cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hadronic light-by-light scattering contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment reexamined

We discuss the hadronic light-by-light scattering contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment ${a}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\mathrm{l}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{l}}$, paying particular attention to the consistent matching between the short- and the long-distance behavior of the light-by-light scattering amplitude. We argue that short-distance QCD imposes strong constraints on this amplitude overlooked in previous analyses. We find that accounting for these constraints leads to approximately 50% increase in the central value of ${a}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\mathrm{l}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{l}}$, compared to commonly accepted estimates (see, e.g., [M. Davier, S. Eidelman, A. Hocker, and Z. Zhang, Eur. Phys. J. C 31, 503 (2003).]). The hadronic light-by-light scattering contribution becomes ${a}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\mathrm{l}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{l}}=136(25)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$, thereby shifting the standard model prediction closer to the experimental value.
Is a single preoperative duplex scan sufficient for planning bilateral carotid endarterectomy

Abstract Purpose: Duplex scanning is often the sole imaging study before carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Patients with bilateral severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis may be considered for bilateral CEA. High-grade ICA stenosis, however, may artifactually elevate velocity measurements used to quantify stenosis in the contralateral ICA. It is unknown whether ipsilateral CEA will influence duplex determination of the presence of a contralateral 60% to 99% ICA stenosis. This study was performed to determine whether a single preoperative duplex scan is sufficient to plan bilateral CEA. Methods: Preoperative and early postoperative carotid duplex scans in patients with bilateral ICA stenosis who underwent unilateral CEA were reviewed. Changes in duplex scans that determined stenosis in the ICA contralateral to the CEA were analyzed. Previously validated criteria used to determine 60% to 99% ICA stenosis were a peak systolic velocity (PSV) of 260 cm/sec or more combined with an end diastolic velocity (EDV) of 70 cm/sec or more. Results: Over an 8-year period, 460 patients underwent CEA; 107 patients (23.3%) had an asymptomatic 50% to 99% contralateral ICA stenosis by standard criteria (PSV, >125 cm/sec) and an early postoperative duplex scan examination. Of these 107 patients, 38 patients (35.5%) had duplex scan criteria for 60% to 99% contralateral ICA stenosis. In these 38 patients, there was a mean postoperative PSV decrease of 47.7 cm/sec (10.1%) and a mean EDV decrease of 36.0 cm/sec (19.3%) in the ICA contralateral to the CEA. Eight of 38 (21.1%) preoperative contralateral 60% to 99% ICA lesions were reclassified as less than 60% on postoperative duplex scanning. Six of 69 (8.7%) preoperative lesions of less than 60% were reclassified as 60% to 99% on postoperative duplex scan. These six preoperative examinations were all close to the criteria for 60% to 99% stenosis (mean PSV, 232.5 cm/sec; mean EDV, 62.5 cm/sec). Conclusion: One-fifth of patients with apparent 60% to 99% contralateral ICA lesions before the operation have less than 60% stenosis when restudied with duplex scan after unilateral CEA. Lesions below but near the cutoff for 60% to 99% may be reclassified as 60% to 99% on the postoperative duplex scan. These findings mandate that when duplex scanning is used as the sole imaging modality before CEA, patients with severe bilateral carotid stenosis must have an additional carotid duplex examination before operation on the second side. (J Vasc Surg 2000;31:282-8.)
Low-energy formation of edible nanoemulsions: Factors influencing droplet size produced by emulsion phase inversion

Nanoemulsions can be used for the encapsulation and oral delivery of bioactive lipophilic components, such as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. There is growing interest in the utilization of low-energy methods to produce edible nanoemulsions. In this study, we examined the influence of system composition and preparation conditions on the formation of edible nanoemulsions by the emulsion phase inversion (EPI) method. The EPI method involves titrating an aqueous phase (water) into an organic phase (oil+hydrophilic surfactant). The influence of oil type, surfactant type, surfactant-to-oil ratio (SOR), and initial surfactant location on the particle size distributions of the emulsions was studied. The droplet size produced by this method depended on: (i) oil type: medium chain triglycerides (MCT)<flavor oils (orange and limonene)<long chain triglycerides (olive, grape, sesame, peanut and canola oils); (ii) surfactant type: Tween 80<Tween 20<Tween 85; (iii) surfactant concentration: smaller droplets were produced at higher SOR; (iv) surfactant location: surfactant initially in oil<surfactant initially in water. The low energy method (EPI) was also compared to a high energy method (microfluidization). Small droplets (d<160 nm) could be produced by both methods, but much less surfactant was needed for the high energy method (SOR≥0.1) than the low energy method (SOR≥0.7).
PCR-Based Methods for Identifying Genetic Variations in Human α1B- and β2-Adrenergic Receptors

