cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Co-site Interference Between Aperture Antennas on a Faceted Convex Surface

The uniform geometrical theory of diffraction (UTD) is applied to predict co-site interference between aperture antennas on a faceted conducting convex surface. The proposed approach involves integration of the asymptotic Green's functions predicted based on the UTD solution for mutual coupling on a rectangular aperture. The UTD results for co-site interference between aperture antennas are compared with those of the multilevel fast multi-pole method (MLFMM) obtained using FEKO commercial electromagnetic simulation software for validation.
Real-time Image Denoising of Mixed Poisson-Gaussian Noise in Fluorescence Microscopy Images using ImageJ

Fluorescence microscopy imaging speed is fundamentally limited by the measurement signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To improve image SNR for a given image acquisition rate, computational denoising techniques can be used to suppress noise. However, analytical techniques to estimate a denoised image from a single frame are either computationally expensive or rely on simple noise statistical models. These models assume Poisson or Gaussian noise statistics, which are not appropriate for many fluorescence microscopy applications that contain quantum shot noise and electronic Johnson-Nyquist noise, and therefore a mixture of Poisson and Gaussian noise. In this paper, we show convolutional neural networks (CNNs) trained on mixed Poisson and Gaussian noise images to overcome the limitations of existing image denoising methods. The trained CNN is presented as an open-source ImageJ plugin that performs instant image denoising (within tens of milliseconds) with superior performance (~8.1 dB SNR improvement) compared to the conventional fluorescence microscopy denoising methods. The method is validated on external datasets with out-of-distribution noise and contrast from the training data and consistently achieves high performance (>8dB) denoising in less time than other fluorescence microscopy denoising methods.
Analytics for audit and business controls in corporate travel & entertainment

Travel and Entertainment (T&E) expenses are under increasing scrutiny as one of the largest controllable indirect expenses in a firm. This involves internal audits and analysis by business controls personnel to identify fraud and misuse and to take appropriate corrective actions. We have developed a set of statistical models to identify suspicious behavior for further investigation. Our Behavioral Shift Models (BSM) leverage domain knowledge in the form of simple, generic templates that represent classes of fraud and abuse. The emphasis is on robustly detecting repeated, out-of-the-norm behaviors as opposed to single instance occurrences. In this paper, we describe the application of these models and characterize their detection capabilities empirically. We also present validated results and insights generated by our approach when applied to production data from multiple firms for several T&E scenarios.
Legislative Primacy: A Neglected Alternative to Judicial Supremacy

Most constitutional theorists fail to consider adequately institutional reforms that would strengthen the position of elected officials relative to judges. Because they associate judicial review with judges' performing a valuable checking function, they assume that judicial authority must have some priority. These theorists, therefore, debate whether elected officials have authority to interpret the Constitution and do not consider seriously the argument for legislative supremacy. Indeed, people mistakenly assume that we would eliminate judicial review by assigning priority to legislative interpretations, when legislative supremacy, or what I will call legislative primacy, is in fact an alternative to judicial supremacy. By focusing on the relative institutional position of judges and elected officials, the essay illustrates that judges would be in a position to check elected institutions, even in a regime that allowed legislators to override judicial interpretations of constitutional law. This perspective also reveals that the Judiciary's institutional position is a source of instability in the current regime, a regime that assigns priority to neither judicial nor legislative interpretations. It raises considerable obstacles for those who wish to challenge the status quo that judges set when they interpret the Constitution. And people become frustrated and, perhaps consider themselves disenfranchised, when judicial decisions thwart their efforts to advance competing conceptions of constitutional doctrine.
Experimental analysis of social reinforcement: terms and methods.

A set of operational and functional terms useful in describing social behavior is defined. New methods of directly recording and programing social rein-forcers are briefly described. The emergent properties of social over nonsocial reinforcement require new terms and methods and a higher order discipline.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia — A Brief History

Leukemia was first recognized as a distinct nosological entity in the early part of the 19th century and some of the early descriptions are highly suggestive of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The first important contribution to understanding the biological basis of CML was the discovery of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome in 1960. Almost equally important was the demonstration in 1973 that it resulted from a reciprocal translocation involving chromosomes 9 and 22. In the 1980s a “breakpoint cluster region” of the Ph chromosome was defined and this led fairly rapidly to the recognition that patients with CML had in their leukemia cells an acquired BCR-ABL fusion gene that was expressed as a protein with greatly enhanced tyrosine kinase activity. In 1990 BCR-ABL was shown to induce CML in murine models, thereby proving its central role in disease causation. Treatment for CML in the 19th century was rudimentary. The only agent known to be effective was arsenic. Radiotherapy and subsequently alkylating agents and hydroxyurea became the mainstay of therapy from the beginning of the 20th century until the advent of interferon-alfa in the early 1980s. During the 1980s it also became clear that allogeneic stem cell transplantation, though not without risk of mortality, could result in long-term disease-free survival and probably cure for selected patients. The introduction to the clinic of the original tyrosine kinase inhibitor (STI571, now imatinib) in 1998 has revolutionized approaches to the management of the newly diagnosed patient with CML in chronic phase.
Whiteness and Farmers Markets: Performances, Perpetuations … Contestations?

