cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiotropic viruses in the myocardium of children with end-stage heart disease.

Abstract Background Transplantation has become a lifesaving procedure for children with end-stage heart failure. The long-term outcome for children who undergo transplantation has been of considerable interest, but the causes of graft failure and death are largely unknown, and the role of pre-transplant viral infection is unclear. Methods Myocardial samples from 80 explanted hearts from children with end-stage heart disease caused by congenital heart disease (CHD), cardiomyopathy, or chronic rejection were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for cardiotropic viruses using virus-specific primers. We used immunohistochemical analysis of cytoskeletal proteins to evaluate myocyte architecture. Results We identified parvoviral genomes in 6 patients (3 with CHD and 3 with cardiomyopathy). We detected no other viruses. Immunohistochemistry showed normal staining for key components of the cytoskeleton/sarcolemma, sarcomere, and nuclear membrane in the 6 virus-positive samples. The clinical outcome of these children was worse (4 long-term survivors, but 2 deaths) than for individuals without the genome. Conclusions Detecting viruses within the myocardium at the point of end-stage heart failure is not common, regardless of the primary pathology. However, the presence of viruses may result in poor outcome for the patient.
Biophysical estimation in tropical forests using JERS-1 VNIR imagery. I: Leaf area index

Leaf area index (LAI) is often used as an indicator of green biomass. In tropical forests it can provide important inputs to ecological and physical models that simulate woody biomass accumulation, water-gas exchanges and carbon sequestration. Commonly accepted ground measurements with the LI-COR LAI-2000 instrument were found very difficult to deploy in mountainous, seasonal tropical forests in northern Thailand. As a result, spatial distribution of LAI cannot be derived from remotely sensed data via empirical regression models. Using hemispherical photography, this study developed a new approach to estimate LAI from remote sensing images. A linear unmixing model in the Modified Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI) domain was first applied to estimate canopy fractional cover (fc) from the JERS-1 optical images acquired with the Very Near Infrared Radiometer (VNIR) onboard the satellite. Based on hemispherical photographs taken at the study sites, a modified Gaussian regression model was developed to relate LAI to estimated fc, with a squared correlation coefficient (R 2 ) of 0.87. Assuming the 1-m pan-sharpened IKONOS image as ground truth, the VNIR-estimated fc values agreed well with the IKONOS fc in 400 randomly selected locations (R 2 =0.79). The rms errors (RMSE) of the VNIR-estimated fc in different forest types ranged from 13% to 21%. With ground hemispherical photographs taken in the wet season, the RMSE of the LAI-fc model developed in this study was only 0.1 in LAI units, indicating that the LAI-fc regression model could be used in all seasons in the study area.
A molecular orbital description of the partitioning of aromatic compounds between polar and nonpolar phases.

Abstract The partitioning of aromatic molecules between immiscible nonpolar-polar phases ( n -octanol-aqueous 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4)) is considered experimentally and theoretically from a molecular orbital theory point of view. An equation is developed that satisfactorily describes the partitioning process: In P = a − a ′ RT Σ s |Q s T | + b − b ′ RT Σ s S s E where P is the chemical's partition coefficient, Q s T is the charge density obtained from considerations of both π and σ electron frameworks for the aromatic compound, and S s E is induced polarization. Thirty aromatic molecules representing four chemical classes (hydrocarbons, heterocycles, substituted benzenes, and substituted indoles) have partition coefficients that are correlated by this model equation. These correlations provide new examples for the applicability of molecular orbital theory to studies of biological activity and chemical structure interrelationships.
Analytical and biological validation of a multiplex immunoassay for acute kidney injury biomarkers.

Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a dynamic process that can involve inflammatory, hypoxic, and structural changes to the kidney. We evaluated a multiplex panel of markers representing different AKI mechanisms as a tool to provide integrated assessment of AKI status in a single assay. Methods Urinary cystatin C (CysC), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) were measured by multiplex electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Analytical performance was compared to the biological and pathological variation of these markers in human samples. Results Linearity was established over a 3- to 4-log range for all markers, which spanned the reference ranges established from healthy donors. Imprecision was below 15%, comparing favorably with the observed biological variation of these markers. Control patients fell within donor-derived reference ranges for most markers, but a subset of patients showed CysC and KIM-1 elevations in the absence of documented AKI. Conclusion The multiplex assay is reliable for simultaneous quantitation of CysC, IL-18, KIM-1 and NGAL in human urine, and performs at levels sufficient for clinical application. The observed differences in biological variability and baseline levels suggest that clinical strategies to detect AKI will need to vary depending upon the specific markers used.
Acute effects of alprazolam on risky decision making in humans

