cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of cardiac bidomain parameters from extracellular measurement: two dimensional study.

Cardiac tissue conductivity measurements can be used to assess the electrical substrate underlying normal and abnormal wavefront propagation. We describe a method of solving the inverse cardiac bidomain model to estimate average longitudinal and transverse intra and extra-cellular conductivities and fiber angle relative to an electrode array placed arbitrarily on the epi- or endocardial surface. A Newton–Raphson reconstruction method and two Tikhonov-type regularizations were able to stably identify conductivities and fiber angles in tissue models having anisotropies similar to those in real cardiac tissue. The reconstruction methods were tested with data from increasingly realistic two dimensional cardiac bidomain models and performed well both when measurement noise was added, and when simulated experimental and forward model matching was diminished. This approach may be a suitable basis for continuous monitoring of myocardial condition in-vivo via a catheter based electrode array.
Women, Ancestors, and Alterity Among the Manjaco of Guinea-Bissau

I explore a classic topic in anthropological studies of African religion-ancestor worship-by interpreting the rituals associated with the installation of a new ancestor figure into Manjaco household shrines. Women-pecifically out-marrying father's sisters-do most of the talking at the image's installation ceremony. And they generally characterize ancestors as selfish, capricious juniors. By exploring the way fathers' sisters assert their version of moral authority by denigrating or scolding the ancestors, I suggest that the cult does not objectify particular personae (i.e. elder males). Rather, the ritual and the orations that occur at the ritual contextualize particular relationships and processes (i.e. the enforced transformation of male junior to male elder) which privilege the agency of women in maintaining a precarious community of interest in the Manjaco house-a seemingly andro-centric corporate group.
Can RDMA benefit online data processing workloads on memcached and MySQL

At the onset of the widespread usage of social networking services in the Web 2.0/3.0 era, leveraging a distributed and scalable caching layer like Memcached is often invaluable to application server performance. Since a majority of the existing clusters today are equipped with modern high speed interconnects such as InfiniBand, that offer high bandwidth and low latency communication, there is potential to improve the response time and throughput of the application servers, by taking advantage of advanced features like RDMA. We explore the potential of employing RDMA to improve the performance of Online Data Processing (OLDP) workloads on MySQL using Memcached for real-world web applications.
Home visitors' perceptions of teen mothers: Using qualitative research to explore labeling theory

The purpose of this study was to determine if labels exist and are applied by home visitors, to teen mothers at risk for abusing and neglecting their children. The selection of respondents was conducted by means of purposeful sampling (N = 10). Face-to-face interviews were conducted. Results indicate that home visitors do label their clients and possible repercussions for the teen mothers are mentioned. The findings from this and ongoing research will help inform the design of home visiting programs and trainings attended by providers, so that they may better serve the families who receive their services.
Effect of thicknesses of copper catalyst and oxide sublayer on morphology of ZnO nanorods

The influence of thicknesses of a ZnO sublayer and a copper catalyst film on the morphology of ZnO nanorods grown by carbothermal synthesis on α-Al2O3(11–20) substrates has been studied. An increase in the Cu catalyst film thickness leads to a growth in the diameters, heights, and surface density of nanorods. As the ZnO sublayer thickness is increased, the average diameter of nanorods also increases, while their lengths and surface density decrease. The effect of elevated temperatures on the thermal decomposition of ultrathin Cu films deposited on α-Al2O3 substrates has been studied. The photoluminescence characteristics of nanorod arrays have been measured at high levels of optical pumping. An increase in the pumping level to 250–280 kW/cm2 leads to superluminescence of the nanorods.
Behavioral treatment of zoophilic exhibitionism

We describe here a case of zoophilic exhibitionism involving a mildly mentally retarded man who masturbated in front of large dogs of either sex. Unlike most exhibitionists, he did not expose himself to women, and unlike most zoophiles, he never desired direct sexual contact with animals. His paraphilia, however, was responsive to a behavioral program comprising masturbatory satiation, covert sensitization, and stimulus control procedures.
New radiative deep states in epitaxial Ga1−xAlxAs

Photoluminescence measurements performed at 6–7 K on intentionally undoped n‐type liquid‐phase epitaxy Ga1−xAlxAs (0.19⩽x⩽0.78) reveal transitions involving energies significantly lower than the band gap for crystals with x⩾0.47. Analysis of the luminescence data as a function of excitation intensity shows the presence of deep‐level acceptors which participate in radiative transitions, and binding energies of 0.52, 0.48, and 0.56 eV are obtained for x=0.47, 0.50, and 0.61, respectively. These values are strikingly similar to the activation energies of hole traps which are present in crystals with x=0.50, 0.61, and 0.78 and strongly suggests that the radiative acceptors and the hole traps are either identical or related states. Electron trap levels which are also present in the same crystal are found to be nonradiative.
The Foreign Policy of the Calorie

