle of the cyclic nucleotide binding domain. In patch clamp experiments the splice mutant did not generate hERG current. Western blot and immunostaining studies showed that the mutant expressed an immature form of hERG protein that failed to reach the plasma membrane. Coexpression of the mutant and wild-type channels led to a dominant negative suppression of wild-type channel function by intracellular retention of heteromeric channels. Our results demonstrate that 2398+1G>C activates a cryptic site and generates a full-length hERG protein with an insertion of 18 amino acids, which leads to a trafficking defect of the mutant channel.
Nonlinear optical processes in droplets with single-mode laser excitation

Several nonlinear optical processes concurrently occur in single micrometer-sized droplets that are irradiated by the second-harmonic output of a single-mode Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The authors review the following observations of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in droplets: (1) the image of the droplets that are emitting SBS and SRS; (2) the long delay and decay time of the SRS pulse; (3) the correlated temporal profiles of SBS and SRS pulses; (4) the high-resolution spectra of SBS; (5) the frequency splitting of a degenerate spherical normal mode in the SRS spectra; and (6) the fine structures in the angular distribution of SRS.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Dynamics of the Convective Process in Clear Air as Seen by Radar

Abstract Sensitive, high-powered radar have been used to study the dynamics of the convective process in optically clear air. Various stages in the development of the convective field have been identified on the basis of distinctive radar patterns of the cells. The characteristics of the convective field as a whole and the individual cells making up the field during each stage are discussed. During the initial formation stage, the radar returns are diffuse and mottled. Following the destruction of the surface inversion, the first doughnut or ring-shaped radar returns appear which mark the beginning of the field growth stage. At the onset of this stage, the cells are small, around 100-200 m in diameter. As time progresses, the height of the convective field increase at a rate of 4.5-6 m min− 1, while the convective cells themselves grow to several thousand meters in diameter. Based on a comparison of the radar patterns with previous aircraft measurements of the physical properties of convective cells, it i...
Assembly of CdSe nanocrystals into well-ordered monolayers with a strong crystallographic texture

Nanocrystals of CdSe stabilized with tri- n -octyl phosphine oxide molecules have been synthesized by a colloidal route and fractionated to give a sharp monomodal size distribution. Self-assembled monolayers of nanocrystals with 6.2 nm CdSe cores have been produced by controlled evaporation from solution on to an amorphous carbon substrate. The monolayers have been studied using transmission electron microscopy and it has been found that they exhibit both a well-defined long-range order and a strong crystallographic texture. It is shown that these effects are related to the faceted tabular morphology adopted by the nanocrystal cores.
Diamond-derived microelectrodes array for electrochemical analysis

Abstract Two types of diamond electrodes were fabricated and characterized for electrochemical analysis; diamond ultramicroelectrode arrays (D-UMEAs) and nano-diamond-coated microprobes. Array parameters such as electrode geometry, electrode–electrode spacing, and array size are established through design and fabrication, and their relation to electrochemical analysis is evaluated. The superior detection figures of merit for diamond, particularly the limits of detection and sensitivity, have been achieved by shrinking electrode geometries with microfabrication techniques. The D-UMEAs were shown to display ultramicroelectrode (UME) behavior when individual active electrode was placed at a sufficient distance from each other. The D-UMEAs were also found to display higher current density for detection of analyte in comparison with a conventional diamond planar macroelectrode. Diamond ultramicroelectrodes in array configurations have potential applications in electrochemical analysis including the study of fast electron transfer reactions, electrocatalysis, and as a sensor in flow systems. The boron-doped nano-diamond-coated microprobe was fabricated with plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The nano-diamond-coated microprobe showed good sensitivity to analytes with reversible electron transfer and a large potential window.
Effects of injured conspecifics and predators on byssogenesis, attachment strength and movement in the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis

