cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
First Report of Blueberry Leaf Rust Caused by Thekopsora minima on Vaccinium corymbosum in Michigan.

Leaf rust symptoms have been noticed sporadically on northern highbush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in Michigan for the past 8 years. In 2009, leaf rust was seen in several cultivated blueberry fields and on greenhouse-grown blueberry plants in southwest Michigan. In 2010, leaf rust was widespread throughout western Michigan and particularly evident in the fall, sometimes resulting in premature defoliation. Cultivars Rubel, Jersey, Elliott, Liberty, and Brigitta were most commonly affected. Both the 2009 and 2010 growing seasons were characterized by above-average precipitation in early to mid-summer. Early symptoms on the adaxial leaf surface consisted of roughly circular yellow spots that later developed brown, necrotic centers. Older lesions were more angular and sometimes surrounded by a purplish border. In the fall, a “green island” effect was sometimes apparent around the lesions. On the abaxial side, numerous yellow-to-orange rust pustules (uredinia) were visible. Uredinia were dome s...
An Archaeological Analysis of Social Ranking and Residence Groups in Prehistoric Hawaii

Abstract The complex political systems of aboriginal Polynesia have been of prominence in anthropological discussions of social and cultural evolution. This characteristic suggests that the archaeological record of Polynesia may be of critical value in testing propositions concerning variation and change in complex societies. This paper concentrates on the development of a conceptual framework and analytical methods for the study of prehistoric Polynesian social systems. The usefulness of this framework is illustrated by archaeological analysis of the social characteristics of two Polynesian communities from the Island of Hawaii.
Mediation of myoclonic seizures by dopamine and clonic seizures by acetylcholine and gaba

Abstract The onset of discrete convulsive components was systematically altered in two selected lines of mice, which differed markedly in susceptibility to flurothyl-induced seizures. Apomorphine and haloperidol only affected myoclonic onset, whereas pilocarpine, scopolamine, and bicuculline exerted their major effects upon clonus. Different facets of convulsive behavior are, therefore, apparently controlled by neuropharmacologically distinct substrates.
Patterns of Volunteer Activity in Professional Associations and Societies

Professional and occupational societies rely on volunteers for leadership, expertise, member recruitment, fundraising, legislative activity, and many other activities. Yet, volunteerism in the professions has received very little analytic attention. This study uses a large, international dataset produced by the American Society of Association Executives to examine patterns of volunteer activity in 23 professional associations and societies. A comparative analysis allows us to test widespread theories on the factors that predict volunteer activity in the particular context of professional life, where the motivations to volunteer may vary. Our findings suggest that some patterns of professional volunteer activity mirror what we can expect in a non-professional context (i.e., church or community volunteering), while other patterns are distinct. Our findings have particular relevance in understanding that a professional’s demographic characteristics and voluntary preferences are context-specific and must be accounted for in volunteer recruitment efforts.
Perspectives on pre-fracture intervention strategies: the Geisinger Health System Osteoporosis Program

In its first decade, the goals of the Geisinger Health System Osteoporosis Program at its inception were to increase awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and to monitor predefined outcomes. The program was innovative in that it crossed specialties and regions and used guidelines in an effective manner. In addition, success in reducing hip fracture and cost were demonstrated, and it remains one of the few programs today that has done so, as reported by Newman et al. (Osteoporos Int 14:146–151, 2003). The osteoporosis program has now moved from a provider and allied provider empowerment focus to reorganizing our thoughts about how to best manage osteoporosis care across our healthcare system by defining and acting on four major osteoporosis care gaps: (1) at-risk patients do not get tested, (2) tested patients are not accurately risk assessed, (3) high-risk patients do not get treated, and (4) treated patients are not adherent. Results of current internal programs and future steps are discussed.
EFFECTS OF UNILATERAL HEMISPHERE LESIONS ON LANGUAGE AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT

The relationship between age and degree of hemisphere specialization vs. plasticity for higher cognitive functions remains controversial. The language and intellectual development of 8 left (L) and 8 right (R) hemisphere lesioned subjects (S's) thus were compared to controls (C's) matched by age, sex, race, and severity of congenital heart disorder. All S's were developing normally prior to sustaining CT scan verified lesions between 2 mos. and 6 yrs. (M: L=14.9 mos.; R=17.2 mos.) and were tested on a battery of intelligence and language measures > one year post onset (M age at test; L=4.3 yrs.; R=3.9 yrs.). Full range IQ's (M IQ: L=98.8; R=91.1) were below C's for both L (p=.02) and R S's (p=.01), yet most functioned within the normal range. Semantic comprehension was depressed in both L (p=.04) and R S's (p=.04), yet semantic production was depressed only in L (p=.02) and not R S's. Syntactic abilities were significantly impaired for L but not R S's as assessed by the measures summarized below. These findings reveal that early L and R lesions impair IQ and semantics somewhat, but only L lesions significantly impair syntactic development. The study provides the first objective evidence, based on acquired L and R lesions, which demonstrates the L hemisphere's early specialization for syntactic abilities.
Evaluation of feature-based vehicle trajectory extraction algorithms