Abstract: Academics and activists highlight the potential for alternative agrifood movements to contribute to the evolving coalescence of justice and sustainability. This potential, however, is constrained by what scholars have identified as the prevalent whiteness of such movements. This paper uses ethnographic research at two northern California farmers markets to investigate how whiteness is performed and perpetuated through the movements’ discourses and practices. We found that many managers, vendors and customers hold notions of what farmers and community members should be that both reflect and inform an affluent, liberal habitus of whiteness. Although whiteness pervades these spaces, we have also witnessed individual discourses and acts of solidarity and anti-racism, as well as fledgling institutional efforts to contest white cultural dominance. We conclude by discussing the potential of farmers markets to create an anti-racist politics of food.
Computer simulation and experimental validation of stretch flanging

The axisymmetric stretch flanging process is a common secondary operation in sheet metal stamping. The process is characterized by a uniaxial state of stress at the edge of the flange. An approximate analysis, based on the assumption that the state of stress throughout the flange is mainly uniaxial, is used to model the stretch flanging (second step) process. The approximation is derived from the total strain membrane theory of plasticity which incorporates strain hardening and normal anisotropy of the material. Under such conditions, flangeability is controlled by the tensile elongation of the metal and is limited by localized necking or fracture of the flanged edge. The analysis includes a stretching limit criterion to determine the flanging limit of the material. The influence of prestretching (first step) on flangeability is modeled using the membrane shell theory with axisymmetric deformation to solve the contact condition in stretch forming. Inputs to the model are a desired flange profile, material properties, and sheet thickness. The output includes the feasibility of the flanging operation, any requirements for prestretching and the size of the trim radius needed to successfully flange the profile. The model is verified by experimental results.
THE EFFECT OF LACTIC ACID ON MONONUCLEAR CELL SECRETION OF TNFα IN RESPONSE TO GROUP B STREPTOCOCCI. • 1733

THE EFFECT OF LACTIC ACID ON MONONUCLEAR CELL SECRETION OF TNFα IN RESPONSE TO GROUP B STREPTOCOCCI. • 1733
Planning a group: An instructional project for graduate students

Abstract This article describes an instructional project that adds interest and practicality to a didactic group counseling course.
Quadratic quantum antiferromagnets in the fermionic large-N limit.

We show that SU(N) Heisenberg Hamiltonians with arbitrary-range quadratic antiferromagnetic couplings (i.e., H=${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}_{(\mathit{i},\mathit{j})}$${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{ij}}$${\mathbf{S}}_{\mathit{i}}$\ensuremath{\cdot}${\mathbf{S}}_{\mathit{j}}$\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0), with ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{i}\mathit{j}}$g0) possess highly degenerate ``dimerized'' ground states in the fermionic infinite-N limit on a large class of lattices that includes all Bravais lattices in arbitrary dimension. These states break translational but not spin-rotational symmetry.
Virial test of the interpolation formulas for the correlation energy of a paramagnetic electron liquid.

The virial theorem is used to calculate the potential and kinetic energies of a paramagnetic electron liquid from the interpolation formulas for the correlation energy proposed by Wigner, by Nozi\`eres and Pines, and by Vosko, Wilk, and Nusair to check directly against the Monte Carlo data of Ceperley. The maximum errors for the potential energy from these formulas are found to be 29, 17, and 6 mRy, respectively, in the density range 1\ensuremath{\le}${r}_{s}$\ensuremath{\le}10.
Malignant Thymoma: A Complicated Triad of SVC Syndrome, Cardiac Tamponade, and DIC

A patient presented with multisystem disease due to a very aggressive malignant thymoma. The case was complicated by the triad of cardiac tamponade, superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A review of the English literature reveals this to be a unique constellation of clinical symptoms and that DIC was heretofore unreported.
The validity of mitochondrial dehydrogenases as antimalarial drug targets.

Mitochondrial functions in malaria parasites have remained a matter of academic interest and occasional controversy. Although mitochondria in the blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum do not seem to contribute to the cellular ATP pool, the mitochondrial electron-transport chain (mtETC) is a validated target for antimalarial drugs [1]. Therefore, components of the mtETC are legitimate subjects of careful studies. A recent Opinion article by Fisher et al. in Trends in Parasitology[2] discussed the role of type II NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (PfNDH2) in mtETC.
A simple phenomenological model for the interpretation of ion neutralization spectra

Abstract We present here a simple model for the interpretation of ion neutralization spectra. We take into account the fact that the neutralization process depends on both the density of states and the orbital size and takes place continuously at all surface-ion separation distances at which the ion and metal orbitals overlap. The model is applied to the calculation of the density of states of the Ni(111) surface.
Effects of Water Level Manipulation on Abundance, Mortality, and Growth of Young-of-Year Largemouth Bass in West Point Reservoir, Alabama-Georgia

