cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geometric properties coded in the long-time asymptotics for the heat equation on ⁿ

This paper investigates connections between the long-time asymptotics of heat distribution on a body Ω in Z n , and various geometric properties of Ω, starting from an initially constant heat distribution supported on Ω. We use combinatorial and differential geometric methods. We begin the paper with a result in R.
A statistical framework for geometric tolerancing manufactured parts

Visual inspection of a part from its image is always affected by image errors. Understanding how image errors affect measurement precision is therefore critical for accurate inspection. In this paper we lay out a statistical framework that allows one to explicitly handle image errors and characterize their impact on measurement precision. A hierarchical model is also proposed to model manufacturing and measurement errors. Based on the model, a Bayesian technique is introduced to statistically infer the geometric tolerances of a manufactured part.
ACTH in severe chronic regional enteritis: observations in four patients.

Summary ACTH was administered to four patients with severe regional enteritis. Clinical improvement accompanied the use of ACTH.in three instances, but was maintained, partially, in only two. In this small series the beneficial effects of ACTH were less pronounced than have been observed in ulcerative colitis.
Serendipity in the Stacks: Libraries, Information Architecture, and the Problems of Accidental Discovery

Serendipity in the library stacks is generally regarded as a positive occurrence. While acknowledging its benefits, this essay draws on research in library science, information systems, and other fields to argue that, in two important respects, this form of discovery can be usefully framed as a problem. To make this argument, the essay examines serendipity both as the outcome of a process situated within the information architecture of the stacks and as a user perception about that outcome.
Tissue B-6 Vitamer Concentrations in Rats Fed Excess Vitamin B-6

Diets containing 1, 10, 100, 175 or 250 times the NRC recommended level of pyridoxine HCl (7 mg/kg) were fed to rats (218 g, 12 per group) to evaluate the effects on tissue B-6 vitamer concentrations. After 10 wk, food intake and body weights did not differ among groups. Overt toxicity was not observed. Tissues were taken from five rats of each group after overnight food deprivation (unfed rats); the remaining seven rats in each group were allowed access to food (fed rats). In plasma of unfed rats, 4-pyridoxic acid and pyridoxal concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary pyridoxine; pyridoxal phosphate was not affected by dietary pyridoxine. Concentrations of pyridoxal phosphate and pyridoxal increased significantly with increasing dietary pyridoxine in erythrocytes of unfed rats. Excretion of urinary B-6 vitamers and 4-pyridoxic acid in a 24-h period increased with dietary pyridoxine in fed rats. As dietary pyridoxine was increased, kidney pyridoxal concentrations increased significantly in fed rats only. Dietary pyridoxine did not affect vitamer concentration in muscle and liver of either unfed or fed rats, or in brain of unfed rats. Muscle glycogen phosphorylase, which contains pyridoxal phosphate, was not affected by dietary pyridoxine. There was a marginally significant (P = 0.058) increase in erythrocyte alanine, but not in aspartate, aminotransferase activity with increasing dietary pyridoxine. Plasma concentration of pyridoxal phosphate, which is used as a measure of vitamin B-6 status, did not reflect intake of pyridoxine in this study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Real-time optoacoustic monitoring of substance penetration in tissue

Optoacoustic tomography is proposed and evaluated as a method for visualization and quantitative measurements of drugs, contrast agent and other substances penetration in skin and nails. Monitoring was made with the optoacoustic front surface transducer (OAFST) operating in backward mode. Denatured egg-white was used as a model for homogeneous porous tissue, and porcine skin in vitro was employed as a model for human skin. Experimental results demonstrated that transdermal penetration and penetration through egg- white have different mechanisms. Properties and behavior of percutaneous layers of porcine skin after application hydrophilic and lipophilic substances was different. An attempt to monitor drug delivery through a nail was made, however, no significant penetration of aqueous solutions in the nail was observed. The inner nail structure was visualized with optoacoustic tomography. We conclude that optoacoustic monitoring of tissue is feasible with spatial resolution limited only by duration of laser pulses. Axial in-depth resolution of 18 μm was achieved with 12-ns long laser pulses.
Numerical simulation of CdTe vertical Bridgman growth

Abstract Numerical simulation has been conducted for steady-state Bridgman growth of the CdTe crystal with two ampoule configurations, namely, flat base and semi-spherical base. The present model accounts for conduction, convection and radiation, as well as phase change dynamics. The enthalpy formulation for phase change has been incorporated into a pressure-based algorithm with multi-zone curvilinear grid systems. The entire system which consists of the furnace enclosure wall, the encapsulated gas and the ampoule, contains irregularly configured domains. To meet the competing needs of producing accurate solutions with reasonable computing resources, a two-level approach is employed. The present study reveals that although the two ampoule configurations are quite different, their influence on the melt-solid interface shape is modest, and the undesirable concave interface appears in both cases. Since the interface shape strongly depends on thermal conductivities between the melt and the crystal, as well as ampoule wall temperature, accurate prescriptions of materials transport properties and operating environment are crucial for successful numerical predictions.
Further Comments on the “Final Report of the Advisory Committee on Weather Control”