Vehicle trajectories are and can be used in various intelligent transportation systems applications including driver behavior modelling and safety. Video-based approaches have been used to extract a large number of non-cooperative trajectories. However, it is difficult to evaluate the accuracies of the resulting trajectories. An algorithm-specific simulation tool is developed to evaluate the feature-grouping algorithm. We introduce a Kalman smoothing model to estimate vehicle trajectories and compare it with our previous rescaling-based trajectory estimation algorithm using the simulation tool. A comparison with GPS (WAAS) on real video clip is also presented. Our evaluation shows that the feature-based algorithms provide more accurate trajectories than those by previous approaches including one for the NGSIM system.
The use of bovine enamel in bonding studies

Bovine enamel is commonly used in enamel bonding studies, therefore, a familiarity with some aspects of bovine enamel bonding are important in order to evaluate the studies. Bovine enamel has the advantages of easy attainability and similar microstructure to human enamel. In this study the strength of the enamel bond using an orthodontic adhesive was compared between deciduous bovine, permanent bovine, and human enamel, as well as, the effect on bond strength of multiple rebonding to bovine enamel. This study found that the bond strength to bovine enamel was 21% to 44% weaker than to human enamel, and the bond strength to deciduous bovine enamel was significantly greater than to permanent bovine enamel. Either all deciduous or all permanent bovine incisors should be used, or permanent and deciduous bovine incisors evenly distributed in sample groups. Bovine enamel was rebonded five times without significantly affecting bond strength, thus, bovine enamel can be reused in bonding studies without significantly affecting the results.
Rapid determination of lineament and joint densities

Abstract Lineament, joint and drainage density values are obtainable from the number of intersections between the mapped lines and a superimposed test grid or array, using the stereological equation x = ( π 2 ) n′ where x is the density (length per area) and n′ is the number of intersections per unit length of the test array. Circular test grid must be used in order to eliminate the effect of preferred orientation on the n′-values.
Dynamic intensity variations of individual choral singers

Summary Twenty adult singers from one choral group were asked to produce sustained vowels and a short hymn sample while using three different dynamic levels: pianissimo, mezzoforte, and fortissimo. Large differences were found in total dynamic range among the subjects. Sustained vowels were slightly higher in output than was a song sample. Mezzoforte levels were produced closer to fortissimo than to pianissimo. When the individual results were combined mathematically, the average levels of the singers were consistent with earlier data from other choral groups. Implications for “choral blend” are discussed. Key Words: Choral music; Dynamic range; Sound pressure level.
Prophylactic antibiotics eliminate bacteremia and allow safe outpatient management following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue

This study examines the effectiveness of prophylactic ciprofloxacin and rifampin following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue (HDC/ASCR). Specific endpoints included the incidence of fever, clinically documented infection, bacteremia, and readmission rates from an outpatient bone marrow transplant setting following infection or fever. A group of 97 patients receiving 134 cycles of HDC/ASCR were studied. Patients were given ciprofloxacin 750 mg p.o. twice daily and rifampin 300 mg p.o. twice daily beginning on the day of stem cell reinfusion (24-48 h after completion of high-dose chemotherapy). Most patients were either discharged to an outpatient setting following completion of their chemotherapy or received all of their chemotherapy in an outpatient setting. Febrile neutropenia was treated with empirical antibiotics in an outpatient setting unless it was complicated by hypotension, renal failure, severe mucositis or other problems. The median duration of neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count below 500/mm3) was 7 days. Neutropenic fever occurred in 62% of patients but clinically documented bacterial infection occurred in only 2 (1.5%) patients during their neutropenic period. No bacteremia was noted. Readmission to the hospital following fever or infection occurred in 26% of patients maintained in the outpatient setting. There were no deaths from a bacterial infection in this study although 1 patient (0.7%) died from aspergillosis. Prophylactic ciprofloxacin and rifampin is a well-tolerated and highly effective combination that effectively decreases the risk of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial infection following HDC/ASCR. It facilitates outpatient management of myelosuppressed patients receiving autologous stem cell rescue.
Molecular mechanics model of supercoiled DNA.

