cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wave Propagation along a Warm Non-uniform Plasma Column†

ABSTRACT Tha dipolar resonances that occur when an axially uniform plasma column is subjected to a transverse r.f. electric field have received much study, and can be predicted accurately from a hydrodynamic description of the plasma perturbation and knowledge of the transverse olectron density profile. These frequencies may be interpreted aa the cut-off's of series of modes propagating along the column. In this paper such propagation is studied in infinite planar geometry for a number of basic cases. Dispersion curves, and descriptions of the plasma parameters at cut-off are given for modes with axially symmetric and axially asymmetric potential distributions in three different geometries : first for plasma filling the plates, and then for plasma separated from the plates either by one or two dielectric layers. The feasibility of observing these waves experimentally is discussed, and experimental evidence for their propagation is cited.
Effects of shear velocity oscillations on stick‐slip behavior in laboratory experiments

[1] We report on laboratory friction experiments in which simulated faults are exposed to shear velocity oscillations at different amplitudes and frequencies. Granular layers are sheared in a servo-controlled biaxial apparatus at constant normal stress and background shear velocity, with a shear velocity sinusoid superimposed. Correlation between oscillations and stick-slip events is determined by the timing of dynamic failure with respect to the oscillation phase. Schuster's test is used to calculate the statistical likelihood of phase recurrence. We find that correlation of failure with the shear stress oscillation depends on oscillation frequency and amplitude at low frequencies and solely on oscillation amplitude at high frequencies. The frequency boundary between these two regimes is proportional to the inverse of the time needed to displace the frictional critical slip distance. We evaluate changes in failure characteristics, including failure strength, recurrence time between events, creep, and phase of the oscillation at failure, to assess the effects of stressing rate oscillations. Failure occurs at maximum shear stressing rate at low frequencies and lags peak stressing rate in the high-frequency regime. Friction at the onset of dynamic failure decreases with increasing frequency. The distribution of events through time depends on the frequency of the shear oscillation; low-frequency oscillations produce bimodal distributions and high-frequency oscillations produce unimodal distributions. If the transition between the failure regimes depends on the critical displacement length as our experiments imply, the critical frequency will vary for faults with different gouge layer thicknesses and total displacement.
Cyclic softening of ultrafine grain copper

Ultrafine grain copper produced by severe plastic deformation (SPD) was tested in tension-compression fatigue under strain control. The fatigue life of SPD Cu follows the Coffin–Manson law, though it appears to be shorter than that of coarse grain Cu. SPD Cu showed significant softening in all tests performed. The softening increased with increasing fatigue life at high strain ranges (Δep=2×10−2−5×10−3). Below Δep=2×10−3 softening began to decrease accompanied by a remarkable heterogeneity in the dislocation substructure. It is likely that the regions with the finest dislocation substructure appear `hard' to dislocation motion and, hence, are more difficult to soften by the to-and-fro motion of dislocations during cyclic deformation. Finally, observations of the sample surfaces revealed damage in the form of parallel cracks and extrusions reminiscent of persistent slip band (PSB) activity, particularly for samples tested at lower strain ranges Δep≈1×10−3.
Formation of chemical and biological denitrification products in flooded soil at controlled pH and redox potential

Abstract The formation of denitrification products was studied in a waterlogged soil which was treated with and without mercuric chloride. Before the addition of the sterilant and NO 3 − -N the pH was controlled at 4.5, 6 and 8 and the redox potential at 0 and +400 mV in stirred suspensions. Denitrification products N 2 , N 2 O and some traces of NO were detected. Residual NO 3 − -N and NO 2 − -N were determined. Added NO 3 − -N was almost completely converted to N 2 at 0 mV and pH 6 and 8. At pH 4·5 and 0 mV and substantial amount of N 2 was formed. Atl +400 mV the N 2 production was markedly reduced. In reducing acid conditions the production of N 2 O was very important; it decreased at pH 6 and became minimal at pH 8. In oxidizing conditions only at pH 4·5 could N 2 O be detected. In the presence of HgCl 2 , no N 2 O could be detected, and the N 2 gas production was not completely blocked.
Multiple image forecasting

Business forecasters are generally adept at creating the single‐scenario numerical forecasts most commonly used in corporations. However, we rarely produce a useful overall picture of our company's performance.
ATP-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in airway epithelial cells involves DUOX1-dependent oxidation of Src and ADAM17.