Abstract Water level manipulation was examined as a potential management technique for increasing recruitment of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a reservoir where prey availability and utilization were major factors influencing the largemouth bass population. Raising the water level above normal summer pool inundated terrestrial vegetation and provided cover for young-of-year (YOY) largemouth bass. A positive relationship was observed between early survival of YOY largemouth bass and water level during the spawning period. In the post-spawning period, survival rate and abundance of YOY were related directly to water level, but growth was inversely affected. Average standing stock of YOY largemouth bass in August was similar during the 5 years of study, indicating the system supports a particular biomass, and growth decreased when greater number of young were added through enhanced survival. Results of this study suggest that, unless carrying capacity and food availability for YOY largemouth bas...
Interfacing a microcomputer with the varian E-line series EPR spectrometer

Abstract A number of computers and signal averagers suitable for EPR data acquisition and analysis are presently available, but all suffer from disadvantages of high cost and/or low flexibility. We have developed an alternative data system, which is based on the 16-bit LSI-11 microprocessor, and which provides a far superior alternative both in terms of economy and flexibility of application. This report describes the details of the interface between a DEC PDP 11VO3 microcomputer and a Varian Century Series EPR spectrometer. The basic computer system consists of the LSI-11 CPU, 16K or more of RAM memory, dual floppy disks, console, oscilloscope for video display, and a commercially available interface board. This interface board, which plugs directly into the LSI-11 bus, has 16 analog-to-digital channels with 12-bit resolution , as well as two 12-bit digital-to-analog converters. The subroutines which control the functions of this interface board are written in MACRO assembly language, while the main programs and other subroutines are written in FORTRAN. Programs have been written for signal averaging, spectral smoothing, baseline correction, scaled plotting, stacked plotting, spectral addition/subraction, spectral integration, peak search, spectral viewing on the scope and simulation of EPR spectra in solution. Several applications of this system are described.
Regulation of xanthine dehydrogenase levels in liver and pancreas of the chick.

Abstract Xanthine dehydrogenase activity in the liver and pancreas of the chick has been shown to flactuate upon starvation and refeeding. Using combined isotope labeling an immunochemical approaches, a study has been made of the rates of synthesis and degradation of bulk soluble protein and xanthine dehydrogenase in both of these tissues. The increase in liver xanthine dehadrogenasee specific activity during starvation is due to the decrease in size of the organ with no change in the total rate of enzyme synthesis in the organ. The decrease in pancreatic xanthine dehydrogenase activity during starvation is due to a decrease in its rate of synthesis. Also, it was found that the degradation rate of bulk soluble protein in the pancreas increases during starvation. The overshoot in pancreatic xanthine dehydrogenase activity observed on refeeding appears to be due to a rapid return of xanthine dehydrogenase synthesis to normal with a slower return to normal in the rates of soluble protein degradation and synthesis.
Sodium retention following experimental lesions of the precommissural septum in the monkey.

Summary Metabolic balance studies were performed on 7 monkeys before and after excision of the left cerebral hemisphere. Four animals had a marked retention of sodium and chloride and a negative nitrogen balance postoperatively. Three of these developed edema of the contralateral lower extremity. In the other 3 animals no significant metabolic abnormalities or edema were noted. Gross and microscopic examinations of the brains revealed a striking correlation between the retention of sodium and chloride, edema of the contralateral leg, and a negative nitrogen balance with a destructive lesion in the precommissural septal area. When the precommissural septum was spared no metabolic derangements were detected. Four of the seven animals subsequently had excision of the right cerebral hemisphere. Again, correlation of the metabolic effects with a lesion in the precommissural septum was obtained.
Gastrostomy Tube Placement as an Option to Ensure Compliance With Potent Antiretroviral Therapy in Pediatric Patients 900

Gastrostomy Tube Placement as an Option to Ensure Compliance With Potent Antiretroviral Therapy in Pediatric Patients 900
Fission of Whipple's disease rod bodies

A duodenal biopsy from an untreated patient with Whipple's disease was studied by light and electron microscopy. The specimen contained innumerable instances of binary fission of the rod-shaped bodies characteristic of the disease. The findings add further support for a bacterial concept of Whipple's disease.
The preliminary study of modified Swenson procedure in Hirschsprung disease.

Purpose: We have been using the Swenson procedure for more than 3 decades for Hirschsprung disease (HD). Recently, we modified this procedure, leaving the anterior wall below the peritoneal reflection undissected (mSwen). In 2000, we introduced mSwen with laparoscopic guidance (LapmSwen). We hypothesized that (1) omitting anterior wall dissection would not affect postoperative anorectal function, and (2) reduced dissection with better visualization via laparoscopy would reduce operative risks. Method: Charts of 89 patients with Hirschsprung disease operated on between 1990 through 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Comparisons between Swen and mSwen, as well as between mSwen and LapmSwen, were analyzed in terms of operating time, blood loss, and complications. Results: Mean operating times (minutes) were 312 for Swen, 284 for mSwen (P = .152), and 302 for LapmSwen ( mSwen, P = .218). Mean blood loss (mL) were 64.8 for Swen, 60.3 for mSwen (P = .669), and 8.7 for LapmSwen (as compared to mSwen, P = .001). We noted leakage in 7 Swen, 2 mSwen, and no LapmSwen patients. There were no significant differences between Swen and mSwen, or between mSwen and LapmSwen, in the incidence of enterocolitis, constipation, and soiling. Conclusion: LapmSwen appeared to be comparable to the standard and modified Swenson procedures in most measures. Operative blood loss may be reduced in the LapmSwen approach.
Next Generation Sequencing to Define Prokaryotic and Fungal Diversity in the Bovine Rumen