GABA-A receptor ligands, including benzodiapines, may induce disinhibitory effects that increase the probability of risky decision making. To date, few laboratory studies have examined the acute, dose-related effects of benzodiazepines on human risk-taking behavior. Recent data indicate that in the United States alprazolam is the benzodiazepine most frequently misused for recreational purposes. The present study was designed to demonstrate a dose–response relationship between acute alprazolam administration and human risk taking. Furthermore, this investigation sought to examine: (1) the behavioral mechanisms that may be involved in changes in the probability of risky decision making related to alprazolam administration and (2) risk seeking-related personality variables that may predict drug effects on risk taking. Using a laboratory measure of risk taking designed to address acute drug effects, 16 adults were administered placebo, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg alprazolam in a within-subject repeated-measures design. The risk-taking task presented subjects with a choice between two response options operationally defined as risky and nonrisky. Data analyses examined subjective effects, response rates, distribution of choices between the risky and nonrisky option, trial-by-trial response probabilities, and personality correlates related to drug effects at the 2.0-mg dose. Alprazolam administration produced dose-related changes in subjective effects, response rates, and, most importantly, dose-dependently increased selection of the risky response option. The 2.0-mg dose increased the probability of making consecutive risky responses following a gain on the risky response option. Increases at 2.0 mg were related to a combination of personality scales that included high venturesomeness and novelty seeking and low harm avoidance. Alprazolam administration produced increases in human risk taking under laboratory conditions. In union with previous studies, the observed shift in trial-by-trial response probabilities suggests that sensitivity to consequences (e.g., oversensitivity to recent rewards) may be an important mechanism in the psychopharmacology of risky decision making. Additionally, risk-seeking personality traits may be predictive of acute drug effects on risk-taking behavior.
Influence of robust optimization in intensity-modulated proton therapy with different dose delivery techniques

Purpose: The distal edge tracking (DET) technique in intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) allows for high energy efficiency, fast and simple delivery, and simple inverse treatment planning; however, it is highly sensitive to uncertainties. In this study, the authors explored the application of DET in IMPT (IMPT-DET) and conducted robust optimization of IMPT-DET to see if the planning technique’s sensitivity to uncertainties was reduced. They also compared conventional and robust optimization of IMPT-DET with three-dimensional IMPT (IMPT-3D) to gain understanding about how plan robustness is achieved. Methods: They compared the robustness of IMPT-DET and IMPT-3D plans to uncertainties by analyzing plans created for a typical prostate cancer case and a base of skull (BOS) cancer case (using data for patients who had undergone proton therapy at our institution). Spots with the highest and second highest energy layers were chosen so that the Bragg peak would be at the distal edge of the targets in IMPT-DET using 36 equally spaced angle beams; in IMPT-3D, 3 beams with angles chosen by a beam angle optimization algorithm were planned. Dose contributions for a number of range and setup uncertainties were calculated, and a worst-case robust optimization was performed. A robust quantification technique was used to evaluate the plans’ sensitivity to uncertainties. Results: With no uncertainties considered, the DET is less robust to uncertainties than is the 3D method but offers better normal tissue protection. With robust optimization to account for range and setup uncertainties, robust optimization can improve the robustness of IMPT plans to uncertainties; however, our findings show the extent of improvement varies. Conclusions: IMPT’s sensitivity to uncertainties can be improved by using robust optimization. They found two possible mechanisms that made improvements possible: (1) a localized single-field uniform dose distribution (LSFUD) mechanism, in which the optimization algorithm attempts to produce a single-field uniform dose distribution while minimizing the patching field as much as possible; and (2) perturbed dose distribution, which follows the change in anatomical geometry. Multiple-instance optimization has more knowledge of the influence matrices; this greater knowledge improves IMPT plans’ ability to retain robustness despite the presence of uncertainties.
Genome sequencing: The complete code for a eukaryotic cell

The complete sequencing of the genome of a simple eukaryotic organism - the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae - is a milestone for biology, and sets the stage for a complete understanding of how a eukaryotic cell functions.
A method for balloon trajectory control

Abstract A balloon trajectory control system is discussed that is under development for use on NASA's Ultra Long Duration Balloon Project. The trajectory control system exploits the natural wind field variation with altitude to generate passive lateral control forces on a balloon using a tether-deployed aerodynamic surface below the balloon. A lifting device, such as a wing on end, is suspended on a tether well beneath the balloon to take advantage of this variation in wind velocity with altitude. The wing generates a horizontal lift force that can be directed over a wide range of angles. This force, transmitted to the balloon by a tether, alters the balloon's path providing a bias velocity of a few meters per second to the balloon drift rate. The trajectory control system enables the balloon to avoid hazards, reach targets, steer around avoidance countries and select convenient landing zones. No longer will balloons be totally at the mercy of the winds. Tests in April 1999 of a dynamically-scaled model of the trajectory control system were carried out by Global Aerospace Corporation in ground level winds up to 15 m/s. The size of the scale model was designed to simulate the behavior of the full scale trajectory control system operating at 20 km altitude. The model confirmed many aspects of trajectory control system performance and the results will be incorporated into future development.
Targeted naltrexone treatment of early problem drinkers.

