cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Causes Of Clutter For Earth Background Staring Sensors

The application of mosaic focal planes to the problem of surveillance has resulted in increased interest in sources of background clutter. An ideal staring sensor would be able to perfectly suppress spatial variations in the background scene. This can be accomplished; for example, by simple frame subtraction. However, any practical sensor will be limited in its suppression capability by platform motions. The result is that spatial variations are seen as temporal change. A variety of on and off focal plane background suppression algorithms have been proposed. In this paper causes of earth background clutter, particularly in the thermal infrared region are discussed. Specific examples of high clutter scenes such as: edges, anisotropic backgrounds, and inhomogeneous backgrounds are discussed both in terms of their effects on generic processors and in terms of the underlying scene physics. Examples are presented from available thermal band infrared data where possible. The scene physics based on differential insolation, material differences, heat transfer, altitude differences, as well as temperature differences is treated via the examples.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Isolation and characterization of chromaffin granules from a pheochromocytoma (PC 12) cell line.

Abstract Chromaffin granules have been isolated from the pheochromocytoma clonal cell line, PC 12, The PC 12 cells, preloaded with radioactive catecholamines, were homogenized in isotonic sucrose and subjected to differential centrifugation and linear or stepwise sucrose gradient fractionation. Antigenic determinants characteristic of bovine chromaffin granules were detected both by immunofluorescence in intact cells and by complement fixation of isolated PC 12 granules. Electrophoretic analysis of the purified PC 12 granules revealed that the major proteins present have molecular weights similar to those of bovine chromaffin granule protein markers. The PC 12 catecholamine storage granules are thus suitable in vitro models for adrenal chromaffin granules.
Enantioselective total synthesis of all of the known chiral cleroindicins (C-F): clarification among optical rotations and assignments.

Enantioselective syntheses of all of the named chiral members of the cleroindicin family (C−F) are reported. This effort demonstrates the synthetic utility of a 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde as a start...
Laronidase (Aldurazyme): enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis type I.

Background: Laronidase (Aldurazyme®) is a recombinant formulation of α-L-iduronidase, the enzyme deficient in mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I); a disorder associated with skeletal dysplasia, restricted joint movement, short stature, obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiac valvular problems and cognitive impairment (in the severe and intermediate variants). Objective: To describe MPS-I and review data on the safety and efficacy of laronidase. Results: Laronidase is safe and effective in stabilizing or improving pulmonary function and physical endurance. As intravenously administered enzyme is unable to correct CNS disease, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the primary treatment for Hurler's syndrome despite the morbidity and mortality risks. Conclusions: Palliative care remains part of the treatment. Long-term studies are required to ascertain the effect of enzyme therapy on survival and its effectiveness in modifying the disease course and reducing morbidity. Intrathecal administration is...
942-45 Mitral Regurgitation and Left Atrial Thrombus in Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease: A Clinicopathologic Study

A total of 255 consecutive patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease, scheduled for surgery, were studied preoperatively by transthoracic echocardiography. Data were analyzed to determine the relationship between mitral regurgitation (MR) and left atrial thrombus (LAT) found at surgery. The mean age of our patients was 34 ± 11 years. Female to male ratio was 1.5/1. A LAT was found in 77 patients (30%). There were 30 with mild, 33 with moderate, and 17 with severe MR. Atrial fibrillation was found in 155 patients (59%) MR had an inverse relationship to LAT with the prevalence of the latter as follows: 37%, 33%, 9% and 0% in none, mild, moderate, and severe MR respectively (p l 0.0001). In atrial fibrillation, the prevalence of LAT in patients with predominant MR was 8.3% versus 54% in patients with predominant mitral stenosis (p l 0.0001). When MR was severe with atrial fibrillation (13 cases), LAT was not found whatsoever. In sinus rhythm, the prevalence of LAT was 0% in predominant MR and 14,5% in patients with predominant mitral stenosis (p l 0.0001). When in sinus rhythm, LAT was absent in 14 patients with moderate or severe MR. Conclusion Prophylactic anticoagulation of symptomatic rheumatic mitral valve disease patients (requiring surgery) with predominant MR is not likely to be beneficial when MR is severe in atrial fibrillation; and when MR is moderate or severe in sinus rhythm.
Drug-induced changes in the biologic distribution of radiopharmaceuticals

Many pharmacologic agents modify the expected distribution of radiopharmaceuticals. The authors have attempted to synthesize the literature to date relating to drug-radiopharmaceutical interaction. Further, these interactions were classified as to their (1) "desirability" (undesirable vs intentional) and to the (2) specific "mechanism of action". Items in the tables are individually referenced to allow the reader easy access to source material.
CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS: STRATEGIC ADAPTATION IN A TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY

A literature review is used as a basis to identify and present four key strategic issues addressed by entrepreneurs in modern Chinese enterprises: special economic zones, comprador concept, "rule of man" legal system, and social status. Survey questionnaire research is conducted and data analysis performed to assess responses by Chinese entrepreneurs concerning the strategic issues. The findings are reported.
Inhibition of mesangial iNOS by reduced extracellular pH is associated with uncoupling of NADPH oxidation

