cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large aperture harmonic conversion experiments at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Large aperture harmonic conversion experiments to 2ω (532 nm), 3ω (355 nm), and 4ω (266 nm) on the Argus laser at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are described. Harmonically converted energies of up to 346 J have been generated at external conversion efficiencies of 83%. A discussion of the harmonic conversion experiments and a brief summary of enhanced 2ω and 3ω inertial confinement fusion target performances are provided.
Copper-induced generation of superoxide in human red cell membrane.

Abstract The addition of CuSO 4 to erythrocyte membrane preparations causes the generation of superoxide radicals as measured by the superoxide dismutasesensitive oxidation of epinephrine. The formation of O 2 − is accompanied by the reduction of copper to the cuprous form. These events are inhibited by pCMB suggesting the involvement of membrane -SH groups in the reduction of copper, and a subsequent autoxidation of Cu + to generate O 2 − and Cu ++ . It is proposed that these mechanisms may be the basis for the cytotoxicity of copper in individuals exposed to copper either through a genetic deficiency of copper binding proteins or as a result of the acute ingestion of copper salts.
Infliximab for refractory ulcerative colitis.

Eight patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC), refractory to usual combination medical therapy, were treated with a single i.v. dose of chimeric monoclonal antibody to recombinant human tumor necrosis factor α; many of these patients were scheduled for surgical colectomy because of their active disease. All patients responded extremely well to a single 5 mg/kg infusion of infliximab, with marked improvement after the infusion clinically, colonoscopically, and histologically on colonic biopsy. There were no significant complications or side effects; mean duration of remission has not been determined because none of the patients have relapsed. Infliximab appears to be a potent agent for inducing remission in refractory patients with ulcerative colitis.
Adverse effects of admission blood alcohol on long-term cognitive function in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol is known to be protective in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, its impact on the long-term cognitive function is unknown. We hypothesize that intoxication at the time of injury is associated with adverse long-term cognitive function in patients sustaining TBI. METHODS: We performed a 2-year retrospective study of all trauma patients with isolated TBI presenting to our Level I trauma center and discharged to a single rehabilitation facility. Patients with moderate-to-severe TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] score ≥ 3), measured admission blood alcohol concentration, and measured cognitive function on hospital discharge and rehabilitation center discharge were included. Cognitive function was assessed using Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores. Delta cognitive FIM was defined as the difference between rehabilitation center discharge and hospital discharge cognitive FIM scores. Multivariate linear regression was performed. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were included. Mean (SD) age was 51.8 (23) years, median head AIS score was 3 (IQR, 3-5), and median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 11 (IQR, 3-15). Mean (SD) cognitive FIM score on hospital discharge was 17 (6), and mean (SD) cognitive improvement was 8.6 (4.7). Sixty percent (n = 39) were under the influence of alcohol on admission, and the mean (SD) admission blood alcohol concentration was 132 (102).On multivariate linear regression analysis, admission blood alcohol concentration (β = -0.4; 95% confidence interval, -6.7 to -0.8; p = 0.01) and age (β = -0.13; 95% confidence interval, -0.2 to -0.04; p = 0.04) were negatively associated with improvement in long-term cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Alcohol intoxication at the time of injury is associated with lower improvement in long-term cognitive function. Older intoxicated patients are likely to have a lower cognitive improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and epidemiologic study, level III. Language: en
Diffusion tensor imaging of the human cerebellar pathways and their interplay with cerebral macrostructure.

Cerebellar white matter connections to the central nervous system are classified functionally into the spinocerebellar, vestibulocerebellar, and cerebrocerebellar subdivisions. The Spinocerebellar (SC) pathways project from spinal cord to cerebellum, whereas the vestibulocerebellar (VC) pathways project from vestibular organs of the inner ear. Cerebrocerebellar connections are composed of feed forward and feedback connections between cerebrum and cerebellum including the cortico-ponto-cerebellar (CPC) pathways being of cortical origin and the dentate-rubro-thalamo-cortical (DRTC) pathway being of cerebellar origin. In this study we systematically quantified the whole cerebellar system connections using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI). Ten right-handed healthy subjects (7 males and 3 females, age range 20-51 years) were studied. DT-MRI data were acquired with a voxel size = 2mm x 2mm x 2 mm at a 3.0 Tesla clinical MRI scanner. The DT-MRI data were prepared and analyzed using anatomically-guided deterministic tractography methods to reconstruct the SC, DRTC, fronto-ponto-cerebellar (FPC), parieto-ponto-cerebellar (PPC), temporo-ponto-cerebellar (TPC) and occipito-ponto-cerebellar (OPC). The DTI-attributes or the cerebellar tracts along with their cortical representation (Brodmann areas) were presented in standard Montreal Neurological Institute space. All cerebellar tract volumes were quantified and correlated with volumes of cerebral cortical, subcortical gray matter (GM), cerebral white matter (WM) and cerebellar GM, and cerebellar WM. On our healthy cohort, the ratio of total cerebellar GM-to-WM was ~ 3.29 ± 0.24, whereas the ratio of cerebral GM-to-WM was approximately 1.10 ± 0.11. The sum of all cerebellar tract volumes is ~ 25.8 ± 7.3 mL, or a percentage of 1.52 ± 0.43 of the total intracranial volume.
An archipelago of high-bandwidth islands by optical wireless systems — A solution to the USA wireless airwaves spectrum crunch