A combination of Sanger and 454 sequences of small subunit rRNA loci were used to interrogate microbial diversity in the bovine rumen of 12 cows consuming a forage diet. Observed bacterial species richness, based on the V1–V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene, was between 1,903 to 2,432 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) when 5,520 reads were sampled per animal. Eighty percent of species-level OTUs were dominated by members of the order Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, Erysipelotrichales and unclassified TM7. Abundance of Prevotella species varied widely among the 12 animals. Archaeal species richness, also based on 16S rRNA, was between 8 and 13 OTUs, representing 5 genera. The majority of archaeal OTUs (84%) found in this study were previously observed in public databases with only two new OTUs discovered. Observed rumen fungal species richness, based on the 18S rRNA gene, was between 21 and 40 OTUs with 98.4–99.9% of OTUs represented by more than one read, using Good’s coverage. Examination of the fungal community identified numerous novel groups. Prevotella and Tannerella were overrepresented in the liquid fraction of the rumen while Butyrivibrio and Blautia were significantly overrepresented in the solid fraction of the rumen. No statistical difference was observed between the liquid and solid fractions in biodiversity of archaea and fungi. The survey of microbial communities and analysis of cross-domain correlations suggested there is a far greater extent of microbial diversity in the bovine rumen than previously appreciated, and that next generation sequencing technologies promise to reveal novel species, interactions and pathways that can be studied further in order to better understand how rumen microbial community structure and function affects ruminant feed efficiency, biofuel production, and environmental impact.
Diabetic microvascular complications—can the presence of one predict the development of another?

The number of people with diabetes is increasing dramatically worldwide. The rising prevalence of obesity in childhood and adolescence has also been linked to a startling increase in the number of diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes in these younger age groups. Despite the introduction of treatment strategies, diabetes remains a major cause of new-onset blindness, end-stage renal disease, and lower leg amputation, all of which contribute to the excess morbidity and mortality in people with diabetes. Furthermore, the management of diabetes-related complications generates substantial costs. In order that timely treatment can be given, it is essential that patients at risk for the development of diabetic microvascular complications are identified earlier. Diabetes duration and glycemic, blood pressure, and lipid control have consistently been shown to correlate with diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy, but to date, the relationship of one diabetic microvascular complication to another has not been clearly described. A review of the literature has raised the question that apart from other known risk factors, there is a possible relationship among the diabetic microvascular complications themselves, and this appears to be much stronger than the sparse published data on it would suggest. A scoring system that can predict the development of diabetic microvascular complications may facilitate the early identification of those patients at risk and, consequently, have a positive impact on patients' quality of life and reduce the economic burden of diabetes and its complications.
Regulation of sodium and water excretion by catecholamines

Abstract There is considerable evidence that the renal nerves contribute to the regulation of salt and water excretion by a direct effect on tubular reabsorption, independent of changes in renal hemodynamics. Whereas the effect of the adrenergic nervous system on sodium reabsorption appears to be established in anesthetized animals, it has been suggested that the basal activity of the renal sympathetic nerves in conscious dogs is too low to have a significant effect on sodium reabsorption by the proximal tubules. However, denervation natriuresis and diuresis have recently been demonstrated in conscious euvolemic and conscious volume-expanded rats. The effects of renal nerve stimulation on the handling of sodium and water by the proximal tubule can be mimicked by infusion of the α-adrenergic agonist norepinephrine and prevented by infusion of an α-adrenergic antagonist. This confirms that they are mediated by α-receptors. The adrenergic nervous system may have an independent role in the control of sodium excretion or may be complementary to other systems such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
Stunting of Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch Parr Rearedin Wastewater‐Seawater Ponds

. After entering saline water coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch parr often cease to grow (stunt) and many stunts eventually die. Stunted coho parr occurred in an experimental wastewater-seawater smolt production system constructed in 1971 on the northern arm of Humboldt Bay, Arcata, California, USA. In 1991 many stunted parr (1990 brood) were noted during transfer of juveniles from a 0.02-ha shaded pond used for summer rearing (July-December) to a 0.15-ha unshaded pond used in winter-spring rearing (January-May). The cohort suffered a 42% mortality during summer rearing in low salinity water (7 ppt) but deaths due to stunting could not be estimated. When the summer parr were transferred for winter rearing to 15 ppt salinity water, a total mortality of 15% was nearly all related to stunting. A small sample of stunted, but otherwise normal-appearing, parr found in smolt out-migrant traps was retained for an additional year of rearing (February 1992—January 1993). There was a 29% survival in these stunts, with survivors attaining an average fork length of 16 cm (range 12–21 cm). The survivors exhibited parr, pre-smolt, and “smolt-like” external appearances. Five groups of 1990-brood smolts were released into Humboldt Bay. They had rates of return to their point-of-release (South Pond) similar to other brood years released from the Arcata ponds and other northern California hatcheries. This suggested that whatever produced stunting in the 1990 brood acted independently of endocrinological or physiological factors that produce mortalities in smolts after entering saline water.
Physiology of Oil Seeds: I. Regulation of Dormancy in Virginia-Type Peanut Seeds