Inhibition of mesangial iNOS by reduced extracellular pH is associated with uncoupling of NADPH oxidation . Background Since chronic renal failure is associated with metabolic acidosis and down-regulation of intrarenal nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, I tested the hypothesis that acidosis may impair the intrarenal NO synthesis. The effects of alterations in extracellular pH were examined on inducible NO synthesis in murine mesangial cells (MMC) in culture. Methods NO synthesis was induced in MMC by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor-α and assayed by an NO analyzer that measured nitrites and nitrates (NO x ). The activity of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) enzyme was assayed by conversion of [ 3 H]-arginine to [ 3 H]-citrulline. Experimental groups included cells cultured with a pH of 7.3 (normal), or 7.0 (low) or 7.6 (high), and the assigned pH values were maintained by HEPES and Tris. Results NO x was decreased in MMC exposed to the reduced pH compared to other groups. [ 3 H]-citrulline assay showed an 80% reduction in iNOS activity in stimulated MMC exposed to a reduced pH versus control pH ( P + / + [H]-citrulline ratio (3.2) compared to standard pH (1.7), indicating an increase in NADP + / + [H]-citrulline stoichiometries and uncoupling of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidation. In contrast, macrophages exposed to the reduced pH did not demonstrate uncoupling of NADPH oxidation. Conclusion Acidosis impairs iNOS activity in MMC by a post-translational mechanism that involves uncoupling of NADPH oxidation.
Perspectives on Plea Bargaining

Plea bargaining—the explicit or implicit exchange of reductions in charge for a plea of guilty—must be understood in the context of the negotiations that permeate the criminal process. Much of the literature on plea bargaining implies that pleading guilty to criminal charges is somehow pathological, a deviation from the "natural" course of events in the criminal justice system. Despite much heated debate about the causes, consequences, and desirability of plea bargaining, the underlying normative issues have rarely been treated in systematic fashion. A coherent policy on plea bargaining must ultimately be rooted in a theory of justice. Concerns over the justness and propriety of plea bargaining have given rise to a host of reforms. Other reforms reflect a more critical judgment of plea bargaining and are designed to affect the outcomes of cases as well as the way they are handled.
Process variation tolerant SRAM array for ultra low voltage applications

In this work, we propose a Schmitt Trigger (ST) based differential sensing SRAM bitcell that can operate at ultra-low supply voltage. The proposed Schmitt Trigger SRAM cell addresses the fundamental conflicting design requirement of read versus write operation of a conventional 6T cell. Schmitt Trigger operation gives better read-stability and as well as better write- ability compared to the standard 6T cell. The proposed ST bitcell incorporates a built-in feedback mechanism, achieving process variation tolerance -- a must for future nano-scaled technology nodes. Measurements on 10 test-chips fabricated in 130 nm technology show that the proposed Schmitt Trigger bitcell gives 58% higher read Static Noise Margin (SNM), 2X higher write- trip-point and 120 mV lower read Vmin compared to the conventional 6T cell. The ST SRAM array is operational at 150mV of supply voltage.
Time variation in systematic risk, returns and trading volume: Evidence from precious metals mining stocks

Abstract We investigate whether trading volume has explanatory power for time variation in CAPM betas as well as returns, for the precious metals mining sector. We show that significant dependencies exist between these variables; however, empirical linkages are only revealed when quantile regression method is employed. The observed dynamics are particularly strong between trading volume and returns. We find that returns from lower (higher) quantiles have a negative (positive) relation with volume. We discuss the consistency of this asymmetric relation with equilibrium volume–return autocorrelation models suggested in prior work.
A colorimetric method for the estimation of 2-deoxy-3-C-methyl-branched sugars

Mycarose (2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-L-ribo-hexose), olivomycose (2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-L-arabino-hexose), axenose (2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-L-xylohexose), and D-evermicose (2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-D-arabino-hexose) are unique, as their structures contain both two deoxy (at C-2 and C-6) and methylbranched (at C-3) moieties. A close examination of the structures of these compounds allowed us to envisage that the 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-aldehyde reaction
DNA DOUBLE-STRAND BREAK - INDUCED PRO-SURVIVAL SIGNALING

Radiation and other types of DNA damaging agents induce a plethora of signaling events simultaneously originating from the nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. As a result, this presents a dilemma when seeking to determine causal relationships and better insight into the intricacies of stress signaling. ATM plays critical roles in both nuclear and cytoplasmic signaling, of which, the DNA damage response (DDR) is the best characterized. We have recently created experimental conditions where the DNA damage signal alone can be studied while minimizing the influence from the extranuclear compartment. We have been able to document pro-survival and growth promoting signaling (via ATM-AKT-ERK) resulting from low levels of DSBs (equivalent to ≤2 Gy). More extensive DSBs (>2 Gy eq.) result in phosphatase-mediated ERK dephosphorylation, and thus shutdown of ERK signaling. In contrast, radiation does not result in such dephosphorylation even at very high doses. We propose that phosphatases are inactivated perhaps as a result of reactive oxygen species, which does not occur in response to 'pure' DNA damage. Our findings suggest that clinically relevant radiation doses, which are intended to halt tumor growth and induce cell death, are unable to inhibit tumor pro-survival signaling via ERK dephosphorylation.
Estimating Farmers’ Willingness to Pay for Improved Irrigation: An Economic Study of the Bontanga Irrigation Scheme in Northern Ghana

