cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apolipoprotein E4 Genotype Increases the Risk of Being Diagnosed With Posttraumatic Fibromyalgia

Objective To determine whether the apolipoprotein E4 (Apo E4) allele may be a genetic risk factor for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Design A retrospective assessment of associations between Apo E4 genotype and selected environmental exposures among a cohort diagnosed with FMS compared with control subjects. Setting Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation's Personalized Medicine Research Project (PMRP) biobank. Participants One hundred fifty-one case subjects with fibromyalgia and 300 age- and gender-matched control subjects. Methods Fibromyalgia case subjects were identified according to a strict phenotypic definition from among the nearly 20,000 subjects enrolled in the PMRP. Age- and gender-matched control subjects also were identified from the PMRP in a 2:1 control/case ratio. Apo E4 genotype was determined by single nucleotide polymorphism analysis for both case subjects with fibromyalgia and control subjects. Case subjects with fibromyalgia and control subjects were asked to assess their level of function and stress by completing the Short Form-36 and the Perceived Stress Scale. Main Outcome Measures Statistical associations between the Apo E4 genotype and phenotypic criteria (diagnosis of FMS) as well as historical environmental exposures as documented in the electronic medical record were assessed. Results Approximately one quarter of both case subjects with fibromyalgia and control subjects were found to carry at least one Apo E4 allele. The odds ratio (OR) for case subjects with fibromyalgia who had ever been in a motor vehicle accident and subsequently had been diagnosed with FMS was increased among those with at least one copy of the Apo E4 allele (OR 7.04) compared with those without an Apo E4 allele (OR 1.90). The presence of an Apo E4 allele did not influence the degree of pain or level of function among those with FMS. Conclusions These data suggest that specific interactions between genetically susceptible individuals (eg, those with at least one copy of the Apo E4 allele) and the environment (eg, involvement in a motor vehicle accident) may contribute to the risk of being diagnosed with FMS, although Apo E4 allele status does not appear to modulate perceived FMS severity.
THE INHERITANCE OF THE BLOOD FACTORS IA AND IB IN PIGS OF THE DUROC AND HAMPSHIRE BREEDS.

Summary The isoimmune antibodies anti-Ia and anti-lb are reciprocally related in tests with Duroc and Hampshire pigs indicating a closed blood group system in these breeds. The two antigens are designated Ia and Ib, and the allele symbols are Ia and Ib. The Duroc and Hampshire breeds differ significantly with respect to the allele frequencies. Resume Chez les porcs Duroc et Hampshire, les iso-immun-anticorps anti-Ia et anti-lb ont une action reciproque qui permet de demontrer qu'il y a un systeme de groupe sanguin commun a ces deux races. Les deux antigenes sont denommes Ia et Ib et les symboles alleliques sont Ia et Ib. Les races de porcs Duroc et Hampshire se differencient d'une maniere significative en ce qui concerne la frequence des alleles. Zusammenfassung Bei den Duroc und Hampshire Schweinen stehen die beiden Iso-Antikurper anti-Ia und anti-lb in einer Wechselbezichung, die auf ein geschlossenes Blutgruppensystem hindeutet. Die entsprechenden Antigene sind mit Ia und Ib, die beiden Allele mit Ia und Ib bezeichnet. Die beiden Rassen sind in den Allelfrequenzen signifikant verschieden.
Adipose stem cells and solid organ transplantation.

Purpose of reviewThis review will cover the basic research performed with adipose stem cells (ASCs) over the past several years as well as pertinent translational research. The properties of ASCs that make them particularly interesting to the transplant surgeon will then be covered. These properties
Methane line parameters for the 2.3-microm region.

A new compilation of methane line parameters for the 4136-4666-per cm region has been obtained using experimental positions and intensities combined with known quantum assignments from the literature. Positions and intensities measured directly from the observed spectrum by computer are reported with accuracies of + or - 0.0005 per cm and 2%, respectively, for single unblended absorptions.
Synthesis and Characterization of the Metalloplumbylenes (η5-C5H5)(CO)3M-P̈b-C6H3-2,6-Trip2 (M = Cr, Mo, or W; Trip = −C6H2-2,4,6-i-Pr3)

The reaction of Pb(Br)C6H3-2,6-Trip2 (Trip = C6H2-2,4,6-i-Pr3), generated in situ, with the salts Na[M(η5-C5H5)(CO)3]·DME (M = Cr, Mo, or W; DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) affords the novel green, crystalline metalloplumbylenes (η5-C5H5)(CO)3M-Pb-C6H3-2,6-Trip2 (M = Cr, 1; Mo, 2; W, 3) in moderate yield. The compounds were characterized spectroscopically (1H, 13C, and 207Pb NMR, IR, and UV−vis) and by combustion analysis. In addition the X-ray crystal structures of 1−3 were determined. The compounds feature strongly bent geometries at lead (M−Pb−C = 108.6(2)−113.58(9)°) and relatively long M−Pb distances (2.9092(9) A, Cr; 2.9845(7) A, Mo; 2.9809(10) A, 3.0055(6) A W), which are consistent with single M−Pb bonding. The stability of the complexes, which melt with decomposition in the range 210−226 °C, is attributed to steric protection of the metal centers by the very large −C6H3-2,6-Trip2 substituent. The compounds are the first examples of metalloplumbylenes that feature a bent two-coordinate lead geometry.
Robust Detection of Unauthorized Wireless Access Points