before recalling that a calorie is a measure of the energy content of food, an amount sufficient to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water one degree. One might try the same experiment with other numerical yardsticks used to gauge individual or social well-being-GNP, T-cell counts, or crime rates-and find a similar cultural lost-wax process: the soft material of objective measurement falls away, leaving a subjective impression on the things measured. The ninth-graders had fully absorbed the governmentality of the calorie; they understood that it patterns food with particular obligations, aesthetic and hygienic norms, and techniques of management. Knowing too much about an indicator's original purpose, or what it actually records, might only diminish its authority.1 In the first half of the twentieth century, the arithmetic of standards of living, revenues, education, and population gained significance in assessments of the relative status of states and empires. As doctrines of development first began to inform the practice of international relations, numerical indicators prepared the way, jumping linguistic boundaries and displacing local knowledge and native informants. The empiricism of states and international institutions, Timothy Mitchell contends, acquired a "character of calculability" that mediated between material realities and the
The Antituberculosis Drug Pyrazinamide Affects the Course of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis In Vivo and Increases Activation of Macrophages and Dendritic Cells

Antileishmanial therapy is suboptimal due to toxicity, high cost, and development of resistance to available drugs. Pyrazinamide (PZA) is a constituent of short-course tuberculosis chemotherapy. We investigated the effect of PZA on Leishmania major promastigote and amastigote survival. Promastigotes were more sensitive to the drug than amastigotes, with concentrations at which 50% of parasites were inhibited (MIC50) of 16.1 and 8.2 μM, respectively (48 h posttreatment). Moreover, 90% of amastigotes were eliminated at 120 h posttreatment, indicating that longer treatments will result in parasite elimination. Most strikingly, PZA treatment of infected C57BL/6 mice resulted in protection against disease and in a 100-fold reduction in the parasite burden. PZA treatment of J774 cells and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and macrophages increased interleukin 12, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and activation marker expression, as well as nitric oxide production, suggesting that PZA enhances effective immune responses against the parasite. PZA treatment also activates dendritic cells deficient in Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 expression to initiate a proinflammatory response, confirming that the immunostimulatory effect of PZA is directly caused by the drug and is independent of Toll-like receptor stimulation. These results not only are strongly indicative of the promise of PZA as an alternative antileishmanial chemotherapy but also suggest that PZA causes collateral immunostimulation, a phenomenon that has never been reported for this drug.
Metabolic, but not respiratory, acidosis increases bone PGE2 levels and calcium release

A decrease in blood pH may be due to either a reduction in bicarbonate concentration ([HCO(3)(-)]; metabolic acidosis) or to an increase in PCO(2) (respiratory acidosis). In mammals, metabolic, but not respiratory, acidosis increases urine calcium excretion without altering intestinal calcium absorption, indicating that the additional urinary calcium is derived from bone. In cultured bone, chronic metabolic, but not respiratory, acidosis increases net calcium efflux (J(Ca)), decreases osteoblastic collagen synthesis, and increases osteoclastic bone resorption. Metabolic acidosis increases bone PGE(2) production, which is correlated with J(Ca), and inhibition of PGE(2) production inhibits this acid-induced J(Ca). Given the marked differences in the osseous response to metabolic and respiratory acidosis, we hypothesized that incubation of neonatal mouse calvariae in medium simulating respiratory acidosis would not increase medium PGE(2) levels, as observed during metabolic acidosis. To test this hypothesis, we determined medium PGE(2) levels and J(Ca) from calvariae incubated at pH approximately 7.1 to model either metabolic (Met; [HCO(3)(-)] approximately 11 mM) or respiratory (Resp; PCO(2) approximately 83 Torr) acidosis, or at pH approximately 7.5 as a control (Ntl). We found that after 24-48 and 48-51 h in culture, periods when cell-mediated J(Ca) predominates, medium PGE(2) levels and J(Ca) were increased with Met, but not Resp, compared with Ntl, and there was a direct correlation between medium PGE(2) levels and J(Ca). Thus metabolic, but not respiratory, acidosis induces the release of bone PGE(2), which mediates J(Ca) from bone.
Jejunal ulceration and stricture due to wax-matrix potassium chloride tablets and amitriptyline

A 68-year-old woman presented with abdominal distention of several weeks duration and an acute small bowel obstruction. For several years she had been prescribed amitriptyline 150 mg/d, L-thyroxine 100 micrograms/d, and digoxin 0.25 mg/d. For the previous year she had been taking hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/d and wax-matrix KCl 20 mEq/d for hypertension. At surgery a "napkin-ring" stricture of the midjejunum was found. It had microscopic features consistent with KCl local toxicity. It is speculated that delayed gastrointestinal motility secondary to amitriptyline predisposed this patient to wax-matrix KCl toxicity and that this potential side effect be considered when prescribing wax-matrix KCl.
Enzymatically inactive macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibits monocyte chemotaxis and random migration.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that was first described as an inhibitor of the random migration of monocytes and macrophages and has since been proposed to have a number of immune and catalytic functions. One of the functions assigned to MIF is that of a tautomerase that interconverts the enol and keto forms of phenylpyruvate and (p-hydroxyphenyl)pyruvate and converts d-dopachrome, a stereoisomer of naturally occurring l-dopachrome, to 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid. The physiological significance of the MIF enzymatic activity is unclear. The three-dimensional structure of MIF is strikingly similar to that of two microbial enzymes (4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase and 5-carboxymethyl-2-hydroxymuconate isomerase) that otherwise share little sequence identity with MIF. MIF and these two enzymes have an invariant N-terminal proline that serves as a catalytic base. Here we report a new biological function for MIF, as an inhibitor of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1- (MCP-1-) i...
Q-T prolongation in psychiatric outpatients.