Abstract Naltrexone is approved for daily use in the treatment of alcohol dependence. We evaluated the feasibility of using targeted naltrexone (i.e., on an “as-needed” basis) to treat early problem drinkers. Twenty-one subjects (52% male) received brief coping skills training weekly tor 4 weeks, along with naltrexone (50 mg), which they were instructed to use 2 to 5 times per week in anticipation of high-risk drinking situations. During treatment, statistically and clinically significant declines were observed across a variety of drinking-related outcomes, including the intensity of drinking, the decline in which was correlated with medication use. Beneficial effects of the intervention were still evident during the 3-month posttreatment period. Further research, including a placebo-controlled evaluation of targeted naltrexone, is needed to determine the optimal treatment strategy for early problem drinkers, many of whom are seen in the primary-care medical setting.
Protein Kinase A-regulated Instability Site in the 3′-Untranslated Region of Lactate Dehydrogenase-A Subunit mRNA

Expression of the lactate dehydrogenase A subunit (LDH-A) gene can be controlled by transcriptional as well as posttranscriptional mechanisms. In rat C6 glioma cells, LDH-A mRNA is stabilized by activation and synergistic interaction of protein kinases A and C. In the present study, we aimed to identify the sequence domain which determines and regulates mRNA stability/instability by protein kinase A and focused our attention on the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of LDH-A mRNA. We have constructed various chimeric globin/lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) genes linked to the c-fos promoter and stably transfected them into rat C6 glioma cells. After their transfection, we determined the half-life of transcribed chimeric globin/ldh mRNAs. The results showed that at least three sequence domains within the LDH-A 3'-UTR consisting of nucleotides 1286-1351, 1453-1471, and 1471-1502 are responsible for the relatively rapid rate of LDH-A mRNA turnover in the cytoplasm. Whereas chimeric globin/ldh mRNAs containing the base sequences 1286-1351 and 1453-1471 were not stabilized by (Sp)-cAMPS, an activator of protein kinase A, instability caused by the 1471-1502 domain was significantly reversed. Additional deletion and mutational analyses demonstrated that the 3'-UTR fragment consisting of the 22 bases 1478-1499 is a critical determinant for the (Sp)-cAMPS-mediated LDH-A mRNA stabilizing activity. Because of its functional characteristics, we named the 22-base region "cAMP-stabilizing region."
Pornography, ethics, and video games

In a recent and provocative essay, Christopher Bartel attempts to resolve the gamer's dilemma. The dilemma, formulated by Morgan Luck, goes as follows: there is no principled distinction between virtual murder and virtual pedophilia. So, we'll have to give up either our intuition that virtual murder is morally permissible--seemingly leaving us over-moralizing our gameplay--or our intuition that acts of virtual pedophilia are morally troubling--seemingly leaving us under-moralizing our game play. Bartel's attempted resolution relies on establishing the following three theses: (1) virtual pedophilia is child pornography, (2) the consumption of child pornography is morally wrong, and (3) virtual murder is not murder. Relying on Michael Rea's definition of pornography, I argue that we should reject thesis one, but since Bartel's moral argument in thesis two does not actually rely thesis one that his resolution is not thereby undermined. Still, even if we grant that there are adequate resources internal to Bartel's account to technically resolve the gamer's dilemma his reasoning is still unsatisfying. This is so because Bartel follows Neil Levy in arguing that virtual pedophilia is wrong because it harms women. While I grant Levy's account, I argue that this is the wrong kind of reason to resolve the gamer's dilemma because it is indirect. What we want is to know what is wrong with virtual child pornography itself. Finally, I suggest alternate moral resources for resolving the gamer's dilemma that are direct in a way that Bartel's resources are not.
Reactive radio frequency sputtering deposition and characterization of zinc nitride and oxynitride thin films

Abstract Zinc nitride films were deposited on glass or silicon substrates by reactive magnetron radio frequency sputtering of zinc in either N2–Ar or N2–Ar–O2 ambient. The effects of varying the nitrogen contents and the substrate temperature were investigated. X-ray diffraction data showed that the as-deposited films contain the zinc nitride cubic crystalline phase with a preferred orientation, and Raman scattering measurements revealed Zn N related modes. According to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, the as-deposited films were nitrogen-rich and contained only a small fraction of oxygen. Hall-effect measurements showed that p-type zinc nitride with carrier concentration of ~ 1019 cm−3, mobility of ~ 101 cm2/Vs, resistivity of ~ 10−2 Ω ∗ cm, was obtained. The photon energy dependence of optical transmittance suggested that the material has an indirect bandgap.
Use of transgenic animals in toxicology