The germination and ethylene production by dormant Virginia-type peanut seeds were observed in relation to phytohormone treatments that could conceivably release the dormancy of these seeds. A comparison was made between the effects of these treatments on the less dormant apical seeds and the more dormant basal seeds. Indole-3-acetic acid did not stimulate ethylene production by, or germination of, the dormant seeds to any extent. Gibberellic acid at 5 x 10(-4) M stimulated ethylene production by apical seeds to 17 millimicroliters per hour and germination to only 40% above the control. The more dormant basal seeds were affected even less by gibberellic acid than the seeds. Ethylene gas at 8 microliters per liter stimulated germination to 85% above the control for both apical and basal seeds. At this ethylene concentration the physiology of the more dormant basal seeds was altered, so that they behaved in a manner similar to the inherently less dormant apical seeds. 2-Chloroethylphosphonic acid at 10(-3) and 5 x 10(-4) M provided results similar to ethylene gas. Both apical and basal seeds germinated 100% at 48 hours. Among the phytohormones tested in this study, ethylene gas produced the greatest germination at low concentrations, and it appears must directly related to initiating the reactions required for converting the quiescent cells to an active state of growth.
Recent neutron results on magnetic superconductors and related systems

Abstract We briefly summarize the presentation at the conference discussing our recent neutron scattering results on magnetic superconductors. We give some historical perspective, and then focus on the coexistence and competition between the magnetic and superconducting order parameters in the cuprate superconductors. We also discuss our very recent work on the NaxCoO2 system, where the Co ions carry S = 1 2 as in the square–planar cuprates, but with the Co ions occupying a triangular lattice.
Accidental Deaths Due to Inhalant Misuse in North Carolina: 2000–2008

This study describes the number and characteristics of accidental deaths associated with recreational inhalant misuse in North Carolina from 2000 to 2008. Inhalant-related deaths were identified via an electronic search of records of the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Thirty deaths were attributed to recreational inhalant use, and nearly a third involved the inhalation of compressed-air products. Polydrug use and comorbid psychiatric disorders were common among decedents. The types of inhalants most often resulting in death differed from previous studies, as did the somewhat older mean age of decedents. Further research on inhalant-related mortality is warranted.
A study of polycrystalline Cd(Zn,Mn)Te/CdS films and interfaces

Polycrystalline films of Cd1-xZnxTe (x = 0–0.4) and Cd1-xMnxTe (x = 0–0.25) were grown by MBE and MOCVD, respectively, on CdS/SnO2/glass substrates to investigate their feasibility for solar cell applications. The compositional uniformity and interface quality of the films were analyzed by x-ray diffraction, surface photovoltage, and Auger depth profile measurements to establish a correlation between growth conditions and lattice constant, atomic concentration, and bandgap of the ternary films. MBE-grown polycrystalline Cd1-xZnxTe films showed a linear dependence between Zn/(Cd + Zn) beam flux ratio, Zn concentration in the film, and the bandgap. Polycrystalline Cd1-xZnxTe films grown at 300° C showed good compositional uniformity in contrast to compositionally non-uniform Cd1-xMnxTe films grown by MOCVD in the temperature range of 420–450° C. The MBE-grown Cd1-xZnxTe interface also showed significantly less interdiffusion compared to the MOCVD-grown Cd1-xMnxTe/CdS interface, where preferential exchange between Cd from the CdS layer and Mn from the Cd1-xMnxTe film was observed. The compositional uniformity of MOCVD-grown polycrystalline Cd1-xMnxTe films grown on CdS/SnO2/glass substrates was found to be a strong function of the growth conditions as well as the Mn source.
Paraoxonase (PON1) Phenotype Is a Better Predictor of Vascular Disease Than Is PON1192 or PON155 Genotype

