cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The legacy of Frank Morrell.

Publisher Summary Frank Morrell's description of the mirror focus, his detailed research that established the existence of secondary epileptogenesis, and the results of his tireless efforts to demonstrate that some forms of human epilepsy are progressive have changed the way we look at epileptic disorders forever. He exerted considerable influence on early electrophysiological investigations into the fundamental substrates of normal activity dependent brain plasticity and pointed out the important relationships between these normal neuronal process and aberrant plasticity associated with epilepsy. Morrell contributed importantly to the understanding of the basic mechanisms of epilepsy-induced plastic change, and applied these concepts in novel clinical approaches, not only for the diagnosis and treatment of medically refractory epilepsy but also for the prevention of the disabling consequences of recurrent epileptic activity within the brain. The legacy of Frank Morrell, however, does not consist entirely of his illuminating scientific contributions. Perhaps more importantly, Frank Morrell, the man, had a significant influence on those who had the good fortune to work with him, and many who did not, by virtue of his infectious enthusiasm for scientific discovery, his uncanny ability to “break the set” and approach an old problem from a fresh perspective, his delight in the capital that could be made from unexpected results, and his dogged pursuit of unpopular concepts in the face of daunting opposition. Frank Morrell was a scholar, a humanist, and a social activist, qualities that combined to make a scientific role model who was remarkably innovative, who was unafraid to buck the establishment, and who consistently strove to make basic research relevant to the alleviation of human suffering.
Rapid detection of weak signals using adaptive recursive filter weights

The adaptive weights of a frequency domain adaptive recursive filter in the line enhance mode are investigated for their ability to rapidly detect and identify a weak tonal in the presence of additive broadband noise. The investigation utilizes both Monte Carlo computer simulations and first order theory to obtain an approximate analytic solution. In the simulation, rapid identification meant within one minute. For the case considered, frequency was determined for SNR \geq -32 dB and amplitude was determined for SNR \geq -37 dB. The analytic results show the limiting factors. Some of the results apply to the LMS transversal filter.
HIV/AIDS - Related Stigma and Discrimination in Nigeria: Review of Research Studies and future directions for Prevention Strategies

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and AIDS remain a major public health crisis in Nigeria which harbors more people living with HIV than any other country in the world, except South Africa and India. A significant challenge to the success of achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010 is HIV-AIDS stigma and discrimination. Eight studies looking at some degree of measurement of stigma and discrimination in Nigeria were reviewed in an attempt to investigate the cultural context of stigma, health seeking behavior and the role both perceived and community stigma play in HIV prevention. Results suggest that reducing stigma does increase the individual as well as community acceptance of people living with HIV-AIDS (PLWHAs), but long term studies are needed. Some suggestions are recommended for future research on culture specific stigma studies in Nigeria.
Articular ankle fracture results in increased synovitis, synovial macrophage infiltration, and synovial fluid concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.

Objective The inflammatory response following an articular fracture is thought to play a role in the development of posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) but has not been well characterized. The objective of this study was to characterize the acute inflammatory response, both locally and systemically, in joint synovium, synovial fluid (SF), and serum following articular fracture of the ankle. We hypothesized that intraarticular fracture would alter the synovial environment and lead to increased local and systemic inflammation. Methods Synovial tissue biopsy specimens, SF samples, and serum samples were collected from patients with an acute articular ankle fracture (n = 6). Additional samples (normal, ankle osteoarthritis [OA], and knee OA [n = 6 per group]) were included for comparative analyses. Synovial tissue was assessed for synovitis and macrophage count. SF and serum were assessed for cytokines (interferon-γ [IFNγ], interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factor α) and chemokines (eotaxin, eotaxin 3, IFNγ-inducible 10-kd protein, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 [MCP-1], MCP-4, macrophage-derived chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β, and thymus and activation–regulated chemokine). Results Synovitis scores were significantly higher in ankle fracture tissue compared with normal ankle tissue (P = 0.007), and there was a trend toward an increased abundance of CD68+ macrophages in ankle fracture synovium compared with normal knee synovium (P = 0.06). The concentrations of all cytokines and chemokines were elevated in the SF of patients with ankle fracture compared with those in SF from OA patients with no history of trauma. Only the concentration of IL-6 was significantly increased in the serum of patients with ankle fracture compared with normal serum (P = 0.027). Conclusion Articular fracture of the ankle increased acute local inflammation, as indicated by increased synovitis, increased macrophage infiltration into synovial tissue, and increased SF concentrations of biomarkers of inflammation. Characterizing the acute response to articular fracture provides insight into the healing process and may help to identify patients who may be at greater risk of PTA.
Partitioning on the banyan-hypercube networks