Abstract Transgenic and genetically engineered animals are being increasingly used in the study of diseases and for safety assessments for new products. There are four main areas in which they influence pharmaceutical development; two of these, new disease models and `humanized' animals for the assessment of biopharmaceuticals, have not yet made their impact upon toxicology and so will only be briefly discussed. Models for in vivo genotoxicity testing and carcinogenicity testing, however, are already becoming established, and the advent of new harmonized guidelines for genotoxic and carcinogenic evaluation of pharmaceuticals makes it more appropriate to assess those models currently available in these areas.
Initial fractal exponent of heart rate variability is associated with success of early resuscitation in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Introduction Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system tone as well as the overall health of the baroreflex system. We hypothesized that loss of complexity in HRV upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission would be associated with unsuccessful early resuscitation of sepsis. Methods We prospectively enrolled patients admitted to ICUs with severe sepsis or septic shock from 2009 to 2011. We studied 30 minutes of electrocardiogram, sampled at 500 Hz, at ICU admission and calculated heart rate complexity via detrended fluctuation analysis. Primary outcome was vasopressor independence at 24 hours after ICU admission. Secondary outcome was 28-day mortality. Results We studied 48 patients, of whom 60% were vasopressor independent at 24 hours. Five (10%) died within 28 days. The ratio of fractal alpha parameters was associated with both vasopressor independence and 28-day mortality ( P = .04) after controlling for mean heart rate. In the optimal model, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and the long-term fractal α parameter were associated with vasopressor independence. Conclusions Loss of complexity in HRV is associated with worse outcome early in severe sepsis and septic shock. Further work should evaluate whether complexity of HRV could guide treatment in sepsis.
Behavioral predictors of changes in social relatedness and liking school in elementary school

Normative trends and behavioral predictors for three dimensions of social relatedness were examined in a 6-month longitudinal study of 383 students in Grades 3, 4 and 5. Student reports of social relatedness (teacher supportiveness, school supportiveness, loneliness) and liking school indicated that students in each of the grades felt less positive about the school environment and liked school less in the Spring compared to the Fall. Girls reported higher levels of teacher supportiveness and school supportiveness. Reports of school supportiveness were lower among students at higher grade levels. Teacher-rated aggression predicted declines in students’ perceptions of teacher supportiveness, increases in their sense of loneliness, and decreases in reports of liking school across the school year. Teacher-rated closeness predicted the maintenance of student perceptions of high levels of relatedness. Peer social preference predicted increases in loneliness. A path model indicated that the association between aggressive behavior and liking school was mediated by the association between aggressive behavior and perceptions of teacher supportiveness. D 2005 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Superficial lateral line sense organs of the mudminnow ( Umbra limi )

Umbra limi has an elaborate developement of superficial neuromasts on the head and body. The individual lateral line organs of the head form rows. Intermittant clusters of organs occur on the body. The “lateral line“ consists of free standing organs, which are oriented alternating horizontally and vertically. A lateral line canal is wanting.
NK gene complex and chromosome 19 loci enhance MHC resistance to murine cytomegalovirus infection

An H-2k MHC locus is critical for murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) resistance in MA/My mice and virus control is abolished if H-2k is replaced with H-2b MHC genes from MCMV-susceptible C57L mice. Yet, H-2k resistance varies with genetic background; thus, modifiers of virus resistance must exist. To identify non-MHC resistance loci, spleen and liver MCMV levels and genome-wide genotypes were assessed in (C57L × MA/My) and (MA/My × C57L) F2 offspring (representing 550 meioses). Significantly, a non-Mendelian frequency of MHC genotypes was observed for offspring of the latter cross. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) and their interaction potential in MCMV resistance were assessed in R/qtl; QTL on chromosomes 17, 6, and 19 affected MCMV levels in infected animals. A chromosome 6 QTL was linked with the NK gene complex and acted in an additive fashion with an H-2k MHC QTL to mitigate spleen MCMV levels. We provide biological confirmation that this chromosome 6 QTL provided MCMV control independent of H-2k via NK cells. Importantly, both chromosome 6 and 19 QTLs contribute to virus control independent of H-2k. Altogether, MHC and non-MHC MCMV-resistance QTL contribute in early resistance to MCMV infection in this genetic system.
KCN inhibition of lipoxygenase in purple, green, and white eggplants