The paraoxonase (PON1) PON1-Q192R and PON1-L55M polymorphisms have been inconsistently associated with vascular disease. Plasma PON1 activity phenotypes vary markedly within genotypes and were, therefore, expected to add to the informativeness of genotype for predicting vascular disease. The case-control sample included 212 age- and race-matched men (mean age 66.4 years). The 106 carotid artery disease (CAAD) cases had >80% carotid stenosis, and the 106 controls had <15%. Two PON1 substrate hydrolysis rates (paraoxon [POase] and diazoxon [DZOase]) were significantly lower in cases than in controls and were significant predictors of CAAD by use of logistic regression (POase, P=0.005; DZOase, P=0.019). DZOase predicted vascular disease independently of lipoprotein profile, high density lipoprotein subfractions, apolipoprotein A-I, and smoking. PON1-192 and PON1-55 genotypes or haplotypes did not predict case-control status unless the activity phenotype was also included as a predictor by use of logistic regression. When phenotype was included as a predictor, PON1-192 and PON1-55 genotypes or combined haplotypes were significant predictors (P<0.05). In conclusion, examining PON1-192 and/or PON1-55 genotypes alone may mistakenly lead to the conclusion that there is no role of PON1 in CAAD. These results support the benefit of a "level crossing" approach that includes intervening phenotypes in the study of complexly inherited disease.
Adrenergic excitation of cutaneous pain receptors induced by peripheral nerve injury

The mechanisms by which peripheral nerve injuries sometimes lead to causalgia, aberrant burning pain peripheral to the site of nerve damage, are uncertain, although the sympathetic nervous system is known to be involved. Whether such syndromes could be the result of the development of responsiveness by some cutaneous pain receptors (C-fiber nociceptors) to sympathetic efferent activity as a consequence of the nerve injury was tested in an animal model. After nerve damage but not in its absence, sympathetic stimulation and norepinephrine were excitatory for a subset of skin C-fiber nociceptors and enhanced the responsiveness of these nociceptors to tissue-damaging stimulation. These effects were demonstratable within days after nerve lesions, occurred at the cutaneous receptive terminal region, were manifest in sensory fibers that had not degenerated after the injury, and were mediated by alpha 2-adrenergic-like receptors.
Factors affecting sensitivity to frequency change in school-age children and adults.

Purpose The factors affecting frequency discrimination in school-age children are poorly understood. The goal of the present study was to evaluate developmental effects related to memory for pitch ...
Binary pattern deflectometry

Deflectometry is widely used to accurately calculate the slopes of any specular reflective surface, ranging from car bodies to nanometer-level mirrors. This paper presents a new deflectometry technique using binary patterns of increasing frequency to retrieve the surface slopes. Binary Pattern Deflectometry allows almost instant, simple, and accurate slope retrieval, which is required for applications using mobile devices. The paper details the theory of this deflectometry method and the challenges of its implementation. Furthermore, the binary pattern method can also be combined with a classic phase-shifting method to eliminate the need of a complex unwrapping algorithm and retrieve the absolute phase, especially in cases like segmented optics, where spatial algorithms have difficulties. Finally, whether it is used as a stand-alone or combined with phase-shifting, the binary patterns can, within seconds, calculate the slopes of any specular reflective surface.
Surface dependence of the Cr(001) 3s photoemission line shape

An angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) study of the Cr(001) 3s core level is reported. The relative intensities of the exchange-split photoelectron components change as the ARPES spectra become more surface sensitive. Surface contamination suppresses these intensity variations, and decreases the energy width of the 3s spectral profile. Almost all of the spectral observations are consistent with a surface-sensitive enhancement of the atomic 3d spin at the Cr(001) surface.
Reaching African American men: A qualitative analysis

African American men are disproportionately affected by most illnesses and associated complications. These men are also less likely to participate in primary and secondary prevention interventions. Little is known about reaching them. The purpose of this study1 was to explore factors associated with effectively reaching African American men. Ethnographic methods were used. Key and general informants from an urban Northeastern community were recruited for this study. The data revealed 3 major themes as essential to reaching African American men: a trusted and respected community member providing the outreach, a perceived safe and caring environment during outreach, and a perceived benefit from participating in the outreach. The findings from this study provided a foundation for designing community interventions that will increase participation among African American men. Future research efforts should focus on operationalizing these findings in the community.
Hypotension dilates pial arteries by KATP and kca channel activation.

Abstract Hypotension induced pial artery dilation is prostaglandin-dependent in the newborn pig. Prostaglandins, in turn, elicit vasodilation through cGMP and cAMP dependent mechanisms and K+ channel activation contributes to cyclic nucleotide induced vasodilation. The present study was designed to characterize the role of ATP sensitive (KATP) and calcium sensitive (Kca) channel activation in hypotension induced pial artery dilation in newborn pigs equipped with a closed cranial window. Glibenclamide and iberiotoxin, KATP and Kca channel antagonists, attenuated hypotension induced dilation (36±1 vs. 14±2% before and after iberiotoxin). Combined administration of these K+ channel antagonists eliminated the vascular response. Hypotension induced dilation was associated with elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cAMP but not cGMP concentration (1023±29 vs. 1566±39 fmol/ml for cAMP). L-NNA, a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, and Rp 8-Br cGMPs, a protein kinase G inhibitor, had no effect but Rp 8-Br cAMPs, a protein kinase A inhibitor, attenuated hypotensive dilation (35±1 vs. 16±2% before and after Rp 8-Br cAMPs). Dilation by the cAMP analogue 8-Bromo cAMP (10−8, 10−6 M) was attenuated by glibenclamide and iberiotoxin (8±1 and 17±1 vs. 4±1 and 9±1% before and after glibenclamide). These data show that both KATP and Kca channel activation contribute to hypotension induced dilation. These data suggest that dilation during hypotension results from the sequential release of prostaglandins and cAMP, which, in turn, activates both the KATP and Kca channel.
Teratogenic effects of nigericin, a carboxylic ionophore