Abstract The Final Report contains only two assertative conclusions: A(1) that commercial cloud seeding in mountainous areas produced 10–15 per cent increase in precipitation, and A(3) that no seeding project meant to increase precipitation was found in which the indicated effect of cloud seeding was negative. With reference to A(1) evidence is introduced showing that the apparent 10–15 per cent increase in precipitation is likely to be due to a combination of factors other than cloud seeding. Conclusion A(3) was found inconsistent with some of the Advisory Committee's own findings and with some other published results. Section 8 indicates that a Bayes decision rule whether to seed or not, published in Volume II of the Final Report as minimizing the risks, may well maximize these risks. Section 9 indicates a misrepresentation and a significant omission in Volume II of the Final Report.
The Colin de Verdière number and sphere representations of a graph

Colin de Vediere introduced an interesting linear algebraic invariant μ(G) of graphs. He proved that μ(G)≤2 if and only ifG is outerplanar, and μ(G)≤3 if and only ifG is planar. We prove that if the complement of a graphG onn nodes is outerplanar, then μ(G)≥n−4, and if it is planar, then μ(G)≥n−5. We give a full characterization of maximal planar graphs whose complementsG have μ(G)=n−5. In the opposite direction we show that ifG does not have “twin” nodes, then μ(G)≥n−3 implies that the complement ofG is outerplanar, and μ(G)≥n−4 implies that the complement ofG is planar.
Associations between serum folate and vitamin D levels and incident mouse sensitization in adults

Background Although both folic acid intake and vitamin D levels are hypothesized to be contributors to the increased incidence of allergic diseases, prospective studies of these relationships have not been done in adults. Objectives We sought to determine whether serum folate or vitamin D levels are associated with incident mouse sensitization among new workers at a mouse facility. Methods Subjects started employment at the Jackson Laboratory between June 2004 and July 2007. Skin testing to mouse and other allergens and collection of questionnaire data were performed at baseline and every 6 months. Serum folate and vitamin D levels were assessed on baseline samples stored at −80°C. Folate was categorized into tertiles (2.5-10.5, 10.5-16.2, and 16.2-78.4 ng/mL, respectively). Vitamin D was categorized as less than 20 ng/mL, 20 to 29 ng/mL, or 30 ng/mL or greater. This was a nested case-control study in which 5 control subjects were matched to each case on baseline atopy and type of employment. Multivariate analyses controlled for age, sex, education, smoking, season, personal mouse exposure, and serum folate and vitamin D levels. Results Thirty-five cases and 47 control subjects were included. The odds of incident mouse sensitization were higher in the intermediate and highest tertiles of serum folate compared with the lowest tertile of serum folate (odds ratio of 10.5 [95% CI, 1.8-61.5; P = .009] and odds ratio of 5.6 [95% CI, 1.8-31.3; P = .049], respectively, in the multivariate model). Serum vitamin D levels were not associated with incident mouse sensitization. Conclusions These findings support a role for higher serum folate levels in increased risk of incident allergic disease, even during adulthood.
What helps children in a Pupil Referral Unit? An exploration into the potential protective factors of a PRU as identified by children and staff.

Previous studies have focused on the views of excluded children or those finding themselves in Pupil Referral Units (PRUs). Few, however, have focused on exploring views from a resilience perspective. Studies linked to resilience have tended to focus on exploring factors through quantitative rather than qualitative measures. This piece of research aimed to explore the potential protective factors of one PRU through the valuable voices of children and staff. The views of six children aged between 9 and 13 years, all with varying forms of behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, and partway through a PRU placement, were explored through semi-structured interviews supported by the use of tools and techniques to facilitate discussion. The views of four staff members were also obtained. Findings reveal the powerful perspectives that children and young people can bring in relation to what might be helping them within a particular environment. A number of potential protective factors, both within the envi...
Is there an upper age limit for bone marrow transplantation

Advances in hematopoietic cell transplantation have reduced the toxicity of both allogeneic and autologous transplantation. Decisions regarding the feasibility of transplantation should be individualized, and based upon physiological rather than chronological age.
Reducing laboratory billing defects using six sigma principles

Objective: In an effort to decrease healthcare costs, we investigated our laboratory billing practices at a tertiary academic medical center to determine where we could apply Sigma Sigma tools to improve these processes. Methods and Results: During the period of June 2009 to February 2010, we identified an estimated $1.9 million in charges for laboratory tests performed, but not billed for. Using SIPOC analytics, we determined that a large percentage of these unbilled tests were ordered by outreach services ($529,000). Applying interventions that included creation of CPT-driven lab test requisitions for Medicare-approved test panels, and training physicians and office managers to better match CPT codes with lab requests, we improved the rate of unbilled tests from 25% to 2.6%. Conclusion: The application of Six Sigma quality improvement tools to the clinical laboratory setting helped identify specific billing processes to improve (laboratory tests performed but not billed for), apply specific interventions to improve our billing processes, and create solutions to improve and maintain improved performance of our billing practices. * CTQ : critical to quality tree; DPO : defects per opportunity; DPMO : defects per million opportunities; IOM : Institute of Medicine; LCD : local coverage determination; ISD : information services division; MIM : medical information management; SIPOC : Supplier-Input-Process-Output-Customer; VOC : voice of the customer
Ascaris suum: Hatching of embryonated eggs in swine