Abstract α- and β-adrenergic receptors belong to the superfamily of G-protein-coupled, seven transmembrane domain receptors and regulate a variety of cellular processes. Previous studies have demonstrated that changes in the amino acid sequence can result in substantial changes in the function of the receptors and it has been suggested that there may be an association between different disease states and the altered structure of α- and β-adrenergic receptors. Accordingly, we have developed a simple PCR method for the identification of polymorphisms in the coding sequences of the human β 2 -adrenergic receptor and the α 1B -adrenergic receptor. This method may be useful for screening individual patients or at-risk populations for endocrine-metabolic disorders, as well as for asthma, cardiovascular disorders, and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Sesquiterpene lactones from Viguiera deltoidea

Abstract Three sesquiterpene lactones, 2′,3′-dihydroniveusin-A, 2′,3′-dihydroniveusin-B and 3-acetylchamissonin, were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of leaves of Viguiera deltoidea . The structures were established on the basis of physical and spectroscopic data and that of 3-acetylchamissonin was also confirmed by X-ray analysis.
Generalized recombination in tandem duplications of bacteriophage lambda

Recombination between the tandem duplicated segments of λb221a106-15 yields unduplicated (“single-copy”) λb221 phage. The apparent frequency of intramolecular events among these recombinations was determined for both cellular (“Rec”) and bacteriophage (“Red”) generalized recombination systems. The progeny from single-cycle growth experiments with genetically marked duplication phages were treated with EDTA to inactivate all but the singlecopy phages produced by recombination. Analysis of the genotypes of the EDTA-resistant phages suggested that intramolecular events were about 1 to 5 times as frequent as intermolecular ones. While the results suggest that intramolecular events are not intrinsically forbidden, the quantitative values for the ratio depend on the assumption that intracellular phage chromosomes are completely mixed.
Adaptive Controller with Mode Tracking and Parametric Estimation

Digital controller algorithms are presented in this paper which allows detecting DCM and CCM operations without instantaneous or cycle by cycle sensing and sampling of inductor current. The presented control scheme also allows the estimation on output inductor value, the peak inductor current value and other information on converter operations. The objective is to estimate all of this information from the input current with low speed sensing without feeding any constants to the controller. The presented controller does not depend on sensing the input voltage, the load current, or any other information of the converter design. The presented algorithms are discussed and analyzed.
In vitro toxicology of fumonisins and the mechanistic implications.

The effects of fumonisins B1FB1, B2(FB{2}), and the backbone of fumonisin B1 remaining after hydrolysis of the tricarballylic groups with base (HFB1) on sphingolipid biosynthesis were studied in both primary rat hepatocytes and pig kidney epithelial cells (LLC-PK1). Fumonisins were potent inhibitors of sphingolipid biosynthesis in hepatocytes (IC50 of FB1=0.1 μM), but overt toxicity was not observed. In renal cells, fumonisins also inhibited sphingosine biosynthesis (IC50 for FB1=35 μM), and caused decreased cell proliferation as well. Higher doses (⩾70 μM) killed renal cells after exposure for 3 days. The inhibition of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis was specific, and appeared to be at the site of ceramide synthase, which catalyzes the formation of dihydroceramide or ceramide by the addition of the amide-linked fatty acid to sphinganine or sphingosine. These results may account for the ability of fumonisins to cause equine leucoencephalomalacia and to promote tumor formation.
Azimuthal τ-p analysis in HTI media

Incorporating the effect of anisotropy during seismic processing and estimating anisotropic parameters is an active area of research. In general five elastic coefficients are needed to describe a traveltime curve in a HTI medium. The problem of estimating five elastic parameters by iterative fitting of travel time data from a single azimuth recording is highly non-unique. This can possibly be achieved by simultaneous fitting of multiple azimuth travel time data. However that would require picking travel time and accurate estimation will require numerical ray tracing for multi-layered media. To circumvent these difficulties we propose analysis of plane wave transformed azimuthal gathers interactively using a single azimuth data at a time and a new delay time equation which is a function of two parameters at each azimuth. Results from independently estimated multi-azimuth gathers can be combined to estimate stiffness or Thomsen coefficients. Azimuthal τ-p analysis also avoids numerical ray tracing resulting in a rapid algorithm. We demonstrate the applicability of our method using a set of P wave synthetic seismograms from a multi-layered medium consisting of isotropic and HTI layers. Azimuth dependent anisotropy parameters are derived by delay time fitting and NMO correction. The reflections from the bottom interface of an isotropic layer with an anisotropic overburden show apparent anisotropic travel time behavior which is easily accounted for by our layer-stripping based azimuthal NMO analysis.
Ultrahigh gradient particle acceleration by intense laser-driven plasma density waves