Unauthorized 802.11 wireless access points (APs), or rogue APs, such as those brought into a corporate campus by employees, pose a security threat as they may be poorly managed or insufficiently secured. An attacker in the vicinity may easily get onto the internal network through a rogue AP, bypassing all perimeter security measures. Existing detection solutions do not work well for detecting rogue APs configured as routers that are protected by WEP, 802.11 i, or other security measures. In this paper, we describe a new rogue AP detection method to address this problem. Our solution uses a verifier on the internal wired network to send test traffic towards wireless edge, and uses wireless sniffers to identify rouge APs that relay the test packets. To quickly sweep all possible rogue APs, the verifier uses a greedy algorithm to schedule the channels for the sniffers to listen to. To work with the encrypted AP traffic, the sniffers use a probabilistic algorithm that only relies on observed wireless frame size. Using extensive experiments, we show that the proposed approach can robustly detect rogue APs with moderate network overhead. The results also show that our algorithm is resilient to congested wireless channels and has low false positives/negatives in realistic environments.
Dissecting HIV-1 through RNA interference

In cells of organisms, ranging from nematodes to primates, there is a process known as RNA interference (RNAi) that effects the degradation of RNA in a highly sequence-specific manner. Scientists have figured out a way to co-opt elements of the RNAi machinery such that almost any RNA can be targeted for degradation. It is now clear that HIV-1 is fair game for RNAi; viral RNA intermediates have been targeted as well as messenger RNAs for cellular co-factors that are required for replication of HIV-1. The hope is that RNAi can be used not only as a research tool, but also as a therapeutic strategy for infection with HIV-1.
Correlated Satellite-derived Turbulence, Clouds & Aerosol Data

Paper describes novel methods to obtain winds, turbulence, cloud base and top heights, and aerosol extinction values from polar orbiting satellite data. Comparisons to ground-based LIDAR measurements and enhancements via numerical weather data are discussed.
Practical modelling of gas dispersion in low wind speed conditions, for application in risk assessment

Abstract Risk assessments for hazardous installations, in which loss of inventory could result in offsite risk, will generally require the modelling of the dispersion of toxic or flammable gases for several realistic scenarios in a range of representative wind conditions. Hazard ranges — the distances affected by hazardous gas clouds — are usually greater for low wind speeds, but these are frequently omitted from the assessment. It is therefore useful to be able to model such conditions in an appropriate manner, and also to understand the nature and frequency of these low wind speed conditions. This paper presents the results of part of a study which considered the whole problem of using low wind speed conditions in risk assessments. A brief review is given of the current status of the modelling of gas dispersion in low wind speeds, with particular reference to releases of dense gas from low level, and the problems associated with using dispersion models beyond their range of validation or stated application are discussed. Different types of models are reviewed, and the potential for using models specifically developed for low wind speed conditions is assessed. A brief discussion is then given of the likely effects of using such models on the results of risk assessments and safety cases.
Memory foundationalism and the problem of unforgotten carelessness

: According to memory foundationalism, seeming to remember that P is prima facie justification for believing that P. There is a common objection to this theory: If I previously believed that P carelessly (i.e. without justification) and later seem to remember that P, then (according to memory foundationalism) I have somehow acquired justification for a previously unjustified belief. In this paper, I explore this objection. I begin by distinguishing between two versions of it: One where I seem to remember that P while also seeming to remember being careless in my original believing that P and the other where I seem to remember that P while not seeming to remember my past carelessness. I argue that the former case is the real challenge for memory foundationalism. After establishing the case of unforgotten carelessness as objection to memory foundationalism, I recast memory foundationalism in way that allows it to escape this objection.
ERK Negatively Regulates the Epidermal Growth Factor-mediated Interaction of Gab1 and the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase

We have examined the ability of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated ERK activation to regulate Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) interactions. Inhibiting ERK activation with the MEK inhibitor U0126 increased the EGF-stimulated association of Gab1 with either full-length glutathione S-transferase-p85 or the p85 C-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain, a result reproduced by co-immunoprecipitation of the native proteins from intact cells. This increased association of Gab1 and the PI3K correlates with an increase in PI3K activity and greater phosphorylation of Akt. This result is in direct contrast to what we have previously reported following HGF stimulation where MEK inhibition decreased the HGF-stimulated association of Gab1 and p85. In support of this divergent effect of ERK on Gab1/PI3K association following HGF and EGF stimulation, U0126 decreased the HGF-stimulated association of p85 and the Gab1 c-Met binding domain but did not alter the EGF-stimulated association of p85 and the c-Met binding domain. An examination of the mechanism of this effect revealed that the treatment of cells with EGF + U0126 increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1 as well as its association with another SH2-containing protein, SHP2. Furthermore, overexpression of a catalytically inactive form of SHP2 or pretreatment with pervanadate markedly increased EGF-stimulated Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation. These experiments demonstrate that EGF and HGF-mediated ERK activation result in divergent effects on Gab1/PI3K signaling. HGF-stimulated ERK activation increases the Gab1/PI3K association, whereas EGF-stimulated ERK activation results in a decrease in the tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1 and a decreased association with the PI3K. SHP2 is shown to associate with and dephosphorylate Gab1, suggesting that EGF-stimulated ERK might act through the regulation of SHP2.
Improved Experimental Energy Levels of Carbon I from Solar Infrared Spectra

We have improved the energy levels in neutral carbon using high resolution infrared solar spectra. The main source is the space-based ATMOS spectrum measured by the Fourier transform spectroscopy technique from 600 to 4800cm-1. From these infrared data, we have determined 19 new energy levels in the 5f, 5g, 6g and 6h configurations. To extend measurements to higher frequencies, we also use other FTS solar spectra: the MARK IV balloon data, covering from 4700 to 5700cm-1, and the ground-based NOAO spectra, up to 9000cm-1 of Livingston and Wallace and 8900 to 13600cm-1 of Wallace et al. For completeness' sake, we include the 63 new levels found by Feldman et al. plus 8 new levels derived from the VUV data. Utilizing all existing carbon spectra from the far infrared to the vacuum ultraviolet, we have revised Johansson's energy levels and the ionization potential, resulting in improving the accuracy by about an order of magnitude to about 3mK.
The use of statistics in the managerial process by public library directors in China and the USA: a cross‐country survey

Librarians have been involved in collecting and disseminating statistics for many years. Utilising statistics to describe and assess the operation of library activities as a part of library tradition has received growing attention from researchers, policymakers, library managers, and professionals. However, few studies have investigated how statistics are used in libraries. This report compares directors’ uses of statistics provided by national agencies in the USA and China to highlight the differences and similarities between the ways in which the two groups of directors make use of statistics, and the statistical information that directors find particularly useful. The results are intended to provide library administrators with an insight of how library statistics are used in the managerial process, and may also help the national statistical providers to obtain an understanding of the characteristics and pattern of use of their products.
Measurement of the heme affinity for yeast dap1p, and its importance in cellular function.

Current studies on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein Dap1p have demonstrated a heme-related function within the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. Here we present data to further the understanding of the role of heme in the proper biological functioning of Dap1p in cellular processes. First, we examined the role of Dap1p in stabilizing the P450 enzyme, Erg11p, a key regulatory protein in ergosterol biosynthesis. Our data indicate that the absence of Dap1p does not affect Erg11p mRNA, protein expression levels, or the protein degradation rates in S. Cerevisaie. Second, in order to probe the role of heme in the biological functioning of Dap1p, we measured ferric and ferrous heme binding affinities for Dap1p and the mutant Dap1pY138F, as well as equilibrium midpoint reduction potentials of the Fe(III)/Fe(II) couples. Our results show that both wild-type and mutant proteins bind heme in a 1:1 fashion, possessing tight ferric heme affinities, KD values of 400 pM and 200 nM, respectively, but exhibiting weak f...
Mechanism of oxygen deficit.

SummaryIn muscular exercise, a considerable oxygen deficit is incurred which cannot be explained by the accumulation of lactic acid. The hypothesis that this deficit is due to depletion of high energy phosphate in muscle and that the oxygen consumption is increased by an increase in phosphate acceptor was tested in the perfused dog gastrocnemius. Oxygen deficit was calculated from change in lactic acid and high energy phosphate after 2 minutes contraction. Oxygen deficit was calculated from oxygen consumption determined at 5-second intervals by measurement of blood flow and arteriovenous difference. For exercise, the muscle was stimulated at 300 cycles/second for 1-second intervals with 1 second rest. In 14 experiments, the average values of lactic acid were 14.2 mg % at rest, and 29.2 mg % during stimulation. The calculated deficit was 2.3 cc O2/100 g muscle, and the measured deficit was 2.2 cc O2/100 g muscle.
A 40-Year-Old Woman With Multiple Pulmonary Nodules

A 40-year-old woman (a nonsmoker) with history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and a platelet count > 90,000 cells/μL without specific medication was referred to pulmonary clinic for evaluation of multiple pulmonary nodules. The patient presented to an outside hospital with fatigue, lack of energy, and dyspnea on exertion for 2 years. She denied fever, cough, chest pain, or weight loss. An initial chest radiograph showed bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules. A chest CT scan revealed multiple nodular lesions, varying in size, in all lobes of both lungs. There was no mediastinal lymphadenopathy or pleural effusion. There was no significant hypermetabolic activity on a subsequent fluorodeoxyglucose PET scan/CT scan, and there had been no significant change. She underwent CT scan-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsy and bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies, all of which were inconclusive. An open lung biopsy was considered.
SETA is a multifunctional adapter protein with three SH3 domains that binds Grb2, Cbl, and the novel SB1 proteins