The authors found a significantly (P < .01) high frequency of Q-T prolongation in stable psychiatric outpatients prescribed neuroleptics or antidepressants and in psychiatric outpatients prescribed neither as compared with control subjects. They then studied 20 stable psychiatric outpatients prescribed anticlepressants alone. While the frequency of Q-T prolongation remained high, they found no association between daily dose or measured serum level of antidepressant and the Q-T interval. Their data suggest that the reported association between Q-T prolongation and sudden cardiac death among psychiatric patients may have more to do with preexisting cardiac status than with medication effect.
Molecular aspects of myocarditis.

Myocarditis is an acquired form inflammatory heart muscle disease, manifested as acute and chronic conditions. While many etiologies have been reported, the most common cause of this disease is infection, primarily viral. Typically, the specific causative agent(s) and mechanism(s) are elusive. Over the past several years, various new findings have added to our understanding of myocarditis. These include the identification of adenoviruses as important causative agents, a new receptor protein likely to play an important role in the virulence of certain agents affecting the myocardium, and the effect of viruses on the cardiac cytoskeleton. This report reviews the current understanding of myocarditis, proposes a hypothesis about the long-term sequelae, and suggests possible new therapeutic strategies.
Computed tomography identification of latent pseudoaneurysm after blunt splenic injury: Pathology or technology?

BACKGROUND Serial computed tomography (CT) imaging of blunt splenic injury can identify the latent formation of splenic artery pseudoaneurysms (PSAs), potentially contributing to improved success in nonoperative management. However, it remains unclear whether the delayed appearance of such PSAs is truly pathophysiologic or attributable to imaging quality and timing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of recent advancements in imaging technology on the incidence of the latent PSA. METHODS Consecutive patients with blunt splenic injury over 4.5 years were identified from our trauma registry. Follow-up CT was performed for all but low-grade injuries 24 hours to 48 hours after initial CT. Incidences of both early and latent PSA formation were reviewed and compared with respect to imaging technology (4-slice vs. >or=16-slice). RESULTS A total of 411 patients were selected for nonoperative management of blunt splenic injury. Of these, 135 had imaging performed with 4-slice CT, and 276 had imaging performed with CTs of >=16-slice. Mean follow-up was 75 days (range, 1-1178 days) and 362 patients (88%) had follow-up beyond 7 days. Comparing 4-slice CT with >or=16-slice CT, there were no significant differences in the incidence of early PSA (3.7% vs. 4.7%; p = 0.91) or latent PSA (2.2% vs. 2.9%; p = 0.90). In both groups, latent PSAs accounted for approximately 38% of all PSAs observed. Splenic injury grade on initial CT was not associated with latent PSA (p = 0.54). Overall, the failure rate of nonoperative management was 7.3%. Overall mortality was 4.6%. No mortalities were related to splenic or other intra-abdominal injury. CONCLUSIONS The incidences of both early and latent PSA have remained remarkably stable despite advances in CT technology. This suggests that latent PSA is not a result of imaging technique but perhaps a true pathophysiologic phenomenon. Injury grade is unhelpful concerning the prediction of latent PSA formation.
The voltage-dependent electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of CoCrMo medical alloy using time-domain techniques: Generalized Cauchy-Lorentz, and KWW-Randles functions describing non-ideal interfacial behaviour

Abstract In this study, we examined the change of interfacial properties of a CoCrMo biomedical alloy (ASTM F-1537) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (pH 7.4) at different voltages. Step polarization impedance spectroscopy technique was used to apply 50 mV voltage steps to samples, and the time-based current transients were recorded. A new equation is derived based on capacitive discharge through a Tafel element and generalized to deal with non-ideal impedance behaviour. The new function compared to the KWW–Randles function, better matches the time-transient response. The results also show a voltage-dependent oxide resistance and capacitance behaviour.
Recurrent pulmonary infarction in adult chickenpox pneumonia.