This paper estimates the willingness of farmers under the Bontanga Irrigation Scheme (BIS) in Northern Ghana to pay for improved irrigation services. The Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was used in this study and farmers were randomly selected for interviewing based on the location of their farms (upstream, middle, and downstream) within the scheme. The payment card elicitation format was used and the data were analyzed using Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) procedure that is capable of accommodating the intervals in payment card data. The mean willingness to pay was found to be GHC 16.32 (US$ 8.50) per ha per year and the median was GHC 14.00 (US$ 7.29) per ha per year. The study identified location of farm, land ownership, and land lease prices as the significant and influencing factors that affect willingness to pay.
Plasma sheet climatology: Geotail observations and LFM model comparisons

Abstract We present a statistical comparison of plasma sheet properties from Geotail measurements and from the Lyon–Fedder–Mobarry (LFM) global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model. We compare more than three years of Geotail data with 10 consecutive days of simulation results driven by real solar wind data. Both studies have statistically similar solar wind inputs and a plasma sheet definition that follows from criteria that are widely used in the literature. We map the average plasma pressures, fields, and flows as functions of XY ( GSM ) position within the equatorial plasma sheet. The comparisons show a persistent dawn–dusk asymmetry in the statistical patterns of plasma flows and electric fields in both the Geotail and the simulation results. Geotail observes a less rapid fall-off of thermal pressure with downtail distance than is seen in the simulation. The Geotail dataset suffers from an orbital bias, but we show the dawn–dusk asymmetry persists after accounting for the bias. Overall, our study finds similar statistical plasma pressures, magnetic pressures, and perpendicular flows in Geotail measurements, and the LFM MHD regions of the plasma sheet.
Enthalpies of formation of first-row transition-metal diborides by a new calorimetric method☆

Abstract The standard enthalpies of formation of the diborides of Sc, Ti, and V have been determined calorimetrically at (1400 ± 2) K. Each of these borides was dropped together with solid (platinum or palladium + boron) from room temperature into the calorimeter to generate liquid alloys (platinum or palladium + scandium or titanium or vanadium + boron). In separate experiments alloys of the same composition were formed by dropping the elements. The following values of ΔfHmo are reported: ScB2, −(307.0 ± 14.8) kJ · mol−1; TiB2, −(328.4 ± 10.2) kJ · mol−1; VB1.925, −(206.9 ± 12.2) kJ · mol−1. The results are compared with earlier literature values where they exist. However, for ScB2 there are no earlier values and for VB2 only equilibrium values. The systematic variation of the enthalpy of formation of the diborides from ScB2 to MnB2 is discussed in relation to the structural parameters and to the change in MeMe, BB, and MeB bonding.
Central Nervous System Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in Afebrile Children With Seizures

Central nervous system herpes simplex virus infection is suspected in patients presenting with acute-onset seizures and lethargy. The potential neurologic sequelae from untreated herpes infection can prompt empirical acyclovir therapy, even in afebrile subjects. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of central nervous system herpes simplex virus infection in children presenting with afebrile seizures and to assess the need for empirical acyclovir therapy. Clinical and laboratory data of children with acute-onset afebrile seizures and children with central nervous system herpes simplex virus infection were compared. Polymerase chain reaction and viral cultures of the cerebrospinal fluid for herpes simplex virus infection were negative in all subjects with afebrile seizures; 32.7% of these subjects were empirically treated with acyclovir. In conclusion, central nervous system herpes simplex virus infection is uncommon in children presenting with afebrile seizures, and acyclovir therapy is rarely necessary in subjects with normal neurologic examination and cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
The exact analytical solutions to the new model of reservoir filtration problem

The present study has obtained the new model of the reservoir filtration problem by taking into account the effect of wellbore storage and skin and by making use of the coupled equations of doubled porous media filtration and consequently has got, through various forms of limits, the exact analytical solutions of the three common reservoirs (fissure, homogeneous and the two-layered) pressure distribution under the conditions of three boundaries, i.e., infinite boundary, sealed finite boundary and the finite boundary at constant pressures.
The Financial Characteristics of Commercial Banks Involved in Interstate Acquisitions

This paper studies the financial characteristics of commercial banks involved in interstate acquisitions by using the multivariate analysis of variance and principal components analysis statistical techniques. Our results show that the financial characteristics of the acquired banks are not significantly different from the financial characteristics of comparably sized nonacquired banks. However, our findings indicate that there are significant differences between the financial characteristics of the acquiring banks and comparably sized nonacquiring banks. Our findings also indicate that there are significant differences between the financial characteristics of the acquiring banks and the acquired banks.
Selection of silt fence filter to retain suspended toxic particles