The respiratory epithelium is subject to continuous environmental stress and its responses to injury or infection are largely mediated by transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and downstream signaling cascades. Based on previous studies indicating involvement of ATP-dependent activation of the NADPH oxidase homolog DUOX1 in epithelial wound responses, the present studies were performed to elucidate the mechanisms by which DUOX1-derived H2O2 participates in ATP-dependent redox signaling and EGFR transactivation. ATP-mediated EGFR transactivation in airway epithelial cells was found to involve purinergic P2Y2 receptor stimulation, and both ligand-dependent mechanisms as well as ligand-independent EGFR activation by the non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src. Activation of Src was also essential for ATP-dependent activation of the sheddase ADAM17, which is responsible for liberation and activation of EGFR ligands. Activation of P2Y2R results in recruitment of Src and DUOX1 into a signaling complex, and transient siRNA silencing or stable shRNA transfection established a critical role for DUOX1 in ATP-dependent activation of Src, ADAM17, EGFR, and downstream wound responses. Using thiol-specific biotin labeling strategies, we determined that ATP-dependent EGFR transactivation was associated with DUOX1-dependent oxidation of cysteine residues within Src as well as ADAM17. In aggregate, our findings demonstrate that DUOX1 plays a central role in overall epithelial defense responses to infection or injury, by mediating oxidative activation of Src and ADAM17 in response to ATP-dependent P2Y2R activation as a proximal step in EGFR transactivation and downstream signaling.
Calculating the Average Production of a Dairy Herd

Summary 1. There is lack of uniformity among methods employed in the United States in calculating the average production of herds in cow testing associations. Some of these methods are inaccurate. A comparison of the results obtained by these methods, has been made on the production records of the N herd of the Sunflower Cow Testing Association in northwestern Kansas. 2. The equivalent average method gives an inflated valuation which is especially increased in herds of cattle yielding a large flow of milk in short lactation periods. 3. The rough average method is too greatly influenced by cows passing only a part of their lactation period in the testing association's fiscal year. 4. The herd average method (unmodified) excludes cows passing only a part of the lactation period during the fiscal year. Yet these cows were an integral part of the producing herd for a part of the year. Modifications of the herd average method introduce an error increasing with the shorter records accepted as full lactation periods. 5. The cow-month method is practically identical with the Danish method. Slightly larger errors may be incurred through use of months rather than exact days. No allowance is made for any dry period with part-time producers, thus slightly overvaluing the herd average. The percentage of error, however, is small by this method. 6. The Danish method bases the number of cows upon feeding days of lactating and dry cows, using 365 days as the standard. It closely approaches accuracy, though tends to over-value part-time cows. 7. The lactation average method is based upon the average length of lactation of the normal cows in the herd, and calculates the remaining part-time producers according to the normal length of lactation of the herd cows. 8. The four last methods named all approach accuracy. Of these, the lactation average method more nearly represents the normal management of the herd, and the true average production.
Compact and efficient spectrometers using holographic spectral diversity filters

We present a class of spectrometers that work based on diffractive properties of spherical beam volume holograms. The hologram in these spectrometers is recorded by a plane wave and a spherical beam and acts as a spectral diversity filter (SDF), which maps different input wavelengths into different locations in the output plane. The experimental results demonstrate that the spherical beam volume holograms have the capability of separation different wavelength channels of a collimated incident beam. For the analysis of the spherical beam volume hologram, a new theoretical method is introduced and used. It is shown that the experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical study. Using these results, we demonstrate a Fourier-transform volume holographic spectrometer formed by a Fourier-transform lens, a spherical beam volume hologram, and a CCD. We show that this spectrometer can operate well under spatially incoherent light illumination without using any spatial filter (i.e., slit) in the input. We finally introduce a new implementation of a spectrometer for diffuse source spectroscopy by using only a volume hologram, recorded by two spherical beams, and a CCD. The proposed spectrometer is very compact, inexpensive, less sensitive to optical alignment, and has potentially high throughput that can be widely used in biological and environmental sensing applications.
The Ubiquitin/Proteasome System Mediates Entry and Endosomal Trafficking of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus in Endothelial Cells

Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification, mediates diverse cellular functions including endocytic transport of molecules. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), an enveloped herpesvirus, enters endothelial cells primarily through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Whether ubiquitination and proteasome activity regulates KSHV entry and endocytosis remains unknown. We showed that inhibition of proteasome activity reduced KSHV entry into endothelial cells and intracellular trafficking to nuclei, thus preventing KSHV infection of the cells. Three-dimensional (3-D) analyses revealed accumulation of KSHV particles in a cytoplasmic compartment identified as EEA1+ endosomal vesicles upon proteasome inhibition. KSHV particles are colocalized with ubiquitin-binding proteins epsin and eps15. Furthermore, ubiquitination mediates internalization of both KSHV and one of its receptors integrin β1. KSHV particles are colocalized with activated forms of the E3 ligase c-Cbl. Knock-down of c-Cbl or inhibition of its phosphorylation reduced viral entry and intracellular trafficking, resulting in decreased KSHV infectivity. These results demonstrate that ubiquitination mediates internalization of both KSHV and one of its cognate receptors integrin β1, and identify c-Cbl as a potential E3 ligase that facilitates this process.
Separation of pertussal toxin.