Abstract Larvae of the nematode Ascaris suum were recovered in posterior small intestinal and colonie mucosal scrapings of pigs 4 to 29 hr after inoculation of embryonated eggs. Larvae were also recovered in the mucosal scraping from ligated intestinal segments at 4 to 19 hr after injection of embryonated eggs into the segments. Location of the ligated segment in the small intestine did not appear to affect hatching of eggs or migration of the larvae into the mucosal surface. Embryonated eggs hatched in ligated cecums and larvae were recovered in the livers of pigs after 2.5 and 3.5 days. Larvae were recovered in washings from Thiry-Vella intestinal loops at 5 to 23 hr after embryonated eggs were inoculated into the loop. Hatching of eggs occurred in intestinal loops in pigs unexposed to eggs and in pigs given multiple doses of eggs either orally or into the intestinal loop.
Fluctuation-enhanced frequency mixing in a nonlinear micromechanical oscillator

We study noise-enhanced frequency mixing in an underdamped micromechanical torsional oscillator. The oscillator is electrostatically driven into bistability by a strong, periodic voltage at frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{d}$. A second, weak ac voltage is applied at a frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{s}$ close to ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{d}$. Due to nonlinearity in the system, vibrations occur at both ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{s}$ and $2{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{d}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{s}$. White noise is injected into the excitation, allowing the system to occasionally overcome the activation barrier and switch between the two states. At the primary drive frequency where the occupations of the two states are approximately equal, we observe noise-induced enhancement of the oscillation amplitudes at both ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{s}$ and the down-converted frequency $2{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{d}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{s}$, in agreement with theoretical predictions. Such enhancement occurs as a result of the noise-induced interstate transitions becoming synchronous with the beating between the two driving frequencies.
Systemic metastases from medulloblastoma: Report of two cases and review of the literature

The clinical and pathologic data from two cases of medulloblastoma with systemic metastases, and 101 previously reported cases were evaluated to define better the clinical presentation and natural history. Patients ranged in age from six months to 48 years, with a mean of 13 years; two thirds of the patients were male. Ventricular shunts had been inserted in 20% of the patients. Systemic metastases occurred on an average of two years after the diagnosis of the primary tumor in patients without shunts, but only 1.3 years in patients with shunts. Fifty-nine percent of the patients were known to have experienced recurrence or spread of medulloblastoma within the central nervous system by the time systemic metastases appeared. Ninety percent showed radiologic evidence of bone metastases, of which 60% were osteoblastic. Bones most frequently involved were pelvis, femur and vertebrae; pain was the most common initial symptom. At autopsy, lymph node metastases were found in 65% and liver metastases were found in 28% of all cases in addition to bone metastases in 82%. Lung metastases occurred in 9% of the patients without shunts, compared with 30% of patients with shunts. The average survival was seven months after the appearance of systemic metastases for patients both with and without shunts. Approximately 5% of patients with medulloblastoma may be expected to develop systemic metastases. This development is associated with increased morbidity and a shortened life expectancy.
A 27 kd protein of E. coli promotes antitermination of replication in vitro at a sequence-specific replication terminus

Abstract We have discovered a 27 kd protein of E. coli that binds to a terminator site (τ)-terminator protein (ter) complex and abrogates the replication fork-arresting activity of ter protein in vitro. The 27 kd protein also neutralizes the contrahelicase activity of ter protein, allowing dnaB helicase to unwind DNA past a τ-ter complex. The stimulatory activity of low levels of ter protein on helicase II is also abolished by the 27 kd protein. The binding of the 27 kd protein to a τ-ter complex does not appear to dissociate the ter protein from the DNA. Although the in vivo function of the 27 kd protein is unknown at this time, it has the major attributes of a novel replication antiterminator in vitro.
Growing up prodigies: The midlife crisis

Little is known about the evolving lives of prodigious children, but it often seems to be the case that during adolescence many face a midlife crisis, the outcome of which may determine their chances for later success.
SU‐FF‐T‐237: Dosimetric Evaluation of GAFCHROMIC® XR Type T and XR Type R Films