Partitioning strategies, as well as data structures for partitioning, are proposed and studied. Simulation results of internal, external, and total fragmentations for uniform and exponential distributions of request sizes are presented and discussed. The buddy system strategy of partitioning the hypercube is also simulated for comparison purposes. It is shown that the banyan-hypercube (BH) exhibits a better internal fragmentation than the hypercube, and for large request sizes the total fragmentation of the two networks is comparable. It is also shown that the internal fragmentation in BH decreases as the number of levels of BH increases. >
Biology of Hepatocellular Neoplasia In the Mouse. II. Sequential Enzyme Histochemical Analysis of BALB/c Mouse Liver During Safrole-Induced Carcinogenesis

Sequential alterations in enzyme histochemical profiles and reaction of hepatocytes to rapid iron overload were examined in male BALB/c mice during chronic, safrole exposure. At 24 weeks after initiation of safrole treatment, foci of enzyme-altered hepatocytes were noted. These foci were composed of cells showing a decrease in reactivity for glucose-6-phosphatase (Glc-6-Pase) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and an increase for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-Glu-T). In control, iron-loaded mice, the livers were intensely siderotic. In safrole-exposed, iron-loaded mice, foci of iron-negative hepatocytes, varying from a few cells to a lobule in diameter, were initially noted at 24 weeks. Both enzyme-altered and iron-negative foci occurred in the livers of exposed mice at all time periods after 24 weeks. After 36, 52, and 75 weeks of safrole treatment, hepatocellular adenomas were noted with altered enzyme histochemical profiles. Hepatocytes from adenomas were characterized by a decreased staining for Glc-6-pase and SDH and increased staining for gamma-Glu-T and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Glc-6-PD). In addition, a few nodules showed a decrease in staining for 5'nucleotidase. In iron-loaded mice, hepatocytes of adenomas showed a decreased to negative reaction for iron when the surrounding parenchyma was siderotic. Hepatocellular carcinomas (HPC) occurred in livers of mice exposed to safrole for 52-75 weeks. The cells of HPC displayed similar enzyme histochemical reactions as cells of adenomas. They were decreased for Glc-6-Pase and SDH activity and increased for gamma-Glu-T and Glc-6-PD. In iron-loaded mice, the HPC cells were negative for stainable iron. Foci, adenomas, and HPC displayed some variability in enzyme histochemical reactions. Variability existed between lesions as well as between cells of the same lesion.
Electromagnetic power of merging and collapsing compact objects

Understanding possible electromagnetic signatures of merging and collapsing compact objects is important for identifying possible sources of the LIGO signal. Electromagnetic emission can be produced as a precursor to the merger, as a prompt emission during the collapse of a neutron star and at the spin-down stage of the resulting Kerr-Newman black hole. For the neutron star--neutron star mergers, the precursor power scales as $L\ensuremath{\approx}{B}_{\mathrm{NS}}^{2}G{M}_{\mathrm{NS}}{R}_{\mathrm{NS}}^{8}/({R}_{\mathrm{orb}}^{7}c)$, while for the neutron star--black hole mergers, it is $(GM/({c}^{2}{R}_{\mathrm{NS}}){)}^{2}$ times smaller. We demonstrate that the time evolution of the axisymmetric force-free magnetic fields can be expressed in terms of the hyperbolic Grad-Shafranov equation, and we formulate the generalization of Ferraro's law of isorotation to time-dependent angular velocity. We find an exact nonlinear time-dependent Michel-type (split-monopole) structure of magnetospheres driven by spinning and collapsing neutron stars in Schwarzschild geometry. Based on this solution, we argue that the collapse of a neutron star into a black hole happens smoothly, without the natural formation of current sheets or other dissipative structures on the open field lines; thus, it does not allow the magnetic field to become disconnected from the star and escape to infinity. Therefore, as long as an isolated Kerr black hole can produce plasma and currents, it does not lose its open magnetic field lines. Its magnetospheric structure evolves towards a split monopole, and the black hole spins down electromagnetically (the closed field lines get absorbed by the hole). The ``no-hair theorem,'' which assumes that the outside medium is a vacuum, is not applicable in this case: highly conducting plasma introduces a topological constraint forbidding the disconnection of the magnetic field lines from the black hole. Eventually, a single random large scale spontaneous reconnection event will lead to magnetic field release, shutting down the electromagnetic black hole engine forever. Overall, the electromagnetic power in all the above cases is expected to be relatively small. We also discuss the nature of short gamma-ray bursts and suggest that if the magnetic field is amplified to $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{14}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{G}$ during the merger or the core collapse, the similarity of the early afterglow properties of long and short gamma-ray bursts can be related to the fact that in both cases a spinning black hole can retain a magnetic field for a sufficiently long time to extract a large fraction of its rotational energy and produce high energy emission via the internal dissipation in the wind.
Metal−Alq3 Complexes: The Nature of the Chemical Bonding