SummaryMethods have been described for the separation of pertussal toxin from a 0.05 M CaCl2 extract of H. pertussis, strain No. 29, dried from the frozen state. The most active fraction contained 5260 LD50 per mg N and was found to be heterogeneous by electrophoretic analysis.
Effective work practices for software engineering: free/libre open source software development

We review the literature on Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) development and on software development, distributed work and teams more generally to develop a theoretical model to explain the performance of FLOSS teams. The proposed model is based on Hackman's [34] model of effectiveness of work teams, with coordination theory [52] and collective mind [79] to extend Hackman's model by elaborating team practices relevant to effectiveness in software development. We propose a set of propositions to guide further research.
Exact N = 2 supergravity solutions with polarized branes

We construct several classes of exact supersymmetric supergravity solutions describing D4 branes polarized into NS5 branes and F-strings polarized into D2 branes. These setups belong to the same universality class as the perturbative solutions used by Polchinski and Strassler to describe the string dual of $\mathcal{N}={1}^{*}$ theories. The D4-NS5 setup can be interpreted as a string dual to a confining $4+1$ dimensional theory with 8 supercharges, whose properties we discuss. By T-duality, our solutions give Type IIB supersymmetric backgrounds with polarized branes.
The apolipoprotein E ε4 allele is not a significant risk factor for frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the most common early-onset non-Alzheimer's dementia (non-AD). Although the role of the epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) has been well established in AD, studies of ApoE allele distribution in patients with FTD have produced variable results. We studied 33 rigorously diagnosed FTD patients, including several who were pathologically confirmed, and compared the frequency of the epsilon4 allele in patients with FTD with the frequency in those with early-onset AD (EOAD), in those with late-onset AD (LOAD), and in non-demented elderly controls. The frequency of ApoE epsilon4 was 21% in patients with FTD, significantly less than the ApoE epsilon4 frequency in those patients with EOAD (38%) and those with LOAD (40%), but not significantly different from the ApoE epsilon4 frequency in elderly controls (13%).
RESEARCH IN FAMILY THERAPY: A GRADUATE LEVEL COURSE

Training in family therapy research must move beyond traditional methods courses. This paper describes a five-unit course which (a) reviews the fundamentals of research methodology and grounds the student in the history of psychotherapy research in general; (b) gives an overview of family research through detailed analysis of major review articles; (c) covers instrumentation tools and techniques; (d) critically evaluates key investigations in the field; and (e) examines the challenges of the “new epistemologies” for family therapy research. Learning activities are described for each unit that engage the student in such a way that the learning of research might be enjoyable as well as interesting. The paper may also be employed as a guide for self-study in family therapy research.
Sediment-water interaction in a small stream: Adsorption of 137Cs by bed load sediments

In this paper the authors describe the interaction between dissolved solutes and stationary bed load sediments in White Oak Creek, east Tennessee. Irreversible adsorption of {sup 137}Cs by bed load sediments of White Oak Creek, a small gravel-bottomed riffle-and-pool stream, was intensively studied to characterize sediment-water interaction. Adsorption and desorption measurements in stream water show that adsorption is essentially irreversible, with no measurable desorption taking place during 6 years of exposure to stream water. The irreversible adsorption rate constant for {sup 137}Cs for 2- to 4-mm gravel is 2 {times} 10{sup {minus}3} s{sup {minus}1}. The adsorption rate constant is directly proportional to surface area and is related to mineralogy so that the adsorption rate constant for shale is much higher than for chert or limestone (< 1 {times} 10{sup {minus}3} s{sup {minus}1}). Newly deposited, uncontaminated sediment quickly becomes contaminated by {sup 137}Cs in White Oak Creek. Even though {sup 137}Cs is strongly adsorbed, measurable contamination to 20 cm depth in 64 days indicates that significant underflow takes place and results in the exchange of about 40 pore volumes of water per day. The measured adsorption rate constant is used to estimate a vertical dispersivity for underflow of about 10{sup {minus}1}more » cm{sup 2} s{sup {minus}1}. Vertical dispersivity is probably induced by horizontal flow and is not directly related to net vertical flow. Such a high amount of sediment-water interaction results in much greater contamination of sediments by highly adsorptive ions than is possible without significant underflow and exchange of pore fluids.« less
War, Peace, and Free Radio: The Women's National Radio Committee's Efforts to Promote Democracy, 1939–1946

This article traces the efforts of the Women's National Radio Committee to promote democracy in a time of war. The organization did so by giving awards to radio programs that best supported democracy and informing women about issues of war and peace, denouncing FCC regulations, proposing news coverage and musical program improvements, and encouraging radio to help curtail the problem of juvenile delinquency.
A new genus and species of sand crab (Decapoda: Hippoidea: Albuneidae) from the Early Eocene Crescent Formation, Washington State, U.S.A.