Expression of the src homology 3 (SH3)-encoding, expressed in tumorigenic astrocytes (SETA) gene is associated with astrocyte transformation in culture and tumors in the adult brain. SETA binds to the apoptosis regulator apoptosis-linked gene 2 (ALG-2) interacting protein 1 (AIP1), and modulates apoptosis in astrocytes. The predicted protein structure of SETA revealed two SH3 domains, while related proteins were reported to have three. Here we report the identification of an additional SH3 domain N-terminal to the previously identified SETA sequence. Yeast two-hybrid screening of a p53(-/-) astrocyte cDNA library with this SH3 domain identified a novel gene, SETA binding protein 1 (SB1), with 55% amino acid identity to the renal tumor antigen, NY-REN-45. In vitro confrontation and co-immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the binding of SB1 to SETA. Evidence that SETA binds to the CD2 protein, the proto-oncogene c-Cbl, and the signal transduction molecule Grb2, and can dimerize via its C-terminal coiled coil (CC) domain is also presented.
Characterization of flue gas desulfurization particulates in equalization basins

Abstract Particulates in pilot-scale flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber water were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and size analysis based on Stokes’ Law after settling in an equalization basin of a pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system. Three sources were interpreted for specific particle types identified in samples analyzed: FGD wet scrubbing processes, coal combustion byproducts, and uncombusted material from coal. Gypsum (CaSO 4 · 2H 2 O) from the FGD scrubbing process comprises ∼95% of the particulates. Iron oxide particles and cenospheres in the particulate samples are interpreted as coal combustion products. Particles interpreted as originating from unburned coal contain carbon and metals including Zn and Fe. The most abundant elements in the particulates analyzed are O, C, Ca, S, Fe, and Si, with maximum mean content of individual elements ranging from 13% to 70% among particle types. Less abundant elements include Al, K, Mg, Ti, and Mo, with maximum mean content from 0.1% to 3.8%.
A system for measuring the frequencies of tandem and non-tandem double base substitutions induced by ultraviolet irradiation.

A system based on missense suppressor mutations affecting an Escherichia coli glycine tRNA was used for measuring the relative frequencies of a single base substitution, a tandem double base substitution and a non-tandem double base substitution all occurring in the same triplet and in the same mutagenic treatment. RNA sequencing studies reported here have shown that the glyUsuGAA mutation results from a CCC→TTC tandem double substitution in the anticodon region of the gene coding for tRNA GGG Gly . Thus the suGAA allele, like the previously characterized suGAG and suAGA alleles of glyU, affects the tRNA anticodon in the manner anticipated from the coding specificity. The system for measuring relative frequencies of the three suppressor mutations entails the mutagenic treatment of a culture lysogenic for a λ transducing phage carrying glyU+, the wild type tRNA gene. Following mutagenesis the culture is induced for phage production and the resulting lysate assayed for phage carrying any one of the three suppressor alleles. An important feature of the system is that it circumvents the problem of distinguishing the rare double mutations from the more abundant background. We have found that with doses of ultraviolet irradiation sufficient to reduce the viable cell count 98–99%, the tandem double base substitution (suGAA) occurs 0.01 as frequently as the single (suGAG). The tandem double substitution occurs about 4 times more frequently than the nontandem double substitution (suAGA).
Outlining a Brain Model of Mental Imaging Abilities

This paper outlines a brain model of mental imaging abilities by reviewing neuropsychological evidence of the association and dissociation between mental imaging processes and known perceptual mechanisms; differentiating between visual-mode and auditory-mode thought systems; pointing to brain arousal systems involved in waking and dream imaging; and exploring pre-frontal involvement in deliberate imaging and cognitive state monitoring. In the process, the paper develops an emerging distinction between objective-imagery and subjective-imagery abilities. It ends by suggesting possible brain models for in-born and clinical loss of subjective imaging abilities.
Predictive value of computed tomography in visual outcome in indirect traumatic optic neuropathy complicated with periorbital facial bone fracture

Abstract The visual outcome of 39 patients who had unilateral indirect type traumatic optic neuropathy and periorbital facial bone fracture treated at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung between June 1996 and June 2001 was retrospectively evaluated, based on the results of computed tomography studies that grouped the associated fractures as anterior orbital fracture, posterior orbital fracture, orbital blow-in or blow-out fracture. Pretreatment and posttreatment visual acuities were obtained from the medical records and measurements of visual improvement degree and percentage were calculated after converting the visual acuities into log of the minimum angle of resolution (log MAR) units. This study reveals that posterior orbital fracture is associated with a worse prognosis in visual outcome than anterior orbital fracture, with visual improvement degree and percentage being 0.86 ± 0.17 log MAR and 34.2 ± 1.7% versus 1.56 ± 0.27 log MAR and 58.9 ± 1.7%, respectively (P = 0.02 and 0.004). Blow-in fractures such as an impacted lateral orbital wall did not predict significant deterioration in visual outcome. In addition, orbital floor or medial wall blow-out fractures did not predict significant improvement in visual outcome.
Vicinal deuterium isotope effects on proton chemical shifts