Abstract A silt fence filter was required to retain potentially toxic particles of 0.1 mm-diameter and larger that could become suspended in water decanted from contaminated dredge spoils. An experimental study was performed to select it. The experiments consisted of two parts, Part 1 tests were conducted according to an accepted engineering standard to compare four candidate geotextiles. Part 2 tests simulated expected field conditions, and were conducted to determine whether one geotextile selected from the Part 1 tests was likely to perform well. The geotextile selected for Part 2 tests retained particles of 0.1 mm and larger, and was installed as a silt fence filter in the field. The silt fence filter was removed shortly after dredging began because it clogged, primarily due to unexpected, high amounts of suspended sediment in the supernatant. The design of the support structure for the silt fence did not permit maintenance of the filter, which may have prevented its failure. The failure may also have been prevented if salt or other materials used to promote flocculation of the dredged spoils were readily available and used on the spoils. The selection procedure described may be helpful because the conditions tested for in the laboratory are likely to occur or could be induced.
Peer contagion among youth in Medicaid-funded residential mental health treatment programs

Abstract This paper examined juvenile justice encounters among youth with mental health needs who received care in residential treatment settings. The focus is on peer effects, and whether delinquent peers negatively affected youth. Matched data from Florida Medicaid and Juvenile Justice were used to examine the association between peer delinquency in a residential treatment setting and juvenile justice encounters during and after the treatment episode. Fifteen percent of youth had justice encounters during residential out-of-home treatment, while the rate was lower in the six months after (23.0%) treatment than the six months before (33%). Support for peer contagion was found as youth treated in Medicaid-funded residential mental health treatment programs were more likely to have JJ encounters when the other youth in the facility had histories of delinquency.
Gradient-Zone Erosion in Seawater Solar Ponds

An experimental program has been conducted to examine the feasibility of using seawater solar ponds in mariculture operations along the Texas gulf coast to protect fish crops from the potentially lethal, cold temperatures experienced in outdoor ponds. Seawater solar ponds in the form of floating thermal refuge areas are proposed as a method for reducing the loss of heat from small sections of a pond. Gradient zone erosion under various ambient and operating conditions is examined. Comparisons with previous laboratory studies show a much lower entrainment rate in the natural environment. For conditions which are typical of those encountered in mariculture pond operation, the entrainment rate was found to depend only weakly on the Richardson number. For these conditions, a simple (linear) correlation of entrainment rate with wind speed was developed.
Ultra-fast All-Optical LOGIC GATES for optical computing

We demonstrated a picosecond Exclusive OR and a nanosecond AND gates. An inverter gate has been designed. Their combination forms the rest of other gates to build an all-optical computing system.
Availability of seasat synthetic aperture radar imagery

One of the sensors of the Seasat satellite was a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which was operated over both oceanic and land areas. The Seasat SAR was an active imaging microwave system which transmitted and received horizontally polarized radiation at L-band frequency (1.275 GHz, 23-cm wavelength). Extensive coverage was obtained over North America, Europe, the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the Western and Northern Atlantic Ocean, and the Beaufort Sea. Surface coverage was also acquired over limited portions of Central America, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The majority of the data has been optically processed in a so-called survey mode. Each optically processed Seasat pass has a swath width of 100 km at a scale of 1:500,000. A subset of the SAR data has been digitally processed in a so-called high-resolution mode. Digital processing has been performed upon selected scenes with dimensions of 100 x 100 km. Digitally processed imagery has a nominal ground resolution of 25 m.
Generation of Vacuum-Ultraviolet and Soft—X-Ray Radiation Using High-Order Nonlinear Optical Polarizabilities

The harmonic or sum-frequency power generated in the last coherence length of a low-density atomic species is calculated subject to the condition that the applied electric field be bounded by the multiphoton absorption or ionization limit. It is shown that higher-order polarizations may equal or exceed lower-order polarizations. Calculations are given for generation at 1773 and 1064 \AA{} in Xe, and at 236, 169, and 177 \AA{} in ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$.
Structure and localization of synaptic complexes in the cardiac ganglion of a portunid crab

The cardiac ganglion ofPortunus sanguinolentus exhibits spontaneous rhythmic activity when isolated. The ganglion contains five large and four small intrinsic neurons and is innervated by three pairs of fibres originating in the thoracic ganglia.
Biosynthesis of the waxmoth sex attractants