Abstract A small fossil sand crab carapace collected from early Eocene shallow water marine strata of the Crescent Formation exposed at Crescent Bay, Clallam County, Washington State, represents a new genus and species, Sklallamia buchanani. The carapace of S. buchanani is nearly as long as wide, is almost equally convex when viewed anteriorly, posteriorly, or laterally with smooth carapace grooves and a low median ridge, has a narrow front with anterior margins that are broadly convex on either side of the lateral margins of the ocular sinus, with broad, short ocular spines and a broad, short rostrum. This is the first confirmed fossil record of the family Albuneidae from the Pacific Basin.
Electrode nanomaterials self-assembled from thiolate-encapsulated gold nanocrystals

Abstract This paper describes the preliminary findings of an investigation of thin film assembly from monolayer-encapsulated gold nanocrystals and 1,9-nonanedithols. The creation of novel electrode nanomaterials derived from intriguing combinations of the encapsulating shells and the particle cores constitutes the motivation of this work. Narrow-sized, shaped and encapsulated nanocrystals were assembled as thin films on different substrates via an exchange reaction between alkanethiolates on the nanocrystal shells and dithiols in the solution. Both microscopic and spectroscopic data have confirmed the formation of dithiol-linked nanocrystals in the thin films. The electrochemical study has revealed interesting parallels and differences between monolayers on planar and nanocrystal gold surfaces, which have important implications to the correlation between binding properties at nanocrystal facets and the electrode properties of this interesting class of composite nanomaterials.
The possible roles of nutrient deprivation and auxin repression in apical control

Apical control is the suppression of growth in lower branches by a higher dominant branch or leader shoot. We investigated possible mechanisms involved in this developmental response in three widely diverse species (Japanese morning glory, Ipomoea nil, hybrid poplar, Populus trichocarpa, × P. deltoides, and Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii). The following two hypotheses were tested: (1) the mineral nutrient-deprivation hypothesis, which is that the continued growth of the lower branches is repressed by the diversion of nutrients to the upper dominating branch or shoot, and (2) the auxin-repression hypothesis, which is that auxin produced in the upper dominating branch or shoot moves down to the lower branches where continued growth is repressed. The results of experiments involving the manipulation of available nutrients by dominant branch removal and fertilization were consistent with the first hypothesis for morning glory, poplar, and for second- or third flushing of lateral branches in Douglas-fir. The results of the experiments involving auxin (NAA, 1-naphthalene acetic acid) replacement treatments on decapitated shoots bearing growing lateral branches were inconsistent with the second hypothesis in morning glory, poplar and in first-flushing Douglas-fir. However, despite concerns about possible NAA toxic effects, there was evidence of auxin repression of second flushing in Douglas-fir. Overall, the data supported a significant role for nutrient availability but not for auxin repression in apical control of morning glory and poplar. In Douglas-fir, apical control in first-flushing lateral branches from over-wintered buds was largely insensitive to both nutrient availability and auxin repression; however, second flushing was sensitive to both.
Survey of Dairy Management Practices on One Hundred Thirteen North Central and Northeastern United States Dairies

The objective was to conduct a broad survey of dairy management practices that have an effect on animal well-being. Dairies were visited during the fall and winter of 2005 and 2006 in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, and New York. Data were collected on 113 dairies on colostrum feeding, dehorning, tail-docking, euthanasia methods, producer statements about welfare, use of specialized calf-raising farms (custom), level of satisfaction with calf-raising by producers, and cow behavior. Calves were raised by the owner on 50.4% of dairies; 30.1% were raised on custom farms during the milk-feeding period, 18.6% were custom raised after weaning, and 1% sold calves with the option to buy them back as first-lactation heifers. A total of 51.8% of producers were very satisfied with their current calf-raising methods. Three feedings of colostrum were fed to the calves on 23.9% of dairies, 2 feedings on 39.8% of farms, 1 feeding on 31.0% of farms, and colostrum replacement products were fed on 5.3% of farms. Many farms (61.9%) provided 3.8 L at first feeding. Calves were dehorned at different ages by various methods. By 8 wk, 34.5% of calves were dehorned. By 12 wk, 78.8% of calves were dehorned. The majority of calves were dehorned by hot iron (67.3%). The remainder were dehorned by gouging (8.8%), paste (9.7%), saw (3.5%), or unknown by calf owner (10.6%). Anesthetic use was reported by 12.4% of dairy owners and analgesia use by 1.8%. Tail-docking was observed on 82.3% of dairies. The most common reported docking time was pre- or postcalving (35.2%). The second most commonly reported time was d 1 (15.4%). Rubber band was the most common method (92.5%), followed by amputation (7.5%). Three dairies amputated precalving, 1 at 2 mo and 3 at d 1 or 2. Cow hygiene was the most common reason given to dock (73.5%), followed by parlor worker comfort (17.4%) and udder health (1.0%). Producers reported 2.0% of cows obviously lame. Gun was the preferred euthanasia method (85.7%), followed by i.v. euthanasia (8.0%), live pick-up (1.8%), and nondisclosure (3.5%). Most producers (77.9%) stated that cows were in an improved environment as compared with 20 yr ago, whereas 8.0% stated conditions were worse, and 14.2% were undecided. Dairies with higher percentages of cows that either approached or touched the observer had lower somatic cell counts. The survey results showed management practices that were important for animal welfare.
Effects of β-(Tyr9)melantropin-(9–18) decapeptide on passive and active avoidance behavior and on open-field activity of rats