The diagnosis of repeated pulmonary emboli was made for a 32-year-old man with chickenpox pneumonia. This case and previously reported cases emphasize that upon recognition, the treatment of pulmonary emboli occurring with chickenpox pneumonia may be the only specific therapy which can be offered to these often critically ill patients.
Non-exponential structural relaxation, anomalous light scattering and nanoscale inhomogeneities in glass-forming liquids

Abstract Light scattering from glass-forming liquids exhibits an anomalous time dependence in the glass transition region, e.g. maxima in the scattering intensity versus temperature curves during heating. It is shown that this behavior is consistent with the presence of nanoscale inhomogeneities (density fluctuations) which relax at different rates. It is suggested that this could be the source of non-exponential structural relaxation kinetics. An expression relating the size of these regions to structural relaxation kinetic parameters has been developed and predicts sizes in excellent agreement with those determined by other methods.
Abridgment of thyrite: A new material for lightning arresters

A new material has been developed which is peculiarly adapted for use in lightning arresters. Physically, it is similar to dry process porcelain, and it can be made in any shape that can be successfully moulded. The manufacturing processes have been perfected so that the electrical and mechanical characteristics can be duplicated or varied as desired within practical limits. This material, which is called thyrite, does not follow Ohm's law, for each time the voltage is doubled, the current increases 12.6 times. The ratio of change of current to change in voltage is constant over ranges of current of 10,000,000 to one. This means that the resistance decreases as the current and voltage increase. The resistance at any particular value of voltage or current is fixed by the physical dimensions of the piece. It is slightly lowered at high temperatures but returns to normal when cooled. The resistance does not depend upon the rapidity of current or voltage change and it is unaffected by long service. Because of the definite characteristics of thyrite, the action of lightning arresters can, for the first time, be accurately calculated. Thyrite is now being used experimentally in three types of lightning arresters. The station type is made in 11.5-kv. sections, each containing its own gap unit so that no series arrester gap is required. These gap units have the desirable properly of sparking over at practically the same voltage, irrespective of wave front. The 11.5-kv. sections are assembled in the field in the same manner as pedestal insulators. The distribution arresters are smaller than those of the station type and have but one-fourth of the impulse current carrying capacity. For discharge currents up to 1000 amperes, neither of the arresters will allow more than 2.8 times the arrester rating in crest volts to appear across it. The third type of arrester is incorporated directly in the transmission line suspension insulators, and is designed to absorb a considerable portion of abnormal surge energy as well as to protect the insulators from flashover. This new line of lightning arresters has the following advantages: 1. Ample protection for all insulation. 2. Conservative factor of safety from failure. 3. Permanence. 4. Small size and weight. 5. Low installation cost. 6. Invariable characteristics and predictability of results for any given condition. 7. Characteristics which can be measured by the user.
Novel isomeric dideoxynucleosides of the D- and L-apiose family

Abstract Short synthetic approaches to optically active, cis and trans dideoxynucleoside analogs of the D- and L-apiose family have been developed. The chiral precursor for the syntheses was the enzymatically prepared compound, S(-)-2-(2-propenyl)-1,3-propanediol monoacetate (5).
The Role of Utility Analysis in the Strategic Management of Organizations

To many observers, the area of utility analysis appears disjointed, unfocused, and they wonder where it is going. Despite the fact that there is almost 20 years of experience with utility analysis since researchers brought it into the modern era, this approach to cost/benefit analysis has not caught on widely and it is not a standard procedure in the assessment of HR interventions. I argue that utility analysis remains an appropriate area of inquiry, but currently it suffers from three broad sets of problems: (1)from an applied research perspective there is often a failure to focus on critical, value‐adding activities that managers regard as relevant and important to their own success; (2) inability to communicate the results of utility analyses in a persuasive, credible manner to operating executives; and (3) technical problems, both theoretical and operational. In my view, none of these is insurmountable, but we must address each one in a systematic manner if the potential of utility analysis to help guide organizational decision making is to be realized in practice.
Improving Projected Potential Evapotranspiration Estimates Using National Weather Service Forecasts

Abstract In a recent survey conducted by the University of Nebrask's Center for Agricultural Meteorology and Climatology of Agricultural Network (AGNET) users, the results of potential evapotranspiration (ETp) projections (calculated using the Blaney-Criddle approach, which employs “normal” climatic data to project ETp, estimates up to three days into the future) were labeled “unrealistic”. To improve these projection National Weather Service (NWS) forecast variables were used as input into the Blancy-Criddle and Penman equations. ETp, projections calculated according to the Penman equation, with data measured by automated weather stations as input, were assumed to represent the “best” attainable. ETp projections calculated using NWS forecasted values were compared with the “best” projections for the summer of 1985. Increased accuracy in ETp, projections due to increased accuracy in the individual forecasted input variables was evaluated. Overall, daily ETp, projections made with the Blancy-Criddle equati...
The destruction of Escherichia coli biofilms using high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Abstract High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has shown great potential for replacing surgery in many applications. In this work, HIFU was used to destroy Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) biofilms that had been grown on chambered microscope slides. Biofilms are central to the pathogenesis and persistence of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections associated with indwelling medical devices. The slides were exposed to 9.1 μs pulses at a pulse repetition frequency of 1000 Hz. The pulses were generated by a 1.1 MHz spherically focused source with a focal length of 6.3 cm and an active diameter of 7 cm. The peak rarefactional pressure for the pulses was varied as 3.1, 4.1, 5.2, 6.2 and 7.6 MPa in addition to a sham where the biofilms were not exposed. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by determining the number of colony forming units (CFU) remaining following exposure of the bacteria to HIFU. Most of the biofilms treated at the higher exposures of 6.2 and 7.6 MPa had no detectable CFU, indicating that bacteria in the biofilm were killed by the treatment or that treatment disrupted the biofilm and released bacteria from the slide. However, the ability of some bacteria to survive at the higher exposure settings needs to be resolved prior to implementing the treatment clinically. (E-mail: bigelow@iastate.edu ).
Processing of eastern US oil shale in a multistaged fluidized bed system