Abstract Vicinal isotope shifts are presented for a number of compounds, including ethyl and isopropyl acetates, lactic acid, and acetaldehyde. Upfield proton chemical shifts of from 0 to 15 × 10−3 ppm per vicinal deuteron are observed. Inverse substitution of 2H for 1H leads to a remarkably different isotope shift per vicinal deuteron.
Evidence of a dominant negative mutant of yeast methionine aminopeptidase type 2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Eukaryotic methionine aminopeptidase type 2 (MetAP2, MetAP2 gene (MAP2)), together with eukaryotic MetAP1, cotranslationally hydrolyzes initiator methionine from nascent polypeptides when the side chain of the second residue is small and uncharged. In this report, we took advantage of the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) map1 null strain's reliance on MetAP2 activity for the growth and viability to provide evidence of the first dominant negative mutant of eukaryotic MetAP2. Replacement of the conserved His174 with alanine within the C-terminal catalytic domain of yeast MetAP2 eliminated detectable catalytic activity against a peptide substrate in vitro. Overexpression of MetAP2 (H174A) under the strong GPD promoter in a yeast map1 null strain was lethal, whereas overexpression under the weaker GAL1 promoter slightly inhibited map1 null growth. Deletion mutants further revealed that the N-terminal region of MetAP2 (residues 2–57) is essential but not sufficient for MetAP2 (H174A) to fully interfere with map1 null growth. Together, these results indicate that catalytically inactive MetAP2 is a dominant negative mutant that requires its N-terminal region to interfere with wild-type MetAP2 function. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Spatial data constraints: Implications for measuring broadband

The accurate determination of where broadband telecommunication services are available in the United States continues to be a significant challenge. Existing data regarding broadband provision, such as that provided by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) simply designate ZIP codes with at least one high-speed Internet subscriber. As ZIP code areas vary greatly in size and shape, the lack of geographic specificity as to exactly where broadband is available, particularly within ZIP code areas, confounds communications policymaking. Further, there are a number of additional geographic nuances concerning broadband availability that also inhibit empirical examination and policy generation, including the spatial limitations of digital subscriber line services. The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the issues concerning broadband measurement in the United States and provide an empirical analysis of several spatial data constraints that must be accounted for when interpreting and constructing public telecommunications policy.
Coordinated power management of periodic real-time tasks on chip multiprocessors

In this paper, we undertake the problem of minimizing system-level energy on chip-multicore processors (CMPs) executing a periodic real-time workload. Our framework has two components: i.) a static phase that selects a subset of cores upon which the workload can be executed without dissipating excessive static power and performs task-to-core allocation, ii.) a dynamic phase that involves managing the selected cores at run-time through coordinated power management framework that exploits Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) as well as multiple idle states offered by modern CMP architectures, to reduce the dynamic power. We explicitly consider the unique traits of the currently available CMP architectures that distinguish them from multiprocessors, including the unique voltage level shared by the cores and its implications for DVFS. We identify the global energy-efficient frequency which indicates the minimum frequency level at which concurrent execution on multiple cores should take place to preserve the efficiency of DVFS. Then we propose two algorithms CVFS and CVFS* to minimize the dynamic energy consumption through concerted use of DVFS and idle states. Our experimental evaluation indicates that our framework can provide significant gains in system energy.
The Israeli War Machine in Lebanon

The swell and wake of war will always beckon military analysts to distill the "lessons" of combat. The Palestine-Israel War of 1982 is no exception, but for a number of reasons the "lessons" are not yet clear. For one, temporal proximity to a still simmering conflict makes it difficult to obtain accurate information concerning many aspects of the conduct of the war. Secondly, disinformation, a common mode of propaganda in wartime, was pervasive. For example, the Israelis described their anabasis as "Peace for Galilee," and characterized the enemy as barbaric and cowardly, incompetent and very powerful. The manifestation of these phenomena was exemplified by the Israeli government's public display of captured weaponryl and the denial to Palestinian military personnel of Prisoner-of-War status under the articles of the Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory. Furthermore, Israeli casualties were often translated into equivalents of American casualties. For example, when Israeli casualties were 320 killed we were informed that this was the equivalent of several thousand American dead. A similar equivalency was not provided for Palestinian casualties. Finally, a phenomenon common in the aftermath of the October 1973 war has reappeared: the loser is declaring or at least enjoying a kind of
Geomorphology and geo-archeology at Elandsbaai Western Cape, South Africa