Space-charge waves driven by resonantly beating two laser beams in a high-density plasma can produce ultrahigh electric fields that propagate with velocities close to c. By phase-locking particles in such a wave, particles may be accelerated to very high energies within a very short distance.
Comparing ion damage in GaAs and InP

Abstract In this paper, we study argon ion damage in both GaAs and InP. Low temperature photoluminescence measurements of GaAs and InP multiple quantum well (MQW) heterostructures are compared before and after an argon ion bombardment of 500 eV. Computer simulations of the channeling depth and atomic displacement in both materials are also calculated using SCattering of Heavy, Low Energy Ions into CHannels (SCHLEICH). We demonstrate that the range of ion damage in the InP MQW structure appears to be greater than in the GaAs structure and the results from the computer simulations confirm and support these experimental findings.
Gaits of monkeys and horses: A methodological critique

In a previous paper it was shown that the traditional methodology used to analyze quadrupedal gaits is inadequate when applied to the gaits of monkeys. The traditional methods were modified for use with the monkey sample (Prost, '65). Was the modification a general improvement of the traditional approach or was it dictated by peculiarities of monkey locomotion? The traditional analysis receives its support primarily from its usefulness in handling horse gaits. If it can be shown that the modified methods improve the analysis for horses, then it can be claimed that the system is not a special case designed uniquely for use with monkeys. Motion pictures were taken of an American Saddle Bred, five-gaited horse performing several classic gaits. The films were analyzed using the modified methods developed to analyze monkey gaits. The analysis was superior to the traditional approach. All of the organizing principles which structure horse gaits were found to be identical to those which structure monkey gaits.
Micro x-ray fluorescence as a high throughput screening method for metal chelating compounds

Micro X-ray Fluorescence (MXRF) has proven to be a powerful tool in the rapid and quantitative means of screening oliogpeptides. MXRF is a non-destructive method of analysis, which can detect elemental composition of a sample by measuring its characteristic X-ray emission wavelengths or energies. An effective high throughput screening technique is described for the rapid screening of bead-based libraries by MXRF in order to identify suitable chelating agents that will bind metals found in radioactive dispersive devices. It is a sensitive technique which in conjunction with the wide range of chemistry inherent in peptide libraries (e.g. varying charge, length, hydrophobicity, aromaticity etc.), provides a rapid and quantitative means for screening chelator-ion binding. The method involves the selection of a suitable library of ligands; in this case it is a bead-based library of peptides. The library is exposed to the cation of interest and immobilized on to a microarray. The array is then analyzed by MXRF enabling rapid identification of chelating agents. This enables the screening of approximately 27,500 sequences per day. Initial experiments carried out successfully identified sequences that are selective for Co under certain binding conditions. This involved the screening of 8,400 sequences in adverse environmental conditions containing possible interferences (e.g. Ca, Fe, Al, Cs, Ir), which could be encountered in our application.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Personal income tax mimicry: evidence from international panel data

This paper investigates personal income tax (PIT) mimicry at the international level. It is the first to empirically investigate the extent to which PIT mimicry varies along the tax schedule and the first to include nations which are not part of the OECD. We use data on international personal income tax schedules from the world tax indicators to estimate marginal and average tax rates at various multiples of per capita gross domestic product (GDP). These tax rates are then used to estimate the extent to which countries respond to their neighbors’ PIT policy. We find evidence of PIT mimicry using a balanced panel of 53 countries over 24 years. This finding is strongest for tax rates at lower multiples of per capita GDP and survives several robustness checks.
Discrepant performance on oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests: the role of gastric inhibitory polypeptide.

Analysis of a large study population revealed a group of eight healthy men whose tolerance to oral glucose was markedly greater than their tolerance to iv glucose (disparate group). The physiological basis of the anomalous performance was investigated using a variation of the hyperglycemic glucose clamp technique. This technique allows separation of the effects of hyperglycemia and intestinal insulinotropic factors on B-cell response. The eight subjects with disparate tolerance tests were compared to eight healthy control subjects whose tolerances on the two tests were very similar. The disparate performers showed 1) higher basal circulating gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) levels, 2) lower immunoreactive insulin (IRI) responses to hy perglycemia (iv glucose alone), 3) enhanced GIP response to oral glucose, and 4) enhanced IRI response to oral glucose. These results may be interpreted as indicating a role for GIP in the improved tolerance for oral glucose, although other unknown gastrointestinal hormo...
Interphase Transitions and Thermophysics of ortho-and meta-Carboranes