The effects of the administration of β-(Tyr9)melanotropin-(9–18) into the lateral ventricle in a dose of 1.0 μg in 2 μl were studied on passive avoidance behavior, extinction of active avoidance behavior, and open-field activity in rats. β-(Tyr9)melanotropin-(9–18) given 30 min pretrial facilitated the acquisition of passive avoidance behavior; however, it was ineffective on retention when the material was given immediately posttrial or 30 min before retention testing. The extinction of active behavior was delayed. In open-field activity, the ambulation rate and rearing activity were increased 30 min following administration. The data suggest that β-(Tyr9)melanotropin-(9–18) has distinct neurotropic properties, and is able to modify behavioral reactions.
Alternatives to Radical Neck Dissection The M. D. Anderson Approach

SUMMARY Moderate doses of radiation therapy have been shown to be effective in preventing the clinical manifestation of occult metastases in the neck and of preventing the development of contralateral metastases in patients whose primary and ipsilateral nodes are controlled. Further, the addition of radiotherapy to radical neck dissection has been documented to decrease the incidence of local recurrence. Appropriately defined and limited (functional) neck dissections have now been shown to be at least equal to the classical (Crile) procedure in terms of therapeutic effectiveness. Guidelines are suggested for the combination of limited neck dissections with radiotherapy aimed at minimising the morbidity of radial neck dissection, while insuring that the chances of control of cancer in the neck remain optimal.
Crystalloid inclusion bodies of the endothelial cells in human fetal skin blood vessels and human umbilical cord vessels: A possible relationship to Weibel-Palade bodies?

Abstract Crystalloid inclusion bodies (CIB) of the endothelial cells (EC) were investigated in blood vessels of human fetal skin and the umbilical cord by electron- and immunoelectron microscopy. They were found in up to 15% of the investigated EC in various types of vessels. Their sizes ranged from 0.2 μm to 0.6 μm in the largest diameter. Most frequently we observed a laminated pattern of the crystalloid structure with a regular periodicity of dark and light bands. Additionally a honeycomblike pattern was also seen. Measurement of the CIB laminated structure revealed similar dimensions to Weibel-Palade bodies (WPB). In EC of all vessel types we found numerous WPB differing in electron density, shape and size from those of WPB found in adult blood vessels. WPB were found much less frequently in EC with CIB, suggesting that CIB is a precursor of WPB. After incubation with monoclonal antibody against von Willebrand factor (vWf) both WPB and large organelles were labeled. Because of their shape and size the labeled large organelles seemed to represent inadequately preserved CIB. After incubation with anti-lysozyme only the large organelles were labeled. A possible relationship of CIB to WPB is thus suggested. The presence of lysosomal enzymes such as lysozyme suggest that CIB are lysosomal organelle and participate in the uptake of vWf. The crystalloid pattern of CIB may represent an accumulation of a highly condensed form of vWf.
Multimode antenna element with hemispherical beam peak and null steering

A multimode antenna element consisting of a single fed omnidirectional dielectric resonator antenna and directional dual fed patch antenna is presented. By exciting three orthogonal radiating modes, the resulting element beam peak and null can be steered continuously by adjusting port amplitude ratios. It is also shown through simulation studies that the resulting beam shaping can be used to reduce a grating lobe by 9 dB and increase scan range by 10° in a four element linear array implementation.
High-Performance Heterogeneous Computing with the Convey HC-1

Unlike other socket-based reconfigurable coprocessors, the Convey HC-1 contains nearly 40 field-programmable gate arrays, scatter-gather memory modules, a high-capacity crossbar switch, and a fully coherent memory system.
Water, Climate, and Development Issues in the Amu Darya Basin

Before 1960, the Aral Sea was the fourth-largest body of water on Earth. Today, it is on the edge of extinction. The Sea is fed by Central Asia’s two major rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya, with a flow, respectively, of about 70 and 35 cubic kilometers per year on average. Today, the Aral story is quite well known to environmental groups within and outside the region. The Amu Darya’s watercourse serves as an international border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan and between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. The Amu Darya crisscrosses Turkmenistan and, for the most part, traverses the length of Uzbekistan and its subregion known as Karakalpakstan. Although an upstream riparian country, Afghanistan has been at war for a couple of decades and in-country conflict remains. As a result, it has had little opportunity to lay claim to its legitimate share of Amu Darya water. With an end to the Russo-Afghan war, an end to the Taliban regime, and with international involvement to bring a semblance of peace and stability to the country in the conflict-laden post-Taliban period, the new Afghan government will surely lay claim to a significant share of Amu Darya water as it reconstructs the nation’s agricultural sector. This paper discusses issues related to the problems and prospects for sustainable development in the Amu Darya basin.
Design Technique for Vestigial-Sideband Filters