The external geomorphic record of the Elandsbaai area includes a variety of slope rubbles, colluvia, littoral-eolian deposits, fossil beaches, cambic paleosols and calcretes. Cave deposits additionally include frost-weathered spall, eolian sands, and cultural components, in part dated by14C. Several mid-Pleistocene cold intervals led to large-scale frost-weathering of cliff faces and mobilization of 15° block rubbles or grezes litees along footslopes. During the late Pleistocene cold intervals (deep-sea isotope stages 5b and 4) slope transfer was limited to stony colluvial deposits with some block talus, while frost-weathering was subdued. A +6m sea level with thermophile mollusca, marking isotope stage 5e, includes lagoonal gypsum, indicative of drier climate. Most eolian deposits were related to marine transgressions and the last major eolian phase occurred 12,500 – 8000 B.P., with probable parallels at the very beginning of isotope stages 7 and 5e. Deep cambic paleosols formed during part of isotope stage 7 and during 5c or 5d, while calcretes formed later during stage 7 and again during 5a. Middle Stone Age occupation is recorded during isotope stages 6 and 5b, while Later Stone Age settlement began well before 21,000 B.P., with a major shift from continental to littoral subsistence after 11,000 B.P..
Control of surface expression of functional groups on silica particles

The effect of the time of addition of organosilanes to silica particle formation reaction mixtures on the resulting surface availability of the added functional groups was investigated. Base catalyzed particle formation was initiated by the addition of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to a water-in-oil microemulsion. Subsequently, amine, mono-carboxylate, ethylenediaminetriacetic acid, or dihydroimidazole-terminated organosilanes were added to the microemulsion. Continuous growth in size of monodispersed spherical particles over time was monitored by transmission electron microscopy and light-scattering measurements. Surface primary amine and carboxylate groups on the resulting particles were labeled with fluorescamine and 1-pyrenyldiazomethane (PDAM), respectively, and the effect of varying the time of organosilane addition to the microemulsion was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. The effect of the time of organosilane addition on surface expression of dihydroimidazole groups was determined using a direct titration method. The results demonstrate that the degree of surface functionalization of the silica particles varied with the time of organosilane addition. For each type of amine terminated organosilane used, the highest surface availability of organo-functional groups was obtained when the organosilane was added 30 min after particle growth was initialized. A progressive decrease in the surface availability of primary amine groups was observed when 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) was added later than 30 min after particle formation was initiated. For each type of carboxylate-terminated organosilane used, the highest surface availability of organo-functional groups was obtained when the organosilane was added 5.5 h after particle growth was initialized.
On optimal scheduling of multiple mobile chargers in wireless sensor networks

The limited battery capacities of sensor nodes have become the biggest impediment to the applications of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) over the years. Recent breakthroughs in wireless energy transfer-based rechargeable batteries provide a promising application of mobile vehicles in WSNs. These mobile vehicles act as mobile chargers to transfer energy wirelessly to static sensors in an efficient way. In this paper, we study the mobile charger coverage problem of sensor nodes distributed on a 1-dimensional line and ring. Each sensor needs to be recharged at a given frequency. A mobile charger can charge a sensor after it moves to the location of the sensor. We assume that the mobile charger has an unlimited charging capability, moves at a speed subject to a given limit, and that the charging time is negligible. An optimization problem is then presented on a time-space coverage of sensors so that none of them will run out of energy: (1) What is the minimum number of mobile chargers needed? (2) Given the minimum number of mobile chargers, how should these mobile chargers be scheduled in terms of trajectory planning? Given homogeneous sensors with the same recharging frequency, we provide an optimal solution with a linear complexity in finding the minimum number of charges, as well as the actual schedule. We then examine an extension to heterogeneous sensors and provide a greedy approach that has a constant ratio of 2 to the optimal solutions for a line and ring. Extensive simulations are conducted to verify the competitive performance of the proposed scheme.
Update: The diagnosis and management of dengue virus infection in North America

Abstract Dengue is a mosquito-transmitted infection that poses significant global health risks for travelers and individuals living in the tropics and subtropics. The reported global incidence has increased dramatically in the past century, with dengue now ranking as the most common cause of febrile illness in travelers. While sporadic cases have been reported within the southern United States since 1980, autochthonous outbreaks have now been described in Hawaii, St. Croix (US Virgin Islands), along the Texas–Mexico border, and, most recently, in Key West, Florida. Although many infections are mild or asymptomatic, 5–10% of patients may experience hemorrhagic disease, with shock and even death. Laboratory identification commonly involves serologic and nucleic acid amplification methods. Due to rising incidence worldwide, physicians should be familiar with the clinical manifestations, laboratory diagnosis, and management of this illness.
Reactive Impedance Surface TM Mode Slow Wave for Patch Antenna Miniaturization [AMTA Corner]