Abstract The heat capacity of o-carborane was examined by adiabatic calorimetry from 5 to 605 K (i.e., into the liquid phase) because of its higher volatility, the m-carborane was measured only through 350 K. The above data were, however, supplemented with vapor pressure determinations and dsc surveys as well as by dsc data on the p-carborane. Both o and m-forms reveal two phase transitions associated with the onset of enhanced molecular freedom and consequent plastically crystalline behavior. Entropies of the two solid-solid transitions and melting for o-carborane are 1.72 (158.2 K), 3.38 (273.6 K), and 5.18 (569.5 K) cal/(mol K), respectively. Corresponding values for the m-compound are: 3.00 (162.5 K), 3.71 (282.4 K) and 5.37 (545.8 K). For the m-form the experimental values are in good accord with the anticipated Guthrie-McCullough model entropy increment of R ln(5 × 6); those for the o-form, R ln(3 × 5), can be harmonized with this mode of interpretation only by postulating the “missing” R ln 2 entro...
Therapeutic angiogenesis with basic fibroblast growth factor: technique and early results.

Abstract Background . Patients not amenable to complete myocardial revascularization by conventional methods present a difficult clinical problem. Here we present the early results and technical considerations of the administration of basic fibroblast growth factor for the induction of collateral growth using heparin-alginate slow-release devices in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods . Eight patients were enrolled. Patients were candidates if they had at least one graftable obstructed coronary artery and at least one major arterial distribution not amenable to revascularization, a serum creatinine level less than 3 mg/dL, ejection fraction greater than 0.20, and estimated operative mortality of less than 25%. During conventional coronary artery bypass grafting, 10 heparin-alginate devices, each containing either 1 μg or 10 μg of basic fibroblast growth factor, were implanted in the epicardial fat in multiple regions of the unrevascularizable territory and also in the distal distribution of a grafted or patent artery. Results . There was no mortality and no evidence of renal, hematologic, or hepatic toxicity during follow-up. Three months after the operation, all patients remain free of angina. Seven patients were examined with stress perfusion scans. Three patients had clear enhancement of perfusion to the unrevascularized myocardium, 1 patient had a new fixed defect, and 3 had minimal overall change but had evidence of new small, fixed perfusion defects. Seven patients had improved or similar myocardial contractile function (ejection fraction at 3-month follow-up = 0.53 ± 0.22 versus 0.47 ± 0.14 preoperatively). One patient suffered a perioperative myocardial infarction in the area of basic fibroblast growth factor administration. Conclusions . This preliminary study demonstrates the safety and technical feasibility of therapeutic angiogenesis with basic fibroblast growth factor delivered by heparin-alginate slow-release devices. Further studies examining the safety, clinical efficacy, and long-term results are ongoing.
Rod and cone input to single goldfish optic nerve fibers

Abstract Recordings were made from single fibers in the optic nerve of intact goldfish. Most of these fibers had receptive fields with a center-surround color-coded arrangement. In the center, these fibers responded with a response of one sign when either the rods or red cones were stimulated, and a response of the opposite sign when green and/or blue cones were stimulated. Reponses were reversed in the surround, where found. Threshold tracking with a 500 nm stimulus during dark adaptation gave a switch in response sign at the rod-cone break. Chromatic adaptation revealed both green- and blue-sensitive cone inputs for many ganglion cells. Onset of an adapting light resulted in a silent period followed up to 10 min of heightened thresholds.
To Forget or Not to Forget: The Effect of Probability of Test on Directed Forgetting

Two experiments investigated how individuals use explicit memory cues that designate different probabilities of test. As in typical directed forgetting studies, subjects received words explicitly cued as having either a 0% or a 100% chance of being on a subsequent memory test (i.e. forget and remember cues, respectively). In addition, some words were explicitly cued as having the potential to be either forgotten or remembered (i.e. a 50% cue). Recall of 50% words was between that of 0% and 100% words. In addition, the presence of 50% words lowered recall of the 100% words compared to that of a control group that did not receive the 50% words, but received the same number of 100% words. A think-aloud task indicated that these results were due to the 50% words being treated like either 100% or 0%words at encoding. The results are discussed in terms of the effect of different probabilities of test on the strategic processing and representation of information.
The effect of an end-of-clerkship review session on NBME psychiatry subject exam scores.