Alq3 (tris(8-hydroxyquinolino)aluminum) is the most widely used electroluminescent molecule in organic light-emitting devices. An urgent strong need exists currently to understand its chemistry and its reactivity, especially to those metals that constitute the cathodes commonly used. Complexes with single metal atoms are expected to form in metal-doped Alq3 layers as well as at several stages of the functioning of the device. These, however, elude characterization via experiment only. The present study provides such a characterization by means of a series of calculations using density functional theory with gradient-corrected functionals of complexes with Li, Al, and Ca. Very clear results emerge that allow us to understand the nature of the interaction of the organic with such metal atoms and to identify the common as well as the metal-specific electronic and structural characteristics of each of them. Moreover, these calculations shed light on the specific and non-trivial effects that the formation of t...
Room temperature lasing from InGaAs quantum dots

Alternating molecular beam epitaxy is used to form InGaAs quantum dots by utilising the two-dimensional to three-dimensional Stranski-Krastanow growth transition. The quantum dots are embedded in a separate confinement heterostructure to form laser diodes. Lasing is observed from excited states in the quantum dots from room temperature down to 80 K. Pronounced state-filling is observed in the quantum dot lasers at room temperature. As the temperature is decreased, the state-filling becomes less pronounced, which compensates for the bandgap increase and leads to lasers whose lasing wavelength is very weakly dependent on temperature.
Varicella zoster vaccines and their implications for development of HSV vaccines

Live attenuated vaccines to prevent varicella and zoster have been available in the US for the past 17 years, with a resultant dramatic decrease in varicella incidence and a predicted future decrease in the incidence of zoster. The pathogenesis and immune responses to varicella zoster virus (VZV) as well as the safety and effectiveness of VZV vaccines are reviewed. The lack of sterilizing immunity provided by VZV vaccines has not prevented them from being safe and effective. Virological and pathological information concerning parallels and differences between VZV and herpes simplex virus (HSV) are highlighted. Although VZV and HSV are distinct pathogens, they appear to have similarities in target organs and immunity that provide an expectation of a high likelihood for the success of vaccination against HSV, and predicted to be similar to that of VZV.
Effect of Demographic and Personal Variables on Achievement in Eighth-Grade Algebra

The author examined the effect of demographic variables and attitudes on achievement of 8th-grade algebra students. Participants (N = 107) in 4 classes completed a questionnaire that determined demographic characteristics. They also completed attitude scales at the beginning and end of the school year. Dependent measures were the North Carolina State End-of-Grade Mathematics Test and North Carolina State End-of-Course Algebra I Test, which were required of all students. Analysis of variance results showed that ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and attitudes significantly affected mathematics scores. On the attitude measure, postscores were significantly less positive than were prescores. There was a significant difference in schools that was explained partially by qualitative observations of variation in teacher quality.
Mollaret's Meningitis Associated With Acute Epstein-Barr Virus Mononucleosis

• A 19-year-old man developed recurrent aseptic meningitis (Mollaret's meningitis) during the course of acute Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis. Serum contained heterophil antibody and Epstein-Barr virus—specific antibodies characteristic of acute infection. Seven brief episodes of aseptic meningitis were documented over the following one-year period, in each case with a polymorphonuclear pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid. Acute infection with Epstein-Barr virus, or subsequent reactivation of virus, may account for some cases of Mollaret's meningitis.
Gyrokinetic turbulence simulations with fully kinetic electrons

It is now possible to include kinetic electron physics in low-beta gyrokinetic simulations of tokamak plasma turbulence. These are three-dimensional (3-D) toroidal simulations using gyrokinetic ions and drift-kinetic electrons. Including electrons increases the linear growth rate and nonlinear energy transport for typical H-mode parameters. Here, we briefly discuss our results and low-cost high-performance stereoscopic visualization techniques for analyzing the large-scale 3-D gyrokinetic turbulence simulation data.
A Challenged Pakistan and Its Afghan Policies

Pakistan’s strategic insecurities and domestic struggles with Islamic radicalism drive much of its foreign policy, notably its relations with Afghanistan. The future of both countries, whose destinies are so closely bound together, may ultimately be determined by their ability to overcome mutual antagonisms and the threats they face from their related, extremist-led insurgencies. Informed by recent books on Pakistan by Ahmed Rashid and John Schmidt, this article examines the domestic factors and strategic goals helping to form Pakistan’s Afghan policies. It looks closely at the thus far unpromising efforts to find a political solution to end the Afghan conflict and the centrality of the United States in any reconciliation. The contribution of the two books under review is especially found in their discussions of the structural problems that leave the Pakistani state “unraveling,” as Schmidt depicts or, as Rashid fears, “on the brink.”
Postcranial Functional Morphology of Hyracotherium (Equidae, Perissodactyla) and Locomotion in the Earliest Horses