Abstract Mussels respond to threats from predators by increasing anti-predator traits, which include a suite of inducible defenses. Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) can modify the strength, number and attachment site of byssal threads in response to water borne cues from predators and injured conspecifics. We quantified byssal thread production, attachment strength and movement in blue mussels of two size classes in response to effluent from the American lobster Homarus americanus, the rock crab Cancer irroratus, the sea star Asterias rubens, and injured conspecific mussels. In a factorial laboratory experiment, effluent from the predatory crab, C. irroratus, resulted in higher numbers of functional byssal threads compared only to exposure to injured conspecific mussels, and not to any other treatment group. Large mussels produced stronger byssal attachments than small mussels. Over 24 h, small mussels formed and released more byssus bundles than large mussels, an indication of increased movement. Small mussels started producing byssal threads sooner than large mussels. Mussels exposed to effluent from injured conspecific mussels began producing byssal threads earlier, compared to the control and not to any other treatment group. Our results show that byssogenesis was influenced by predator type and mussel size, whereas attachment strength and movement depended on mussel size. This study highlights the ability of two size classes of blue mussels to selectively alter byssal thread production and movement in the presence of injured conspecifics and potential predators.
Interstellar Hα Line Profiles toward HD 93521 and the Lockman Window

We have used the Wisconsin Hα Mapper (WHAM) facility to measure the interstellar Hα emission toward the high Galactic latitude O star HD 93521 (l = 1831, b = +622). Three emission components were detected along this line of sight. These components have radial velocities of -10, -51, and -90 km s-1 with respect to the local standard of rest (LSR) and have Hα intensities of 0.20, 0.15, and 0.023 R, respectively, corresponding to emission measures of 0.55, 0.42, and 0.06 cm-6 pc. We have also measured the Hα emission toward the direction l = 1485, b = +530, which lies in the region of exceptionally low H I column density known as the Lockman Window. An emission component is detected in this direction at -1 km s-1 (LSR), with an intensity of 0.20 R (0.55 cm-6 pc). In addition, we studied the direction l = 1635, b = +535. No Galactic emission was detected along this line of sight, and upper limits on the possible intensity of Galactic emission toward this direction are 0.11 R at the LSR and 0.06 R at -50 km s-1. As part of the process of separating the interstellar from the terrestrial emission, we also detected and characterized 12 faint (~0.03-0.15 R), unidentified atmospheric lines present in WHAM Hα spectra. Finally, we have used WHAM to obtain [O I] λ6300 spectra along the line of sight toward HD 93521. We do not conclusively detect interstellar [O I] emission toward the star, but place an upper limit of 0.060 R on the [O I] intensity of the intermediate-velocity (-51 km s-1) component. If the temperature of the gas is 10,000 K, this limit implies that, within the Hα-emitting region, the hydrogen ionization fraction n(H+)/n(H total) > 0.6.
Constructing minimal P<∞-approximations over left serial algebras

Abstract Let Λ be a finite dimensional left serial algebra over an algebraically closed field K. In this case, Burgess and Zimmermann Huisgen have shown that P ∞ , the full subcategory of Λ-mod consisting of the finitely generated Λ-modules of finite projective dimension, is contravariantly finite in Λ-mod. Moreover, they show that the minimal right P ∞ -approximations of the simple Λ-modules can be obtained by glueing together uniserials to form modules known as saguaros, and they state without proof an algorithm for constructing these approximations. We will review this algorithm and then demonstrate how a new notion of graphical morphisms between saguaros can be used to prove it.
The spatial and temporal economic impact of a nuclear energy center—A methodological discourse and application to a southern regional site

Abstract A nuclear energy center (NEC) site in South Carolina consisting of twelve 1200 MW nuclear plants clustered in a single location is the subject of an economic-demographic impact analysis. A regional Input-Output model and gravity model are employed to make the analysis. A procedure is developed to allocate the employment, population and income impact to the CCD level within the impact region.
Teaching B-splines is not difficult!

This paper describes the authors' approach of introducing important concepts and algorithms of B-splines to junior computer science students with the help of a pedagogical tool DesignMentor. This approach is non-mathematical and intuitive, and has been used and refined in the past six years.
Entropy of a non-uniform one-dimensional fluid

A one-dimensional particle system with arbitrary nearest-neighbour interaction and arbitrary external field is investigated. The system is considered as an inverse problem, that of determining the internal and external interactions needed to produce given singlet and nearest-neighbour pair densities. The profile equations, the entropy functional which generates them, and the redefined direct correlation function are found exactly. Equivalent expressions are derived in which the full pair distribution and potential-range truncation are the controlling functions.
Discrete least squares polynomial fits