Abstract We describe a pseudo-atomic model of supercoiled DNA. Each base-pair of the DNA is represented in the model by three particles placed in a plane. The particle triplets are stacked to model stacked base-pairs in double-helical DNA, and closed circular conformations are generated to investigate supercoiling. This model is less detailed than allatom models, which are too computationally demanding to be used to study supercoiling. On the other hand, this model contains details at the base-pair level and is therefore more elaborate than elastomechanical models. A potential energy function is written in terms of a set of internal co-ordinates defined to resemble a limited number of helical parameters. The modeled helical parameters, helical twist, base-roll, tilt and rise, are the most important parameters of the global shape of DNA. Experimentally measured mechanical properties of DNA are used to define the forces holding the particles together. We then use a procedure incorporating energy minimization and molecular dynamics to locate low energy conformations of the model DNA. The model was found to behave very much like rubber-tubing and elastomechanical models. The conformations and the effects of supercoiling pressure (a number proportional to the degree to which the total twist of the DNA has been altered from its natural value) on these conformations are all very similar to those observed in the latter two models. We also used this model to examine the effects of supercoiling pressure, base-sequence and mechanical properties on the conformations and energies of five sequences. The sequences studied include models of naturally straight DNA and DNA with static or natural bends.
Gravity theories with propagating torsion

We study the propagators for a large class of gravity theories having a nonzero, metric-compatible torsion. The theories are derivable from a Lagrangian containing all possible invariants quadratic or less in the torsion and Riemann curvature tensors, except that invariants are dropped if they do not contribute to the propagator in the linearized limit. Therefore, the torsion in these theories is, in general, a propagating field rather than one which vanishes outside matter. We study the constraints imposed on the propagator by the requirement that the theory have no ghosts or tachyons. In particular, we find that the addition of a spin-${2}^{+}$ torsion multiplet does not remove the spin-${2}^{+}$ ghost contributed by higher-derivative terms (Riemann curvature-squared terms). We discuss the phenomenology of theories with propagating torsion. The torsion must couple to spins with coupling constants much smaller than the electromagnetic fine-structure constant, or the force between two macroscopic ferromagnets, due to torsion exchange, would be huge, far greater than the familiar magnetic force due to photon exchange. We briefly discuss the phenomenology of propagating torsion "potentials." Theories involving such potentials have been proposed recently by several authors.
Signal detection for human error correction in quality control

Abstract Acceptance sampling by attributes is now a universal and fundamental tool in statistical quality control. Among the various plans, single sampling has been recognized to offer significant cost savings and administrative simplicity. Single sampling by attributes is generally carried out or supervised by a human inspector. Unfortunately, human inspection error is another fact of life in industrial inspection. Two types of errors are possible. One is the Type 1 error, in which a good item is classified as defective (i.e., nonconforming); the other is the Type 2 error, in which a defective item is passed as good. Presently, little has been written on the effects of inspection errors on the outgoing quality and on how to compensate for these errors. The research objective of this paper is to show how a knowledge of the errors can be used to design compensating acceptance sampling plans for industrial quality control tasks. In contrast to the typical human inspection models in quality control, with fixed performance irrespective of incoming product quality, the model proposed here uses a form of signal detection theory (SDT) to predict inspector performance in order to improve system performance. The paper proposes the concept of lability, measured by a number ranging from 0 to 1, to characterize an inspector's ability to response to costs, rewards and probabilities involved in the inspection decision. This concept allows the modeling of both a constant-error inspector having a lability of 0, an SDT inspector having a lability of 1, and all those which fall within this range. Using this concept, the paper presents two models of the human inspector with considerations of: (a) constant Type 1 and Type 2 errors independent of the incoming fraction nonconforming, and (b) increasing Type 2 error and decreasing Type 1 error with increasing fraction nonconforming as specified by SDT. A general model covering these inspection errors is proposed. The paper shows that an imperfect inspector, who can detect the signal properly to adjust the decision criterion conservatively in the direction specified by the SDT, can compensate for the potential errors. A numerical example is proposed to illustrate the model application.
Relative specificity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for antibodies to human T-cell lymphotrophic virus, type III, and their relationship to Western blotting.

: A population of 73 donor samples was assembled on the basis of reactive results in routine screening with three different licensed human T-lymphotrophic virus type III (HTLV-III) antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedures. The samples were retested by a number of licensed and developmental tests and by Western blot analysis. Our data indicate that nonspecific results are generated by ELISA tests and that many of these reactions appear to be directed against the cell substrate used to grow the virus. These findings suggest that combinations of currently licensed ELISA tests, based upon HTLV-III grown in H-9 cells, cannot be used to confirm the specificity of reactive samples.
Higher-mode Rayleigh waves studied as individual seismic phases

Abstract We study a set of very high-quality records of first-order overtone Rayleigh waves from the deep-focus earthquake of September 29, 1973, in the Japan Sea. Standard surface wave techniques are used with these overtones, treated as individual seismic phases, to retrieve radiation pattern, Q , moment and phase velocity. A figure of M 0 = (6.7 ± 1.4) × 10 27 dyn-cm is obtained, in total agreement with published values computed from either P waves, or fundamental Rayleigh waves. We also demonstrate the feasibility of using overtones as individual seismic phases in order to investigate their dispersion and attenuation properties.
Photoelectron studies of the 4f and 6s subshells in atomic ytterbium.