Abstract The waxmoth, Galleria mellonella, was injected with radiolabelled acetate, propionate, and oleic acid to study the biosynthesis of n- nonanal and n- undecanal , its sex pheromones. The sex attractants were collected from the moths by condensation in a cold trap immersed in an acetone-dry ice bath, and then isolated by gas-liquid chromatography. The n- nonanal was found to contain 1.23% of the radiolabelled carbon from the 10-14C-oleic acid, 0.13% from the 1-14C-oleic acid, 0.20% from the 3-14C-sodium propionate, and 0.30% from the 1,2-14C-acetic acid. n- Undecanal contained 0.05% of the radiolabelled carbon from the 3-14C-sodium propionate, 0.07% from the 1,2-14C-acetic acid, and 0.09% from both the oleic acids injected. Both acetate and propionate are incorporated into the pheromone components but do not appear to be of primary importance. The incorporation of oleic acid suggests that α- and /or β-oxidation is involved in the biosynthesis of the pheromone fractions. The data show that odd numbered straight-chain aldehydes are synthesized from many different precursors much the same as other lipids.
Viability of a Eutectic–Thermoelectric Fuel Conditioning System Concept for Diesel Engines

Internal combustion engines, which run on hydrocarbon fuels, experience difficulty upon engine start-up in extreme cold weather. As ambient temperature decreases below the fuel cloud point and beyond, paraffin form in the fuel and eventually clog the fuel filter. This problem becomes more pronounced when the engine in question is a Diesel and the fuel utilized is biodiesel. As an alternative fuel source, biodiesel has many advantages; however its cold weather performance is worse than even conventional diesel fuel. As biodiesel becomes more integrated into the world’s energy usage, one of the systems within a Diesel engine requiring further investigation is its fuel conditioning system. This paper describes current research aimed at the development of a fuel conditioning system that utilizes several technologies while decreasing the amount of electrical energy required for operation. The system utilizes a eutectic-thermoelectric (E-TE) combination which consists of a eutectic compound based latent heat storage device with adjacent thermoelectric elements to transfer heat from within the engine into the fuel filter, thus diminishing the amount of electrical energy typically required for the fuel conditioning process. Simulations of the E-TE system are conducted while operating within three different modes (start-up, heat storage, and electrical energy generation), while a supervisory controller distinguishes between desired operational status. The research activities and findings reported within this paper include development of a representative E-TE system model which consists of several components including a set of control laws, and a supervisory system. Model development and preliminary results for the phase one model are discussed herein.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Transfer Standards For Energy And Peak Power Of Low-Level 1.064 Micrometer Laser Pulses And Continuous Wave Laser Power

For the first time traceable transfer standards have been developed for measuring 1.064 µm laser pulses with duration of about 10 to 100 ns, peak power density of about 10-8 to 10-4 W/cm2, and energy density of about 10-16 to 10-11 J/cm2. These power and energy transfer standards use avalanche (APD) and PIN silicon photodiode detectors, respectively. They are stable and have total uncertainties of about 10%. The system for calibrating them and other devices consists of a cw Nd:YAG laser beam acousto-optically modulated to provide low-level laser pulses of known peak power and energy. With pulse height analyzer readout, the PIN transfer standard system may record each pulse, from which the mean pulse energy and laser stability may be evaluated. With integrating voltmeter readout, this system can measure energy or average power. These pulsed and cw measurement techniques can be extended to the visible and other near-infrared wavelengths.
Human acellular dermal matrix (AlloDerm®) dimensional changes and stretching in tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction

Summary Background Human acellular dermal matrix (HADM) is widely used for post-mastectomy tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction. Since HADM has been shown to stretch following placement in other surgical settings, we hypothesised that stretching would occur in breast reconstruction as well. The goal of the study was to quantify the in situ stretch properties of HADM over time in patients undergoing this procedure. Methods This was an open-label, prospective case series in adult women who underwent post-mastectomy tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction using HADM. HADM construct size was determined at postoperative day 1 and month 3 via ultrasound tracking of metallic 3-mm vessel clips embedded in the graft. Dimensional changes were further examined in four equally sized segments (medial, lateral and two central) of the matrix. Patient satisfaction was evaluated at month 3 (a modified version of the Breast Q™ patient questionnaire) and compared with satisfaction reported by a non-HADM reconstruction cohort. Results A total of 31 patients underwent breast reconstruction with HADM. Mean (standard deviation) perimeter increased from 38 (6) cm on postoperative day 1–42 (7) cm at month 3 (+11%; P = 0.002). Surface area increased from 73 (22) to 88 (28) cm 2 (+21%; range, 4–35%; P = 0.002). The greatest expansion occurred in the HADM medial and lateral segments (range, 18–30% across the four segments). Patient satisfaction was comparable with that of non-HADM patients. Complications in the HADM group included late seroma, red breast syndrome and urinary tract infection. Complications in the non-HADM cohort included cellulitis, expander explantation, delayed wound healing and skin necrosis. Conclusions During short-term follow-up, HADM exhibited a modest degree of stretching during tissue expander/implant breast reconstruction and was associated with few complications and a high level of patient satisfaction.
SUGAR-CONTAINING COMPOUNDS ON THE CELL SURFACES OF MARINE DIATOMS MEASURED USING CONCANAVALIN A AND FLOW CYTOMETRY