Abstract A multistaged processing concept for eastern US oil shale, KENTORT II, integrates dense-phase fluidized bed pyrolysis with fluidized bed gasification and combustion steps. The fluidized bed retort produces enhanced yields for eastern US oil shale by minimizing cracking and coking reactions. Residual carbon and sulphur are converted in the gasification zone to medium-Btu, H 2 - and H 2 S-rich gas, leaving a low sulphur char for combustion. Heat is provided for gasification via recirculating solids from the combustion zone, and for pyrolysis from hot gases and recirculating solids from the gasification zone. Both experimental systems used in this study indicate that carbon and sulphur conversion are sufficiently rapid to proceed under moderate gasification conditions. Coking induced from solids recirculation was small, and particle agglomeration was not observed during combustion.
Neonatal testosterone exposure protects adult male rats from stroke

Background: Men have a higher stroke incidence compared to women until advanced age. The contribution of hormones to these sex differences has been extensively de
Critical criminology, social justice, and an alternative view of incarceration

Despite its lack of general popularity, critical criminology continues to offer compelling criticism of the dominant paradigm of criminal justice. In this essay, critical criminology is presented along with its principal assertions, theoretical assumptions, and implications for social reform and criminal justice. The author argues that critical criminology provides a valuable theoretical backdrop for the analysis of incarceration, particularly its emergence as a form of local industry. Other developments pertinent to the political economy are also discussed, especially as they pertain to the shaping of patterns of unemployment and imprisonment.
Robust Limits of Risk Sensitive Nonlinear Filters

Deterministic filter models are considered, and a criterion for a deterministic filter to be robust is introduced. Among the candidates for robust deterministic filters are so-called minimax estimators. In the second part of the paper, a risk sensitive stochastic approach to nonlinear filtering is considered, in which the traditional expected mean squared error criterion is replaced by an expected exponential-of-mean squared error. Minimax filters are obtained as totally risk averse limits of risk sensitive filters.
Radiosynthesis and in vivo evaluation of a F-18-labeled pancreatic islet amyloid inhibitor

Formation of islet amyloid deposits contributes to the progressive loss of beta-cells in Type 2 diabetes. Islet amyloid is composed of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). [(N-Me)G24, (N-Me)I26]hIAPP(22–27) peptide was found to bind human IAPP with high-affinity and inhibit fibrillogenesis. We labeled [(N-Me)G24, (N-Me)I26]hIAPP(22–27) with fluorine-18 using N-succinimidyl-4-[18F]fluorobenzoate. Results from biodistribution studies in healthy CF-1 mice at 1 h p.i. indicated that 18F-peptide was cleared efficiently (0.04±0.02%ID/g remained in blood). The primary route of clearance from the body appears to be hepatobiliary. Radioactivity accumulation in liver, intestine, and kidney was 6.7±2.9, 60.3±18.5, and 0.2±0.0%ID, respectively. Other organs accumulated negligible radioactivity. As normal mice do not develop pancreatic amyloid deposits, only background radioactivity was seen in pancreas. The radio-HPLC analysis of mouse urine at 2 h p.i. showed that ∼29.3% of injected 18F-peptide excreted intact along with two additional metabolite peaks. Dynamic microPET/CT imaging of a CF-1 mouse injected with 18F-peptide indicated that radiotracer was rapidly taken up by liver and most of it moved into intestine within 10 min. The results provide a useful insight into the biological disposition of [(N-Me)G24, (N-Me)I26]hIAPP(22–27) that is being developed as a pancreatic amyloid inhibitor. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple frequency estimation from undersampled waveforms

Frequency estimation/determination has applications in various areas, where the sampling rate is usually above the Nyquist rate. In some applications, it is preferred that the range of the frequencies is as large as possible for a given sampling rate and in some applications, the sampling rate is below the Nyquist rate. In both cases, frequency estimation from under sampled waveforms is needed. In this paper, we study the range problem and present an efficient algorithm to determine multiple frequencies form multiple under sampled waveforms with sampling rates below the Nyquist rates.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
What users want