The recurrence relation between orthogonal polynomials is widely used for discrete least squares data fitting. A variant of the classical algorithm which has better numerical properties is presented and the reason for its improved performance is explained.
Eradication of chlamydia trachomatis from the urethras of men with nongonococcal urethritis by treatment with amoxicillin

Twenty men with nongonococcal urethritis were treated orally with amoxicillin (750 mg three times daily for 10 days). One man had herpes simplex virus infection of the urethra. Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from the urethras of six (32) of the remaining men. Urethral specimens cultured for C. trachomatis became negative during amoxicillin therapy for all six men and remained negative for all five men who were followed for 24-48 days. Amoxicillin did not eradicate Ureaplasma urealyticum from any of 13 colonized men. Nongonococcal urethritis persisted or recurred at greater than or equal to 14 days after initiation of treatment in one of five men with, and ten of twelve men without initial C. trachomatis infection (P = 0.06). Since multiple-dose penicillin regimens are used for the treatment of acute pelvic inflammatory disease and epididymitis, which are frequently caused by C trachomatis, the apparent efficacy of high-dose amoxicillin therapy for chlamydial urethritis in this study is of interest. However, until the results of further study of the efficacy of multiple-dose penicillin regimens for infections due to C. trachomatis are known, tetracyclines remain the treatment of choice for the majority of such complications.
Synthesis and structure of phases in the In2O3Ga2O3 system

Abstract Compositions Ga2−xInxO3(x = 0·0–1·0) having the β-Ga2O3 structure have been prepared in powder form and as single crystals by several techniques and characterized by X-ray and resistivity measurements. The composition InGaO3 was found to transform at high pressures to a new phase, InGaO3 II. InGaO3 II has a simple hexagonal oxide structure which is the first structure reported containing Ga+3 in five-fold co-ordination. The cell parameters are: a = 3·310 ± 0·002 A , c = 12·039 ± 0·002 A , Z = 2, ϱ c = 6·756 g/cm 3 , space group P63/mmc. Interatomic distances obtained from least-squares refinement results are In-O(1)[×2], 3·010 A; InO(2)[×6], 2·174 A; GaO(1)[×3], 1·911 A; GaO(2)[×2], 1·973 A. InGaO3 II is isotypic with hexagonal YA1O3, and its structure is related to that of YMnO3 which contains five-co-ordinated Mn+3.
Abdominal compartment syndrome: A lethal disease

CASE REPORT A 63­year­old Caucasian male with a history of ventral hernia secondary to multiple motor vehicular accidents and prior abdominal surgeries was admitted for an elective ventral hernia repair. A primary closure of ventral hernia with a skin mesh was performed. Post­ operatively he remained intubated and was transferred to surgical intensive care unit. At baseline, his laboratory data included serum creatinine ­ 0.9 mg/dl, hemoglobin ­ 10 gm/dl, white cell count ­ 9x103/mm3 and lactic acid ­ 1 mmol/l. Peri­operatively, he was 10 liters net positive with a urine output (VOP) of 1200 cc in 24 hours. His serum creatinine was 1.3 mg/dl with one liter urine output on post­operative day (POD)­1. A two millimeter (mm) gap was noted in between the surgical staples. Intra­abdominal pressure (IAP) measured by transvesical route was noted to be elevated at 14 cm of H2O. He was started on the intensive regimen for management of intra­abdominal hypertension (IAH) including nasogastric decompression, elevation of head of the bed > 30°, discontinuation of intravenous fluids and a trial of neuromuscular blockage. On POD­2, he was noted to have increasing abdominal distension, with worsening hemodynamic parameters (table 1). The gap in the surgical wound increased to five mm (figure 1) and the IAP was noted to be 24 cm of H2O. His condition significantly deteriorated during next few hours with development of oliguric acute kidney injury (AKI) (UOP 200 cc/24hours), acute respiratory distress syndrome, high anion gap metabolic acidosis and refractory hypotension requiring escalating doses of multiple vasopressors (norepinephrine 3 μgm/kg/min, epinephrine 1 mcg/kg/min, vasopressin 0.04 units/minute), to maintain mean arterial pressure of about 60 mmHg. His laboratory data revealed serum creatinine ­ 5 mg/dL, hemoglobin ­ 7.8 gm/dL, white cell count ­ 20x103/mm3 and an elevated lactic acid ­ 18 mmol/liter. He was diagnosed with the refractory abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Given his clinical deterioration and hemodynamic instability, the treatment goals were addressed with the family. The patient was made comfortable care per his former wishes, at family’s request.
Understanding NMR J‐couplings by the theory of polarization propagators