Purpose: Recently, two new films models, GAFCHROMIC® XR type R and type T films have been developed by ISP, for the measurement of high doseradiation in interventional radiological procedures. The objective of this project is to determine the dosimetriccharacteristics such as linearity, time dependence, sensitivity, energy dependence, dose rate dependence and UV light sensitivity of these new film types. A comparison of dosimetriccharacteristics of these film types with the other commercially available film models is also presented here. Method and Materials: The XR type T, type R and MD‐55‐2 films were exposed to low energy beams from an Oldeft Therapax HF 150T superficial unit and also to high energy beams from a Varian LINAC. The type T films were scanned using a Lumiscan‐50 laser scanner and the type R films were read using a GretagMacbeth D19C reflection densitometer. The optical densities of MD‐55‐2 films were measured with both the scanning techniques for comparison with XR type T and type R films. Results: For low energy beams, the type T and R films were found to be approximately 14 times and 6 times more sensitive than MD‐55‐2 film, respectively. The optical densities of these film types were found to increase by approximately 16% within the first 24 h after exposure and an additional 4% for the next 24 h. No significant changes were found approximately 360 h after the exposure. The energy dependence of the new films for high energies was similar to that of MD‐55‐2, but at low energies these films show a larger variation of optical density compared to MD‐55‐2 film. An insignificant effect of UV light on the sensitivities of the new films was observed. Conclusion: The dosimetriccharacteristics of the news films were evaluated and also compared to the other commercially available film models.
Calculation of K diffusional rates in bentonite beds

Zoned K-bentonites with illite-rich contacts and smectite-rich interiors are interpreted as products of potassium (K) metasomatism during diagenesis. A mathematical model is developed to describe both K transport in pore water and K fixation in smectite clays (smectite illitization). Solution of these coupled equations is done using finite difference techniques. Best-fit modeling of mineralogical and K/Ar data from a 2.5 m thick zoned K-bentonite from western Montana suggests that diffusional exchange of K for Ca is the important transport mechanism in compacted bentonite beds. Diffusion coefficients (D) for K/Ca exchange of about 9 to 13 {center dot} 10{sup {minus}8} cm{sup 2}/sec best model observed zonations in the 2.5 m bentonite as well as mineralogical zonations observed in bentonites thinner than 2.5 meters. This range in D seems to be reasonable when compared with calculated D values for K/Ca exchange in a highly tortuous medium. Although the precise burial history for these Montana rocks is not well known, geologically reasonable burial histories appear to be best modeled by using fifth- and sixth-order kinetic parameters for illitization. The model suggests that illitization occurred for 7 to 9 my at temperatures of about 80 to 90{degree}C. The model of chemical transport and illitizationmore » developed here should have applications in the analysis of the stability of bentonite as a backfill material in a nuclear waste repository.« less
Abstract 726: Targeting the extracellular and intracellular interfaces of CXCR4

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC CXCR4 is a G protein coupled receptor that has multiple critical functions in normal and pathologic physiology that include regulation of the metastatic behavior of mammary carcinoma, and utilization as a coreceptor for infection by T-tropic strains of HIV-1. We have targeted CXCR4 via an interdisciplinary approach including molecular dynamics simulations of partial and fully constitutively active, and inactive forms of CXCR4 performed in a solvated lipid bilayer to reproduce the microenvironment of this integral membrane protein. We have discovered that it is the partially activated form that can interact with the G-protein complex. We have used in silico virtual screening to select possible CXCR4 inhibitors. Two sites were chosen to disrupt CXCR4 function. The extracellular site was targeted to interfere with the natural ligand for CXCR4, SDF-1. The intracellular site was targeted to interfere with the G-protein: CXCR4 interface. The ranked lists of compounds were tested for their ability to alter chemotaxis, an in vitro model for metastasis, and calcium flux, a measure of CXCR4 signaling capability. Several small molecules were found to inhibit these functions of CXCR4. The presented approach combines computational studies with molecular biological data and provides a powerful tool in the search for new inhibitors. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 726.
Citizen-centric e-government performance: satisfaction with e-information

This study aims to develop a citizen-centric e-government performance measurement scheme and to discern the determinants for performance measured by satisfaction. The literature review draws from studies of e-government and information system performance and highlights factors associated with citizen satisfaction with e-government, such as usability, usefulness, e-government quality, and technology readiness. The study uses a data set derived from a national survey of Chinese e-government users. The results from logistic regression underscore the importance of usefulness, use, age, and income in Chinese citizens’ satisfaction with e-information. The study findings provide theoretical and practical implications for improving citizen satisfaction with e-government.
Network analysis using the method of path lists: testing the weak ties hypothesis

Abstract A central contribution of network analysis is the recognition of the value of considering various sociological units of analysis; e.g. individuals, ties, connected triples of individuals. The ‘path list’ approach is based upon developing data files corresponding with each relevant unit of analysis, stating hypotheses in terms of particular units of analysis, and testing those hypotheses using the relevant data files. Data files are constructed from initial lists of ties using three basic file manipulation operations: (a) concatenating, (b) aggregating, and (c) matching; then, hypotheses are tested by examining associations among the variables in these files. This paper specifically shows how Granovetter's ‘weak ties hypothesis’ can be tested using the method of path lists. An appendix includes SPSS programs to implement the method of path lists for this task; other computer packages can also be used to implement the path list approach.
1699 TRACHEAL BRONCHUS: ASSOCIATION WITH RESPIRATORY MOR-bidity in childhood