Abstract The needs of users are presented from the viewpoint of someone who is both a demanding network and computer user, and has major responsibilities for the funding, design, installation and operation of network and computing systems. The current expectations of most users require speeds of about 64 kbits/s, but in the near future many users will want about 1 Mbyte/s to meet their reasonable needs. Future applications needing 100 times more bandwidth are easy to identify. An attempt to meet these needs with a single general purpose network is doomed to failure. It will be necessary to make use of current fibre/G703 technology to create manageable sub-networks for demanding “mission-oriented” user communities. It will also be essential to provide a European network infrastructure at prices based only on sound, forward looking, commercial considerations.
EVIDENCE FOR A LOOP MECHANISM OF PROTEIN TRANSPORT BY THE THYLAKOID DELTA PH PATHWAY

The thylakoid Delta pH pathway is a protein transport system with unprecedented characteristics. To investigate its mechanism, the topology of precursor insertion was determined. A fusion protein comprising a large polypeptide domain fused to the amino terminus of pOE17 (a Delta pH pathway precursor) was efficiently processed by thylakoid membranes. The amino terminus, including the targeting peptide, remained on the cis side of the membrane. Mature OE17 was transported to the lumen. These experiments demonstrate that Delta pH directed precursors enter the thylakoid membrane in a loop, implying that the Delta pH pathway has evolved from an export-type protein translocation system.
Nuclear photonics with extreme gamma-ray sources

Summary form only given. Tunable, polarized, mono-energetic, gamma-ray (MEGa-ray) beams can be created via Compton scattering of pulsed lasers off of ultra-bright electron beams. Above 2 MeV, the peak brilliance of an optimized MEGa-ray source can exceed that of world's largest synchrotrons by more than 15 orders of magnitude. These narrow-divergence, laser-like, gamma-ray beams are enabling the pursuit of new nuclear science and applications with photons, i.e. nuclear photonics. Applications include isotope-specific nuclear materials management, element-specific medical radiography and radiology, non-destructive, isotope-specific, material assay and imaging, precision spectroscopy of nuclear resonances and photon-induced fission. Scaling of MEGa-ray sources to MW beam powers is also feasible and might one day enable efficient, photon-based transmutation of materials. This presentation will review activities at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory related to the design and optimization of MEGa-ray sources and to the development and use of unique detector systems required for isotope-specific, materials applications.
Sodium content of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and the effect of processing method.

The issue of the sodium content of foods and the labeling of food products as to their sodium content has become the target for legislative debate. Oysters, processed by three methods currently employed within the oyster processing industry, were analyzed for sodium content using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Significant differences in the sodium levels were observed among the processes. Indications were that the variations observed were in part due to the viability of the mollusk during processing. The data indicate that it would be a significant problem for the oyster industry to declare in the label sodium content within a reasonable limit of certainty.
Improved Binary Space Partition merging

This paper presents a new method for evaluating boolean set operations between Binary Space Partition (BSP) trees. Our algorithm has many desirable features, including both numerical robustness and O(n) output sensitive time complexity, while simultaneously admitting a straightforward implementation. To achieve these properties, we present two key algorithmic improvements. The first is a method for eliminating null regions within a BSP tree using linear programming. This replaces previous techniques based on polygon cutting and tree splitting. The second is an improved method for compressing BSP trees based on a similar approach within binary decision diagrams. The performance of the new method is analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. Given the importance of boolean set operations, our algorithms can be directly applied to many problems in graphics, CAD and computational geometry.
Scalability of small-aperture selectively oxidized vertical cavity lasers

We analyze the threshold properties of small area selectively oxidized vertical cavity lasers. Agreement for threshold gain versus laser size is found using the experimental intrinsic threshold voltage matched with a gain theory, as compared to a two-dimensional optical cavity simulation. Our analysis indicates the increasing threshold current density of small area lasers arises from both increasing threshold gain and the concomitant increasing leakage current. We further show that the optical loss can be reduced for lasers with areas as small as 0.25 μm2 while maintaining sufficient transverse optical confinement by displacing the apertures longitudinally away from the cavity and reducing the oxide thickness.
Parents' perception and knowledge about corticosteroid

Abstract Rationale Since compliance of medication is essential for the successful treatment of asthma and allergic diseases, we collected the information about the perception and knowledge about corticosteroid (steroid) among the parents of children with asthma or allergic disorders. Methods We interviewed referred 210 consecutive parents of children who were treated with steroids. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 107 had allergic rhinitis (AR), 70 had allergic asthma (AA), and 33 had atopic dermatitis(AD). All of them used some form of steroids, half used regularly and half only intermittently. Results 1). Most parents (92%) understood the steroid helped control symptoms. 2). Eighty percent of parents were concerned about the use of steroids. 3). Five major reasons of concern: weight gain (60%), organ damages (46%), stunted growth (27%), brittle bone (20%), and hypertension (13%). 4). Did health professionals ever explain side effects? Eighty percent said “No”. 5). Temptation of avoiding the use of steroid: very often (33%), sometimes (53%), and never (13%). 6). How soon after the steroid treatment, the temptation began? Immediately (13%), in less than 1 month (13%), in less than 6 months (34%). Conclusion 1). Majority of parents are concerned about the use of steroids in children. 2). This concern may turn into phobia and can influence the medical compliance and the final outcome of treating chronic diseases like asthma and allergic disorders. 3). Medical education is acutely needed to address the parental concern of the use of steroids.
An enhanced grid-based Bayesian array for target tracking