A nearly complete skeleton of Hyracotherium grangeri is described from the early Wasatchian (early Eocene) of the Clarks Fork Basin in northwestern Wyoming. This specimen includes a virtually complete, well-preserved pre-caudal vertebral column allowing the first thorough investigation of the locomotory abilities of these early Eocene horses. The posterior thorax (T) and lumbus (L) are divided into a facultatively dorsostable region (T15-L3) and an obligately dorsostable region (L3-L7). The facultatively dorsostable region is characterized by robust, cranially-oriented neural spines and well-developed attachment sites for epaxial musculature, whereas the obligately dorsostable region is characterized by embracing zygapophyses and less developed spines and attachment sites. Limb morphology exhibits a mixture of primitive characters and derived features associated with cursoriality. As described by previous authors, limb mobility is restricted at the elbow and ankle due to interlocking humero-radial and tibio-astragalar articulations, respectively. In contrast, the presence of a rounded femoral head and well-developed pelvic and femoral attachment sites for hindlimb adductor muscles suggests a highly mobile hip joint. Limited inversion of the manus and pes may have been possible via differential movement between the proximal and distal carpal elements and at the transverse tarsal joint, respectively. The obligately dorsostable region of the vertebral column likely resisted variably-oriented torque applied by hip musculature, thereby preventing dislocation of the pelvis and lumbus. The facultatively dorsostable region would have facilitated dynamic positioning of the center of mass during rapid acceleration. Brief comparisons with Orohippus and Mesohippus postcrania are used to discuss the selective pressures imposed by changes in body mass and habitat on the postcranial evolution of Paleogene horses.
Determining the instantaneous axis of translation from optic flow generated by arbitrary sensor motion (abstract only)

This paper develops a simple and robust procedure for determining the instantaneous axis of translation from image sequences induced by unconstrained sensor motion. The procedure is based upon the fact that difference vectors at discontinuities in optic flow fields generated by sensor motion relative to a stationary environment are oriented along translational field lines. This is developed into a procedure consisting of three steps: 1) locally computing difference vectors from an optic flow field; 2) thresholding the difference vectors; and 3) minimizing the angles between the difference vector field and a set of radial field lines which correspond to a particular translational axis. This method does not require a priori knowledge about sensor motion or distances in the environment. The necessary environmental constraints are rigidity and sufficient variation in depth along visual directions to endow the flow field with discontinuities. The method has been successfully applied to noisy, sparse, and low resolution flow fields generated from real world image sequences. Experiments are reviewed which indicate that the human visual system also utilizes discontinuities in optic flows in determining self-motion. In addition, due to the computational simplicity of the procedure, hardware realization for real-time implementation is possible.
THE EFFECT OF ADDED LOADS UPON THE GEOTROPIC ORIENTATION OF YOUNG GUINEA PIGS.

It has been found that young guinea pigs when progressing over a surface inclined at an angle alpha with the horizontal, orient upward in a way such that the path described by an oriented animal is at a mean angle theta with the base of the inclined surface. The magnitude of mean theta increases as the angle of inclination alpha increases. The function relating theta and alpha is compound, being made up of two sections with a break which corresponds to a change in the mode of progression of an animal over the surface of the plane. If a load of constant relative mass is attached to the back of an animal, midway between the fore and hind legs, testing on an inclined surface reveals the fact that the magnitude of mean theta is increased over the entire range of stimulation, with the two values of mean theta (i.e. with and without added load) becoming more nearly equal as they approach 90 degrees as a limiting value. The variation (P.E. of mean theta) is not sensibly changed by attaching a load to an orienting animal; for equal magnitudes of theta, under the two sets of test conditions, the P.E.'s are very nearly equal.
Skill learning induced plasticity of motor cortical representations is time and age-dependent

Movement representations in the motor cortex can reorganize to support motor skill learning during young adulthood. However, little is known about how motor representations change during aging or whether their change is influenced by continued practice of a skill after it is learned. We used intracortical microstimulation to characterize the organization of the forelimb motor cortex in young and aged C57/BL6 mice after short (2–4 weeks) or long (8 weeks) durations of training on a skilled reaching task or control procedures. In young mice, a short duration of reach training increased the area of proximal forelimb movement representations at the expense of distal representations. Following a longer training duration, ratios of proximal to distal movements returned to baseline, even with ongoing practice and skill maintenance. However, lingering changes were evident in thresholds for eliciting distal forelimb movements, which declined over the longer training period. In aged mice, movement representations and movement thresholds failed to change after either duration of training. Furthermore, there was an age-related loss of digit representations and performance decrements on other sensorimotor tests. Nevertheless, in quantitative measures of reaching success, aged mice learned and performed the skilled reaching task at least as well as younger mice. These results indicate that experience-driven topographical reorganization of motor cortex varies with age, as well as time, and is partially dissociable from behavioral performance. They also support an enduring capacity to learn new manual skills during aging, even as more youthful forms of cortical plasticity and sensorimotor function are lost.
Adipogenic Commitment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regulated by ERM Proteins-Mediated Cellular Biomechanics