A bronchus arising from the trachea in man is an error of airway development, seen in 1-3% of adult bronchographies. At this hospital 18 cases involving the right upper lobe (RUL) were seen in 1964-79, with a frequency of 2% at bronchoscopy. One patient had a RUL mass: a tracheal bronchus leading to a sequestration was diagnosed at surgery. The other 17 were diagnosed at bronchoscopy, with bronchography in 11 cases. Ages ranged from 1 day to 54 mo (mean 17 mo). The children had respiratory complaints such as recurrent pneumonia (9 patients) or stridor (6). Eight had an ectopic RUL bronchus (“pig bronchus”), 2 an ectopic apical segmental bronchus and 5 a supernumerary bronchus (one of which was the sequestration). In 3 patients anatomic type was not defined. Ten patients had another congenital abnormality. Five of the 9 patients with recurrent pneumonia, who had either an ectopic apical or a supernumerary bronchus, underwent resection of the RUL (4) or the apical segment (1). Indication was a history of RUL disease and in 4/5 bronchographic evidence of bronchiectasis or bronchial stenosis. Through a 5 year follow up period these patients have remained well. Of the 4 unoperated patients, 2 have had additional admissions for pneumonia, involving lobes other than the RUL and therefore doubtfully related to the bronchial anomaly. In conclusion, anatomic types other than ectopic RUL bronchus were often associated with respiratory morbidity, requiring surgery in 6 out of our 10 cases.
Sibling-created experiences: Relationships to birth-spacing and infant cognitive development☆

Abstract This longitudinal study examined various intellectual and social experiences older siblings create for or with their infant siblings, and how these experiences relate to sibling status variables and infant cognitive level. Eleven categories of firstborn-created intellectual and social experiences were coded from free play of 69 infant-sibling dyads when infants were 12 1 2 and 17 1 2 months old. Infant cognitive level was assessed with the Bayley MDI and from the developmental level of infant solitary play. Results suggested that infants of widely spaced dyads experience a more intellectually and socially stimulating environment than infants of closely spaced dyads. No relationships were found between infant cognitive level and any firstborn-created experience or age-spacing. These results were discussed in light of additional findings relating variations in sibling age-spacing to variations in household structure in middle-class, two-parent families.
Comparative placental transport of oral hypoglycemic agents in humans: a model of human placental drug transfer.

Objective: This study compares the human placental transport of glyburide, glipizide, chlorpropamide, and tolbutamide. Study Design: The recirculating single cotyledon human placenta model tested maternal-to-fetal transport in term placentas perfused immediately after delivery. Drug levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid scintillation spectrometry, and transport rates were calculated by comparing maternal and fetal concentrations. Results: The transport of these substances differed significantly over a tenfold range (analysis of variance, p Conclusions: There is significant variability in human placental transfer rates of the oral hypoglycemics, which strongly correlates with molecular properties. These data suggest that less fetal exposure may occur with second-generation sulfonylureas and anticipate that regression models may be useful in selecting agents that minimize placental transport to the fetus.
Comparison of fluorochrome-labeled and 51Cr-labeled targets for natural killer cytotoxicity assay.

Abstract An alternative method for measuring in vitro cellular cytotoxicity has been developed utilizing the carboxyfluorescein derivative 2′,7′-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) as the target cell label. Target cells labeled with the fluorescent dye are incubated with effector cells, if killing of targets occurs, BCECF is released analogous to 51Cr release. Measurement of specific lysis in this assay is based on the direct measurement of dye retained by the remaining viable target cells using the Pandex FCA. In paired experiments we have compared the fluorochrome assay to the standard 51Cr release assay in measuring porcine natural killer cytotoxicity. The target labeling time with BCECF is 30 min as opposed to 1 h with 51Cr; and there is no significant dye reincorporation after release. The optimal target number per incubation well for the BCECF assay is 5 × 103 cells. In both the BCECF and 51Cr release assays, maximum percent specific lysis is reached after 3–4 h incubation. By 2 h incubation, the BCECF assay reaches the maximum seen with 51Cr and in a 4 h assay the maximum NK activity measured with BCECF labeled targets is always higher than that measured with 51Cr-labeled targets. In paired experiments, we have shown the reproducibility of the BCECF assay and that the BCECF assay measures NK enhancement by NK enhancing monoclonal antibody and inhibition by NK inhibiting monoclonal antibody as good as the 51Cr release assay, if not better. In conclusion, the BCECF assay is a reliable and reproducible measure of in vitro cellular cytotoxicity, eliminates the use of radioisotopes and is cost efficient.
Effects of optoelectronic device characteristics on the performance and design of POEM systems

The Programmable Opto-Electronic Multiprocessor (POEM) combines free-space optical interconnects, optoelectronic devices, and electronic processors to perform computations. This paper investigates a specific POEM architecture for a multistage interconnection network application. For the chosen system, there is an optimum combination of optics and electronics. The effect of varying optoelectronic device parameters on the system performance is also examined.
Localization effects in thin potassium wires.