A grid-based Bayesian array (GBA) for robust visual tracking has recently been developed, which proposes a novel method of deterministic sample generation and sample weighting for position estimation. In particular, a target motion model is constructed, predicting target position in the next frame based on estimations in previous frames. Samples are generated by gridding within an ellipsoid centered at the prediction. For localization, radial edge detection is applied for each sample to determine if it is inside the target boundary. Sample weights are then assigned according to the number of the edge points detected around the sample and its distance from the predicted position. The position estimation is computed as the weighted sum of the sample set. In this paper, we enhance the capacity of the GBA tracker in accommodating the tracking of targets in video with erratic motion, by introducing adaptation in the motion model and iterative position estimation. The improved tracking performance over the original GBA tracker are demonstrated in tracking a single leukocyte in vivo and ground vehicle target observed from UAV videos, both undergoing abrupt changes in motion. The experimental results show that the enhanced GBA tracker outperforms the original by tracking more than 10% of the total number of frames, and increases the number of video sequences with all frames tracked by greater than 20%.
Raman Spectroscopy Enables Noninvasive Biochemical Characterization and Identification of the Stage of Healing of a Wound

Accurate and rapid assessment of the healing status of a wound in a simple and noninvasive manner would enable clinicians to diagnose wounds in real time and promptly adjust treatments to hasten the resolution of nonhealing wounds. Histologic and biochemical characterization of biopsied wound tissue, which is currently the only reliable method for wound assessment, is invasive, complex to interpret, and slow. Here we demonstrate the use of Raman microspectroscopy coupled with multivariate spectral analysis as a simple, noninvasive method to biochemically characterize healing wounds in mice and to accurately identify different phases of healing of wounds at different time-points. Raman spectra were collected from “splinted” full thickness dermal wounds in mice at 4 time-points (0, 1, 5, and 7 days) corresponding to different phases of wound healing, as verified by histopathology. Spectra were deconvolved using multivariate factor analysis (MFA) into 3 “factor score spectra” (that act as spectral signatures...
In vivo studies of GABAergic effects in experimental hepatic encephalopathy

The GABAergic agonist, muscimol, and antagonists, picrotoxin and bicuculline, have been studied in rats with chronic portacaval shunts and in rats developing hepatic encephalopathy after massive ischemic necrosis due to hepatic artery ligation within 48 hr of a portacaval shunt. After the chronic portacaval shunt and to a lesser extent in normal rats intraventricular muscimol resulted in chewing and eating behavior, ataxia and loss of balance that lasted 2 to 3 hr. Lethargy, stupor and coma did not occur. Intraventricular saline had no effect. Bicuculline i.p. lessened the effects of the muscimol. In rats developing hepatic encephalopathy, intraventricular muscimol shortened the time to precoma and coma by approximately 40%. Bicuculline i.p. counteracted this effect of muscimol significantly. However, neither bicuculline nor picrotoxin given alone altered the times to precoma (Stage III), coma (Stage IV) or death. While hepatic encephalopathy in this experimental model is susceptible to GABAergic effects, its natural progression does not appear to be due to GABA.
Activation of an IL‐6:STAT3‐dependent transcriptome in pediatric‐onset inflammatory bowel disease

Background While activation of the IL-6-dependent transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a direct effect on mucosal gene expression and inflammation has not been shown. We hypothesized that a proinflammatory IL-6:STAT3-dependent biological network would be up regulated in pediatric-onset IBD patients, and would be associated with the severity of mucosal inflammation. Methods Patients with pediatric-onset IBD were enrolled at diagnosis and during therapy. Serum cytokine analysis was performed using Bioplex. STAT3 phosphorylation (pSTAT3) in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) was assessed by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry of colonic mucosa was used to localize pSTAT3 and STAT3 target genes. Microarray analysis was used to determine RNA expression profiles from colon biopsies. Results Circulating IL-6 was upregulated in active IBD patients at diagnosis and during therapy. STAT3 activation was increased in PB granulocytes, IL-6-stimulated CD3(+)/CD4(+) lymphocytes, and affected colon biopsies of IBD patients. The frequency of pSTAT3+ PB granulocytes and colon epithelial and lamina propria cells was highly correlated with the degree of mucosal inflammation. Microarray and Ingenuity Systems bioinformatics analysis identified IL-6:STAT3-dependent biological networks upregulated in IBD patients which control leukocyte recruitment, HLA expression, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Conclusions A proinflammatory IL6:STAT3 biologic network is upregulated in active pediatric IBD patients at diagnosis and during therapy. Specific targeting of this network may be effective in reducing mucosal inflammation.
Computed tomography of the chest with model-based iterative reconstruction using a radiation exposure similar to chest X-ray examination: preliminary observations.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic image quality of ultra-low-dose chest computed tomography (ULD-CT) obtained with a radiation dose comparable to chest radiography and reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) in comparison with standard dose diagnostic CT (SDD-CT) or low-dose diagnostic CT (LDD-CT) reconstructed with FBP alone.
Low temperature specific heat of dilute magnetic alloys