We discuss the current problem of spectrum shortage and the idea of a viable solution employing indoor optical wireless links creating small high-bandwidth islands for each user effectively helping to combat this spectrum shortage [1].
Roman Thought Police and Early-Modern Astrology

Monica Azzolini. The Duke and the Stars. Astrology and Politics in Renaissance Milan. Cambridge:HarvardUniversity Press, 2013. xiii + 370pp, b&w figures, general index. Ugo Baldini and Leen Spruit, eds. Catholic Church and Modern Science: Documents from the Archives of the Roman Congregations of the Holy Office and the Index 16th Century Documents 4 volumes. Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2009. xli + 3380pp., b&w ill., name index. Fontes Archivi Sancti Officii Romani, series Archivi Congregationis pro Doctrina Fidei, 5. Fabrizio Bonoli, Giuseppe Bezza, Salvo de Meis, and Cinzia Colarita. I prognostici di Domenico Maria Novara. Florence: Olschki, 2012. vii + 317pp., b&w figures, name index. Mary Quinlan-McGrath. Influences. Art, Optics, and Astrology in the Italian Renaissance. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 2013. xi + 284pp., b&w ill., color plates, general index. The Roman Inquisition against Heretical Depravity, also known as the Holy Office (HO), established in 1542, and the Congregation of the Index of Prohibited Books (CI), announced officially in 1572, undertook to protect Italy from ideas and practices that menaced the authority of the Roman Catholic Church in this world and the salvation of its members in the next. This grandiose public-health program required trained and dedicated thought police to receive and evaluate alarms from the public and, when business was bad, to seek out sources of infection themselves. The resultant records of accusations, investigations, trials, condemnations, expurgations, and exceptions, if extant in its entirety, would go far to fill the nave of St. Peter’s. Time has so withered the records, however, that it is now practical to consider a printed edition of all the documents pertaining more or less to natural knowledge created by the HO and the CI from their establishment in
OR Forum-British Operational Research in World War II

This article offers an overview of British operational research activities during World War II, and is the second in a series on the early history of operations research. The first Operations Research35, 143-152 traced the scattered beginnings from World War I up to the activities in Britain before and during the early months of World War II.
Thermodynamic Role of the Pro Region of the Neurophysin Precursor in Neurophysin Folding: Evidence from the Effects of Ligand Peptides on Folding†

Attention has focused recently on the role of amino-terminal precursor pro regions in protein folding, with particular emphasis on their effects on folding kinetics. We examined the kinetic and thermodynamic effects of ligand peptides on the folding of neurophysin from the reduced state; these peptides serve as analogs of the pro regions of the common precursors of the neurophysins and the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. Folding of reduced, mononitrated bovine neurophysin-II was monitored by circular dichroism in a glutathione redox buffer. The results confirmed the ability of neurophysin to fold to a limited extent (20−25% in this system) in the absence of ligand peptides. Ligand peptides increased the efficiency of folding to 100%, the exact efficiency being dependent on peptide identity and concentration. However, the rate of folding was peptide-independent. Analysis of the folding reaction demonstrated relatively rapid conversion of the reduced state to a disulfide-scrambled state, which slowly con...
Comparison of outcomes for veterans receiving dialysis care from VA and non-VA providers.

Demand for dialysis treatment exceeds its supply within the Veterans Health Administration (VA), requiring VA to outsource dialysis care by purchasing private sector dialysis for veterans on a fee-for-service basis. It is unclear whether outcomes are similar for veterans receiving dialysis from VA versus non-VA providers. We assessed the extent of chronic dialysis treatment utilization and differences in all-cause hospitalizations and mortality between veterans receiving dialysis from VA versus VA-outsourced providers. We constructed a retrospective cohort of veterans in 2 VA regions who received chronic dialysis treatment financed by VA between January 2007 and December 2008. From VA administrative data, we identified veterans who received outpatient dialysis in (1) VA, (2) VA-outsourced settings, or (3) both (“dual”) settings. In adjusted analyses, we used two-part and logistic regression to examine associations between dialysis setting and all-cause hospitalization and mortality one-year from veterans’ baseline dialysis date. Of 1,388 veterans, 27% received dialysis exclusively in VA, 47% in VA-outsourced settings, and 25% in dual settings. Overall, half (48%) were hospitalized and 12% died. In adjusted analysis, veterans in VA-outsourced settings incurred fewer hospitalizations and shorter hospital stays than users of VA due to favorable selection. Dual-system dialysis patients had lower one-year mortality than veterans receiving VA dialysis. VA expenditures for “buying” outsourced dialysis are high and increasing relative to “making” dialysis treatment within its own system. Outcomes comparisons inform future make-or-buy decisions and suggest the need for VA to consider veterans’ access to care, long-term VA savings, and optimal patient outcomes in its placement decisions for dialysis services.
Establishment of human tumor xenografts in immunodeficient mice.