The dynamic properties of the 4f subshell in atomic ytterbium were studied experimentally with the aid of synchrotron radiation and theoretically in the relativistic random-phase approximation (RRPA). Satisfactory agreement between experiment and theory was obtained for the \ensuremath{\beta} parameter, the R(4${f}_{7/2}$/4${f}_{5/2}$) branching ratio and the relative partial cross sections between 17.5 and 100 eV. This indicates that 4f photoionization is described well in the RRPA model. The properties of the 6s subshell were measured between 17.5 and 50 eV. In the resonance region 5p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5d the population of the three main exit channels 6s, 4${f}_{7/2}$, and 4${f}_{5/2}$ were recorded in detail between 24 and 31 eV using the constant-ionic-state technique. For the approximately 15 resonance states similar populations of all channels were found. The 5p resonance structure was also calculated using a limited number of interacting channels in the multichannel quantum-defect theory.
Metal Cation Mediated Hydrolysis of Phosphono-Formate Diesters: Chemoselectivity and Catalysis

Hydrolyses in D(2)O (pD 1.7-3.1) of dimethyl (7), methyl phenyl (8), phenyl methyl (9), and diphenyl (10) phosphonoformate diesters are substantially accelerated by Ce(IV), Th(IV), Zr(IV), and Hf(IV) cations. Chemoselectivity is observed, whereby Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) principally direct P-OR hydrolysis, whereas Th(IV) and Ce(IV) mainly direct C-OR hydrolysis. Leaving group efficiency (OMe vs OPh) modulates the chemoselectivity. The metal cations also mediate further hydrolytic reactions of the initially produced phosphonoformate monoesters 14, 15, 18, and 20. The origins of the P-OR/C-OR selectivity are discussed in terms of the metal cation hydroxo species likely to be present in solution and the kinetics of the reactions.
Atypical psychosis in relation to the schizophrenia spectrum: report of a family and review of the literature.

Abstract The genetic concepts of genotypes, phenotypes, and phenocopies, when put into use in psychiatry, could offer a new perspective that needs to be validated or invalidated by future research. The sharing of a common genotype or genotypes by distinct phenotypes underlies the basic concept of schizophrenia spectrum. In this article, the following hypothesis will be considered: Certain “atypical” psychotic conditions, sometimes difficult to distinguish clinically and by family histories from mania, may share a common genotype or genotypes with “typical” schizophrenia. In other words can the schizophrenia spectrum include phenocopies of manic states? The pedigree method has been used extensively in the study of schizophrenic disorders but no mode of transmission, Mendelian or other type, has been demonstrated.1,2 Despite this negative result, the pedigree method can offer insight into the relationship of the different types of psychosis when they occur in the same family. This report is about a family in which the proband had a “manic-depressive-like” disorder. Her initial diagnosis was that of a schizo-affective disorder, but 16 months after her first admission she displayed and experienced manic signs and symptoms. She was placed on Lithium carbonate and a four month follow-up on this drug has shown her to be asymptomatic. The proband's sister has a schizophrenic disorder. The case histories of each affected member are summarized.
Phenotypic expression of integrin membrane receptors on spontaneously proliferating CD8 cells in human T-lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II)-infected individuals.

Spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation in the absence of exogenous stimulators was examined in asymptomatic HTLV-II-seropositive (n=12) and seronegative individuals (n=16). Mean spontaneous lymphocytic proliferation significantly increased on day 8 postculture in HTLV-II-infected individuals (5762±899 cpm) compared with normal controls (2034±925 cpm,P<0.01). The proliferating cells in infected individuals were predominantly T cells; neither B cells nor monocytes demonstrated any proliferation. Phenotypic analysis of cultured cells from individuals with HTLV-II infection demonstrated differential expression of integrin molecules as defined by anti-CD29 and anti-S6F1 (42.8±4.2 and 39.6±5.9%, respectively) on CD8 cells, as compared with day 0 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from infected individuals (19.7±3.5 and 19.9±1.9%, respectively) or normal controls (12.9±3.1 and 11.5±2.5%, respectively;P<0.001 for both comparisons). These CD8+ cells did not express CD16 or CD11b. The culture supernatants derived from the spontaneously proliferating cells had significantly increased levels of sCD8 and sCD25 (765±180 and 1805±320 U/ml, respectively) compared with those from normal controls (222±120 and 305±90 U/ml, respectively;P<0.01). Furthermore, culture supernatants derived from spontaneously proliferating PBMC from HTLV-II-infected individuals had no detectable levels of HTLV antigen and did not stimulate proliferation of PBMC from normal donors. These results suggest that the spontaneous proliferation in HTLV-II asymptomatic carriers is due to expansion of CD8 cells expressing integrin receptors which may serve as costimulatory molecules for their activation.
Spectral analysis for a three-dimensional superradiance problem

In this paper three-dimensional superradiance problem is considered and a differential operator that commutes with the integral operator related to the problem is obtained. All the eigenfunctions of the differential operator are found and a complete set of eigensolutions for the three-dimensional superradiance problem is obtained.
Scheduling for the maintenance of completely processed low-demand large items