Propagators are powerful theoretical tools that were first developed within the nonrelativistic (NR) regime and were applied to calculate atomic and molecular properties more than 30 years ago. The recent relativistic generalization of polarization propagators has shown that these propagators play a special role in describing the quantum origin of any molecular property and the broad implication of their particular definition. In this article, we give a general overview on fundamentals and applications of polarization propagators to one of the most important NMR spectroscopic parameters, the nuclear spin coupling mediated by the electronic system within both regimes: relativistic and NR. This presentation is given in a level that can be followed with a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics. Our aim is to show what one can learn about molecular electronic configurations, and also the transmission and influence of magnetic perturbations on electronic systems from basic theoretical elements like molecular orbitals, electronic excitation energies, coupling pathways, entanglement, etc. by using propagators. We shall use i) semiempirical models and ii) ab initio calculations at different levels of approach. We give a deep insight on the electronic origin of the Karplus' rule, the sign of indirect nuclear spin couplings, unusually large long-range couplings, cooperativity effects, relativistic effects, and the origin of diamagnetism. Some of these analysis are based on previous publications, and some others are presented here for the first ime. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 88–116, 2008.
Consistent social choice functions and systems of distinct representatives

Abstract This paper concerns Peleg's construction of a strongly consistent voting system. The authors characterize the alternatives selected by the corresponding social choice correspondence in terms of systems of distinct representatives. This result allows the use of ‘rapid’ computational algorithms for this correspondence.
Microstructure of Laser In Situ Synthesized TiBx+TiC Reinforced Composite Coatings

B4C/TiNi mixed powders with different composition (10B4C+90TiNi and 20B4C+80TiNi in wt. %) prepasted on Ti-6Al-4V substrates were scanned by a FL-Dlight02-3000W semiconductor laser to obtain TiBx+TiC reinforced graded composite coatings. The influences of the processing parameters on the microstructure of the coatings were studied. Optimal processing parameters were obtained with laser power (P) 1700W/1900W, laser scanning speed (V) 6.67mm/s and defocus length 310mm. The microstructures and phases of the coatings were analyzed with OM, SEM and XRD respectively. Graded composite coatings with in-situ synthesis of TiC, TiB and TiB2 reinforcements in the matrix of Ti2Ni and TiNi were obtained.
Theory of controlled release of biologically active substances.

The available concentration of a slowly released, biologically active substance is the result of the interplay of the processes of release and of decay. In this paper, the theory of the release mechanisms based on diffusion and, also, on water-degradable polymers is examined in detail, and, based on a first-order decay of the released substance, the “present concentration” based on area is calculated. The attainment and maintenance of a constant present concentration over a chosen time period is considered as the ideal. The actual, long-term efficiencies which can be expected vary from 22% for diffusion to 100% for a well-chosen combination of water-degradable polymers and conventional substances. The efficiency varies conversely with toxicity; so, safety and efficiency are simultaneously attainable. The major benefits of controlled release appear only for times encompassing several half-lives of the active substance. This finding encourages the consideration of non-persistent pesticides.
Management of the carotid artery in paraganglioma surgery.