Some diatom exudates may remain attached to the exterior cell surface, potentially altering cell stickiness and affecting important aspects of the diatom's ecology such as aggregation rates and grazing rates. We measured the accumulation of cell-surface sugar-containing compounds by labeling cultured marine diatoms with fluorescent-tagged sugar-binding lectins and measuring the fluorescence associated with each cell using flow cytometry. The binding of FITC-labeled concanavalin A (FITC-ConA), a lectin that binds to glucose and mannose residues, varied 5-fold among different diatom species in exponential growth (on a per-cell basis) and 2–3-fold within a given species in different physiological states. Although transparent exopolymer particles followed a simple accumulation curve over time in batch culture, FITC-ConA. cell-1 did not follow the same pattern, suggesting that surface sugar accumulation is not driven simply by the accumulation of such particles in the medium. For Thalassiosira pseudonana (Hustedt) Hasle and Heimdal (3H clone), the amount of sugar-containing compounds on the cell surface increased transiently as growth rate slowed in early stationary phase under both N and Si limitation. For Chaetoceros neogracile (Schuett) van Landingham, FITC-ConA. cell-1had a strong inverse relationship with growth rate across several Si-limited batch culture experiments. Both results suggest some biological mediation of cell-surface sugar-containing compounds. Our study reveals the great potential for using lectin binding to investigate cell-surface sugars on diatoms. Lectins allow us to investigate noninvasively the role of cell-surface sugar-containing compounds in modifying cell stickiness and aggregation, as well as the partitioning of exuded phytoplankton carbon. We suggest that cell-surface sugar accumulation may be related to diatom stickiness, based on a correlation between our FITC-ConA measurements and stickiness estimates in the literature on several of the species we studied.
EUV resist imaging below 50 nm using coherent spatial filtering techniques

Lithography results using spatially-filtered coherent EUV radiation are presented. These experiments were done using a new 10× Schwarzschild optic and other significant upgrades for high stability and throughput of the system. Included are both single- and multiple-pitch images. A chemically-amplified EUV resist is shown performing at dense 50-nm linewidths and loose 25-nm features. High resolution polymers (HSQ and PMMA) were also tested and demonstrate dense 40-nm linewidths, which are the smallest 1:1 multi-pitch features attempted at this time.
Sleep Disturbance and Older Adults' Inflammatory Responses to Acute Stress

Objectives Poor sleep diminishes mental and physical health. The objective of this study was to examine associations between sleep disturbance and interleukin-6 (IL-6) responses to acute mental stress in older adults. Design Observational study of community-dwelling, healthy older adults. Setting Participants completed the study in a clinical research laboratory of a mid-sized university. Participants Generally healthy, community-dwelling men and women age 50 and older. Measurements IL-6 and negative affect at rest and following a series of challenging cognitive tests; sleep quality; depressive symptoms; perceived stress; loneliness. Results Participants categorized as poor sleepers on the basis of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores had significantly larger IL-6 responses to the cognitive stressors than good sleepers. The association between poor sleep and heightened IL-6 response to acute stress was not explained by other psychosocial factors previously linked to immune dysregulation, including depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and loneliness. Conclusions Findings add to the growing evidence for poor sleep as an independent risk factor for poor mental and physical health. Older adults may be particularly vulnerable to effects of sleep disturbance due to significant age-related changes in both sleep and inflammatory regulation.
Cluster Expansion and Generalized Transfer Matrices for the Statistical Mechanics of Linear Chains

A cluster expansion of the statistical mechanical density operator for a general linear chain model with nearest-neighbor interactions is made. This expansion is then shown to lead to an expansion of a generalized transfer matrix, whose maximum eigenvalue is the per-site partition function. A number of computational features, as well as some illustrative examples, of this approach are described.
Clocking and synchronization in sub-90 nm system-on-chip (SoC) designs

Sub-90 nm designs create many challenging problems for VLSI designers. A key challenge is the unpredictable behavior of the interconnect characteristics resulting in delay variations. New techniques such as current-mode interconnection scheme and results from other circuit domain could be helpful in dealing with this problem. Also, prevention and correction both should be considered in achieving signal and function integrity. This article presents some solutions for the clocking and synchronization problem for the design of SoCs specifically in asynchronous design, GALS, and current-mode interconnects.
C(5)-C(5a)-modified bicyclomycins: synthesis, structure, and biochemical and biological properties.

Bicyclomycin (1) is a novel antibiotic that targets rho transcription termination factor in Escherichia coli. We have demonstrated that retention of the C(5)−C(5a) exomethylene unit in 1 is not essential for inhibition. In a recent paper we proposed a working model for 1 and rho function and suggested that 1 binds in a cleft with the C(5)−C(5a) exomethylene unit directed toward the dimeric interface of two rho monomers. This report examines the bicyclomycin C(5)−C(5a) structural constraints necessary for retention of rho inhibitory activity. Three classes of C(5)−C(5a)-modified bicyclomycins have been prepared and their inhibitory activities evaluated in the poly C-dependent ATPase and filter disk antimicrobial assays. The first series consisted of 12 analogues (8−19) that contained a C(5a)-unsaturated substituent and possessed C(5E)-geometry. The second set were a pair of C(5a)-substituted C(5E)- and C(5Z)-geometrical isomers (21 and 23). The final group of compounds consisted of six C(5)−C(5a)-dihydrobi...
Estimating the Burden of Disease from Unsafe Injections in India: A Cost-benefit Assessment of the Auto-disable Syringe in a Country with Low Blood-borne Virus Prevalence.