Lipoxygenase activity in three cultivars (purple, green, and white) of eggplant,Solanum melongena, were compared. Activity was greatest in the purple and lowest in the white variety. In contrast to reports that NaCN did not inhibit eggplant lipoxygenase, in these studies cyanide completely inhibited the enzyme in all three varieties.
Polar, Functionalized Diene-Based Materials. 1. Bulk, Solution, and Emulsion Free Radical Polymerization of 2-Cyanomethyl-1,3-butadiene

The bulk, solution, and emulsion free radical polymerizations of 2-cyanomethyl-1,3-butadiene were studied. Traditional bulk free radical polymerization kinetics were observed, giving polymers with ...
Partial sequence of human platelet heparitinase and evidence of its ability to polymerize

Abstract Heparitinase cleaves heparan sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan associated with all nucleated mammalian cells and extracellular matrices. Despite the important physiologic role heparitinase is postulated to play in such processes as tumor metastasis and inflammation, the identity of the enzyme remains a matter of controversy and there is a question of whether heparitinase is CTAP III. We report a 900 000-fold purification of heparitinase from human platelets. A multi-step procedure utilizing chromatography on heparin, DEAE, hydroxyapatite and size exclusion matrices was employed and yielded a single protein as judged by Coomassie staining of protein separated by SDS-PAGE. The purified protein had an apparent molecular mass of 35 kDa by size exclusion chromatography and 55 kDa by SDS-PAGE. During purification, heparitinase activity co-eluted from the hydroxyapatite and size exclusion columns with the 35–55 kDa protein, confirming that the purified protein was indeed heparitinase. The 35–55 kDa protein reacted strongly with concanavalin A, a lectin known to bind to heparitinase, further confirming that the protein was heparitinase. Platelet heparitinase formed dimers and tetramers upon storage in a purified form, possibly accounting for the various molecular weights previously reported for the enzyme. A partial amino acid sequence of the protein revealed that heparitinase has not been previously sequenced.
Universal Hashing and Multiple Authentication

In this paper, we study unconditionally secure codes that provide authentication without secrecy. Our point of view is the universal hashing approach pioneered by Wegman and Carter in 1981. We first compare several recent universal-hashing based constructions for authentication codes. Then we generalize the theory of universal hashing in order to accommodate the situation where we would like to authenticate a sequence of messages with the same key. Unlike previous methods for doing this, we do not require that each message in the sequence have a "counter" attached to it.
Comparative Music Perception and Cognition

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the comparative music perception and cognition. The study of non-Western music perception had relatively little attention, although there are indications of increasing interest among scholars of diverse disciplines. In general, musicologists tend to focus on the “document” frame of reference, wherein generalizations about musical practice and development are made from cultural artifacts or on-site interviews. Musical anthropologists, as well as some ethnomusicologists, seem overly concerned with extra musical, contextual features. Psychologists, on the other hand, are interested in the perceptual and cognitive functions of music, often ignoring the subtleties of the musical frame. In the case or animals or birds, the sounds are classified as “musical” by humans for the purpose of investigation. The chapter concludes that it is clear that in order to have an integrative approach to understanding musical behavior, prejudices and biases attached to different domains of research must overcome.
Phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial metabolic genes sampled in parallel from angiosperms find fundamental interlocus incongruence

Plant molecular phylogeneticists have supported an analytical approach of combining loci from different genomes, but the combination of mitochondrial sequences with chloroplast and nuclear sequences is potentially problematic. Low substitution rates in mitochondrial genes should decrease saturation, which is especially useful for the study of deep divergences. However, individual mitochondrial loci are insufficiently informative, so that combining congruent loci is necessary. For this study atp1 and cox1 were selected, which are of similar lengths, encode components of the respiratory pathway, and generally lack introns. Thus, these genes might be expected to have similar functional constraints, selection pressures, and evolutionary histories. Strictly parallel sampling of 52 species was achieved as well as six additional composite terminals with representatives from the major angiosperm clades. However, analyses of the separate loci produced strongly incongruent topologies. The source of the incongruence was investigated by validating sequences with questionable affinities, excluding RNA-edited nucleotides, deleting taxa with unexpected phylogenetic associations, and comparing different phylogenetic methods. However, even after potential artifacts were addressed and sites and taxa putatively associated with conflict were excluded, the resulting gene trees for the two mitochondrial loci were still substantially incongruent by all measures examined. Therefore, combining these loci in phylogenetic analysis may be counterproductive to the goal of fully resolving the angiosperm phylogeny.
The Trichoptera World Checklist