Complete resection of cervical paragangliomas can be difficult secondary to the size, tumor vascularity, and the adherence to local vascular structures and the lower cranial nerves. The size and involvement of the tumor determine the management of the carotid artery. Anand et a12 reviewed 1181 published cases of carotid body tumors treated with surgical resection. Internal carotid artery injury was identified in 275 cases (23.2%). Of these, most occurred during dissection of tumors markedly adherent to the artery wall. Sixty-two cases (22.5%) were repaired with simple suture or patch repair, with an overall occurrence of CNS complications of 26.5%. For those that required only simple suture (62 cases), the CNS complication rate was 3.2%. In 89 cases (32.3%), the internal carotid artery was ligated with an associated stroke rate of 66% and a 46% mortality rate. In 125 cases (45%), the internal carotid artery was reconstructed, with a 9.7% stroke rate and a 2.4% mortality rate. The most important factors in managing the carotid artery are adequate preoperative assessment and preparation during surgery for any possibility. Injuries to the internal carotid artery lead to significant intraoperative hemorrhaging with resultant transfusions and cerebrovascular complications in as many as 50% of patients. A multidisciplinary team approach is often helpful in the management of these types of potential complications. The preoperative assessment should include evaluation of the size of the tumor; its uppermost extension; and its relationship to the common, internal, and external carotid arteries.2, Multiple modalities now allow for
Institutional transference and the psychiatric resident

Abstract The concept of institutional transference is defined and the literature on this subject reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the importance of this type of transference with respect to the return to functioning of many psychiatric patients. Residents develop a transference to their institutions, the nature of which is influenced by their degree of success in effectively coping with the institutional environment. Those residents who are unable to develop feelings of mastery in this area may be expected to have more difficulty in separating from the institution.
Convective mass transfer and pressure loss characteristics of staggered short pin-fin arrays

Abstract The effect of fin shape on the mass transfer and pressure loss of a ten-row staggered short pin-fin array in fully developed approaching flow is investigated experimentally using three different fin shapes. The Reynolds number, based on approach-velocity and fin diameter, ranges from 3000 to 18000. The fin shape affects the row-by-row variation of Sherwood number. The results indicate that the stepped-diameter circular fin arrays have not only a larger mass transfer coefficient, but also a smaller pressure loss compared to a uniform-diameter circular fin array. In stepped-diameter circular fin arrays, the effect of step-length-to-total-length ratio on Sherwood number is small, but the total mass transfer rate and pressure loss change significantly with this ratio, owing to differences in mass transfer area and free flow area, respectively.
Morphological drift accompanying nascent population differentiation in the ciliate euplotes vannus

A rare phenomenon can occur in ciliated protists of the genus Euplotes, which can undergo genetic recombination by the normal outbreeding process of conjugation following mild starvation. Occasionally, the dominant mutation for the autogamy trait arises. Individuals possessing the trait show obligate self-fertilization upon mild starvation. This yields, after normal asexual division, a population of individuals that are reproductively isolated from the parental outbreeding strain. A morphometric analysis of sympatric autogamous and non-autogamous populations of Euplotes vannus from Somalia demonstrates that there has been morphological drift in gross body proportions in the autogamous populations. However, the positional patterns of the locomotory organelles on the ventral surface remain unchanged. The changes in body proportions in the autogamous populations are relevant to the mechanics of the conjugation process, which involves fusion of the oral regions of paired cells belonging to complementary mating types.
Temporal power spectra of Zernike coefficients

In order to design adaptive optics systems and to study the effect of atmospheric turbulence on astronomical images it is helpful to know the temporal power spectra of the various Zernike polynomial terms. These coefficients correspond directly to standard aberration terminology like tilt, astigmatism, spherical aberration and so on. An analytical method based on work by Roddier et al. for predicting these power spectra using the current average wind speed, Frieds parameter r(Omicron ) and the aperture size is presented along with some experimental results testing their predictive power. The data are also shown to confirm the important results of Fried as well as Noll.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Lost in translation: Adapting a stress intervention program for use with an ethnic minority population.

Edited by Jacquelyn Flaskerud, PhD, RN, FAAN School of Nursing, University of California—Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USAInterventions for dealing with stress have generally been developed...
Species-specific banding patterns of restriction endonuclease-digested mitochondrial DNA from the genusPythium