Cellular mechanics plays an important role in many cell activities including, to name just a few, morphogenesis, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) is found to cause a decrease both in the cytoskeleton elasticity and membrane-cytoskeleton association and is mediated by the ERM (ezrin, radixin, moesin) family of protein linkers. Transient knockdown of ERM proteins with RNAi technique results in membrane separation from the cytoskeleton in hMSC as determined using optically extracted membrane tethers. In addition, it leads to a substantial decrease in the cell elasticity measured using AFM microindentation. This cytoskeleton biomechanics modulation is likely mediated by a partial disassembly of actin stress fibers and focal adhesions during ERM linkers knockdown. Although this kind of treatment induces changes in the stem cell mechanical properties similar to those of fully differentiated adipocytes, hMSC commitment by soluble adipogenic factors is impaired in the ERM-deficient cells. However, cell mechanics modulation by ERM knockdown following a 6-day adipogenic induction by soluble factors seems to facilitate adipogenesis. This observation is confirmed by up-regulation of lipid vacuoles formation and adipocyte-specific markers expression. Intact cytoskeleton and/or focal adhesion-mediated signaling appear to be the prerequisites for early adipogenic commitment of hMSC. However, following the initial biochemically-induced commitment, the cellular mechanics plays an increasingly important role in enhancing the stem cell differentiation efficiency. Our findings have significant implications for tissue engineering, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, and other stem cell-based therapeutic applications.
Breeding history and olfactory discrimination in the Syrian hamster.

The ability of outbred female Syrian hamsters to differentially respond to urine samples obtained from either inbred or outbred Syrian males was examined. The odors obtained from the males were introduced into a Y-maze olfactometer. On the basis of time spent in proximity to the stimuli, estrous females evidenced a preference for the urine of the outbred males. The same females when diestrus exhibited no apparent preferences. It is possible that the ability of females to make such subtle discriminations may impact on mate selection leading to positive assortment.
A NOTE ON GULLIKSEN'S LEAST SQUARES SOLUTION FOR INCOMPLETE DATA

A sufficient condition is given that scale values obtained with Gulliksen's (1956) incomplete data solution be unique up to an additive constant.
Metastatic Melanoma in Pregnancy: Risk of Transplacental Metastases in the Infant

Purpose: Although metastases to the fetus via the placenta are rare, melanoma is the most common culprit. When it occurs, maternally derived melanoma metastasis in the infant is almost invariably fatal. Patients and Methods: This article reviews current guidelines for placental evaluation in pregnant women with metastatic melanoma and presents surveillance recommendations for their infants. Comprehensive literature reviews were performed on melanoma in pregnancy and melanoma metastasis to the placenta and fetus. The use of interferon alfa in the pediatric population was also reviewed. A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE database (1966 to 2002) was performed. Articles were reviewed and additional references were obtained from the bibliographies. Translation of non-English articles was performed, and authors of previous publications were contacted. Results: Eighty-seven patients with placental or fetal metastasis were identified. Twenty-seven occurrences were attributed to melanoma (31%). The fetus was af...
Multiple non-repeated epitopes on the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium knowlesi.

The Plasmodium knowlesi circumsporozoite (CS) protein contains a repetitive immunodominant epitope. Here we show that the serum of rabbits repeatedly immunized with P. knowlesi sporozoites contains antibodies which bind to immobilized synthetic peptides (‘C2’, ‘N2’, and ‘charged’) representing two different polar regions of the CS polypeptide. These reactions are specific since the binding is inhibited only by the homologous peptides. Antisporozoite antibodies were isolated from the rabbit serum by affinity chromatography on Sepharose beads coupled to two synthetic peptides, ‘C2’ and ‘charged’. Both purified antibodies recognized the CS protein and the intracellular precursors as shown by Western blotting analysis using sporozoite extracts. These results demonstrate that the corresponding areas of the native CS molecule are immunogenic, accessible to interaction with antibody, and therefore constitute potential targets for vaccine development. In addition, the present findings confirm the published amino acid sequence of a large portion of the CS protein which has been deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the corresponding gene.
Current Guidelines on the Use of Antibacterial Drugs in Patients with Malignancies

Patients with malignant disease may be predisposed to bacterial infections because of neoplastic disruption of normal tissue barriers, exogenous immunosuppressive therapy (drugs with or without radiation), and intrinsic host immune deficits secondary to these diseases. Diminished polymorphonuclear leucocyte numbers or function and impaired humoral immunity are highly correlated with the development of serious bacterial infections. The usual signs and symptoms of infection may be absent or altered in a compromised host. Therapy must be instituted promptly upon clinical suspicion of bacterial infection, and empirical choices should usually include combinations that are synergistic for likely pathogens based on knowledge of the local predominant flora and susceptibility data. Synergism has most often been demonstrated in combinations that utilise a beta-lactam (semisynthetic penicillin or cephalosporin) and an aminoglycoside. Triple drug therapy has not been shown to be advantageous. Monotherapy with third generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams, or ureidopenicillins has not been proven to offer advantages over 2-drug regimens for these patients. Granulocytopenic patients who respond to 2-drug therapy but remain neutropenic may need continued treatment until the neutropenia subsides. Those who do not respond and remain febrile with an unclear focus may need to be started on antifungal therapy in addition to the antibacterial agent. The use of oral agents for the prophylaxis of neutropenic patients against bacteraemia remains controversial. If drugs are used, co-trimoxazole and nystatin suspension may be preferable.
Elastic solutions for corner cracks undergoing uniform displacement-controlled loading