Abstract This paper presents a mathematical model to load the existing maintenance/repair capacity with low-demand large items that are classified for various reasons. The objective is to minimize the lost sales cost while ensuring that no job is left unfinished. This model could be used in making scheduling decisions involving expensive and classified items that must be delivered by a self-imposed common due date. A sample problem is provided.
Molecular contrast in optical coherence tomography by use of a pump–probe technique

We describe a novel technique for contrast enhancement in optical coherence tomography (OCT) that makes possible molecular-specific imaging for what is believed to be the first time. A pump-probe technique is employed in which a pulsed pump laser is tuned to ground-state absorption in a molecule of interest. The location of the target molecule population is derived from the resulting transient absorption of OCT sample-arm light acting as probe light. A signal processing technique for three-dimensional localization of the transient absorption signal is described, and preliminary results exhibiting OCT contrast from methylene blue dye in multilayer and scattering phantoms are presented.
CMOS microwave and millimeter-wave ICs: The historical background

Fully integrated microwave IC's have been in development since the 1970s. The move in recent years to complex microwave and millimeter-wave CMOS subsystems has prompted a considerable activity which must proceed in light of past developments and discoveries. This paper offers a perspective on pre-CMOS experience with active microwave circuits on a chip, some of which operated at 60 GHz. While a market for millimeter-wave consumer devices has yet to mature, there is enough research at hand to show that millimeter-wave electronics are feasible in the 60 to 77 GHz in state-of-the-art CMOS technology. It seems likely-or at least so the thinking goes-that the very existence of functional CMOS electronics, even antennas, which can be integrated with digital signal processing should pry open applications that lay dormant because of high cost. But millimeter-wave CMOS is not a straightforward extrapolation of RF-CMOS circuit design; it is a different circuit approach altogether, with roots that run much deeper than RF-CMOS. It is my purpose here to bring to light some of this history.
Metabolism of phosphatidylinositol in plasma membranes and synaptosomes of rat cerebral cortex: a comparison between endogenous vs exogenous substrate pools.

The metabolism of phosphatidylinositols (PI) labeled with [14C]arachidonic acid within plasma membranes or synaptosomes was compared to the metabolism of PI prelabeled with [14C]arachidonic acid and added exogenously to the same membranes. Incubation of membranes containing the endogenously-labeled PI pool in the presence of Ca2+ resulted in the release of labeled arachidonic acid, as well as a small amount of labeled diacylglycerol. Labeled arachidonic acid was effectively reutilized and returned to the membrane phospholipids in the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), CoA, and lysoPI. Although Ca2+ promoted the release of labeled diacylglycerol from prelabeled plasma membranes, this amount was only 17% of the maximal release, i.e., release in the presence of deoxycholate and Ca2+. This latter condition is known to fully activate the PI-phospholipase C, and incubation of prelabeled plasma membranes resulted in a six-fold increase in labeled diacylglycerols. On the other hand, when exogenously labeled PI were incubated with plasma membranes in the presence of Ca2+, the labeled diacylglycerols released were 59% of that compared to the fully activated condition. The phospholipase C action was calcium-dependent, regardless of whether exogenous or endogenous substrates were used in the incubation. In contrast to plasma membranes, intact synaptosomes had limited ability to metabolize exogenous PI even in the presence of Ca2+, although the activity of phospholipase C was similar to that in the plasma membranes when assayed in the presence of deoxycholate and Ca2+. These results suggest that discrete pools of PI are present in plasma membranes, and that the pool associated with the acyltransferase is apparently not readily accessible to hydrolysis by phospholipase C.
Characterization of Chaos: A New, Fast, and Effective Measure

A new technique for characterization of the regular or chaotic nature of dynamical orbits has been discovered. It takes advantage of morphological and dynamical properties of orbits, and is very effective, at least for time-independent systems with two degrees of freedom. The new technique was initially designed with time-dependent and N-body systems in mind. For this reason one of its main goals is to provide straightforward information about the transient chaos associated with such regimes. Equally important is the distinction it can provide between sticky and wildly chaotic epochs during the evolution of chaotic orbits. The most important advantage over the existing methods is that it can characterize an orbit using a very small number of orbital periods. For these reasons the new method is extremely promising to be useful and effective in a broad spectrum of disciplines.
SPARK-TO-WAVE TRANSITION : SALTATORY TRANSMISSION OF CALCIUM WAVES IN CARDIAC MYOCYTES

Using a modular approach, in which kinetic models of various mechanisms of calcium handling in cells are fine-tuned to in vivo and in vitro measurements before combining them into whole-cell models, three distinct modes of transmission of calcium waves in mature and immature frog eggs have been defined. Two modes of transmission are found in immature eggs, where the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) controls release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The first mode corresponds to an excitable physiological state of the cytoplasm and results in solitary waves that can appear as circular or spiral waves in two dimensions with the wave speed proportional to the square root of the diffusion constant of calcium. A second mode occurs when the state of the cytoplasm is oscillatory and because of the small size of the buffered diffusion constant for calcium, the wave speed can appear to be weakly dependent on diffusion. In the mature frog egg, where the sperm-induced Ca2+ fertilization wave is a propagating front, the cytoplasm appears to be bistable and in this mode the wave speed is also proportional to the square root of the diffusion constant. Here we investigate a fourth mode of propagation for cardiac myocytes, in which calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is dominated by clusters of ryanodine receptors spaced at regular intervals. In myocytes a stochastically excitable myoplasm leads to the spontaneous production of calcium 'sparks' that under certain conditions can merge into saltatory waves with a speed proportional to the diffusion constant.
General quantum measurements: local transition maps