The Trichoptera World Checklist (TWC) is a project of the successive International Symposia on Trichoptera, with the responsibility for its policy and maintenance assigned to the international Trichoptera Checklist Coordinating Committee. The TWC originated 20 years ago and has been available on the worldwide web for over 11 years, providing ready access to data regarding caddisfly taxa. Security is assured by daily backup of the database. Trichoptera scientists everywhere are urged to continue sending their published research to the Editor. As of June 2009, the TWC included records for 13,574 valid, extant species and 308 valid, extant subspecies in 609 genera of 47 families. It also included 650 valid, extinct (fossil) species, 113 extinct genera, and 8 extinct families. The density of species among biogeographic regions is variable, with known species density in the Oriental Region about 7.5 times that in the Afrotropical Region.
Multi-megawatt X-band semiconductor microwave switches

We present the concepts for high power semiconductor RF switches, designed to handle 100 MW-order signal at X-band. Also we describe an abstract design methodology, and derive a general scaling law for these switches. The design and experimental study of a switch operating at TE/sub 01/ mode in over-moded circular waveguides is discussed. The switch is composed of array of tee junction elements that have a PIN/NIP diode array window in the third arm.
Statistical Reconstruction of Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Trajectories and Atmospheric Profiles

Accurate post-flight reconstruction of a vehicle’s trajectory during entry into a planetary atmosphere can produce a wide array of valuable information. The data collected through the reconstruction of entry, descent, and landing system performance enables the quantification of performance margins for future systems. Beyond the engineering knowledge gained through trajectory reconstruction, the results may also be used by planetary scientists to generate an accurate atmospheric profile. A computer tool was developed to facilitate the rapid analysis of data gathered during entry, descent and landing. Emphasis was placed on making the tool flexible and capable of easily incorporating different types of data. These data are used to provide an accurate reconstruction through the use of an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). The filter propagates the mean state forward using a three degree-of-freedom dynamic model and is capable of handling data from accelerometers and altimeters. The tool is validated against previous trajectory and atmosphere reconstructions that were performed for the Mars Pathfinder mission. In addition, an improved estimate of the Mars Pathfinder parachute drag coefficient is obtained by taking into account the parachute system deceleration during terminal descent. Inclusion of this acceleration effect within the reconstruction increases the reconstructed value of the parachute drag coefficient by approximately 7 percent (CDPar = 0.4419 ± 0.0549 [3-σ]) relative to earlier estimates.
A prospective randomized study comparing woven polyglycolic acid and autogenous vein conduits for reconstruction of digital nerve gaps.

Purpose The optimal management of a nerve gap within the fingers remains an unanswered question in hand surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensory recovery, cost, and complication profile of digital nerve repair using autogenous vein and polyglycolic acid conduits. Methods We enrolled patients undergoing repair of digital nerve injuries with gaps precluding primary repair. The minimum gap that was found to preclude primary repair was 4 mm. Each nerve repair was randomized to the type of nerve repair with either a woven polyglycolic acid conduit or autogenous vein. Time required for repair was recorded. We performed sensory testing, consisting of static and moving 2-point discrimination, at 6 and 12 months after repair. We compared patient factors between the 2 groups using chi-square and Student's t -test. We compared sensory recovery between the 2 groups at each time point using Student's t -test and compared time and cost of repair. Results We enrolled 42 patients with 76 nerve repairs. Of these, 37 patients (representing 68 repairs) underwent sensory evaluation at the 6-month time point. The median age in this group was 35 years. We repaired 36 nerves with synthetic conduit and 32 with vein. Nerve gaps ranged from 4 to 25 mm (mean, 10 mm). Study groups were not significantly different regarding age, time to repair, gap length, medical history, smoking history, or worker's compensation status. Time to harvest the vein was longer but the average cost of materials and surgery in the vein group was $1,220, compared with $1,269 for synthetic conduit repairs. These differences were not statistically significant. Mean static and moving 2-point discrimination at 6 months for the synthetic conduit group were 8.3 ± 2.0 and 6.6 ± 2.3, respectively, compared with 8.5 ± 1.8 and 7.1 ± 2.2 for the vein group. Values at 12 months for the synthetic conduit group were 7.5 ± 1.9 and 5.6 ± 2.2, compared with 7.6 ± 2.6 and 6.6 ± 2.9 for the vein group. These differences were not statistically significant. Smokers and worker's compensation patients had a worse sensory recovery at 12 months postrepair. There were 2 extrusions in the synthetic conduit group requiring reoperation; however, the difference in extrusion rate was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusions Sensory recovery after digital nerve reconstruction with autogenous vein conduit was equivalent to that using polyglycolic acid conduit, with a similar cost profile and fewer postoperative complications. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic II.
On the Capillarity of Smectic-A Free Surfaces in Drops and Free Standing Films