Nigericin (Na+ salt) was given intraperitoneally at doses of 5.0 or 7.0 mg/kg on one of gestation days 7-12 to pregnant CD-1 mice. Additional mice were injected ip with 2.5 mg/kg on day 11 or 12 only. Injections on single gestation days reduced fetal growth and increased prenatal deaths. Additional signs of toxicity to the conceptus included treatment-related extra ribs and delayed ossification. Treatment was also associated with gross and skeletal malformations, such as median facial cleft, exencephaly, encephalocele, fused ribs, and anomalous vertebrae and exoccipitals. With the possible exception of the 5.0 mg/kg dose given on gestation day 8, nigericin doses associated with gross or skeletal malformations also resulted in observable maternal toxicity.
The role of magnetic forces in biology and medicine.

The Lorentz force (the force acting on currents in a magnetic field) plays an increasingly larger role in techniques to image current and conductivity. This review will summarize several applications involving the Lorentz force, including 1) magneto-acoustic imaging of current, 2) “Hall effect” imaging, 3) ultrasonically-induced Lorentz force imaging of conductivity, 4) magneto-acoustic tomography with magnetic induction, and 5) Lorentz force imaging of action currents using magnetic resonance imaging.
Field-Theoretic Reggeization in Five- and Six-Point Functions

Multiparticle $S$-matrix elements of the type $N\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$, $N\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ are calculated in the tree approximation, in a field theory of spin-\textonehalf{} "nucleons" ($N$) and spin -1 massive "photons" ($\ensuremath{\gamma}$) coupled to the conserved nucleon current. After projecting out the positive-parity amplitude, the asymptotic behavior is found to be consistent with a Reggeized nucleon. The double-Reggepole limit of $N\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}N\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ also indicates a Reggeized nucleon, and the residues factor. The method can be extended to $S$-matrix elements with arbitrary numbers of photons.
Meta-analyses of the effectiveness of erythropoietin for end-stage renal disease and cancer.

Anemia, a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, develops frequently in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or cancer. Given the wide variation in clinical response to erythropoietin in the treatment of anemia associated with these diseases, 2 meta-analyses of its effectiveness were undertaken. Databases (MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts) were searched to identify relevant articles. Search terms included erythropoietin, anemia, end-stage renal disease, cancer, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplastic syndrome. Searches were limited to human subjects and the English language. Reference lists of identified articles were reviewed for further articles of interest. The primary author (W.A.M.) selected the articles, and 2 researchers, working independently, extracted the necessary data. Articles had to meet the following criteria to be included in the meta-analyses: (1) Articles must have dealt with treatment of subjects with documented anemia. (2) Studies must have been original research with sample size > or =10. (3) Abstracts could be included if the full research manuscript was unavailable. (4) Patients could not be concurrently receiving other growth factors. (5) The quality of the selected articles must have been assessed by 2 independent researchers. A clinical response to erythropoietin was defined as a 0.06 increase in hematocrit or a 20 g/L increase in hemoglobin. Thirty-nine of the 76 identified articles were included in the meta-analyses. The effectiveness of erythropoietin was calculated at 87% for ESRD, 79% for multiple myeloma, 40% for solid tumor cancer, and 13% for myelodysplastic syndrome. Both subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.
Spatial contextual noise removal for post classification smoothing of remotely sensed images

Extracting accurate land use and land cover information from remote sensing data is a challenging problem due to the gap between theoretically available information in remote sensing imagery and the limited classification ability based on spectral analysis. Traditional classification techniques based on spectral analysis of single pixel usually produce "noisy" results that contain many wrongly classified pixels. This paper presents a novel post classification method to detect the pixels that are wrongly classified and reassign them to correct fields in spatial context. The strategy is demonstrated through the classification of a benchmark digital aerial photograph. The experimental results show that the proposed approach can produce a more accurate classification than previous approaches.
Exposure to Pro-smoking Media in College Students: Does Type of Media Channel Differentially Contribute to Smoking Risk?

Background There are almost no data on whether the different channels through which pro-smoking media appear (i.e., point-of-sale advertising, movie smoking) differently influence smoking.
Cranial neural crest-derived mesenchymal proliferation is regulated by msx1-mediated p19ink4d expression during odontogenesis