On the basis of four physically motivated assumptions, it is shown that a general quantum measurement of commuting observables can be represented by a “local transition map,” a special type of positive linear map on a von Neumann algebra. In the case that the algebra is the bounded operators on a Hilbert space, these local transition maps share two properties of von Neumann-type measurements: they decrease “matrix elements” of states and increase their entropy. It is also shown that local transition maps have all the properties of a conditional expectation of a von Neumann algebra onto a subalgebra except that their range is not restricted to the subalgebra. The notion of locality arises from requiring that a quantum measurement may be treated classically when restricted to the commutative algebra generated by the measured observables. The formalism established applies to observables with arbitrary spectrum. In the case that the spectrum is continuous we have only “incomplete” measurements.
Barriers to Care and Service Satisfaction Following Homicide Loss: Associations With Mental Health Outcomes

Homicide survivors are at increased risk for mental health problems, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and complicated grief. Therefore, improving access to community and mental health resources is critical for this population. The atuhors sought to examine barriers to accessing services and service satisfaction among 47 homicide survivors. Over half of the sample met criteria for a mental disorder, with depression being the most prevalent problem. Frequently endorsed barriers to care included financial barriers, inadequate information, and health-related problems. However, participants who engaged in services were generally satisfied with those services. Only depression was uniquely associated with worse overall service satisfaction.
On simple and secure key distribution

The encrypted key exchange (EKE) protocol is augmented so that hosts do not store cleartext passwords. Consequently, adversaries who obtain the one-way encrypted password file may (i) successfully mimic (spoof) the host to the user, and (ii) mount dictionary attacks against the encrypted passwords, but cannot mimic the user to the host. Moreover, the important security properties of EKE are preserved—an active network attacker obtains insufficient information to mount dictionary attacks. Two ways to accomplish this are shown, one using digital signatures and one that relies on a family of commutative one-way functions.
Prognostic Significance of Pathologic Nodal Status in Patients with Resected Pancreatic Cancer

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of pathologic nodal assessment and extent of nodal metastases on patient outcome in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A prospectively maintained pancreatic cancer database was reviewed, and 696 consecutive patients were identified who underwent resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 1995 and 2005. Overall survival was compared to lymph node (LN) status, absolute number of pathologically assessed LN, and LN ratio expressed as the number of positive LN to the total LN assessed. Of the 696 patients, 598 (86%) had pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), and 96 (14%) had distal pancreatectomy (DP). For all patients, median follow-up was 13 months (range, 0–122 months), and estimated 5-year survival was 16%. A total of 243 (35%) patients were LN-negative (N0) and had a median survival of 27 months. When assessed as a continuous variable, the number of pathologically assessed LN did not correlate with survival for N0 patients undergoing either PD or DP. The median survival for the 453 patients with node-positive (N1) disease was 16 months. When analyzed as a continuous variable, the absolute number of positive LNs was a significant predictor of survival for N1 patients with a linear relationship up to eight positive LNs. LN ratio, as a continuous variable, also predicted survival with a linear relationship up to a ratio of 0.35. A ratio of 0.18 was associated with a 19-month median survival and served as the best cutoff, p < 0.01. The absolute number of positive LNs and LN ratio are strong predictors of survival for patients with node-positive pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Inadequate surgical lymphadenectomy or pathologic LN assessment understages node-negative patients.
Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs)-2. Are free hydroxyl radicals generated in aqueous solutions?

A chemical spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), in conjunction with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was employed to measure the production of hydroxyl radical (·OH...
Biochemical Outcome of Blocking the Ergot Alkaloid Pathway of a Grass Endophyte

Neotyphodium sp. Lp1, an endophytic fungus from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), produces the mycotoxin ergovaline in infected grasses, whereas a mutant in which a particular peptide synthetase gene is knocked out does not. We examined the impact of this knockout on other constituents of the ergot alkaloid pathway. Two simple lysergic acid amides, ergine and a previously undescribed amide, were eliminated by the knockout. Lysergic acid accumulated in the knockout endophyte, but quantities were only 13% of the total lysergic acid derivatives accumulated in the wild type. Concentrations of several clavines were not substantially affected. However, a novel clavine accumulated to higher concentrations in perennial ryegrass containing the knockout strain. The results indicate that production of simple lysergic acid amides requires the activity or products of the ergovaline-associated peptide synthetase and that the regulation of ergot alkaloid production is modified in response to the relatively late block in the pathway.
ROOT APICAL ORGANIZATION IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA. 1. ROOT CAP AND PROTODERM