Smectic-A free surfaces are discussed in the spirit of capillarity. It is shown that for most practical cases the bulk cannot be treated as a semi infinite nledium: the natural length over which a perturbation relaxes along a free surface is just that creating bulk distortions that propagate over the smectic thickness. Hence, the bulk distortions do not simply renormalize the surface tension as in a semi-infinite medium. The relaxation of the layers' distortion within the bulk is fairly linear in nlost cases: this allows to develop a functional analysis involving only the free surfaces, instead of all the layers. In drops with thickness h, the surface is found to relax exponentially with two capillary lengths ~J (~h)~/~, where ~~ = RIB is the ratio of the curvature over the dilation elastic constant. This allows to match boundary conditions both on the height and the tangent of the surface extremities. Films have two independent triodes: I) an "average" mode describing the film medium layer. It involves a pure curvature-capillary length ~1 = (Kh/r)~/~, where r is the smectic surface tension, and it) a "differential" mode of behavior similar to the drop one. The effects of added surfactants and applied external fields are discussed together with the possibility of free surface instabilities.
Functional Domains of the Rsp5 Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase

RSP5, an essential gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, encodes a hect domain E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. Hect E3 proteins have been proposed to consist of two broad functional domains: a conserved catalytic carboxyl-terminal domain of approximately 350 amino acids (the hect domain) and a large, nonconserved amino-terminal domain containing determinants of substrate specificity. We report here the mapping of the minimal region of Rsp5 necessary for its essential in vivo function, the minimal region necessary to stably interact with a substrate of Rsp5 (Rpb1, the large subunit of RNA polymerase II), and the finding that the hect domain, by itself, is sufficient for formation of the ubiquitin-thioester intermediate. Mutations within the hect domain that affect either the ability to form a ubiquitin-thioester or to catalyze substrate ubiquitination abrogate in vivo function, strongly suggesting that the ubiquitin-protein ligase activity of Rsp5 is intrinsically linked to its essential function. The amino-terminal region of Rsp5 contains three WW domains and a C2 calcium-binding domain. Two of the three WW domains are required for the essential in vivo function, while the C2 domain is not, and requirements for Rpb1 binding and ubiquitination lie within the region required for in vivo function. Together, these results support the two-domain model for hect E3 function and indicate that the WW domains play a role in the recognition of at least some of the substrates of Rsp5, including those related to its essential function. In addition, we show that haploid yeast strains bearing complete disruptions of either of two other hect E3 genes of yeast, designated HUL4 (YJR036C) and HUL5 (YGL141W), are viable.
A fast and high-capacity electromagnetic solution for high- speed IC design

This paper proposes a fast and high-capacity electromagnetic solution, time-domain layered finite element reduction recovery (LAFE-RR) method, for high-frequency modeling and simulation of large-scale on-chip circuits. This method rigorously reduces the matrix of a multilayer system to that of a single-layer one regardless of the original problem size. More important, the matrix reduction is achieved analytically, and hence the CPU and memory overheads are minimal. The recovery of solutions in all other layers involves only forward and backward substitution of matrices of single-layer size. The memory cost is also modest-requiring only the memory needed for the factorization of a single layer sparse matrix. The improved performance applies to any arbitrarily shaped multilayer structure. Numerical and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency, and capacity of the proposed method.
Criteria for equitable allocations: the heart of international water conflict

At the heart of most international water conflicts is the question of ‘equitable’ allocations, criteria for which are vague and often contradictory. However, application of an equitable water-sharing agreement along the volatile waterways of the globe is a prerequisite to hydropolitical stability. This article explores the question of equity measures for water-sharing agreements in the context of global hydropolitics and is divided into three parts. The Introduction provides a brief summary of the general principles of equitable allocations. The second part of the paper describes the practice of water resources allocations as exemplified in the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database - a computerized database of 149 treaties relating to international water resources compiled at Oregon State University; 49 of these treaties delineate specific water allocations. The third and fourth parts of the article contrast the principles and practice of water equity. It is noticeable how rarely the general principles are explicitly invoked, particularly the extreme principles of absolute sovereignty or absolute riverain integrity. Most treaties favor existing uses, and/or guarantees to downstream riparians. It is interesting that, while many international water negotiations begin with differing legal interpretations of rights, they often shift to a needs-based criteria for water allocations. Mostly, one is struck by the creativity of the negotiators in addressing specific language to each very specific local setting and concerns.
Economic Impact of Dental Hygienists on Solo Dental Practices