Heterotransplantation of human cancer cells or tumor biopsies into immunodeficient rodents (xenograft models) has, for the past two decades, constituted the major preclinical screen for the development of novel cancer therapeutics. Despite limitations, these models have identified clinically efficacious agents, and remain the 'workhorse' of the pharmaceutical industry. However, if therapeutic approaches to treating tumors according to their molecular characteristics are to be achieved, additional new models of human cancer will be required to represent the genetic diversity that exists within tumor histologies. This protocol details a method for establishing xenografts from primary solid-tumor isolates or cells grown in culture. The procedure relies on immunodeficient mice to provide a host for the establishment of human xenografts. The procedure can be completed in 1–2 h with results being obtained in 1–4 months.
Diabetes and diastolic function: Stiffness and relaxation from transmitral flow

To characterize the mechanism by which diabetes affects the heart in diabetic (n = 15) and age-matched control subjects (n = 15), we quantified and compared diastolic function (DF) in terms of chamber stiffness and viscosity/relaxation by analyzing Doppler E- and E'-waves and simultaneous (high-fidelity) hemodynamic data. We compared tau, standard Doppler indexes and indexes of stiffness and viscosity/relaxation computed via the parameterized diastolic filling (PDF) formalism. Three PDF parameters uniquely characterize each E-wave in terms of load (x(o)), viscoelasticity or viscosity/relaxation (c) and stiffness (k). Significant differences for c (p = 0.00004), the peak atrioventricular pressure gradient (kx(o)) (p = 0.02) and the stored elastic energy available for early filling (1/2kx(o)2) (p = 0.04) were found. The only conventional index attaining significance was E-wave acceleration time (p = 0.007). Neither time constant of isovolumic relaxation (tau) nor E-wave deceleration time, E', k or x(o) differentiated between groups. We conclude that PDF based DF assessment differentiates between diabetic and nondiabetic controls better than conventional echo- or cath-based indexes. Our results in humans agree with published results from animal studies. We conclude that diabetes affects the heart via a quantifiable increase in chamber viscoelasticity (c) rather than an increase in chamber stiffness (k) and that phenotypic characterization of diabetic cardiomyopathy is facilitated by DF assessment via the PDF formalism.
Energy-Efficient Transmission Strategies for Delay Constrained Traffic With Limited Feedback

In this paper, we developed transmission strategies able to deliver a prescribed number of packets by a deadline $T$ while minimizing transmission attempts. All the packets have a single common transmission deadline. The three systems analyzed here differ from each other on the way channel state information (CSI) is provided by the receiver. In the first system, the receiver sends back CSI only when packets fail; in the second system, the receiver provides CSI only if this minimizes a given cost function; and in the third system, feedback is sent whenever a given threshold condition is verified. The communication channel is modeled as a time-varying correlated fading channel, represented by a Markov chain. For the first two systems, the optimal schedules are obtained through dynamic programming (DP) . The third scheduler is based on a heuristic strategy, whose performance is evaluated through numerical simulations, and compared with that of the two optimal schedulers obtained through DP. Results showed that the heuristic scheduler can reach performance similar to that of DP schedulers.
Atrial Septopulmonary Bundle of the Posterior Left Atrium Provides a Substrate for Atrial Fibrillation Initiation in a Model of Vagally Mediated Pulmonary Vein Tachycardia of the Structurally Normal Heart

Background— The posterior left atrium (PLA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) have been shown to be critical for atrial fibrillation (AF) initiation. However, the detailed mechanisms of reentry and AF initiation by PV impulses are poorly understood. We hypothesized that PV impulses trigger reentry and AF by undergoing wavebreaks as a result of sink-to-source mismatch at specific PV-PLA transitions along the septopulmonary bundle, where there are changes in thickness and fiber direction. Methods and Results— In 7 Langendorff-perfused sheep hearts AF was initiated by a burst of 6 pulses (CL 80 to 150ms) delivered to the left inferior or right superior PV ostium 100 to 150 ms after the sinus impulse in the presence of 0.5 μmol/L acetylcholine. The exposed septal-PLA endocardial area was mapped with high spatio-temporal resolution (DI-4-ANEPPS, 1000-fr/s) during AF initiation. Isochronal maps for each paced beat preceding AF onset were constructed to localize areas of conduction delay and block. Phase movies allowed the determination of the wavebreak sites at the onset of AF. Thereafter, the PLA myocardial wall thickness was quantified by echocardiography, and the fiber direction in the optical field of view was determined after peeling off the endocardium. Finally, isochrone, phase and conduction velocity maps were superimposed on the corresponding anatomic pictures for each of the 28 episodes of AF initiation. The longest delays of the paced PV impulses, as well as the first wavebreak, occurred at those boundaries along the septopulmonary bundle that showed sharp changes in fiber direction and the largest and most abrupt increase in myocardial thickness. Conclusion— Waves propagating from the PVs into the PLA originating from a simulated PV tachycardia triggered reentry and vagally mediated AF by breaking at boundaries along the septopulmonary bundle where abrupt changes in thickness and fiber direction resulted in sink-to-source mismatch and low safety for propagation. Received December 13, 2007; accepted May 30, 2008.
Concatenating Packets in Variable-Length Input-Queued Packet Switches with Cell-Based and Packet-Based Scheduling