Background: Unsafe medical injections are a prevalent risk factor for viral hepatitis and HIV in India. Objectives: This review undertakes a cost-benefit assessment of the auto-disable syringe, now being introduced to prevent the spread of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Materials and Methods: The World Health Organization methods for modeling the global burden of disease from unsafe medical injections are reproduced, correcting for the concentrated structure of the HIV epidemic in India. A systematic review of risk factor analyses in India that investigate injection risks is used in the uncertainty analysis. Results: The median population attributable fraction for hepatitis B carriage associated with recent injections is 46%, the median fraction of hepatitis C infections attributed to unsafe medical injections is 38%, and the median fraction of incident HIV infections attributed to medical injections is 12% in India. The modeled incidence of blood-borne viruses suggests that introducing the auto-disable syringe will impose an incremental cost of $46-48 per disability adjusted life year (DALY) averted. The epidemiological evidence suggests that the incremental cost of introducing the auto-disable syringe for all medical injections is between $39 and $79 per DALY averted. Conclusions: The auto-disable syringe is a cost-effective alternative to the reuse of syringes in a country with low prevalence of blood-borne viruses.
Magnetic properties of stage-1 NiCl2-GUC2

Abstract The magnetic properties of stage-2 NiCl-GIC2 are very similar to those of stage-2 CoCl2-GICs, including behavior which has been ascribed to the 2D XY model. The main differences between these systems are in the magnitude of the spin and in the anisotropy energy. We report here a similarity in the magnetic behavior between the corresponding stage-1 compounds, based on ac susceptibility measurements.
Sperm capacitation and fertilization in mammals.

PIP: Current evidence and speculations concerning the nature of sperm capacitation in mammals are reviewed and critically assessed. Capacitation, a subtle functional change which must occur at least in some mammals before fertilization can take place, occurs in sperm as a result of exposure to secretions of the female tract. In some species the noncapacitated state may enable sperm to undergo a period of storage in the cauda epididymidis after completion of maturation in the mate; alternatively, the noncapacitated state may enable sperm to withstand exposure to the female tract for some time before the arrival of the egg. In several species evidence indicates capacitation enables sperm to penetrate the cumulus oophorus and the zona pellucida. Capacitation may involve changes on the sperm surface, such as the unmasking of so-called receptor sites. Both the uterus and the fallopian tube play a part in capacitation. Contraception via capacitation control by steroid therapy alone is unlikely to be achieved. The question of the need for capacitation in man is as of yet resolved. Areas reviewed include need for capacitation in different mammals, analysis of factors important for capacitation, changes in sperm during capacitation, and events involved in fertilization. Species for which definite evidence of capacitation has been found include the rat, rabbit, hamster, ferret, and sheep.
Scalable event matching for overlapping subscriptions in pub/sub systems

Content-based publish/subscribe systems allow matching the content of events with predicates in the subscriptions. However, most existing systems only allow a limited set of operators, such as comparison on primitive data types (string, integer, etc). In this paper, we consider a publish/subscribe system that supports more flexible events/subscriptions with the use of advanced, yet potentially expensive, matching operators. Examples of such operators are pattern recognizers on multimedia data and spatial operators on location data. We study a critical problem in these publish/subscribe systems, namely how to optimize the matching process for a large number of subscriptions. This is achieved by exploiting the overlap in the subscriptions and sharing the operator evaluation results whenever possible. We formulate the optimal subscription evaluation problem and show that it is NP-Hard. We propose an efficient d-approximation algorithm, where d is the maximum number of operators in one subscription, as well as a heuristic algorithm that can further improve the system performance in practice. Our experiment results show that the proposed algorithms can reduce the matching cost by up to 80%, as compared to a naive strategy that evaluates the subscriptions independently.
POSITIVE REGULATION OF HUMAN THYROTROPIN RECEPTOR mRNA BY THYROTROPIN

ABSTRACT We have assessed the influence of natural and recombinant thyrotropin (TSH) on mRNA specific for the human TSH receptor (TSHR) in normal and abnormal adult human thyroid monolayer cells. Using physiological concentrations of TSH ( 1000% increase after 24 hours exposure. At high TSH concentrations (>1000 mU/L), this increase in TSHR-specific mRNA was markedly reduced. However, at no time were basal TSHR mRNA levels suppressed even with 100 U/L of TSH for 48 hours. These observations demonstrate ligand-induced up-regulation of the human TSHR mRNA by physiologically relevant concentrations of TSH.
Governing customer-service organization exchange

Abstract This article argues that in order to manage customer-service organization exchange efficiently, organizations must choose governance structures that match the nature of the transactions in which they are engaged. The more complex the transaction—defined in terms of the amount of information that has to be exchanged to complete the transaction—the more complex the governance structure required. Three kinds of governance structures, based on combinations of market, bureaucratic, and professional control, are discussed in relationship to the characteristics of different kinds of transactions.
Dental microwear evidence for a dietary shift between two nonmaize-reliant prehistoric human populations from Indiana.