A minimum in the electrical resistivity as a function of temperature was recently observed in pure thin potassium wires near 1 K. We interpret this effect in terms of inelastic-scattering events interrupting the coherence of one-dimensional localized electrons. Assuming that a minimum energy transfer is required for a collision to be effective, we find that either electron-electron scattering or electron-phason scattering could be the appropriate inelastic mechanism.
A preliminary investigation of home range use in the Gir Forest langur

Two troops of grey langur monkeys (Presbytis entellus entellus) were observed in the Gir Forest, western India for approximately 220 hours in two of three seasons at very high crude densities ranging from 115–128 langurs per km2. Daily activity patterns and home range use are described and a scan-sampling technique of activity distribution employed. Food and predator avoidance are estimated to be major determinants of population density and home range size, structure, and composition.
Role of Disorder in Photoelectrochemical Solar Cells with Polycrystalline Photoanodes

This paper reports measurements of electrical impedance versus frequency on photoelectrochemical solar cells and metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions using polycrystalline, electrodeposited $n$-CdSe electrodes. A simple power law in frequency for the photoelectrochemical cell impedance is interpreted in terms of a percolation conduction at the semiconductor-electrolyte interface with use of arguments supported by measurements on this and related systems.
A droplet microfluidic approach to single-stream nucleic acid isolation and mutation detection

In this work, a droplet microfluidic platform for genetic mutation detection from crude biosample is described. Single-stream integration of nucleic acid isolation and amplification is realized on a simple fluidic cartridge. Subsequent DNA melting curve is employed with signal normalizing algorithm to differentiate heterozygous K-ras codon 12 c.25G>A mutant from the wildtype. This technique showcases an alternative to modular bench-top approaches for genetic mutation screening, which is of interest to decentralized diagnostic platforms.
THE CARING MORALITY AND GENDER DIFFERENCES

Subjects were asked to rate 18 adjectives on a five-point scale of goodness. The items were adjectives extracted from the Bern inventory which loaded on a factor called ‘interpersonal sensitivity’ or ‘caring.’ Women (college students, ages 18 to 22 years) rated these adjectives significantly higher than male peers. Women do not consistently rate other items from the Bern inventory higher on the dimension of goodness. The results are interpreted as supporting Gilligan's and Nodding's theory that there is a difference in men's and women's construction of a world view.
Breaching the Cancer Fortress

The predominant and invariably lethal form of pancreatic cancer—ductal adenocarcinoma—is characterized by an enveloping fibrotic stroma of excessive connective tissue and cells that forges rock-hard tumors. These tumors are refractory to essentially all therapies; gemcitabine, the standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drug, extends survival by only a few weeks. It has long been surmised that these pathological and clinical features are interconnected. On page 1457 in this issue, Olive et al. ( 1 ) confirm this notion, showing that cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma are responsible for a poorly vascularized architecture that imposes a barrier to drug delivery. Removing these fibroblasts stimulated the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), improved drug delivery, and extended life span in a de novo mouse model of the disease. This study defines biophysical properties endowed by the tumor microenvironment that contribute to its therapeutic intractability and raises new questions about the role of the microenvironment in the development of this uncontrollable cancer.
Low Velocity Punch-Shear Response of Nanoclay and Graphite Platelet Reinforced Vinyl Ester Plates, Laminated Face Sheets and Sandwich Composites

Focus of our research is on developing stronger, safer and more cost-effective structures for the new generation naval ships; especially nanoparticle reinforced glass/carbon polymeric based composites and structural foams for blast/shock/impact mitigation. Punch-shear test at low velocity impact is significant for mechanical characterization. Gama et al. [1] performed QS-PST experimental methodology to define elastic energy and absorbed energies of composites as a function of penetration displacement. This paper describes the punch-shear response of nanoparticle reinforced vinyl ester plates, laminated face sheets and sandwich composites using Dynatup 8250 drop-weight impact test system according to ASTM D3763 Standard [2]. Low-velocity tests were performed on 4″ × 4″ square plate specimens with fixed circular boundary condition and impacted by a hemispherical-head plunger with added mass. The impact load, displacement, energy plots and visual inspection of the post damaged specimens depicted the failure characteristics and punch shear response of these composites.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
X-ray spectroscopic measurements of high densities and temperatures from indirectly driven inertial confinement fusion capsules.

Time-resolved x-ray spectroscopy is used to study the implosion of indirectly driven inertial confinement fusion capsules on the Nova laser. Through the use of Ar dopant in the fuel, measurements of the peak temperature, from emission line ratios, and density, from line broadening, are obtained. These measurements indicate peak electron temperatures of [similar to]1--1.6 keV and electron and deuteron densities in the range of (1.0--2.0)[times]10[sup 24] cm[sup [minus]3], depending on the type of laser drive used. These ion densities, which approach those of stellar interiors, are the highest inferred by direct analysis of Stark-braodened line profiles.
Gonococcal lipooligosaccharide: an adhesin for bacterial dissemination? Response.