We investigated the development of the root cap and protoderm inArabidopsis thaliana root tips.A. Thaliana roots have closed apical organization with the peripheral root cap, columella root cap and protoderm developing from the dermatogen/calyptrogen histogen. The columella root cap arises from columella initials. The initials for the peripheral root cap and protoderm are arranged in a collar and the initiation event for these cells occurs in a sequential pattern that is coordinated with the columella initials. The resulting root cap appears as a series of interconnected spiraling cones. The protoderm, in three-dimensions, is a cylinder composed of cell files made up of packets of cells. The number of cell files within the protoderm cylinder increases as the root ages from one to two weeks. The coordinated division sequence of the dermatogen/calyptrogen and the increase in the number of protoderm cell files are both features of post-embryonic development within the primary root meristem.
Adaptation of chondrocytes to low oxygen tension: Relationship between hypoxia and cellular metabolism

In endochondral bone, the growth cartilage is the site of rapid growth. Since the vascular supply to the cartilage is limited, it is widely assumed that cells of the cartilage are hypoxic and that limitations in the oxygen supply regulate the energetic state of the maturing cells. In this report, we evaluate the effects of oxygen tension on chondrocyte energy metabolism, thiol status, and expression of transcription elements, HIF and AP-1. Imposition of an hypoxic environment on cultured chondrocytes caused a proportional increase in glucose utilization and elevated levels of lactate synthesis. Although we observed a statistical increase in the activities of phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase after exposure to lowered oxygen concentrations, the effect was small. The cultured cells exhibited a decreased utilization of glutamine, possibly due to down regulation of mitochondrial function and inhibition of oxidative deamination. With respect to total energy generation, we noted that these cells are quite capable of maintaining the energy charge of the cell at low oxygen tensions. Indeed, no changes in the absolute quantity of adenine nucleotides or the energy charge ratio was observed. Hypoxia caused a decrease in the glutathione content of cultured chondrocytes and a concomitant rise in cell and medium cysteine levels. It is likely that the fall in cell glutathione level is due to decreased synthesis of the tripeptide under reduced oxygen stress and the limited supply of glutamate. The observed rise in cellular and medium cysteine levels probably reflects an increase in the rate of degradation of glutathione and a decrease in synthesis of the peptide. To explore how cells transduce these metabolic effects, gel retardation assays were used to study chondrocyte HIF and AP-1 binding activities. Chondrocyte nuclear preparations bound an HIF-oligonucleotide; however, at low oxygen tensions, no increase in HIF binding was observed. In addition, we found that AP-1 binding activities in chondrocytes exposed to low oxygen tensions was elevated, although the response was lower than that exhibited by fibroblasts exposed to the same range of oxygen concentrations. We compared these results to HIF and AP-1 binding by cells in the growth plate. There was strong HIF and AP-1 binding throughout the plate, but no evidence of selective binding to any one zone. The results of the study lend strong support to the view that chondrocytes are very well adapted to low oxygen tensions; thus, under hypoxic conditions, there is a high level of expression of both HIF and AP-1, and energy conservation appears to be near-maximum. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Molecular dynamics simulation of potential sputtering on a LiF surface by slow highly charged ions

Potential sputtering on the lithium fluoride (LiF) (100) surface by slow highly charged ions (HCI) has been studied via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A model that is different from the conventional MD is formulatedto include partially the electronic degrees of freedom. In this model, electrons are allowed to be in the ground state as well as in low-lying excited states. The interatomic potential energy function of each state is obtained by extensive first-principles calculations based on a high-level quantum chemistry method. In the MD simulations, various initial conditions of the LiF surface are assumed and the resulting sputtering patterns are analyzed fully. The results demonstrate that the so-called defect-mediated sputtering model provides a qualitatively correct physical picture. The simulations provide quantitative descriptions in which neutral particles dominate the sputtering yield, in agreement with the experimental observations for HCI-LiF surface bombardment. Dynamical consequences, surface modification, and angular distributions of sputtering yields are also discussed with a full, comprehensive analysis of structure and energetics.
SPECIATIONAL HISTORY IN A DIVERSE CLADE OF HABITAT-SPECIALIZED SPIDERS (ARANEAE: NESTICIDAE: NESTICUS): INFERENCES FROM GEOGRAPHIC-BASED SAMPLING.