Internet data is transmitted in variable-size packets to provide flexibility for different applications. There has been a growing interest in developing the design of Internet routers based variable-length packets to improve performance and reduce the amount of re-assembly memory. However, most of variable-length designs follow a time-slotted approach, which make them similar to routers that switch fixed-length packets. The use of slotted timing makes padding necessary when packet sizes are not proportional to the time-slot length. In this paper, we investigate the impact of concatenating packets to reduce the amount of padding in variable-length packet switches. This approach increases the utilization of interconnection bandwidth and overall throughput performance. Performance evaluation in an input-queued packet switch using packet concatenation is presented.
Brainstem Cavernous Malformations: 1390 Surgical Cases from the Literature

Objective Although surgical resection of brainstem cavernous malformations (CM) has been reviewed, numerous large surgical series have been recently reported. Methods Eighteen new surgical series with 710 patients were found via a PubMed search, in addition to our previous meta-analysis. Complete excision, complications, and long-term outcome results were compiled across these series. They were then compared and subsequently combined with those of our previous report. Results We combined results of 68 surgical series with 1390 patients, incorporating results from our previous meta-analysis. Across 61 series, 1178 of 1291 (91%) CMs were completely excised. Of 105 partially resected CMs with ample follow-up, 65 rebled (62%). Across 46 series providing information on early neurologic morbidity, the overall rate was 45%. Specifically, 12% of patients required tracheostomy and/or gastrostomy procedures. Overall long-term condition was improved in 62% of patients across 51 series. Across 60 series, overall long-term condition was improved or the same in 84% of patients, with worsening in the remaining 16%. The overall surgical and/or cavernoma related mortality rate for all 1390 patients was 1.5%. Notably, these results did not differ significantly between our initial review and the combined data from the subsequent 18 surgical series recently reported in the literature. Conclusion Surgical resection of brainstem CM continues to present a considerable challenge with resultant morbidity akin to another CM hemorrhage. We therefore prefer to offer surgery only to patients with at least one previous hemorrhage with CM pial representation. Appropriate patient counseling about expected early morbidity and the potential for long-term worsening is crucial.
Connecting Administrative and Professional Perspective in the Era of Accountability.

This paper will explore how to connect the administrative and professional perspectives in the era of accountability. Conflicting school accountability perspectives come from the contradiction between managerialism and professionalism. This inconsistency in accountability may have shifted the teaching profession’s role toward supervisory leadership and acquiescing or resisting professionalism. In order to balance the conflicts and issues, administrators need to consider high-quality professional development, facilitating self-producing practices, building organizational learning, and distributing and sharing responsibility and leadership. Also professionals need to rescue from individualism to collaboration and team, advocate authentic pedagogy as critical and reflective practitioners, become data generator and talker for the best practice and the successful policy implementation, and act as an active leader. Such connection enables administrators to enter into the classroom and professionals to open their classrooms toward the external world in search of authentic pedagogy and accountability through deliberative discourse.
Clinical application of electrodiagnostic studies of female pelvic floor neuropathy

Pelvic floor disorders resulting in urinary and/or fecal incontinence have been shown to be related to neuropathy. Electrodiagnostic studies of the pelvic floor when associated with an understanding of pelvic floor anatomy and physiology may have clinical application in the field of Urogynecology. Possible clinical applications are discussed.
Experimental comparison of scalable online ad serving

Online Ad Servers attempt to find best ads to serve for a given triggering user event. The performance of ads may be measured in several ways. We suggest a formulation in which the ad network tries to maximize revenue subject to relevance constraints. We describe several algorithms for ad selection and review their complexity. We tested these algorithms using Microsoft ad network from October 1 2006 to February 8 2007. Over 3 billion impressions, 8 million combinations of triggers with ads, and a number of algorithms were tested over this period. We discover curious differences between ad-servers aimed at revenue versus clickthrough rate.
On Self-Sustaining Fracture Waves