This paper presents a two-layer mushroom-like reactive impedance surface (RIS) and its application to patch-antenna miniaturization. A reactive impedance surface, known as a meta-substrate, has been shown to present the ability to miniaturize printed antennas when serving as the substrate for the antenna. However, the area of conventional reactiveimpedance- surface substrates is usually much larger than that of the miniaturized antenna. Here, a reactive impedance surface with very small unit-cell dimensions (a cell area reduction of 95.6%, compared to a traditional reactive impedance surface) is proposed, and utilized to design a miniaturized antenna over a reactive-impedance-surface substrate with the same size as the antenna itself. The two-layer mushroom-like reactive impedance surface is analyzed theoretically and numerically. The reflection phase diagram of the reactive-impedance-surface substrate and the reactive impedance surface/PEC parallel plate waveguide are studied to verify the analytic model. It is shown to have a high propagation constant near the resonant frequency of the reactive impedance surface. The effect of vias in the mushroom-like reactive impedance surface is also discussed. Applying the two-layer reactive-impedance-surface substrate and an optimized miniaturized patch antenna topology, several UHF-band patch antennas, working around 400 MHz, were designed and fabricated. Using this approach, a miniaturized antenna with dimensions λ0/11.4×0/11.4×}0/74, including the reactive-impedance-surface substrate, was developed.
Current concepts in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a significant medical problem with a high mortality. The primary diagnostic code for AAA accounts for approximately 150,000 inpatient hospital admissions per year. The most recent published data from the National Vital Statistics Report on Deaths from the year 2000 show that AAAs and aortic dissection composed the tenth leading cause of death in white men 65 to 74 years old and accounted for nearly 16,000 deaths overall. The year 2000 National Hospital Discharge Summary reports more than 30,000 open operations for repair of AAAs in the United States. Understanding the cause of AAAs therefore becomes an important undertaking. The pathogenesis of AAAs is complex and multifactorial. Histologically, AAAs are characterized by destruction of elastin and collagen in the media and adventitia, smooth muscle cell loss with thinning of the medial wall, infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages, and neovascularization. Inflammation is a common underlying feature of both aneurysm disease and atherosclerosis. However, atherosclerosis is primarily found within the intima and media, whereas aneurysm disease typically affects the media and adventitia. A National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Request for Applications (HL-99-007) entitled “Pathogenesis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms” identified four mechanisms relevant to AAA formation: proteolytic degradation of aortic wall connective tissue, inflammation and immune responses, biomechanical wall stress, and molecular genetics. PROTEOLYTIC DEGRADATION OF AORTIC WALL CONNECTIVE TISSUE
Variation Propagation Analysis on Compliant Assemblies Considering Contact Interaction

Dimensional variation is inherent to any manufacturing process. In order to minimize its impact on assembly products is important to understand how it propagates through the assembly process. Unfortunately, manufacturing processes are complex and in many cases highly non-linear. Traditional assembly models have represented assembly as a linear process. However, assemblies that include the contact between their components and tools show a highly non-linear response. This paper presents a new assembly methodology considering the contact effect. In addition, an efficient to predict output response is presented. The enhance dimension reduction method (eDR) is used to accurately and efficiently predict the statistical response of the assembly to variation on the input parameters.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The Bank Lending Channel in a Partially Dollarized Economy

This paper studies the transmission of monetary policy through the bank-lending channel in a partially dollarized banking system. Taking advantage of the cross-sectional and timeseries variation in individual Mexican bank balance sheets, I find that the deposits and loans of banks that have a larger share of foreign currency deposits are less sensitive to domestic monetary shocks, particularly for small banks. The results also suggest that banks with a larger foreign deposit share are more sensitive to foreign (U.S.) monetary shocks and Mexican country risk. The results indicate a novel way in which monetary policy has real effects in a partially dollarized economy: Not only are banks unable to easily replace insured deposits with other sources of funds because of information frictions (the conventional bank lending channel), but they are also unable to fully offset a loss of domestic currency deposits with foreign currency deposits. An online appendix is available.
Variations in Style Number and Other Gynoecial Structures of Lychnis alba

Consistent variations in style number (from the typical five), ranging from zero to ten, inclusive, are found in ovaries of Lychnis alba flowers. The number of carpels, placentae, and vascular strands of a given ovary usually varied directly with the number of its styles.
Some Considerations of Analyticity in the Many-Fermion Problem

The analytic properties of Feynman amplitudes in the many-fermion problem are investigated by means of techniques recently developed for use in field theory. A prescription is given for calculation of discontinuities across branch cuts. This prescription leads to a reformulation of the theory in terms of quasi-particles; but considerations of unitarity are no longer so simple as they are in field theories dealing with stable particles. These analytic methods turn out to be very useful in electron transport problems.
Simplified Bulb Tracer System for Argon Analyses

THIS communication describes a simplified and inexpensive bulb-tracer system used for argon analyses in the potassium–argon age-determination laboratory of the United States Geological Survey. The system is easy to build and operate, and is portable. The cost of the tracer system, including the argon-38, is less than 50.00 dollars, so the unit cost per tracer is low. In the past year we have made more than 300 tracers, and we expect to make at least 300 more before refilling the bulb.
Effect of diesel soot contaminated oil on engine wear