Objective The NBME Psychiatry Subject Examination (PSE) is used throughout North America to test MS—III end-of-clerkship knowledge; yet, literature on PSE preparatory methods remains sparse. This study assesses the effect of a curriculum intervention on NBME PSE scores.
Mechanism of protein kinase CK2 association with nuclear matrix: Role of disulfide bond formation

Nuclear matrix (NM) appears to be an intranuclear locale for significant and dynamic association of the ubiquitous multifunctional messenger-independent serine/threonine protein kinase CK2 that has been implicated in growth control [Tawfic et al. (1996): J Cell Biochem 61:165–171]. We have examined the nature of the association of CK2 with the NM. Nuclei prepared in the presence of a sulfhydryl-blocking reagent such as iodoacetamide demonstrate a reduction in the amount of CK2 associated with the NM to less than 5% of the control. On the other hand, when nuclei are treated with the sulfhydryl crosslinking reagent sodium tetrathionate, NM-associated CK2 increases severalfold. Treatment of nuclei with sodium tetrathionate followed by 2-mercaptoethanol blocks this increase. Nuclei isolated from rat liver and prostate behaved similarly, suggesting an identical mode of association of CK2 with the NM regardless of the organ. These results indicate a role of sulfhydryl interactions such that NM anchoring of CK2 occurs via its β subunit, which contains several vicinal cysteine residues. Further, various sulfhydryl-blocking reagents inhibited CK2 activity in a concentration-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effect was reversed by agents such as dithiothreitol, implying that cysteine residues in the CK2 play a role in its catalytic activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 69:211–220, 1998. Published 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Building Cooperation in a Competitive Industry: Sematech and the Semiconductor Industry

This article presents the results of a grounded theory analysis of observation, interview, and archival data collected at SEMATECH, a research, development, and testing consortium in the semiconduc...
Long-term memory: does it have a structural or chemical basis?

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Social-vocational adjustment in unipolar mood disorders: results of the DSM-IV field trial

430 patients participating in the DSM-IV field trial receiving a DSM-III-R SCID-derived diagnosis of episodic major depression (n = 131), dysthymic disorder (n = 37) and double depression (n = 262) completed the social adjustment scale-self-report (Weissman and Bothwell, 1976). Patients with double depression demonstrated greater social morbidity than those suffering from episodic major depression or dysthymic disorder (P < 0.05). Significant predictors of high social morbidity in double depressives included severity of symptoms (P < 0.0001), followed by age of onset of first major depression (P < 0.04). Subscale analysis revealed that double depressives were significantly more impaired in work outside the home and in terms of their financial status (P < 0.05).
A Technique for the Insemination of Geese

Abstract While the tendency toward monogamy in the domestic goose is not as pronounced as it is in wild geese, the domestic gander usually mates with only one or two and seldom more than four or five females. The females also exhibit a strong tendency to mate with a single male. Thus, a goose breeder is often unable to make desired matings, or to obtain the maximum number of progeny from a male. A technic for obtaining semen from males was described by Johnson (1954) and data were presented to indicate favorable fertility with the method of insemination. The method of obtaining semen was relatively simple. The oviduct of the females could not be everted, however, and considerable practice was required for proficiency in the technic for insemination. TECHNIQUE In December of 1958 it was found in our laboratories that the female goose can be everted by a modification of the…
The oblique-plate impact experiment

An experimental method is presented for the study of one-dimensional plane waves corresponding to combined pressure and shear. The experiment involves the impact of two skewed flat plates. A projectile plate is accelerated using a gas gun and made to impact a target plate in a vacuum chamber. The projectile and target plates are parallel, but inclined relative to the axis of the gun so that the particle velocity in the target has components both normal and parallel to the plane of impact.
Physiological Doses of Secretin Do Not Stimulate Acute Insulin Release

To study the effect of physiological increments in plasma secretin concentrations on basal and glucose-stimulated insulin release, bolus iv glucose injections (5 g) were given to normal weight volunteers (<108% ideal BW) before, during, and 30 min after a secretin infusion at a rate of 0.125 U/kg.h, raising mean plasma immunoreactive secretin to 35.5 ± 8.3 pg/ml. Acute insulin responses to glucose were unaffected during or after the secretin infusion. Furthermore, when plasma glucose was elevated to postprandial levels (128–165 mg/dl), a similar secretin infusion also failed to alter acute insulin responses. In addition, no changes in basal glucose or insulin levels were found when endogenous secretin concentrations were increased by intraduodenal acid infusion. Thus, increases in plasma secretin to concentrations seen in the postprandial state fail to alter acute insulin secretion. It is unlikely that secretin plays any role in the intestinal stimulation of insulin secretion.
Authorship and sampling practice in selected biomechanics and sports science journals.

In some biomedical sciences, changes in patterns of collaboration and authorship have complicated the assignment of credit and responsibility for research. It is unclear if this problem of “promisc...
Effects of Input Organization and Material Difficulty on Free Recall.