Neural crest cells are multipotential progenitors that contribute to various cell and tissue types during embryogenesis. Here, we have investigated the molecular and cellular mechanism by which the fate of neural crest cell is regulated during tooth development. Using a two- component genetic system for indelibly marking the progeny of neural crest cells, we provide in vivo evidence of a deficiency of CNC-derived dental mesenchyme in Msx1 null mutant mouse embryos. The deficiency of the CNC results from an elevated CDK inhibitor p19(INK4d) activity and the disruption of cell proliferation. Interestingly, in the absence of Msx1, the CNC-derived dental mesenchyme misdifferentiates and possesses properties consistent with a neuronal fate, possibly through a default mechanism. Attenuation of p19(INK4d) in Msx1 null mutant mandibular explants restores mitotic activity in the dental mesenchyme, demonstrating the functional significance of Msx1-mediated p19(INK4d) expression in regulating CNC cell proliferation during odontogenesis. Collectively, our results demonstrate that homeobox gene Msx1 regulates the fate of CNC cells by controlling the progression of the cell cycle. Genetic mutation of Msx1 may alternatively instruct the fate of these progenitor cells during craniofacial development.
Six decades of evolution in Underwater Acoustics at the Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington

Professor Joe Henderson of the University of Washington physics department formed the Applied Physics Laboratory during WWII. The lab’s initial efforts were to redesign the magnetic influence exploders used in US torpedoes. One of the lab’s first Underwater Acoustics (UA) successes was development of transducers used in the Bikini Atoll Able test (1946). Those transducers, used to trigger other instrumentation, proved critical. Combining UA and torpedo expertise brought APL-UW to the forefront of tracking range design, construction and deployment in Dabob Bay, Nanoose, and St. Croix in the 1950s and 1960. Understanding the torpedo behavior seen in tracking ranges required measuring both the ocean environment and the acoustics within that environment. Making those measurements, as well as development and testing of models based on those measurements, also became standard operating procedure at APL, led in the 50’s by Murphy and Potter. This blueprint of applied research motivating basic research, and the pursuit of basic research via ocean experiments and high fidelity modeling, continues to this day. The presentation will follow this evolution. APL-UW ocean experiments carried out during that time, as well as notable APL-UW research papers, technical reports, computer codes and textbooks, will be used as guideposts.
Dentrite-Free Electrochemical Deposition of Li–Na Alloys from an Ionic Liquid Electrolyte

The deposition of Li-Na alloys from an ionic liquid medium has been demonstrated and evaluated with respect to dendrite growth, oxidation potential, and stability. The maximum coulombic efficiency for the reoxidation of the Li-Na alloy was found to be 91%. The conductivity of the ionic liquid medium containing the alloy salts was 364-466 μS/cm 2 . Upon addition of sodium to the lithium-ion electrolyte, a Li-Na alloy was deposited (mA/cm 2 current density range) that appears to suppress dendrite formation.
Low Conductance Gap Junctions Mediate Specific Electrical Coupling in Body-wall Muscle Cells of Caenorhabditis elegans

Invertebrate innexins and their mammalian homologues, the pannexins, are gap junction proteins. Although a large number of such proteins have been identified, few of the gap junctions that they form have been characterized to provide combined information of biophysical properties, coupling pattern, and molecular compositions. We adapted the dual whole cell voltage clamp technique to in situ analysis of electrical coupling in Caenorhabditis elegans body-wall muscle. We found that body-wall muscle cells were electrically coupled in a highly organized and specific pattern. The coupling was characterized by small (350 pS or less) junctional conductance (Gj), which showed a bell-shaped relationship with junctional potential (Vj) but was independent of membrane potential (Vm). Injection of currents comparable to the junctional current (Ij) into body-wall muscle cells caused significant depolarization, suggesting important functional relevance. The innexin UNC-9 appeared to be a key component of the gap junctions. Both Myc- and green fluorescent protein-tagged UNC-9 was localized to muscle intercellular junctions. Gj was greatly inhibited in unc-9(fc16), a putative null mutant. Specific inhibition of UNC-9 function in muscle cells reduced locomotion velocity. Despite UNC-9 expression in both motor neurons and body-wall muscle cells, analyses of miniature and evoked postsynaptic currents in the unc-9 mutant showed normal neuromuscular transmission. These analyses provide a relatively detailed description of innexin-based gap junctions in a native tissue and suggest that innexin-based small conductance gap junctions can play an important role in processes such as locomotion.
Rectal prolapse in children

Rectal prolapse in children is an uncommon clinical entity in western countries. Treatment is generally supportive with surgery reserved for the intractable case. If operative intervention is advised, it should consist of one of several limited procedures that can be safely performed with low morbidity: anal encirclement, presacral packing, sclerosing injection, or linear rectal cauterization.
The Regional Multinationals: MNEs and ‘Global’ Strategic Management

In a recent paper in the Journal, Rugman and Verbeke (2004) aim to provoke IB scholars by arguing that international business activity is mainly ‘regional’ rather than ‘global’. In ‘The Regional Multinational’ Alan Rugman expands his discussion of the phenomenon. Most firms have a strong home base, and first and foremost expand to neighboring countries, as one would expect, based on long streams of research in international business exploring concepts such as ‘internationalization process’, ‘psychic distance’ or the ‘liability of foreignness’. Rugman shows that this holds true even for most of the largest firms of the world, which may have been insufficiently recognized in the literature. D. EleanorWestney has reviewed the book and underlines the importance of the conceptual contribution of this research, which transcends her concerns about the methodology employed to demonstrate the phenomenon.