The breakage of a tiny tail on a head of solid glass just removed from a glass bath and treated by fluoric acid (a “Batavian tear") makes the tear explode into a cloud of dust with the sound like that of a shot. This explosion reminds that of TNT but TNT disintegrates into molecules of the order of 10−9 m while the glass particles of dust are of the order of 10−6 m and have the same chemical composition as the solid glass. Rock bursts in deep mines of South Africa and Russia represent another example of the sudden, explosive self-destruction. To explain this phenomenon the theory of self-sustaining fracture waves was suggested earlier by Galin and Cherepanov (1966). This theory was based on the analogy with detonation waves later criticized as insufficiently substantiated. The approach presented below is based only on the conservation laws and does not use any analogies. It proves that the self-sustaining fracture wave can propagate only in compressed structures at the speed of longitudinal elastic waves.
A constitutional diagram of the system TiC−HfC−“MoC”

The system TiC−HfC−“MoC” was investigated by means of melting point, differentiothermoanalytical, X-ray diffraction and metallographic techniques on hotpressed as well as melted alloy specimens. A constitutional diagram from 1500°C through the melting range was established.
Estimating the agricultural demand for natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas in the presence of measurement error in the data

The paper begins by discussing the importance of accurate estimates of the price elasticity of demand and some of the problems frequently encountered in obtaining these estimates. To these problems is added that associated with inaccuracy in the measurement of the dependent variable and one or more of the independent variables that affect the quantity demanded. Two diagnostics, i.e. the regression coefficient bounds and the bias correction factor, have been introduced to assess the effect that such measurement error has on the estimated coefficients of demand relationships. The use of these diagnostics will aid in assessing the integrity of the estimates obtained. In considering the demand for natural gas and the demand for liquefied petroleum gas by farmers in the USA, both the quantity demanded and the price data available for demand model estimation purposes contain measurement error. The regression coefficient bounds diagnostic was used to indicate a range over which the true price responsiveness of farmers to changes in energy prices lies. The results suggest that each 1% increase (decrease) in the price of energy will result in a decrease (increase) of between 0.41 and 0.17% in the quantity of natural gas demanded and a decrease (increase) of between 0.48 and 0.07% in the quantity of liquefied petroleum gas demanded. The bias correction factor was computed to evaluate the magnitude of the underestimation of the responsiveness of the quantity of natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas demanded to a change in the number of acres irrigated. For natural gas, the under-estimation was 26.5%, whereas, for liquefied petroleum gas, it was 9.5%.
Visual statistical analysis of three-dimensional structural dynamics data

Abstract A scanning laser Doppler vibrometer provides high-spatial-density vibration measurements of a structure under test. These in-the-field laser-based measurements are the basis for deriving spatial dynamics models. Statistical analysis of the experimental structural dynamics data is essential to determine the quality of the time signal data measurements. Statistically qualifying the time signal data at each point on the structure is particularly important to the process of deriving spatial dynamics models from the data. Analysis of numeric statistics of these large vibration data sets is tedious and time consuming. A new technique for visual statistical analysis using graphical computer modeling is introduced to aid the interpretation of the signal processing statistics measured at numerous spatial locations over a structure. Estimates of the error variance, maximum sample cross-correlation coefficients, and F test p -values for regression are computed for time signal data acquired at each measurement location on a structure. Colour and graphical glyphs added to the computer model quickly draw attention to areas on a structure where the time signal data measurements have poor statistical values. The visual statistical model can be a guide during data acquisition to indicate the quality of the acquired data as well as regions where additional measurements may be necessary.
A COMPARISON OF THE PERFORMANCE OF GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICANTS ON THE TEST OF WRITTEN ENGLISH

The performance of graduate and undergraduate school applicants on the Test of Written English (TWE®) was compared for each of 66 data sets, dating from 1988 to 1993. The analyses compared the average TWE score for graduates and undergraduates after matching examinees on the TOEFL® total score. The main finding was that, for matched examinees, undergraduate TWE means were higher than graduate means in 63 of the 66 data sets. Although these standardized mean differences (SMDs) never exceeded 0.3 of a TWE score point (with standard errors that were typically between 0.01 and 0.02), the results are noteworthy because they give a different picture than do simple comparisons of means for unmatched graduates and undergraduates, which show higher mean TWE scores for graduate applicants in the majority of cases. Of the nine SMDs exceeding 0.2, eight were in Region 1 (Asia and the Pacific) between October 1988 and May 1992. In evaluating these findings, the effects of the examinees' intended field of graduate study were investigated. For groups matched on TOEFL score, applicants to graduate programs in the physical and biological sciences tended to have lower TWE means than undergraduates and graduates in the social sciences. Graduate students in the physical sciences tended to have lower TWE means than matched graduates in the humanities. Graduate-undergraduate differences in TWE performance may result in part from a greater concentration of graduate applicants in scientific fields. Another hypothesis is that undergraduates are more likely to have recently participated in intense English writing instruction. Region 1 may show larger graduate-undergraduate differences because of greater demographic disparities in that region between these two groups of examinees.
Optimizing facility use restrictions for the movement of hazardous materials