Abstract The effective ferromagnetic exchange interaction between conduction electrons produced by the presence of magnetic impurities is shown to increase the electronic specific heat by the spin fluctuation mechanism recently presented by Berk and Schrieffer, and Doniach and Engelsberg.
Discovery of Drug-Resistant and Drug-Sensitizing Mutations in the Oncogenic PI3K Isoform p110α

p110 alpha (PIK3CA) is the most frequently mutated kinase in human cancer, and numerous drugs targeting this kinase are currently in preclinical development or early-stage clinical trials. Clinical resistance to protein kinase inhibitors frequently results from point mutations that block drug binding; similar mutations in p110 alpha are likely, but currently none have been reported. Using a S. cerevisiae screen against a structurally diverse panel of PI3K inhibitors, we have identified a potential hotspot for resistance mutations (I800), a drug-sensitizing mutation (L814C), and a surprising lack of resistance mutations at the "gatekeeper" residue. Our analysis further reveals that clinical resistance to these drugs may be attenuated by using multitargeted inhibitors that simultaneously inhibit additional PI3K pathway members.
Characterization of and energy deposition in [C2H4O2]+˙ ions using energy‐resolved mass spectrometry

Energy-resolved mass spectrometry (ERMS) has been used to distinguish [C2H4O2]+˙ ions generated from seven precursor molecules. The low collision energy ERMS data confirm conclusions reached from previous high-energy experiments; all seven ions have different structures or mixtures of structures. Structural distinctions are at least as easy to make using the two-dimensional ERMS data as through collisional activation at high energy. The average internal energy deposited in low-energy collisions (30 eV) is shown to be similar to the internal energy deposited at 8 keV in these systems.
AIDS risk reduction and reduced HIV seroconversion among injection drug users in Bangkok

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion was studied in a group of 173 injection drug users in Bangkok, Thailand, who had been previously tested for HIV and were interviewed and retested in the fall of 1989. Ten percent of the group had seroconverted. Two factors protected against HIV seroconversion: having stopped sharing injection equipment in response to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and having a regular sexual partner. The association between self-reported deliberate risk reduction and reduced HIV seroconversion among persons continuing to inject illicit drugs indicates that injection drug users can change their behavior in response to AIDS and will accurately report on the behavior change, and that the changes can protect against HIV infection.
Stability of Spatial Working Memory across the Estrous Cycle of Long–Evans Rats

In the adult rat, hippocampal dendritic synaptic connectivity in region CA1 fluctuates across the estrous cycle. This study examined the potential functional impact of such fluctuations on spatial working memory in regularly cycling Long-Evans rats. Rats were trained in a delayed non-match-to-sample radial-arm maze task and performance was monitored across the estrous cycle. There were no significant alterations in the acquisition or performance of the working memory task across the estrous cycle, with 1- or 4-h delays imposed between training and testing sessions. However, rats performed the task significantly more slowly on proestrus than on any other estrous cycle day under both delay conditions. These results indicate that while working memory remains stable, sensorimotor or motivational aspects of the performance of this radial-arm maze task may vary across the estrous cycle.
Organizational effects on policy implementation in a geographically dispersed natural resources organization

Central administrators in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Forestry perceived that policies were inconsistently implemented at the field level. Data were collected on implementing five policies in 34 field offices and related to organization structure factors. Overall policy implementation was between 85% and 90%, although nearly 30% of the respondents reported implementation of a given policy at or below 75%. Significant differences were found in overall policy implementation among the five administrative regions in the division. Significant differences in implementation were also found among policies and among field offices. Criticalfactors related to policy implementation included direct influence by people in units above the field office; physical location of the field office in relation to supervisory offices; regional differences in biophysical, social, and economic factors ; influence of other DNR units; and feedback from staff specialists about job performance.
A mechanism to measure quality-of-service in a federated cloud environment

In a federated Cloud environment, services may be composed of other services from different Clouds with different Cloud provider Quality-of-Service (QoS) guarantees. Providers running services on the multiple Clouds will be contractually obligated to meet or exceed the QoS which they have agreed to provide to their consumers. A key challenge for the service providers will be to demonstrate compliance to the agreed upon QoS. We present a basic mechanism to continuously measure QoS in a federated Cloud environment so that resources can be provisioned or de provisioned dynamically to meet Service Level Agreements. We have validated our mechanism by constructing prototypes and the results demonstrate that it is possible to continuously measure QoS at the minute granularity and for various service configurations prevalent in the industry