Abstract Contamination of lubricating oil by diesel soot is one of the major causes of increased engine wear, especially with most engine manufacturers opting for Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology to curb oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. The diesel soot interacts with engine oil and ultimately leads to wear of engine parts. Factors which can change or modify the characteristics of the soot surface are expected to play an important role in controlling the interactions with soot. Hence, it is important to study the interactions between soot and oil additives in order to develop high performance diesel engine oils for engines equipped with EGR. A statistically designed experiment was developed to study the effects of soot contaminated engine oil on wear. The variables that were considered were the base stock (groups I and II), dispersant level, and zinc dithiophosphate (ZDP) level. The above three variables were formulated at two levels: low (−1) and high (1), which resulted in 23 matrix (8 oil blends). In order to study the non-linear effect of soot, it was considered as a variable and was tested at three levels: low (−1), medium (0), and high (1). This resulted in testing of 24 oil samples. A three-body wear machine was used to simulate and estimate the extent of wear quantitatively. The extent of wear was measured as the actual loss of material, in grams. A second set of experiments were performed on a milling machine (ball-on-flat disk setup). The wear scars formed on the steel balls were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and were analyzed qualitatively to determine the effect of soot contaminated oils on wear. The results obtained were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the statistical analysis system (SAS) package to determine the significance of variables on wear. The analysis indicated that wear increased nonlinearly as the amount of soot increased. Cumulative wear was more for samples with soot contamination than without soot contamination. This showed a detrimental effect of soot on the oil blends wear performance. The SAS analysis showed that the base stock and soot content were the most significant variables affecting wear. Dispersant and ZDP levels were also found to be significant. The highest wear resulted from a sample that had 4% soot.
‘To honor and glorify God’: the role of religion in one intercollegiate athletics culture

Numerous events have provided evidence that the cultural values and assumptions of intercollegiate athletic departments are often incongruent with those of their host institutions. This discrepancy has even been evident in Christian institutions which seek to integrate faith into the learning experience. Using the organizational culture perspective, this study sought to determine how religion influenced the culture of one intercollegiate athletics department. The study took place at a highly selective evangelical Christian college with a nationally competitive athletic department. Data were collected through interviews with 19 campus leaders, observation of cultural events and document analysis. Analysis occurred qualitatively through a process of theorizing. The results indicate that evangelical Christianity played a significant role in the athletic department's culture by constraining its membership, influencing its pedagogy and guiding department decisions. As a result, its values and assumptions were ...
Desorption electrospray ionization using an Orbitrap mass spectrometer: Exact mass measurements on drugs and peptides.

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is implemented on an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The ion source is described and applications which utilize the high-resolution capabilities of the Orbitrap are emphasized, including the characterization of peptides and active ingredients in pharmaceutical tablets. Measurements are made in less than 1 s at a resolution of 60 000. The implications of the data for the mechanisms of DESI are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple-order imaging for optical critical dimension metrology using microscope characterization

There has been much recent work in developing advanced optical metrology applications that use imaging optics for optical critical dimension (OCD) measurements, defect detection, and for potential use with in-die metrology applications. We have previously reported quantitative measurements for sub-50 nm CD dense arrays which scatter only the 0th-order specular diffraction component using angle-resolved scatterfield microscopy. Through angle-resolved and focus-resolved imaging, we now measure OCD targets with three-dimensional scattered fields that contain multiple Fourier frequencies. Experimental sensitivity to nanometer scale linewidth changes is presented, supported by simulation studies. A new, more advanced approach to tool normalization is coupled with rigorous electromagnetic simulations and library based regression fitting that potentially enables OCD measurements with sub-nanometer uncertainties for targets that scatter multiple Fourier frequencies.
Cognitive function testing in adult brain tumor trials: lessons from a comprehensive review

Neurocognitive function (NCF) impairment is an important component of primary and metastatic brain tumors and their therapeutic interventions. As a result, modern clinical trials of cranial irradiation for adult cancer patients have incorporated NCF testing as a primary or secondary end point. In doing so, these clinical trials have provided a novel insight into our understanding of the NCF effects of cranial irradiation and brain tumor progression. In this article, we review these clinical trials both in terms of the trial findings and in terms of the types of NCF tests used in these trials. We also provide an introduction to the strengths and limitations of these NCF tests, as well as expert commentary on the current status and future directions of NCF testing in brain tumor trials.
Alfvén Irregularities near the Plasmapause and their Significance in Geomagnetic Micropulsations

IT is well known that the variation of the Alfven index (or velocity) with equatorial altitude displays a minimum (or maximum) at a height of 2,000–3,000 km1, forming a hydromagnetic waveguide or resonator between this height and the base of the F2-region. Another minimum (or maximum) denned fairly sharply in the form of a “hump” at the plasmapause has recently been pointed out2,3, with some indication of the propagation of geomagnetic micropulsations at the location of this anomaly4.