Several recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of dental microwear analysis (DMA) for dietary reconstruction among nonhuman primates, early hominids, and prehistoric humans. The current study seeks microwear evidence for a paleobotanically suggested change in the types of foods that were consumed by two temporally distinct populations of the North American eastern woodlands. This particular dietary shift between the Late Archaic and the Early/Middle Woodland periods did not include the introduction of maize or any other tropical cultigen. In contrast, most dietary reconstructions from this area have compared later populations that consumed tropical cultigens (such as maize) with those that did not. High-resolution casts of adult mandibular second molar protoconid phase II wear facets were viewed via a scanning electron microscope at 500×. Photomicrographs of the microwear features were analyzed with specialized software, Microware 2.2 (Ungar [1995] Scanning 17:57–59). Analysis of variance statistical tests were performed, with one variable requiring rank-transformation. A dietary transition is evidenced by a statistically significant increase in the mean number of pits and concomitant decreases in scratch width and scratch length from the Late Archaic to the Early/Middle Woodland. Overall, the diet became harder and less abrasive. The implication here is that dental microwear analysis is able to discern relatively subtle dietary transitions in human populations that may not be as readily accessible by other means of dietary reconstruction. Am J Phys Anthropol 114:139–145, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Functionalization of polymer‐supported pentaerythritol as a general synthesis for the preparation of ion‐binding polymers

Pentaerythritol bonded to cross-linked poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) beads (PE) provides a scaffold onto which ligands can be attached by reaction with reactive compounds such as phosphoryl halides. To broaden the applicability of PE for the preparation of ion-selective polymers, conditions are reported for the conversion of the hydroxyl group to the bromide, which acts as a better leaving group. The CH2Br moiety thus provides a handle on which an array of ligands can be bound through nucleophilic substitution. In this first in a series of reports, immobilization of diethylamine onto the PE and the ion-binding affinities of the resulting polymer are described. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Structural requirements for substrates and inhibitors of angiotensin I-converting enzyme in vivo and vitro.

The mechanism of action of peptide inhibitors on angiotensin I-converting enzyme (Al-converting enzyme) was studied in relation to the substrate requirements of the enzyme in vivo in the dog lung and in vitro in plasma. 1- d -Asp-8-Ile-AI prepared by the solid-phase technique was compared with the known peptide inhibitors of Al-converting enzyme. BPP5a (Pyr-Lys-Trp-Ala-Pro) and SQ 20881 (Pyr-Trp-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gln-Ile-Pro-Pro)125I-1- d -Asp-8-Ile-AI was evaluated for susceptibility to cleavage by the Al-converting enzyme. In vitro and in vivo, 125I-1- d -Asp-8-Ile-AI or BPP5a in 50,000-fold molar excess produced only a slight delay in conversion of 1251-AI to 125I-angiotension II (AII); SQ 20881 blocked conversion completely. In vivo, l- d -Asp-8-Ile-AI or BPP5a injected into the pulmonary circulation in 250-fold molar excess (250 nmole/kg) did not cause a diminution in the pressor response to AI administered 30 seconds later; SQ 20881 blocked the pressor response to Al for 60-90 minutes. 1- d -Asp-8-Ile-AI was a poor substrate for converting enzyme, since 125I-1- d -Asp-8-Ile-AI was not converted to 125I-1- d -Asp-8-Ile-AII, and unlabeled 1- d -Asp-8-Ile-AI did not block the pressor response to exogenous AII. 125I-1- d -Asp-8-lle-AI was stable in plasma and in the pulmonary circulation The results suggest that since 1- d -Asp-8-Ile-AI is neither a substrate nor a blocker, substitution of the aliphatic residue Ile in the 8 position of AI may prevent binding to an active site in the AI-converting enzyme.
Ammonia accumulation in platelet concentrates during storage

Newly prepared platelet concentrates (PC) and platelet poor plasma (PPP) stored at either room temperature (RT) or 4 C were analyzed for ammonia content initially, and after storage at 24, 48, and 72 hours. These studies demonstrate that ammonia rapidly accumulates in PC stored at RT. This accumulation appears to be temperature dependent, as evidenced by the observed differences in ammonia accumulation in PC stored at 4 C and RT. Whether ammonia acts as a toxic metabolite in the inhibition of platelet function and the development of the "storage lesion," which occurs in PC stored at RT, needs further clarification. Additional studies are also necessary to establish the clinical efficacy of transfusing ammonia-containing platelet concentrates into premature neonates with immature functioning livers, and perhaps into adults with severe liver disease.