To understand the behavior of corner cracks involving displacement-controlled loading, the mode-I stress intensity factors and crack face displacements are determined for a quarter-elliptical corner crack undergoing uniform end displacement. A 3-D weight function method is used for the analysis. Various crack aspect ratios and crack-length-to-plate-height ratios are considered. The results show that the stress intensity factor and the crack opening profile for the uniform displacement-controlled loading can be significantly different from those for the uniform-stress controlled loading.
ATMOSPHERIC RADIATION AND ITS REFLECTION FROM THE GROUND

Abstract The complex physical meanings of multiple spectral-line absorption and reradiation by nearer air molecules can be represented satisfactorily by block-spectral bands within the Planckian curves of spectral intensity distribution. Experimental determination of whole-spectrum, long-wave atmospheric transmissivity by parallel-beam radiometers permits the construction of an empirical, graphical integration chart. By this means, the half-space atmospheric radiation can be readily determined for ordinary air from soundings of temperature and moisture, if the magnitudes of these two factors are known in detail close to the flux plane. For a characteristic polar-continental air mass there is no need to separate the CO2 from the H2O radiation, as called for by earlier charts. The complex problem of the reflection of spectral-band radiation by a “gray” surface is evaluated by an inverted integration chart, including the estimation of absorption of reflected radiation by overlying air. The supplementation of...
The Andover Working Group—accelerating the implementation of standards

The Andover Working Group was formed with the objective to accelerate and broadly deliver standards-based solutions for healthcare which feature plug and play interoperability across the continuum of care. In this paper, organization and processes used by the Andover Working Group are discussed. A description of how multilateral message profiles, combined with object-oriented component middleware supporting application developments, systems integration and systems operation remove many of the barriers to deployment of systems of standards based applications is also given.
Availability of Necessary Electronic Infrastructure to Support Open Access Initiative to Literature in Academic Libraries in Delta State, Nigeria

Rationale for the study is to ascertain the state of necessary electronic infrastructure that are available in academic libraries in Delta State, Nigeria which would be used to support Open Access to Literature Initiative. The research method adopted for the study was the descriptive survey design. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire. The population consisted of 66 Librarians those working in dedicated IT units in the libraries. No sample was used because the population was small. The study revealed that a majority of the respondents are aware of the essential electronic infrastructure which will enable them benefit maximally from Open Access to Literature InitiativeOALI; and e-infrastructure facilities are available but in a poor state among others. The scheme is laudable considering the fact that libraries would be assisted in their collection development activities. This implies that funding bodies of libraries have much to do in term of making provision for the sustenance of OAI through adequate funding.
Dual row modules and polyhedra of blocking group problems

Corresponding to every group problem is a row module. Duality for group problems is developed using the duality or orthogonality of the corresponding row modules. The row module corresponding to a group problem is shown to include Gomory's fractional cuts for the group polyhedron and all the vertices of the polyhedron of the blocking group problem. The polyhedra corresponding to a pair of blocking group problems are shown to have a blocking nature i.e. the vertices of one include some of the facets of the other and mutatis mutandis. The entire development is constructive. The notions of contraction, deletion, expansion and extension are defined constructively and related to homomorphic liftings and suproblems in a dual setting. Roughly speaking a homomorphic lifting is dual to forming a subproblem. A proof of the Gastou-Johnson generalization of Gomory's homomorphic lifting theorem is given, and dual constructions are discussed. A generalization of Gomory's subadditive characterization to subproblems is given. In the binary case, it is closely related to the work of Seymour on cones arising from binary matroids.
Keyboards and keying An annotated bibliography of the literature from 1878 to 1999

This bibliography covers the period from 1878 through 1999. It contains, in chronological order, a thorough sampling of the literature concerning the design and use of keyboards. The sources are selected and annotated to reflect the status of engineering and technology know-how, and knowledge about ergonomic aspects of the use of the keyboards with, first, mechanical typewriters, then electric typewriters and finally, from the 1960s on, computers. The bibliography illustrates the origin of Sholes' 1878 QWERTY keyboard and its continued use in spite of its many shortcomings, which may be --- at least partially --- the reason for cumulative trauma disorders in yesteryear's typists and today's keyboarders.
Polarity of the water/octanol interface