The modeling tools that have been developed over the last 25 years for the identification of routes for hazmat shipments emphasize the tradeoffs between cost minimization to the shipper/carrier and controlling the "natural" consequences that would stem from an accident. As the terrorist threat has grown, it has become clear that a new perspective, which allows for the representation of the goals and activities of terrorists, must be incorporated into these routing models. Government agencies can determine which specific facilities to restrict for each class of material and for which times of the day and/or week. This paper develops a game-theoretic model of the interactions among government agencies, shippers/carriers and terrorists as a framework for the analysis. It also develops an effective solution procedure for this game. Finally, it illustrates the methodology on a realistic case study.
DNA RFLPs at a highly polymorphic locus distinguish European and African subspecies of the honey bee Apis mellifera L. and suggest geographical origins of New World honey bees

A highly polymorphic locus in the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., was detected with genomic probe pB178. Eighty-five alleles, consisting of MspI and DdeI RFLPs, were found among the Old and New World bees tested. Forty-one MspI and 43 DdeI restriction fragment patterns, or variants, were identified. Variants and alleles were discontinuously distributed in Old World European and African subspecies. Principal coordinate analysis of the genetic distances between the alleles resulted in the identification of three distinct groups corresponding to three groups of honey bee races with historically different geographical distributions: east European A. m. ligustica and A. m. caucasica; west European A. m. mellifera; and South African A. m. scutellata. The clustering of alleles into these groups is consistent with previous honey bee phylogeographic studies, employing other nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers, which in part support the evolutionary history of the honey bee hypothesized by Ruttner based on morphometric and allozyme data. The majority of alleles in bees from the USA grouped with those found in east European bees, while other alleles grouped with alleles found in A. m. mellifera. While the majority of the alleles in neotropical bees grouped with or were identical to African alleles, other alleles grouped with alleles found in A. m. mellifera, A. m. ligustica, and A. m. caucasica. Clues to the ancestry of neotropical bees may be found in the identification of alleles that were identical or more similar to alleles found in South African and west European bees; evidence for west European ancestry has been suggested using other taxonomic characters that were not unique to west European bees. Both west European and African alleles were found in individual neotropical colonies, which may indicate that honey bee subspecies which evolved allopatrically have hybridized in the human-assisted extension of their original geographical ranges.
Interaction of α-Synuclein and a Cell Penetrating Fusion Peptide with Higher Eukaryotic Cell Membranes Assessed by 19F NMR

We show that fluorine NMR can be used to monitor the insertion and change in conformation of a 19F-labeled cell-penetrating peptide upon interacting with the cellular plasma membrane. α-Synuclein and a construct comprising a cell-penetrating peptide covalently attached to its N-terminus were studied. Important information about the interaction of the proteins with CHO-K1 cells was obtained by monitoring the diminution of 19F resonances of 3-fluoro-L-tyrosine labeled proteins. For α-synuclein, a decrease in the resonance from position 39 was observed indicating that only the N-terminal third region of the protein interacts with plasma membrane. However, when the fusion construct was incubated with the cells, a decrease in the resonance from the fusion peptide region was noted with no change in the resonances from α-synuclein region. Longer incubation, studied by using confocal fluorescence microscopy, revealed that the fusion construct translocates into the cells, but α-synuclein alone did not cross the membrane in significant amounts.
The use of glucagon in insulin coma therapy.

The use of glucagon in the termination of insulin coma therapy has been discussed. The advantages over previous techniques of termination were described. Clinical experience with 41 patients who had a total of 739 comas showed no untoward reactions with the use of glucagon. No permanent residual effects were noted, and only transitory reactions, such as delayed coma, muscular twitching and secondary comas were reported in six instances.
Niacin and niacinamide transport in the central nervous system. In vivo studies.

– The concentration ol niacinamide in plasma and CSF was 0.5 and 0.7 μm respectively. The, mechanisms by which niacin and niacinamide, which are not synthesized in brain, enter brain, CSF and choroid plexus were investigated by injecting [14C]niacin or [14C]niacinamide intravenously and intraventricularly. [14C]Niacin or [14C]niacinamide, with or without unlabeled niacin or niacinamide, were infused intravenously at a constant rate into conscious rabbits. At 3 h, [14C]niacinamide, but not [14C]niacin, readily entered CSF, choroid plexus and brain. The addition of 4.1 mmol/kg niacinamide to the infusate markedly depressed the relative entry of [14C]niacinamide into choroid plexus and brain but not into CSF. After intraventricular injection, [14C]niacin was rapidly cleared from CSF and readily entered brain and choroid plexus. The addition of unlabeled niacin to the intraventricular injectate decreased the clearance of [14C]niacin from CSF and the entry of [14C]niacin into choroid plexus and brain. Unlike niacin, carrier niacinamide (82 μmol) in the injectate did not depress the extremely rapid clearance of intraventricularly injected [14C]niacinamide from CSF but did decrease the entry of [14C]niacinamide into brain. These results show that the control of entry and exit of niacinamide and niacin is the mechanism, at least in part, by which total niacin and NAD levels in brain cells are regulated. In the case of niacinamide which readily passes between CSF and plasma, the regulation of entry of niacinamide into brain cells by a high affinity accumulation system is an integral part of the homeostatic system. In the case of niacin, penetration into CSF and the extracellular space of brain from plasma as well as regulation of entry into brain cells by a saturable accumulation system are two distinct parts of the homeostatic system. In vivo, niacin that enters the central nervous system is converted to the principal plasma vitamer, niacinamide, in its free or bound forms such as NAD.
Architectural vs. biological effects of a habitat-altering, exotic mussel, Musculista senhousia