The fact that a significant percentage of dentists employ dental hygienists raises an important question: Are dental practices that utilize a dental hygienist structurally and operationally different from practices that do not? This article explores differences among dental practices that operate with and without dental hygienists. Using data from the American Dental Association's 2003 Survey of Dental Practice, a random sample survey of U.S. dentists, descriptive statistics were used to compare selected characteristics of solo general practitioners with and without dental hygienists. Multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of dental hygienists on the gross billings and net incomes of solo general practitioners. Differences in practice characteristics--such as hours spent in the practice and hours spent treating patients, wait time for a recall visit, number of operatories, square feet of office space, net income, and gross billings--were found between solo general practitioners who had dental hygienists and those who did not. Solo general practitioners with dental hygienists had higher gross billings. Higher gross billings would be expected, as would higher expenses. However, net incomes of those with dental hygienists were also higher. In contrast, the mean waiting time for a recall visit was higher among dentists who employed dental hygienists. Depending on personal preferences, availability of qualified personnel, etc., dentists who do not employ dental hygienists but have been contemplating that path may want to further research the benefits and opportunities that may be realized.
Towards an ecology of inter-organizational routines: a conceptual framework for the analysis of net-enabled organizations

This paper argues that the adoption of ?net? technology by ?net-enabled? firms can be viewed as a population or network level phenomenon, rather than a firm level phenomenon. Using organizational ecology as a starting point, this paper outlines a framework for studying the ecology of interorganizational routines. The paper defines key concepts and outlines some possibilities for applying this framework in empirical research. The framework emphasizes the role of network structure, technological interdependencies, and institutional factors (e.g., legitimation) in the long-run dynamics of technological change.
Th-228/Th-232 and Pb-210 geochronologies in marine and lake sediments

Abstract Two dating techniques, applicable to coastal marine and lacustrine sediments over periods ranging from years to a century, evolve from the natural radioactive series: Th-228/ Th-232 from the Th-232 series and Pb-210 from the U-238 series. There is an excess of Th-228 over and above that supported by the parents Th-232 or Ra-228 in such deposits. The amounts of Th-232-supported and Ra-228-supported Th-228 are similar, indicating that both radium and thorium isotopes are removed from solution in these coastal zones quite rapidly after introduction or formation. The radium isotopes are probably transferred from the overlying waters to the sediments via phytoplankton, where they are reportedly enriched. In the surface levels of the deposits analyzed, there is nearly an order of magnitude more unsupported than supported Th-228. This excess Th-228 can be used both for dating purposes over time periods of the order of a decade and as permissive evidence that the uppermost levels of the deposit were obtained during the coring operation. Preliminary results from several lakes indicate the possibility that Th-228/Th-232 geochronologies are held by their sediments. Average rates of accumulation of lake sediments have been obtained from decreases in Pb-210 activity as a function of depth, although surface layers of the deposits may not have been recovered in the coring operation. Finally, Pb-210 geochronologies have been extended from varved to unvarved marine sediments.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in adults aged 75 years and older: a single institution analysis of cause-specific survival and prognostic factors.

Background:Very elderly patients (75 years and older) with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) will be increasingly considered for cancer treatment as the population ages, but are underrepresented in clinical trials. Here we report outcomes of very elderly DLBCL patients treated in the modern era at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).Methods:We queried the OHSU Tumor Registry for DLBCL cases treated since 2002. A total of 73 patients aged 75 years or older were analyzed under Institutional Review Board approval.Results:With a median follow up of 31 months, cause-specific survival was 58% and overall survival 51% at 3 years. Incorporation of an anthracycline did not influence outcomes. More than one extranodal site or poor-risk disease by Revised International Prognostic Index score were adversely prognostic, but pathologic features studied were not.Conclusions:Very elderly patients with DLBCL require prospective studies, which employ novel risk stratification and therapeutic approaches.
Influence in a large society: Interplay between information dynamics and network structure

Motivated by the recent emergence of large online social networks, we seek to understand the effects the underlying social network (graph) structure and the information dynamics have on the creation of influence of an individual. We examine a natural model for information dynamics under two important temporal scales: a first impression setting and a long— term or equilibrated setting. We obtain a characterization of relevant network structures under these temporal aspects, thereby allowing us to formalize the existence of influential agents. Specifically, we find that the existence of an influential agent corresponds to: (a) strictly positive information theoretic capacity over an infinite-sized noisy broadcast tree network in the first impression case, and (b) positive recurrent property of an appropriate (countable state space) Markov chain in the long-term case. As an application of our results, we evaluate the parameter space of the popular “small world” network model to identify when the network structure supports the existence of influential agents.
Emotional Distress and Diagnosis Among Helpseekers: A Comparison of Dementia Caregivers and Older Adults

Given their 45% prevalence of depression, this study compares caregivers seeking help in coping classes with other older adults seeking help in mood change classes. About half of both groups reported psychological symptoms. Multivariate analyses of variance of Brief Symptom Inventory subscales reveal a strong main effect for diagnosis and no separate effect for caregiver status. Older persons with symptoms appear to use more organized problem-solving coping strategies and experience less conflict with primary supports. Help-seeking caregivers can be divided into two subsets: those who experience emotional distress and those who are doing reasonably well. These results suggest that caregiving may be similar to other stresses of late life.