Symmetry conditions are derived for the amplitude and phase response of vestigial-sideband (VSB) filters. A design technique, based on Szentirmai's frequency transformation, is described for the realization of filters which automatically satisfy these symmetry relations. The synthesis can be carried out with either the s or the z (transformed frequency) variable. It is shown that for sharply selective VSB filters the delay distortion exhibits an even symmetry around the carrier frequency. The equalization of loss and phase distortions can thus be easily carried out in the baseband. A typical design problem is described and solved to illustrate the effectiveness of the suggested synthesis technique.
Acute neurologic deterioration after surgical treatment for thoracic spinal stenosis

Spondylotic changes in the thoracic spine resulting in a myelopathic syndrome is a rare condition. Surgical treatment consists of removal of the hypertrophied ligaments, facet joints and laminae (laminectomy). In this report, we review our experience in treating 12 cases of thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS). From 1989-1998, we identified 12 surgical cases treated by the Department of Neurosurgery at Temple University Hospital. For this report, we reviewed both inpatient and outpatient records and radiographic studies. We also reviewed the world's literature regarding this entity. After reviewing our own cases of TSS and the world's literature, we identified a higher than expected incidence of acute neurologic deterioration (AND) after surgical treatment of TSS (14.5%). This incidence is compared to an expected incidence of AND (0-5.5%) after laminectomy for cervical spinal stenosis (CSS). The seemingly higher incidence of AND after surgical treatment of TSS has implications for discussion of risks with patients undergoing surgical treatment.
Amino acid modified cellulose whiskers

L-Leucine amino acid functionalized cellulose whiskers were synthesized via esterification reaction which comprised the reaction between Fmoc–L-leucine and cellulose whiskers and removal of Fmoc-protecting group. This strategy provides a direct, facile way to merge the properties of these biocompatible materials and offers the possibility to introduce biologically active building blocks in cellulose whiskers.
Selective cellular natural killing against human leukaemic T cells and thymus.

NATURALLY-occurring antibodies against thymocytes, certain leukaemias and other tumour cells have been observed in various species including man1,2. In addition, natural cellular immunity—also known as cellular natural killing (CNK)—has been described recently in man3–5 and in mice6–9. The possible role of CNK in tumour surveillance and the nature of the effector cells are presently subject to extensive research. Relatively little is known, however, about the nature and sensitivity of the target cells in relation to CNK. We report here that human leukaemic T cells and human thymocytes are highly sensitive to CNK by normal human peripheral blood and that B cell lines are relatively insensitive. The response seems to be unrelated to HLA and expressed variably by different individuals.
Self-assembly and sensor response of photosynthetic reaction centers on screen-printed electrodes

Photosynthetic reaction centers were immobilized onto gold screen-printed electrodes (Au-SPEs) using a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) which was deliberately defective in order to achieve effective mediator transfer to the electrodes. The pure Photosystem II (PS II) cores from spinach immobilize onto the electrodes very efficiently but fair badly in terms of photocurrent response (measured using duroquinone as the redox mediator). The cruder preparation of PS II known as BBY particles performs significantly better under the same experimental conditions and shows a photocurrent response of 20–35 nA (depending on preparation) per screen-printed electrode surface (12.5 mm2). The data was corroborated using AFM, showing that in the case of BBY particles a defective biolayer is indeed formed, with grooves spanning the whole thickness of the layer enhancing the possibility of mass transfer to the electrodes and enabling biosensing. In comparison, the PS II core layer showed ultra-dense organization, with additional formation of aggregates on top of the single protein layer, thus blocking mediator access to the electrodes and/or binding sites. The defective monolayer biosensor with BBY particles was successfully applied for the detection of photosynthesis inhibitors, demonstrating that the inhibitor binding site remained accessible to both the inhibitor and the external redox mediator. Biosensing was demonstrated using picric acid and atrazine. The detection limits were 1.15 nM for atrazine and 157 nM for picric acid.
Neural network-based Image restoration using scaled residual with space-variant regularization

Image restoration is aimed to recover the original scene from its degraded version. This paper presents a new method for image restoration. In this technique, an evaluation function which combines a scaled residual with space-variant regularization is established and minimized using a Hopfield network to obtain a restored image from a noise corrupted and blurred image. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed evaluation function leads to a more efficient restoration process which offers a fast convergence and improved restored image quality. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 247–253, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10034
Kallman's syndrom with high set osmotic threshold (OT) and deficient thirst

A patient with Kallman's syndrom is presented, who had deficient thirst mechanism and high set OT for vasopressin secretion. Random determinations of plasma osmolality (Posm) revealed high values of 296-307 mOsm/kg. The OT defined by the isovolemic infusion of hypertonic saline, was 296mOsm/kg. This was significantly higher than the OT of 7 normal controls, 286.6±0.9 (M±SD). He had intact volume receptors, as shown by an appropriate fall of free water clearance during dehydration, from -0.3 to -1.25/min. His pressor receptors were shown to be intact by a normal response to the hypotensive agent trimethaphane with a fall of free water clearance from 10 to 1 ml/min. and a rise of plasma ADH from < 1 to 26uU/ml. Indifference to thirst was expressed at plasma osmolality as high as 301mOsm/kg. It is suggested that deficient thirst and high set OT are additional manifestations of the hypothalamic involvement of Kallman's syndrom.
Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by pancreatic arteriovenous malformation.