Musculista senhousia Benson in Cantor is a small mytilid mussel that has been introduced from Asia onto three continents, including the Pacific coast of North America. The mussel often forms dense mats that can increase infaunal density and species richness. This research experimentally examines the relationship between the physical structure of the mussel mat habitat and the biological activities of the mussel as it relates to the macrofaunal assemblages in Mission Bay, San Diego, California, USA. The results of this experiment demonstrate that the effects of physical structure consistently outweigh the effects of living mussels. Total macrofaunal densities, species richness, and densities of a variety of taxa (e.g. the snail Barleeia subtenuis Carpenter, nemerteans, and amphipods) were enhanced by the presence of the artificial mats. The tube-building, planktonically-developing polychaete, Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata Okuda, however, was apparently inhibited by mats, as were planktonic developers as a group. The effects of structure provided by mussel shells themselves appeared to be weaker than the mat effects, although some taxa, such as the gastropod B. subtenuis, responded to shells alone. The influences of living mussels also were less pronounced than that of artificial mats, although non-planktonic developers, including midge larvae and the tanaid Leptochelia dubia Kroger, showed positive responses to live mussels. In general, these results are consistent with observed effects of other habitat-creating exotics, and suggest that facilitation of biota by non-native species capable of creating physical complexity in ecosystems may be a major and predictable consequence of biological invasions.
Profound Bradycardia following Release of Cardiac Tamponade: Hypothesis for Reflex Control

A 58-year-old patient with chronic renal failure presented for routine hemodialysis, and was noted to have severe hypotension and findings on examination compatible with cardiac tamponade. The patient had emergency construction of a pericardial window. At the time of surgery, rapid evacuation of the pericardial space resulted in rebound hypertension associated with marked bradycardia. The features of the patient's case were analogous to the cardiovascular and reflex adjustments that normally occur during the Valsalva maneuver. These findings suggest that the cardiovascular changes occurring during the rapid decompression of cardiac tamponade may be reflexly-mediated, and gradual decompression of the pericardial space is therefore recommended to avoid reflex hypertension and bradycardia.
Minimally invasive mitral valve repair suggests earlier operations for mitral valve disease.

Abstract Objective We began minimally invasive mitral valve surgery in August, 1996, to reduce hospital costs, to improve patient recovery, cosmetic appearance, and to decrease trauma, yet maintain the same quality of surgery. To validate this approach we reviewed our entire experience through May 2002. Methods From August 1996 to May 2002, we performed 413 minimally invasive mitral valve operations including 51 mitral valve replacements and 362 mitral valve repairs. Excluding 4 robotically assisted repairs, we evaluated 358 patients, using the mitral valve repairs as the basis for this retrospective survey. These operations were performed through a 6- to 8-cm minimally invasive incision, beginning with parasternal and, most recently, lower ministernotomy (181 patients). The mitral valve reparative techniques include repair of 94 prolapsed anterior leaflets, posterior leaflet resection, leaflet advancement, commissuroplasty, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Gore-Tex, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc, Flagstaff, Ariz) chordal placement, and ring annuloplasty. Cannulation sites varied but primarily utilized a miniaturized system of 24F catheters in both the inferior and superior venae cavae with assisted venous suction. The Cosgrove ring was used in 95% of the patients undergoing this procedure. Results The operative mortality was 0/358. Perioperative morbidity included a 26% incidence of new atrial fibrillation, 2% incidence of pacemaker implantation, 0.5% incidence of deep sternal wound infection, and 1.9% incidence of stroke after an operation. There were 10 arterial and 3 venous complications. The mean length of stay was 6 days and 208 patients stayed ≤5 days. Only 25% of the patients underwent homologous blood transfusion. The mean follow-up was 36 months with 1.4% lost to follow-up. There were 12 late deaths and a survival at 5 years of 95%. There were 21 valves requiring reoperation for structural valve failure of 5.8%. The probability of freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 92%. Conclusion This study documents the safety of minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery in 358 patients. It also documents a low incidence of homologous blood use, requirement for post–hospital rehabilitation, and general morbidity.
A Versatile Set of Vectors for Constitutive and Regulated Gene Expression in Pichia pastoris

The budding yeast Pichia pastoris is an attractive system for exploring certain questions in cell biology, but experimental use of this organism has been limited by a lack of convenient expression vectors. Here we describe a set of compact vectors that should allow for the expression of a wide range of endogenous or foreign genes in P. pastoris. A gene of interest is inserted into a modified pUC19 polylinker; targeted integration into the genome then results in stable and uniform expression of this gene. The utility of these vectors was illustrated by expressing the bacterial beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene. Constitutive GUS expression was obtained with the strong GAP promoter or the moderate YPT1 promoter. The regulatable AOX1 promoter yielded very strong GUS expression in methanol-grown cells, negligible expression in glucose-grown cells, and intermediate expression in mannitol-grown cells. GenBank Accession Numbers are: pIB1, AF027958; pIB2, AF0279959; pIB3, AF027960; pIB4, AF027961.
MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta induction by dengue virus.