This paper summarizes the results of an initial effort to reconstruct the speciational history of cave spiders (Nesticus) from the southern Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America. The Appalachian Nesticus fauna includes a large series of about 30 species distributed across islandlike cave and montane habitats. Many of the species are geographically restricted; all of the species are found in allopatry. Observed patterns of morphological variation and biogeographic evidence suggest that species diversification in this lineage may have occurred recently, perhaps in response to Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. To address questions about the spatial and temporal dynamics of Nesticus speciation, while accounting for potential phylogenetic difficulties, I have gathered nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences for a sample of individuals from 81 populations representing 28 Nesticus species. Analyses of these data indicate that considerable genetic divergence exists within and among currently recognized morphological species. Consistent with relatively deep species divergences, most of which likely predate the Pleistocene, is a prevailing pattern of phylogenetic concordance between taxonomic species and monophyletic gene tree lineages. The few deviations from monophyly detected can be tentatively attributed to a peripatric mode of speciation. Although species limits as inferred by the molecular data are generally concordant with patterns of morphological continuity and discontinuity in genitalia, there is evidence to suggest that cryptic phylogenetic lineages exist within some morphologically continuous units. This observation, in combination with the general depth of species lineages, makes any argument about rapid evolution in Nesticus genitalic characteristics unnecessary.
Air Change Effectiveness and Pollutant Removal Efficiency During Adverse Mixing Conditions

The air change effectiveness (ACE), an indicator of the indoor airflow pattern, was measured in twenty-six laboratory experiments. Ventilation air was supplied through inductiontype diffusers located in the ceiling and removed through a ceiling-mounted return grille. The tracer gas stepup measurement procedure was employed. In five of the experiments, pollutant removal efficiencies were also measured for simulated pollutant emissions from the floor covering and for simulated emissions from occupants. In experiments with heated supply air, supply air flow rates typical of the minimum supply flow rates of VAV ventilation systems, and 100% outside air, the ACE ranged from 0.69 to 0.89. These results indicate that significant short circuiting of ventilation air between the supply air diffuser and return air grille does occur under these adverse conditions. Mechanical recirculation of air, such that the supply air contained approximately 50% outside air, increased the ACE by about 0.05. When the supply air was cooled, the ACE ranged from 0.99 to 1.15, adding to existing evidence that short circuiting is rarely a problem when the building is being cooled. The pollutant removal efficiency for simulated pollutant emissions from the floor covering (PREfloor)was strongly correlated with ACE (R 2 = 0.98) and the values of PREfloor were within approximately 0.1 of the values of ACE. The pollutant removal efficiency for simulated pollutant emissions by occupants varied between workstations and was not as well correlated with the ACE.
Algorithms for efficient identification of operational subcubes in faulty hypercubes

Two heuristic algorithms are proposed for operational subcube identification in hypercubes with faulty nodes. Either of the algorithms can adaptively construct a complete binary tree based on the fault set such that subcube identification is greatly enhanced. They can be used to modify the standard Gray code or buddy strategy to provide remarkable performance improvement in the identification of higher dimensional operation subcubes with practical time complexities that make them attractive. In essence, the algorithms provide preprocessing techniques based on recursive splitting of the faulty hypercube so that a large number of high dimensional subcubes can be identified. For the identification part, existing schemes can be used to actually harvest the subcubes. >
Hugh I of Cluny's Sponsorship of Henry IV: Its Context and Consequences

Hugues de Semur, Abbe de Cluny, se rendit a Cologne, a Pâques 1051, pour le bapteme de l'heritier de l'empereur Henri III| il fut le parrain de l'enfant. L'A. se propose de degager la signification de ce geste, dans le contexte des coutumes medievales et a travers les relations de Hugues avec Henri III puis Henri IV.
Cognitive Outcomes of Preterm Infants Randomized to Darbepoetin, Erythropoietin, or Placebo

BACKGROUND: We previously reported decreased transfusions and donor exposures in preterm infants randomized to Darbepoetin (Darbe) or erythropoietin (Epo) compared with placebo. As these erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have shown promise as neuroprotective agents, we hypothesized improved neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 to 22 months among infants randomized to receive ESAs. METHODS: We performed a randomized, masked, multicenter study comparing Darbe (10 μg/kg, 1×/week subcutaneously), Epo (400 U/kg, 3×/week subcutaneously), and placebo (sham dosing 3×/week) given through 35 weeks’ postconceptual age, with transfusions administered according to a standardized protocol. Surviving infants were evaluated at 18 to 22 months’ corrected age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III. The primary outcome was composite cognitive score. Assessments of object permanence, anthropometrics, cerebral palsy, vision, and hearing were performed. RESULTS: Of the original 102 infants (946 ± 196 g, 27.7 ± 1.8 weeks’ gestation), 80 (29 Epo, 27 Darbe, 24 placebo) returned for follow-up. The 3 groups were comparable for age at testing, birth weight, and gestational age. After adjustment for gender, analysis of covariance revealed significantly higher cognitive scores among Darbe (96.2 ± 7.3; mean ± SD) and Epo recipients (97.9 ± 14.3) compared with placebo recipients (88.7 ± 13.5; P = .01 vs ESA recipients) as was object permanence ( P = .05). No ESA recipients had cerebral palsy, compared with 5 in the placebo group ( P < .001). No differences among groups were found in visual or hearing impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Infants randomized to receive ESAs had better cognitive outcomes, compared with placebo recipients, at 18 to 22 months. Darbe and Epo may prove beneficial in improving long-term cognitive outcomes of preterm infants.