Abstract Restriction endonuclease-digested mitochondrial DNA from 29Pythium spp. showed distinctly different species-specific electrophoretic banding patterns. Numerical comparisons among species were conducted by calculating the percentage of restriction fragments having the same apparent molecular size. The greatest interspecific similarity in banding patterns (67%) was observed betweenHindIII digests ofPythium heterothallicum andP. sylvaticum. However, comparisons among other species generally revealed similarities of less than 50%, and often less than 30%. The lack of similarity of restriction banding patterns was observed even with several species that share many common morphological features:P. arrhenomanes vsP. graminicola (20%),P. myriotylum vsP. aristosporum (28%), andP. torulosum vsP. vanterpoolii (32%). In contrast to the fragment size heterogeneity among different species, isolates of the same species have highly conserved restriction patterns. Ten isolates ofP. oligandrum, collected from the United States, South Africa, and Czechoslovakia, had a minimum of 86% similarity inHindIII banding patterns. Similar results were observed with eight isolates ofP. ultimum, five ofP. acanthicum, six ofP. spinosum, five ofP. sylvaticum, and eight ofP. irregulare. However, two isolates ofP. irregulare exhibited a higher degree of heterogeneity and shared only 64 to 76% comigrating bands with the eight other isolates of this species.
Emergency Department Crowding Is Associated With Poor Care for Patients With Severe Pain

Study objective We study the impact of emergency department (ED) crowding on delays in treatment and nontreatment for patients with severe pain. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients presenting with severe pain to an inner-city, teaching ED during 17 months. Poor care was defined by 3 outcomes: not receiving treatment with pain medication while in the ED, a delay (>1 hour) from triage to first pain medication, and a delay (>1 hour) from room placement to first pain medication. Three validated crowding measures were assigned to each patient at triage. Logistic regression was used to test the association between crowding and outcomes. Results In 13,758 patients with severe pain, the mean age was 39 years (SD 16 years), 73% were black, and 64% were female patients. Half (49%) of the patients received pain medication. Of those treated, 3,965 (59%) experienced delays in treatment from triage and 1,319 (20%) experienced delays from time of room placement. After controlling for factors associated with the ED treatment of pain (race, sex, severity, and older age), nontreatment was independently associated with waiting room number (odds ratio [OR] 1.03 for each additional waiting patient; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 1.03) and occupancy rate (OR 1.01 for each 10% increase in occupancy; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.04). Increasing waiting room number and occupancy rate also independently predicted delays in pain medication from triage (OR 1.05 for each waiting patient, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.06; OR 1.18 for each 10% increase in occupancy; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.21) and delay in pain medication from room placement (OR 1.02 for each waiting patient, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03; OR 1.06 for each 10% increase in occupancy, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.08). Conclusion ED crowding is associated with poor quality of care in patients with severe pain, with respect to total lack of treatment and delay until treatment.
Sibutramine: A Serotonin–Norepinephrine Reuptake-Inhibitor for the Treatment of Obesity

OBJECTIVE:To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy data, adverse effects, and drug interactions of sibutramine as a treatment for obesity.DATA SOURCES:English-language clinical studies, abstracts, and review articles were identified using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and a manual search from January 1980 through December 1998. References were also obtained from the reference section of published articles.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All articles identified were evaluated for possible inclusion in this review. Evaluative and comparative data from prospective, open-label, double-blind, and controlled studies were reviewed.DATA SYNTHESIS:Sibutramine is a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake-inhibitor effective in the treatment of obesity. It does not act as a releasing agent of these neurotransmitters. Sibutramine undergoes extensive metabolism in the liver via CYP3A4, forming two pharmacologically active metabolites. This agent has demonstrated efficacy superior to placebo in reducing weight when used...
A Comparison of Tropical Mesoscale Convective Systems in El Nino and La Nina

Abstract Tropical mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) were identified from satellite data using the 85-GHz ice-scattering channel for a La Nina year, and these MCSs were compared with MCSs identified in the same manner for an El Nino year in previous work by Mohr and Zipser. The number, size, and intensity of the MCSs were examined for differences between the years in 18 different regions. There are well-documented patterns of anomalous precipitation related to El Nino and La Nina, and, in general, the MCS distributions between the two years tend to follow these patterns. There were more MCSs in the central Pacific and eastern Pacific in the El Nino year than in the La Nina year, and there were fewer MCSs in the “Maritime Continent.” The area distributions and median intensities of MCSs were found to be similar in each region during the two years. In contrast, the number and total area of MCSs in a region changed between the years. The changes between the years in MCS distributions showed a strong relatio...
Control of hybrid dynamical systems for electric vehicles