The free recall performance of college students was compared as a function of 2 degrees of external input organization and 2 levels of material associative strength. Ss recalled significantly more responses from organized than unorganized lists. S's performance was significantly influenced by difficulty of material. Material difficulty did not interact with degree of organization.
Cambro-Ordovician Studies I, Memoir 30 of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologist

J.R. Laurie, ed., 2004, Association of Australasian Palaeontologists, Canberra, 260 p. (Softcover, US $81.75) ISBN: 0-949466-28-X. Our understanding of life's rich history in general, and some key episodes in that history in particular, such as the Cambrian and Ordovician radiations, continues to grow thanks in part to volumes like this one. Laurie, the editor of Cambro-Ordovician Studies I, has assembled a fine memoir, including an excellent and well-chosen team of authors. The papers cover a diverse range of topics and organisms, spanning the evolutionarily interesting and geologically important Cambrian and Ordovician periods. This volume, published by the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists, focuses on the faunas of Australia, but these have global relevance because of their scope and diversity in the Ordovician and, …
Combustion of HAN-based liquid monopropellants near the thermodynamic critical point☆

Abstract The high-pressure combustion properties of liquid monopropellants involving mixtures of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN), triethanol ammonium nitrate (TEAN), and water are considered theoretically. Liquid surface properties and the critical combustion pressure (the pressure required for the propellant surface to exceed its thermodynamic critical point) were found allowing for real-gas phenomena and the presence of dissolved combustion product gases in the liquid. Critical combustion pressures for the HAN-based monopropellants were found to be unusually high, ca. 2500 atm, with an estimated uncertainty of 50%. Predictions were unusually sensitive to the critical temperature of TEAN and the binary interaction parameter between TEAN and water; both must be known more accurately for definitive estimates of the liquid-surface properties of HAN-based monopropellants at high pressures.
Percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy for recurrent mitral stenosis after surgical commissurotomy.

Abstract Immediate outcome and 4-year follow-up results of percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMV) in patients with previous surgical mitral commissurotomy are studied. Repeat surgical mitral commissurotomy in patients with previous surgical commissurotomy is associated with higher mortality and morbidity. PMV has been proven to be safe and could be an ideal alternative in this patient group. The results of 68 patients with previous surgical commissurotomy were compared with those of 261 patients without prior surgical intervention. A good outcome, defined as the final mitral valve area >1.5 cm 2 , was obtained in 51% of the patients with prior surgical commissurotomy compared with 71% in the control group (p = 0.002). During the 4-year follow-up period, there were more patients who required mitral valve replacement (19% vs 7%; p = 0.004) and who were in New York Heart Association functional class III and IV (85% vs 71%; p = 0.02) among those with prior surgical commissurotomy. However, when these patients were divided according to echocardiographic score, those with a score ≤8 had immediate outcome and long-term results similar to those without prior commissurotomy. PMV can be performed safely in patients with prior surgical commissurotomy. Although results of long-term follow-up in these patients is not as good as those in patients without prior surgical commissurotomy, those with a low echocardiographic score had similar excellent long-term results.
Role of Chitinase 3–like-1 and Semaphorin 7a in Pulmonary Melanoma Metastasis

The prototypic chitinase-like protein Chi3l1 is induced in cancers and portends a poor prognosis, but whether it contributes to cancer progression is unknown. To address this gap in knowledge we investigated the production of Chi3l1 in melanoma lung metastases. We found that Chi3l1 was induced during pulmonary melanoma metastasis and that this induction was regulated by the semaphorin Sema7a, interacting in stimulatory or inhibitory ways with its β1 integrin or Plexin C1 receptors, respectively. In mouse strains with genetic deletions of Chi3l1 or Sema7a, there was a significant reduction in pulmonary metastasis. Notably, antiserum raised against Chi3l1 or Sema7a phenocopied the reduction produced by genetic deletions. Melanoma lung metastasis was also decreased in the absence of IL-13Rα2, a recently identified receptor for Chi3l1, consistent with a key role for Chi3l1 in melanoma spread. We confirmed roles for Sema7a and Chi3l1 in pulmonary metastasis of EMT6 breast cancer cells. Taken together, our studies establish a novel pathway through which Sem7a and its receptors regulate Chi3l1, revealing a host axis involving IL-13Rα2 that plays a critical role in generating a pulmonary microenvironment that is critical to license metastasis.
Predictive value of the ATP chemosensitivity assay in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective. The aims of this study were to define the specific parameters of the ATP chemosensitivity assay which most accurately predict a patient's clinical response to chemotherapeutic agents in epithelial ovarian cancer and to assess the clinical utility of the ATP assay. Methods. In our laboratory from 1992 to 1994, fresh tumor specimens from patients with epithelial ovarian carcinomas were assayed with the ATP chemosensitivity assay (ATP-CSA) for their in vitro responses to several chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide. Clinical data on 161 of those patients including all follow-up assessments were then collected, and an investigator blinded to the in vitro assay results determined the patients' responses to chemotherapy. In order to determine which parameter of the assay was the best predictor of clinical response for each drug, receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for several parameters, including the amount of cell kill at particular dosage levels of drug, the slope of the dose–response curve, and the IC50, or the average concentration of drug at which 50% of the cells were nonviable. Results. The specific parameter of the ATP-CSA which was most predictive of clinical response differed for each drug tested. The resulting positive predictive values for cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel ranged from 70.0 to 78.3% and negative predictive values from 46.2 to 60.9%, with overall ATP-CSA positive and negative predictive values of 83.0 and 56.5%. Overall, patients whose tumors tested sensitive to an agent in vitro were almost twice as likely (83% versus 43%) to show a clinical response (RR 1.91, 95% CI 1.34–2.71). Conclusion. Analysis of the ROC curves in this study shows that different parameters of the ATP-CSA need to be utilized for each drug tested in order to give the best prediction of clinical chemosensitivity. Although the ATP-CSA shows predictive ability, routine use of the ATP-CSA for clinical selection of drug therapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer would not be warranted without a prospective study comparing chemotherapy treatment based on assay results versus clinician selection of drug.
A characterization of chemical kindling with the pesticide endosulfan