A48-year-old African American man presented to the emergency department with hematemesis. He complained of abdominal pain and weight loss for the past 6 months. His history was significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus. On physical examination, the abdomen was tender to palpation in the left upper quadrant. Laboratory data showed mild anemia (hemoglobin level, 11.7) and transaminitis (alanine aminotransferase level, 125; aspartate aminotransferase level, 220). The rest of the biochemistry, hepatobiliary, and coagulation studies were normal. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was normal. Computed tomography of the abdomen (Figure A) showed a heterogenous pancreatic head, a dilated portal vein of 1.9 cm (Figure A, asterisk) and early portal venous filling during the arterial phase. Magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen showed dilated portal and splenic vein filling during the arterial phase and extensive peripancreatic vasculature. A 1.8-cm choledochal cyst was found in the head of the pancreas, communicating with the second portion of the duodenum. Endoscopic ultrasound showed collateral vessels from the head to the tail of the pancreas. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a type III choledochal cyst (Figure B, arrow) with a fistulous connection to the duodenum. In light of the continued decrease in hemoglobin level, the patient underwent conventional angiography, which showed a diffuse vascular blush in the body of the pancreas (Figure C, superior mesenteric artery), with early filling of the portal vein during the arterial phase (Figure C, asterisk). A final diagnosis of pancreatic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was made. Transjugular liver biopsy showed a hepatic venous pressure gradient of 3 mm Hg and normal histopathology. Although a Whipple procedure was considered, it ultimately was not attempted because there was no disease-free pancreas available for anastomosis and extensive pancreatic vascularization was present. The patient was managed symptomatically, and at the 1-year follow-up evaluation, his pain was well controlled without recurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding. Pancreatic AVM is a rare condition in which blood flows directly from the arterial to venous circuit while bypassing capillary vessels. Since the first description by Halpern in 1968, approximately 80 cases have been reported in the literature. Although its etiology is unknown, proposed causes include congenital malformation (90%) and acquired causes such as trauma, tumor, or inflammation. Half of the patients present with gastrointestinal bleeding, 40% complain of abdominal and/or back pain, and 20% are asymptomatic. The mechanisms of GI bleeding in patients with pancreatic AVM include ischemia of the duodenal mucosa leading to duodenal ulcer (50%), esophageal or gastric varices from portal hypertension (42%), hemobilia (12%), or pancreatic duct bleeding (8%). None of these causes was identified in our patient. Erosion of the AVM into the choledochal cyst was the most plausible mechanism of GI bleeding. The diagnostic modality of choice for
Positive feedbacks between fire and non-native grass invasion in temperate deciduous forests

Abstract Non-native grass invasions have the potential to change natural and prescribed fire regimes by altering fuels, which in turn may promote further invasion. We examined if invasion by Microstegium vimineum, a non-native annual grass, resulted in a positive invasion-fire feedback in eastern deciduous forests managed with prescribed fire and how this response varied across the landscape. Using paired invaded and uninvaded plots embedded in forest stands subjected to prescribed fire, we quantified differences in fire intensity and fuel loads, and fire effects on M. vimineum seedbank emergence, performance and spread. Invaded sites had less leaf litter and fine woody fuels, and increased fire intensity. Although fire reduced emergence of M. vimineum from the soil seedbank, sites subjected to prescribed fire had greater M. vimineum biomass and higher recruitment than unburned sites. Soil moisture strongly modulated M. vimineum response to fire, such that fire facilitated M. vimineum invasion more in wetter than drier sites. These findings indicate that deciduous forests are vulnerable to positive invasion-fire feedbacks, although the positive effect of fire may be less pronounced where soil moisture is limiting. The interaction between soil moisture and fire effects can inform management decisions regarding where to combine prescribed burning with intensive invasive control measures such as torching, hand pulling, and herbicide application.
INDUCED RESISTANCE TO 6-METHYLPURINE AND CYCLOHEXIMIDE IN TETRAHYMENA. I. GERM LINE MUTANTS OF T. THERMOPHILA

Two new mutant lines of Tetrahymena thermophila (T. pyriformis, syngen 1), each conferring resistance to a different agent, are described. Resistance to cycloheximide and 6-methylpurine are each determined by dominant genes, ChxA2 and Mpr; the traits show phenotypic assortment. The method used to select these mutations, the critical importance of backcrossing to wild type following mutagenesis, and the utility of these marker genes in further mutagenic selection schemes and studies of the sexual cycle of Tetrahymena are noted.
Determination of the Nasal Decongestant, Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride, in Pharmaceutical Formulations by Hplc