This paper presents a system controller for hybrid electric vehicles using hybrid dynamical system theory. The hierarchical control structure of parallel hybrid electric vehicle systems is first introduced and the drive control problem of the vehicle is formulated using the hybrid dynamical system theory. The controller design problem and the optimal control of the vehicle system is investigated and an optimal coordination strategy is developed based on the minimization of the system cost subject to system constraints, where the optimal solution is obtained by solving a sequential quadratic programming problem. The simulation is conducted with a comparison study between the optimal control strategy and a rule-based control strategy.
Experimental study of sideband generation in femtosecond fiber lasers

We present a thorough experimental investigation of the phenomenon of soliton resonance sideband generation in femtosecond fiber lasers. The dependence of the sideband wavelengths on the dispersion and pulse length is confirmed. Third order dispersion is found to play a significant role in determining the sideband spectrum. We show that the minimum pulse length obtained in a fiber laser is determined by the cavity dispersion and relate this to loss into the sidebands. We show how the sideband spectrum can be used as a diagnostic of the fiber parameters and of the formation of ultrashort pulses in the laser. >
Analysis of wired short cuts in wireless sensor networks

In this paper we investigate the use of wired short cuts in sensor networks. This new paradigm augments a sensor network with a very limited wired infrastructure to improve its overall energy-efficiency. Energy-efficiency is obtained by reduction in average path length. We have developed an analytical model to analyze the gain in path length reduction by using short cuts. We have also conducted extensive simulations to validate our analysis. Our results show that there is an optimal wire length for which the path length reduction is at its maximum, beyond which it decreases. The optimal length is only a small fraction (37.8-50%) of the network diameter. In a network with 1000 nodes uniformly distributed on a disk the path length reduction saturates at 60-70% with 5-24 wires, depending on the location of the sink. Also, we find that restricting the knowledge about the wires to 2 hops does not degrade the performance from the case when we have global knowledge of all wires. These results show promise of the new paradigm.
The Development of the Skills Curriculum in Law Schools: Lessons for Directors of Academic Law Libraries

Recent challenges to the status and tenure of law library directors has questioned their role law as teachers and scholars. This article analyzes the development of the legal research, clinical, and legal writing curriculum in U.S. law schools and identifies strategies that law librarians could choose to employ to bolster their status as the preeminent teachers of legal research in the academy.
Effect of carbonate pore structure on dynamic shear moduli

Elastic shear moduli from ultrasonic measurements of carbonate rocks show an increase or decrease when saturated from the dry state with brine. The induced changes on the moduli have been attributed to several rock-fluid interaction effects, including viscous coupling, reduction in free surface energy, and dispersion caused by local flow with a subsequent effect on acoustic velocities. As many studies have recognized that acoustic velocity in carbonate rocks is dependent on pore structure, a relationship between the pore structure and observed changes must, to a certain extent, exist. We make use of quantitative digital image analysis parameters, such as dominant pore size and perimeter over area, to demonstrate how changes in dynamic shear moduli upon saturation relate to the geologic make up of the rock. Samples with a small dominant pore size and large perimeter over area show abnormal decrease in shear moduli with saturation from the dry state. This is attributed to the large surface area available for matrix-fluid interaction. Samples with large dominant pore size and small perimeter over area show an increase in shear moduli with saturation. This may be a dispersion effect, as high frequency and high permeability may cause the fluid in the saturated samples to move out-of-phase with the solid during propagation of the acoustic wave and thus cause a stiffening effect.
Mars: The Design of a Main Memory Database Machine

The initial design of a main memory database (MMDB) backend database machine (DBM) is described. This MAin memory Recoverable database with Stable log (MARS) is designed to provide quick recovery after transaction, system, or media failure, and to also provide efficient transaction processing.
Detection of mechanical imbalances of induction machines without spectral analysis of time-domain signals