Abstract In a companion article (see this issue), the proconvulsant properties of the pesticide endosulfan in electrical kindling of the amygdala are described. In the present report, an evaluation of the chemical kindling properties of endosulfan is presented. Repeated administration (3 times per week for a total of 21 doses) of endosulfan (5 and 10 mg/kg in corn oil, PO) was found to induce behavioral seizures in rats. Behavioral seizure development was most apparent in the high dose group (10 mg/kg). Heightened seizure responsiveness to a challenge dose was maintained following a two-week, drug-free period, arguing against cumulative toxicity as a mechanism for seizure induction. Electrical kindling induced by once daily stimulation of the amygdala began approximately 4 weeks after the final dose of endosulfan. In the absence of further dosing, a significant facilitation in the rate of kindling development was evident as a function of prior treatment with endosulfan. An enhancement in the rate of kindling was also evident in the low dose group (5 mg/kg) in the absence of clonic seizure development during dosing. A history of endosulfan treatment failed to affect threshold for inducing an afterdischarge (AD) and had equivocal effects on the development of AD with repeated stimulation. Pretreatment with a single high dose of endosulfan 2 weeks prior to electrical kindling was without effect on the development of the kindled response. Endosulfan has been reported to decrease binding of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA). Chemical kindling with endosulfan may result from the interaction of this pesticide with GABA-mediated neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Positive transfer to electrical kindling following a regimen of endosulfan dosing that produced only minor increases in the incidence of clonic seizures indicates that behavioral observations alone cannot predict the long term consequences of repeated exposure to pesticides.
Observability/identifiability of rigid motion under perspective projection

The "visual motion estimation" problem concerns the reconstruction of the motion of an object viewed under projection. This paper addresses the feasibility of such a problem when the object is represented as a "rigid" set of point-features in the Euclidean 3D space. We represent rigid motion as a point on the so-called "essential manifold" and show that it is globally observable from perspective projections under some general position conditions. Such conditions hold when the path of the viewer and the visible objects cannot be embedded in a quadric surface of R/sup 3/. >
Processing massive sized graphs using Sector/Sphere

Data intensive computing is having an increasing awareness among computer science researchers. As the data size increases even faster than Moore's Law, many traditional systems are failing to cope with the extreme large volumetric datasets. In this paper we use a real world graph processing application to demonstrate the challenges from the emerging data intensive computing and present a solution with a system called Sector/Sphere that we developed in the last several years. Sector provides scalable, fault-tolerant storage using commodity computers, while Sphere supports in-storage parallel data processing with a simplified programming interface. This paper describes the rationale behind Sector/Sphere and how to use it to effectively process massive sized graphs
Computer simulation of bovine copper metabolism.

Copper deficiency in cattle is a world-wide problem. A deterministic digital computer simulation of copper metabolism was applied to cattle and especially to their response to dietary copper. This simulation was verified by comparison with published data on copper metabolism of cattle. Copper loss under conditions of dietary deficiency was governed largely by the rate of hepatic loss of copper. Copper stores were replenished gradually when the animal was returned to a normal diet. The increased copper consumption associated with increased total digestible nutrients (TDN) during lactation compensated for loss of copper in milk. Cattle have a very efficient mechanism for extrahepatic copper homeostasis by storage of excess copper in the liver, which can then be withdrawn in future deficiencies.
Minimum effort inverse kinematics for redundant manipulators