AbstractA liquid chromatographic procedure for the analysis of oxymetazoline hydrochloride in pharmaceuticals utilizing reversedphase ion-pairing was developed. Isolation of the analyte was carried out under isocratic conditions with a octadecylsilane column and an aqueous mobile phase containing methanol (70%), acetic acid (1%) and 0.005M sodium pentanesulfonate with detection at 280 νm. The procedure was applied to a drug product quality survey including the bulk drug substance and twenty-one nasal decongestant formulations. The overall precision (CV) for the liquid product assays ranged from 0.11 to 2.02% and recovery values based on sample fortification ranged from 97.5 to 100.5%. The procedure is simple to perform and specific with respect to common formulation excipients.
How People With Serious Mental Illness Seek Help After Leaving Jail

In this study, I examined how people with serious mental illness defined and prioritized their service needs when released from jail and how these service priorities shaped the sequencing of help-seeking activities after their release. Data included ethnographic observations and interviews with the staff and clients of a mental health reentry program and responses to an open-ended questionnaire that was given to the program's clients (N = 115). Sixty-three percent of the clients identified housing and 35% identified financial assistance as one of their two most important service needs, whereas only 12% selected treatment services. These service priorities reflect a hierarchy in help-seeking activities postrelease in which clients' access to treatment services was predicated on their ability to first find sustainable economic and material support. I conclude that reentry programs need to have the resources required to meet both the basic and treatment needs of people with serious mental illness leaving jail.
Toward a Homogeneous and Efficient Batch-Tray Dryer

In batch-tray dryers, with equal loading of trays, a nonhomogeneous drying of the product may result. This will degrade the quality of the dried product, as some of it will be either overdried or underdried. To obtain homogeneous drying, the trays must be loaded in accordance with the condition of the inlet air to each tray, i.e., as the air gets cooler and more saturated with moisture when moving upward, the tray loading should be reduced. The aim of the present work is to develop an analytical method for obtaining the best loading pattern in batch-tray dryers, that guarantees a homogeneous and efficient drying of the product. A mathematical model that describes the mass and heat transfer inside the dryer is proposed. Homogeneous drying is achieved by solving the model under constraints imposed by some proposed control functions, giving as a result the loading of different trays. An algorithm of the calculation procedures is given, and an application to study drying of apricots is demonstrated. In additi...
Daratumumab granted breakthrough drug status

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable despite important recent advances in treatment due to its inherent resistance, characterized by highly complex and heterogeneous molecular abnormalities, as well as the support from myeloma bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. A novel therapeutic strategy that effectively targets specific molecules on myeloma cells and also potentially overcomes tumor microenvironment-mediated drug resistance and the downstream effects of genetic instability is thus urgently needed. Over the last 2 years, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody daratumumab (DARA) has emerged as a breakthrough targeted therapy for patients with MM. Early-stage clinical trials have found DARA to be safe and to have encouraging clinical activity as a single agent and in combination with lenalidomide in heavily pretreated, relapsed patients in whom other novel agents (such as bortezomib, thalidomide and lenalidomide) as well as stem cell transplant has already failed. DARA may, therefore, be the first mAb with s...
Operational performance metrics for mars exploration rovers

The concept of operational performance metrics and associated measurement issues is explored for deployed robotic systems. The focus is on performance of mobility and robotic arm autonomy exercised on the NASA Mars Exploration Rovers surface mission. This planetary rover mission has been underway for nearly 3 years since January 2004 using two rovers performing separate missions. The autonomy functions of surface navigation, short-distance approach to surface science targets, and robotic placement of armmounted instruments on science targets are considered. Operational metrics that measure performance of these functions relative to system requirements are advocated. Specific metrics are defined and computed using telemetry from the rovers' multiyear operations on Mars and applied to rate performance during their respective missions. An existing methodology is applied to compute metrics with respect to required performance and to aggregate multiple metrics into a composite performance score for each rover. The formulation is augmented to accommodate importance weights that add flexibility in use of the metrics by different potential endusers, e.g., sponsors, program managers, systems engineers, and technologists. A brief example illustrates the application and effect of importance weights on overall rover performance scores. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The cycle of violence in context: exploring the moderating roles of neighborhood disadvantage and cultural norms

Although the cycle of violence theory has received empirical support (Widom, 1989a, 1989b), in reality, not all victims of child physical abuse become involved in violence. Therefore, little is known regarding factors that may moderate the relationship between abuse and subsequent violence, particularly contextual circumstances. The current investigation used longitudinal data from 1,372 youth living in 79 neighborhoods who participated in the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN), and it employed a multivariate, multilevel Rasch model to explore the degree to which neighborhood disadvantage and cultural norms attenuate or strengthen the abuse-violence relationship. The results indicate that the effect of child physical abuse on violence was weaker in more disadvantaged communities. Neighborhood cultural norms regarding tolerance for youth delinquency and fighting among family and friends did not moderate the child abuse-violence relationship, but each had a direct effect on violence, such that residence in neighborhoods more tolerant of delinquency and fighting increased the propensity for violence. These results suggest that the cycle of violence may be contextualized by neighborhood structural and cultural conditions.