Molecular dynamics computer simulations of a point dipole imbedded in a cavity at the water/octanol interface are used to compute the electronic absorption spectra of a chromophore as a function of its location at the interface. The model is capable of qualitatively accounting for the experimental observation of a low polarity alkane-like region at the interface. The molecular dynamics calculations suggest that this region is the result of a strong preferential orientation of hydrogen-bonded octanol molecules perpendicular to the interface.
A Pore Scale Study Describing the Dynamics of Slickwater Distribution in Shale Gas Formations Following Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydraulic fracturing with slickwater to stimulate shale gas wells is routinely employed to enable increased contact with larger reservoir volumes and has the advantages of lower cost, the ability to create larger and more complex fractures, less formation damage and easier cleanup. However, a common observation is that during flow back only 10 to 20% of the frac water is recovered, even though a typical stimulation job requires several million gallons of water. Although there have been some attempts to address this phenomenon, the associated theories are lacking in scientific rigor. Due to the nanoporous nature of shales where pore proximity effects and strong inter-molecular interactions may dominate, a fundamental pore-level analysis is employed in this work to better understand and leverage the dynamics of the physiochemical processes during and after fracturing. By varying pore size in organic and inorganic pores in shales, we study the dynamics of water and gas molecules, as well as that of ions. The results of our study demonstrate that the mechanics of water entrapment and the water and ions distribution are strongly linked to the pore-surface mineralogy. Understanding the placement and distribution of frac water in both organic and inorganic pores in shales will potentially help in improved forecasting of well performance and address concerns related to the contamination of groundwater resources. Copyright 2013, Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Should states be in the agricultural promotion business

Departments of Agriculture in virtually every state have initiated market promotion programs aimed at enhancing their states' farm sales. However, a reasoned assessment of several possible market scenarios suggests that the prospects for such programs to be successful are limited. Problems associated with free riders, intercommodity impacts, and measurement of promotional effectiveness all must be addressed in planning and implementing these programs. This analysis supports the argument that multi-state efforts may have better prospects for significant payoff. As currently structured state level agricultural promotional programs may be justified more for political reasons than for economic ones.
A memristor-based random modulator for compressive sensing systems

Memristors promise to allow high levels of compaction in computing systems because these elements combine memory and switching functionality. This can be utilized to overcome some of the hardware challenges in compressive sensing architectures. In this paper, we propose a compressive sensing system architecture that uses a memristor-based random modulator. The gains of using such a memristor-based modulator mainly stem from replacing memory blocks and many of the switching components typically used in compressive sensing. We discuss some of these benefits and the design considerations that need to be addressed in memristor-based compressive sensing architectures.
A Novel Technique to Measure the Magnitude and Direction of Flow in a Tube

We describe a novel in-line sensor that measures the magnitude and direction of gas flow in a tube. The sensor possesses a unique set of performance characteristics: low detection limit, little resistance to flow, and directional sensitivity. The sensor consists of two hot wire anemometers mounted in a U-shaped tube. Differences in the signals between the two hot wires under low velocity conditions are used to determine the direction of the flow. Calibration curves of flow rate versus measured velocity are used to determine the magnitude of the flow. The sensor has applications in systems that are characterized by naturally driven oscillating flows
What You Find Depends on Where You Look Using Emergency Medical Services Call Data to Target Illicit Drug Use Hot Spots

Geographically targeting law enforcement at drug hot spots is a common response to drug problems, but because they are generated with police data, they only reflect what the police already know abo...
Activity and durability of Fe/ZSM-5 catalysts for lean burn NOx reduction in the presence of water vapor

Abstract A novel method for the preparation of superior Fe/ZSM-5 catalysts is described. FeCl 3 is sublimed into the cavities of H/ZSM-5, where it reacts chemically with the acid sites of the zeolite. With this method, Fe/ZSM-5 with an iron loading as high as Fe/Al=1 can be easily achieved. This preparation method is less sensitive to the origin of the zeolite and its synthesis history than the conventional ion-exchange method. HRAEM, FTIR, H 2 -TPR and CO-TPR results show that iron is located at the exchange sites of the zeolite. An oxygen bridged binuclear iron complex is a plausible prototype for the active iron species. The iron is reduced from +3 to +2 below 800°C. These catalysts are very active and selective in the catalytic reduction of NO x with iso -butane; they have a high durability under conditions simulating vehicular emission. A conversion of NO to N 2 of about 76% was observed near 350°C. Remarkably and in contrast to most other M/ZSM-5 catalysts, the performance of the new catalysts was not impaired when 10% H 2 O was added to the feed. H 2 O actually enhances the NO x conversion at low temperatures. CO and CO 2 are both true primary products of NO x SCR over Fe/ZSM-5 catalysts.
Forgery in Cyberspace: The Spoof Could Be on You!