This paper investigates the use of an infinity norm in formulating the optimization measures for computing the inverse kinematics of redundant arms. The infinity norm of a vector is its maximum absolute value component and hence its minimization implies the determination of a minimum effort solution as opposed to the minimum-energy criterion associated with the Euclidean norm. In applications where individual magnitudes of the vector components are of concern, this norm represents the physical requirements more closely than does the Euclidean norm. We first study the minimization of the infinity-norm of the joint velocity vector itself, and discuss its physical interpretation. Next, a new method of optimizing a subtask criterion, defined using the infinity-norm, to perform additional tasks such as obstacle avoidance or joint limit avoidance is introduced. Simulations illustrating these methods and comparing the results with the Euclidean norm solutions are presented.
On current carrying capacities of PCB traces

Realizing the increasing importance of the PCB (printed circuit board) current carrying capacities in PC (personal computer) applications, this paper addresses the DC and AC current carrying capacity problems. The classic Fourier series method is used for both two and one-dimensional analyses. But for the simple case of a single conductor arbitrarily located along the PCB length, a direct analytical solution is given without using the Fourier series. It is found that the 1-D and 2-D solutions yield an almost identical result for a typical PC motherboard. Many inside understandings are gained by revealing the impact on the current carrying capacity of various parameters such as the time, conductor thickness and width, allowable temperature rise, heat transfer coefficient, PCB copper volume percentage, PCB length and thickness, as well as the number of traces and their separations. The time constant of a PCB in a typical PC application is in the order of 100 seconds. Thus, the PCB can hardly have time to thermally respond to the AC components of I/sup 2/ even for a frequency as low as 1 hertz. Thus for any practical purpose, the conductor traces can be sized using the mean square value of the current, just based on the DC analysis. The conductor trace location along the PCB thickness has very little impact on its current carrying capacity and there shouldn't be any derating factor for internal traces in their current carrying capacities. The IPC (1998) practice of derating the external trace current carrying capacity by 50% for the internal traces should be stopped. However, the location of a conductor trace along the PCB length does have impact. The trace located at the edge of a PCB will have a lower current carrying capacity than the trace at the center. The current carrying capacity is proportional to the square root of the trace thickness, and approximately proportional to the square root of the allowable temperature rise. But the dependencies of the PCB current carrying capacity to the trace width, heat transfer coefficient, copper volume percentage, PCB length and thickness, as well as the number traces and their separations are rather complicated, governed by the relevant equations derived in this paper. The PCB current carrying capacity design charts applicable to typical desktop PC applications are presented. They provide a tool to conservatively estimate the conductor size necessary to carrying the required current level. But more precisely predicting the current carrying capacity would require experiments that simulate the PC motherboard application conditions to determine the critical properties such as the heat transfer coefficient and the PCB equivalent thermal conductivity. This will be the future work.
Asymptotic minimax regret for data compression, gambling and prediction

For problems of data compression, gambling, and prediction of individual sequences x/sub 1/, /spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/, x/sub n/ the following questions arise. Given a target family of probability mass functions p(x/sub 1/, /spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/, x/sub n/|/spl theta/), how do we choose a probability mass function q(x/sub 1/, /spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/, x/sub n/) so that it approximately minimizes the maximum regret/belowdisplayskip10ptminus6pt max (log1/q(x/sub 1/, /spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/, x/sub n/)-log1/p(x/sub 1/, /spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/, x/sub n/|/spl theta//spl circ/)) and so that it achieves the best constant C in the asymptotics of the minimax regret, which is of the form (d/2)log(n/2/spl pi/)+C+o(1), where d is the parameter dimension? Are there easily implementable strategies q that achieve those asymptotics? And how does the solution to the worst case sequence problem relate to the solution to the corresponding expectation version min/sub q/ max/sub 0/ E/sub 0/(log1/q(x/sub 1/, /spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/, x/sub n/)-log1/p(x/sub 1/, /spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/, x/sub n/|/spl theta/))? In the discrete memoryless case, with a given alphabet of size m, the Bayes procedure with the Dirichlet(1/2, /spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/, 1/2) prior is asymptotically maximin. Simple modifications of it are shown to be asymptotically minimax. The best constant is C/sub m/=log(/spl Gamma/(1/2)/sup m//(/spl Gamma/(m/2)) which agrees with the logarithm of the integral of the square root of the determinant of the Fisher information. Moreover, our asymptotically optimal strategies for the worst case problem are also asymptotically optimal for the expectation version. Analogous conclusions are given for the case of prediction, gambling, and compression when, for each observation, one has access to side information from an alphabet of size k. In this setting the minimax regret is shown to be k(m-1)/2logn/2/spl pi/k+kC/sub m/+o(1).