Dr Nassif discusses gonococcal lipooligosaccharide (LOS) and its role as an adhesin in bacterial dissemination. Our laboratory has shown that, in HepG2 cells and sperm cells, the terminal lactosamine present on lacto-N-neotetraose-terminal gonococcal LOS is a ligand for the human asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) 1.xNeisseria gonorrhoeae utilizes and enhances the biosynthesis of the asialoglycoprotein receptor expressed on the surface of the hepatic HepG2 cell line. Porat, N. et al. Infect. Immun. 1995; 63: 1498–1506PubMedSee all References, 2.xGonococcal lipooligosaccharide is a ligand for the asialoglycoprotein receptor on human sperm. Harvey, H.A. et al. Mol. Microbiol. 2000; 36: 1059–1070Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (56)See all References. We agree with Dr Nassif's assessment of the role of LOS in the transmission of gonorrhoea. In addition, we would like to expand the hypothesis that LOS plays a role in gonococcal pathogenesis to include adherence and invasion of host epithelial cells. Previous work from our laboratory with a primary human urethral epithelial cell tissue culture system showed that the ASGP-R is present on these cells 3xUltrastructural analysis of primary human urethral epithelial cell cultures infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Harvey, H.A. et al. Infect. Immun. 1997; 65: 2420–2427PubMedSee all References3. Recent studies with primary urethral cells have pro-vided evidence that clathrin-dependent receptor-mediated endocytosis via interaction between gonoococcal LOS and the ASGP-R is a major route of gonococcal entry into these cells (M.A. Apicella, unpublished). Taken together, our findings — those discussed by Dr Nassif and our recent work — support the hypothesis that a specific interaction between the ASGP-R on human cells and the terminal galactose on lacto-N-neotetraose-terminal Neisseria gonorrhoeae LOS contributes to the pathogenesis and transmission of the disease gonorrhoea.
Prevalence and Predictors of Off-Label Use of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients Enrolled in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Implantable Cardiac-Defibrillator Registry

Objectives The purpose of the study was to define the extent and nature of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device usage outside consensus guidelines using national data. Background Recent literature has shown that the application of CRT in clinical practice frequently does not adhere to evidence-based consensus guidelines. Factors underlying these practices have not been fully explored. Methods From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry's Implantable Cardiac-Defibrillator Registry, we defined a cohort of 45,392 cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) implants between January 2006 and June 2008 with a primary prevention indication. We defined “off-label” implants as those in which the ejection fraction was >35%, the New York Heart Association functional class was below III, or the QRS interval duration was Results Overall, 23.7% of devices were placed without meeting all 3 implant criteria, most often due to New York Heart Association functional class below III (13.1% of implants) or QRS interval duration Conclusions Nearly 1 in 4 patients receiving CRT devices in the study time frame did not meet guideline-based indications. Given the evolving evidence base supporting the use of CRT, these practices require careful scrutiny.
ModBase: A database of comparative protein structure models

ModBase is a database of evaluated and annotated comparative protein structure models. The database also includes fold assignments and alignments on which the models were based.
Plasma cloud generation with intense electric fields inside a porous spherical cavity resonator excited by an external plane wave

A porous spherical cavity resonator (PSCR) may be used to greatly increase the electric fields of a high power radio beam in order to produce isolated plasma clouds by neutral gas breakdown. The PSCR is a spherical polyhedron constructed from open surface polygons [1]. The high-Q wave resonator can be excited at specific resonant frequencies by an external plane wave incident on the sphere [2]. The resonant frequencies of the porous sphere are determined by the radius of the sphere and by the area of the openings in the surface of the sphere. The strength of the internal electric fields is influenced by the width of the conducting edges that comprise the polyhedron frame. The surface of the sphere contains polygons with dimensions much smaller than a wavelength. The transmission through the surface of the sphere decreases with the open area of the polygons. The optimum edge width is found where the external EM wave field excites the strongest internal field amplitudes by both letting the excitation field inside the sphere and keeping the internal fields contained. The WIPL-D EM simulation model is used to determine the optimum porous resonator for polyhedrons with 960 vertices (V960). All of the cavity modes for a solid spherical cavity resonator can be excited in the porous spherical cavity resonator (PSCR). With a high resonator Q, an EM plane-wave of 1 V/m can excite an internal electric field of over 1000 V/m. The spherical cavity modes are simulated to provide a variety of electric field distributions at the interior of the PSCR. The theory predicts that a wide variety of plasma clouds may be generated inside the sphere using selected resonant modes. This technique will be tested at NRL using a powerful (6 kW) plasma source operating at 2.54 GHz to illuminate a V960 ball fabricated out of stainless steel using stereo lithography processes.
Ion beam modification of Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O type high temperature superconductors during irradiation