Mechanical rotor imbalances and rotor eccentricities are reflected in electric, electromagnetic, and mechanical quantities. Therefore, many surveillance schemes determine the Fourier spectrum of a single line current in order to monitor the motor condition. Mechanical imbalances give rise to two first-order current harmonics. Due to the interaction of the currents and voltages, both these current harmonics are also reflected by a single harmonic component in the frequency spectrum of the electric power. This single component is easier to assess than both the current harmonics. The technique proposed in this contribution evaluates this imbalance-specific modulation of the electric power. The proposed approach does not determine the Fourier spectrum of a time-domain signal, though. First, the imbalance specific oscillation of the electric power is extracted by a bandpass filter. Then, the averaged pattern of this component is determined by means of an angular data clustering technique. In that way, the oscillation of the electric power in the time domain becomes mapped into a discrete waveform in an angular domain. The amplitude of the fundamental harmonic of these discrete data serves as the imbalance indicator of the proposed scheme. This technique, therefore, overcomes small load and slip fluctuations. Measured results of a mechanically unbalanced machine and a case of combined static and dynamic eccentricity are presented.
Caudalization of neural fate by tissue recombination and bFGF

In order to study anteroposterior neural patterning in Xenopus embryos, we have developed a novel assay using explants and tissue recombinants of early neural plate. We show, by using region-specific neural markers and lineage tracing, that posterior axial tissue induces midbrain and hindbrain fates from prospective forebrain. The growth factor bFGF mimics the effect of the posterior dorsal explant in that it (i) induces forebrain to express hindbrain markers, (ii) induces prospective hindbrain explants to make spinal cord, but not forebrain and midbrain, and (iii) induces posterior neural fate in ectodermal explants neuralized by the dominant negative activin receptor and follistatin without mesoderm induction. The competence of forebrain explants to respond to both posterior axial explants and bFGF is lost by neural groove stages. These findings demonstrate that posterior neural fate can be derived from anterior neural tissue, and identify a novel activity for the growth factor bFGF in neural patterning. Our observations suggest that full anteroposterior neural patterning may be achieved by caudalization of prospective anterior neural fate in the vertebrate embryo.
Clinical engineering in the twenty-first century

The author presents an idealized scenario of clinical engineering in the 21st century. Projected changes in the health care delivery system and in medical technology are described. The concommitant changes in clinical engineering are also described. >
Least‐absolute‐deviations position finding

Position finding has historically been carried out by calculating the coordinates of the mean position via a least-squares procedure based on the distance of the position from several direction lines. It has been suggested that the least-squares procedure assigns too much weight to outliers among the set of direction lines, outliers which may actually be associated with objects other than the one being located. In this paper, a method of using least-absolute deviations, which yields a more outlier-resistant median estimate of the position instead of the least-squares mean estimate, is presented.
Uncovering the Human Methyltransferasome

We present a comprehensive analysis of the human methyltransferasome. Primary sequences, predicted secondary structures, and solved crystal structures of known methyltransferases were analyzed by hidden Markov models, Fisher-based statistical matrices, and fold recognition prediction-based threading algorithms to create a model, or profile, of each methyltransferase superfamily. These profiles were used to scan the human proteome database and detect novel methyltransferases. 208 proteins in the human genome are now identified as known or putative methyltransferases, including 38 proteins that were not annotated previously. To date, 30% of these proteins have been linked to disease states. Possible substrates of methylation for all of the SET domain and SPOUT methyltransferases as well as 100 of the 131 seven-β-strand methyltransferases were surmised from sequence similarity clusters based on alignments of the substrate-specific domains.
Moving Beyond Administrative Data Sets and Coding Data

In the study by Harris et al1 in this issue of Hospital Pediatrics , the authors attempted to compare the identification of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) by using administrative coding data versus clinical criteria from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that are reported to a voluntary infection control network. The authors demonstrated that more CLABSIs were reported with the voluntary network ( n = 138) than with the administrative data ( n = 76). In analyzing the data, using the infection control network as the gold standard, they found that CLABSI identification by using coding data had a sensitivity of 35% with a positive predictive value of 63%. Their study1 outlines some of the potential pitfalls and problems with using coding data to study clinical outcomes. In the case of CLABSIs, before 2007, these infections were coded with a nonspecific International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), code that included infections associated with many devices, such as arterial lines or pacemakers. The use of nonspecific codes makes it difficult to accurately use coding data for the purposes of clinical outcomes research. For example, researchers attempting to study apparent life-threatening events in children before 2009, when the first specific code for these events was introduced, had to search for such disparate codes as apnea, cyanosis, and reflux.2 The upcoming introduction of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification, in the United States will reportedly help alleviate this concern. The number and specificity of codes have been increased substantially over those currently …