Dengue virus (DV) infection can result in either a mild febrile illness known as dengue fever (DF) or a life-threatening disease called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF is more prevalent in patients undergoing secondary DV infection. This observation has led to the hypothesis that DHF may be the result of immune reactions to the secondary DV infection; an event termed immunopathology. Two cellular factors, MIP-1α and MIP-1β, have been found to be induced by infection with DV. MIP-1 induction by DV infection was observed in a myelomonocytic cell line, as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from a dengue naive donor. MIP-1 induction was not due to factors secreted by infected cells. In fact, replication-competent virus was required to induce MIP-1. Evidence is also provided that MIP-1 genes are expressed in patients with dengue disease. It is hypothesized that these chemokines may have roles in the immunopathology of dengue infections and may contribute to fever and bone marrow suppression observed in patients with DV infections. J. Med. Virol. 65:324–330, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
ATR-FTIR spectroscopy reveals bond formation during bacterial adhesion to iron oxide.

The contribution of various bacterial surface functional groups to adhesion at hematite and ZnSe surfaces was examined using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. When live Shewanella oneidensis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis cells were introduced to a horizontal hematite (α-Fe2O3)-coated internal reflection element (IRE), FTIR peaks emerged corresponding to bacterial phosphate group binding. These IR peaks were not observed when bacteria were introduced to the uncoated ZnSe IRE. When cells were added to colloidal suspensions of α-Fe2O3 at pH 7, spectra included peaks corresponding to P−OFe and ν(COOH), the latter being attributed to bridging of carboxylate at mineral surface OH groups. Selected model organic compounds with P-containing functionalities (phenylphosphonic acid [PPA], adenosine 5‘-monophosphate [AMP], 2‘-deoxyadenyl(3‘→5‘)-2‘-deoxyadenosine [DADA], and deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA]) produce spectra with similar peaks corresponding to...
Energy-linked alteration of mitochondrial permeability to anions.

Abstract Evidence is presented which indicates that a massive uptake of KCl and osmotic swelling which occurs when respiring mitochondria are treated with valinomycin is the result of a transient alkalization of the membrane. Energy-linked contraction and KCl extrusion follow the initial swelling phase spontaneously. The data appear to be consistent with the predictions of Mitchell's chemiosmotic coupling hypothesis.
Musculoskeletal injuries in the Afghan war

Among the 1274 patients admitted to a Pakistan border hospital from 1985 to 1987, the distribution and outcome of musculoskeletal war injuries differed from those seen in other conflicts. Serious complications from injuries were found in approximately 50 per cent of patients, of which most were wound infections, chronic osteomyelitis, and restriction of joint motion. Guerrillas in the Afghan war had no access to acute medical treatment in the field. Many patients died before reaching the hospital, as reflected in the low proportion of paraxial injuries; very high complication rates were noted for all injuries. Although some complications, such as soft tissue infection and foreign body retention are not site specific, other complications such as contracture, non-union, loss of range of motion, and chronic osteomyelitis are highly related to the region injured. Early surgical management and evacuation of those with musculoskeletal war injuries can greatly improve the outcome from war trauma and reduce the subsequent disability. However, the increasing use of hand-held anti-aircraft missiles may prevent the rapid evacuation of the wounded in future conflicts, and may make the situation seen in Afghanistan more common. Language: en
Optimal Ferric Hydroxamate Method for Determination of Intact Pilocarpine

The ferric hydroxamate colorimetric method for lactones has been optimized for the determination of pilocarpine in the presence of its degradation product by careful control of pH, reagent concentration, and time to yield a method which has the following advantages of similar methods previously proposed: (a) direct sampling of the usual 1 or 2% solutions without dilution; (b) a stable blank with relatively low absorbance; and (c) production of a color with a minimal rate of fading, suitable for quantitative determination. Analysis of 20 independent sets of calibrations by linear regression analysis yields a regression coefficient of 0.98, an absorbance (y) intercept of -0.007, and a slope of 0.51.
Taxonomic Notes Concerning the Trionychid Turtle Lissemys punctata (LACEPÈDE)

Although long-conceived as a monotypic species of three subspecies (SMITH, 1931), intergradation has not yet been demonstrated between subspecies of Lissemys punctata. The two subspecies L. p. punctata and L. p. andersoni show intergradation in pattern features of head and carapace, and are similar in osteological features. The configuration of peripheral bones, and advent of well developed plastral callosities at a relatively small size that indicates small maximal size, suggest specific status for L. p. scutata..