Microstructural modification of high temperature superconductor (HTS) single-crystal plates of Tl-1212 and Tl-2212 (numbers designate the Tl/Ba/Ca/Cu cation ratio) was studied during 1.5 MeV Kr{sup +} and Xe{sup +} ion irradiation with in-situ electron diffraction and after ion irradiation with high resolution TEM (HRTEM). Similar in-situ temperature dependence effects are seen for both phases. During irradiations from 22K to 673K, an amorphous halo develops after very low ion dose or fluence (1.7 {times} 10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2}). During irradiation at 100 and 300K, complete amorphization is obtained, while at 22 and {ge}533K, the halo fades slightly and a polycrystalline ring pattern develops, indicating ion irradiation induced crystallization occurred. After a low ion dose (8.5 {times} 10{sup 12} ions/cm{sup 2}) at 100 and 300K, HRTEM reveals amorphous regions 5-20 nm in size which are not columnar and do not all penetrate the entire sample thickness. At 22 and {ge}533K, Moire fringes and misoriented crystallites of cascade size are observed. The 4-6nm crystallites are thallium-rich.
Equation of State and Phase Fluctuations near the Chiral Critical Point

The thermodynamics and critical exponents and amplitudes of high temperature and dense matter near the chiral critical point are studied. The parameterized equation of state matches that calculated with lattice QCD at zero chemical potential and to the known properties of nuclear matter at zero temperature. The extent to which finite size effects wash out the phase separation near the critical point is determined.
Kinetic Properties of Saquinavir-Resistant Mutants of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease and Their Implications in Drug Resistance in Vivo†

In order to study the basis of resistance of human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1), to HIV-1 protease inhibitor saquinavir, the catalytic and inhibition properties of the wild-type HIV-1 protease and three saquinavir resistant mutants, G48V, L90M, and G48V/L90M, were compared. The kinetic parameter kcat/Km was determined for these proteases using eight peptide substrates whose sequences were derived from the natural processing site sequences of HIV-1. The kcat/Km values were determined using conventional steady-state kinetics as well as initial velocities of mixed substrate cleavages under the condition where the substrate concentrations [S]o << Km. The independently determined kcat and Km values for some of the substrates confirmed the accuracy of the mixed-substrate method and also permitted the calculation in all cases of true rather than relative kcat/Km values. The Ki values were also determined. Using a previously described kinetic model [Tang, J., & Hartsuck, J. A. (1995) FEBS Lett. 367, 112...
Folding oligomers of difluorinated thienylfurans: a DFT study.

Density functional theory calculations were performed on a series of difluorinated-thienylfuran oligomers containing up to six repeat units. For any given oligomer, a building unit was chosen to be either in the transoid or in the cisoid conformation. The oligomers are found to be more stable in the all-cisoid conformation as a result of intramolecular F⋯H hydrogen bonding interactions, as well as stacking π–π interactions for the larger oligomers. The relative stability increases markedly with the size of the oligomers, allowing for the adoption of well-defined folding helical patterns for systems with at least five repeat units. Conveniently designed isodesmic reactions show that folding of the oligomers is a thermodynamically favorable process.
Cross link insertion for improving tolerance to variations in clock network synthesis

Cross links have been used to reduce skew variations in clock trees. In earlier studies cross links are inserted between the sinks of DC-connected trees. In this paper, we propose a link insertion scheme that inserts cross links between internal nodes of a clock tree. In addition to reducing the skew variability, the proposed approach also reduces the total cross link length. Our work also improves the correlation of sink delays for those sinks within a subtree that have similar path lengths to the cross link. Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations on the ISPD-2010 benchmarks showed that our work could handle variations effectively. In addition to meeting all the design constraints, the solutions produced by our approach have on the average 32% lower capacitance than the least capacitance obtained by the top three teams in the ISPD-2010 design contest [1].
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with follicular mucinosis: an unusual histopathological finding and a commentary.

Follicular mucinosis is currently recognized as a histopathological finding characterized by the accumulation of mucin within follicular epithelium and is commonly associated with follicular mycosis fungoides (MF). We report the finding of follicular mucinosis in a cutaneous nodule of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). The patient was a 69-year-old female of Caribbean descent with a history of ATLL who presented with erythematous nodules on the chest and abdomen. Histopathologic examination showed a pan-dermal infiltrate of medium-to-large sized atypical lymphocytes extending into follicular epithelium where they associated with large mucin deposits. Immunohistochemical stains showed that the atypical lymphocytes were positive for CD3, CD4 and CD25 and negative for CD30. Cutaneous lesions of ATLL, which often present histopathologically as an epidermotropic lymphoma with Pautrier-type collections, are often difficult to distinguish from MF. Until recently, lymphoma-associated follicular mucinosis seemed specific to MF and Sezary syndrome (SS), being reported only once in a lesion of ATLL. We report a second case of ATLL-associated follicular mucinosis to increase awareness of this possible association, and briefly review the literature of follicular mucinosis-associated hematologic malignancies, ultimately cautioning against the interpretation of all cutaneous lymphoma-related follicular mucinosis as MF/SS.