Spoofing is one of the newest forms of cyber-attack, a technological methodology adapted to mask the identity of spammers who have faced hostile reaction in response to bulk, unsolicited, electronic mail messages.[1] Sending Spam, however, is no longer the only reason for deception, as crackers have taken pleasure in the challenge of manipulating computer systems and, additionally, find recreational enjoyment in doing so. In this legal Note, the author’s intent is to show that criminal, rather than civil liability is the best way to effectively deter and punish the spoofer. The injury that results when a computer system’s technological safety measures fail to adequately safeguard the system affects not only the owner of the hijacked e-mail address, but also the Internet Service Provider, and the Network as a whole. Current Anti-Spam Legislation is arguably ineffective at targeting these particular types of malicious attacks, and a different legal approach is suggested.
Combined use of EUS-guided FNA and immunocytochemical stains discloses metastatic and unusual diseases in the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy of unknown etiology

Purpose: Mediastinal lymphadenopathy (ML) is a cause for concern, especially in patients with previous malignancy. We report our experience with the use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) with immunocytochemical stains in patients being evaluated for ML. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with ML of unknown origin who underwent EUS-FNA. On-site evaluation was performed by experienced cytologist, and special immunocytochemical stains were requested as indicated. Results: A total of 116 patients were included, and a total of 136 mediastinal LN were sampled. Prior malignancy was present in 45%. The most common site of examined lymph node (LN) were subcarinal (76%, 103 LN). The median long and short axis diameters were 28 mm and 13 mm, respectively. FNA was read on-site as malignant, 21 (16%); benign, 100 (76.9%); suspicious, six (4%); atypical, 3 (2%); and inadequate sample, six (4%). Sixty-four LN were deferred for additional studies; 22 for immunocytochemical and 26 for Gimesa (GMS) stain and 21 for flow cytometry. Final FNA read was malignant in 28 (21%), benign in 103 (76%), suspicious in three (2%), and atypical in two (1%). Metastatic malignancies disclosed included Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, melanoma, hepatoma, breast, lung, colon, renal, endometrial, Fallopian tube, and unknown carcinoma. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the final FNA read to predict malignancy were 100%. Conclusion: EUS-guided FNA with additional ancillary studies is useful in disclosing metastatic ML from a variety of neoplasms. Due to its safety and accuracy profile, it should be considered the test of choice in evaluating abnormal ML in appropriately selected patients.
Wavelength optimization for quantitative spectral imaging of breast tumor margins.

A wavelength selection method that combines an inverse Monte Carlo model of reflectance and a genetic algorithm for global optimization was developed for the application of spectral imaging of breast tumor margins. The selection of wavelengths impacts system design in cost, size, and accuracy of tissue quantitation. The minimum number of wavelengths required for the accurate quantitation of tissue optical properties is 8, with diminishing gains for additional wavelengths. The resulting wavelength choices for the specific probe geometry used for the breast tumor margin spectral imaging application were tested in an independent pathology-confirmed ex vivo breast tissue data set and in tissue-mimicking phantoms. In breast tissue, the optical endpoints (hemoglobin, β-carotene, and scattering) that provide the contrast between normal and malignant tissue specimens are extracted with the optimized 8-wavelength set with <9% error compared to the full spectrum (450–600 nm). A multi-absorber liquid phantom study was also performed to show the improved extraction accuracy with optimization and without optimization. This technique for selecting wavelengths can be used for designing spectral imaging systems for other clinical applications.
Magnetic resonance properties of polyacetylene

Abstract Electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectra have been recorded for samples of pristine cis- and trans-polyacetylene at temperatures ranging from 15°K to 290°K. The ENDOR spectra of cis-polyacetylene consist of resolved contributions arising from distant and local ENDOR mechanisms. The temperature dependence of the peak positions of the local ENDOR spectra is analyzed in terms of a simple two-site electron jump model resulting in modulation of a 1.8 MHz isotropic hyperfine coupling. This analysis leads to an activation energy of 34°K. The ENDOR spectra of trans-polyacetylene at temperature above 70°K consist of a single line centered at the free proton Larmor frequency and exhibiting a temperature-dependent linewidth. These spectra are assumed to be composed of distant and local ENDOR contributions with motional narrowing of the local ENDOR structure accounting for the temperature dependence of the ENDOR linewidths. This assumption is supported by observation of two-component ENDOR spectra b...
Isotype-specific serum IgG responses of llamas (Lama glama) to experimental liver fluke infection ☆

Abstract The humoral immune system of South American camelids is unusual in that a large component of the IgG comprises heavy chains only. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of these and conventional four chain IgG antibodies to the immune response of llamas in the course of primary infections with the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica . Isotypes of IgG were isolated by affinity chromatography and the production of various isotypes determined by ELISA. Both conventional and heavy-chain only isotypes of F. hepatica -specific IgG were detected in the course of the infection. The conventional four-chain antibody, IgG1, predominated but a marked increase was also detected in the heavy-chain only isotype IgG3. IgG2, another heavy-chain only isotype, was a minor component of the fluke specific response.