cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maximum renamable Horn sub-CNFs

Abstract The NP-hard problem of finding the largest renamable Horn sub-CNF of a given CNF is considered, and a polynomial time approximation algorithm is presented for this problem. It is shown that for cubic CNFs this algorithm has a guaranteed performance ratio of 40 67 .
Focal stimulation of human cerebral cortex with the magnetic coil: a comparison with electrical stimulation.

Abstract Percutaneous stimulation of human motor cortex electrically (focal anode) and with magnetic coils (MCs) of various designs is compared. The theoretical prediction was confirmed that positioning the standard round MC laterally and orientating it more towards the vertical induces an electric field appropriate for directly exciting corticospinal neurons (cf., the conventional tangential orientation at the vertex). Thus, during voluntary contraction, minimal latency compound motor action potentials (CMAPs) in contralateral arm were elicited both by focal anodic and appropriately oriented MC stimulation. Conduction time from motor cortex to motoneuron was estimated by subtracting peripheral conduction time and monosynaptc delay at the motoneuron from the overall CMAP latency, yielding an estimated corticospinal conduction velocity as high as 66 m/sec. Discontinuous latency variations observed in population CMAPs or individual motor units approximated mono- or polysynaptic cortical synaptic delays and, therefore, are attributed to the intervals between direct and early, or late indirect corticospinal discharges. A TV computer system was used to track movements of individual digits and the hand following MC stimulation. An appropriately oriented MC readily elicited movements predominantly of a single digit, implying focal activation of motor cortex. A double square and a small pointed MC proved especially convenient for eliciting reproducibly single digit movements. Stronger stimulation revealed a topographical gradient in the responses of the different digits. Responses to a given MC stimulus a little above threshold were variable in amplitude, which could not be explained by the relationship of stimulus to phase of the cardiac or respiratory cycle. Overall, our findings indicate the importance of appropriately orientating a standard round MC and using a specially designed MC to obtain the various types of motor response to stimulation of cerebral cortex.
Robust pose graph optimization using stochastic gradient descent

Robust SLAM methods can allow robots to recover correct maps even in the presence of incorrect loop closures. While these approaches improve robustness to outliers, they are susceptible to getting caught in local minima, a problem which is exacerbated by poor initial estimates. In this paper, we describe a stochastic gradient descent optimization approach that exhibits greater robustness to poor initial estimates. Our approach can either be used as a standalone optimization system or in conjunction with existing methods such as Gauss-Newton solvers. Using a combination of synthetic and real-world datasets, we demonstrate that our proposed approach is able to recover correct pose graphs significantly more frequently than other methods when large initialization errors are present.
Security, with care: restorative justice and healthy societies

by Elizabeth Elliot, Halifax, NS, Fernwood Publishing, 2011, 256 pp., CAD$34.95 (paperback), ISBN 9781552664254, CAD$59.95 (hardback), ISBN 9781552664322 Security, With Care takes its title from wh...
Protein crystal growth under forced solution flow : experimental setup and general response of lysozyme

We have experimentally studied the effects of solution flow on the growth kinetics of the protein lysozyme. To this end, we have expanded our interferometry setup by a novel crystallization cell and solution recirculation system. This combination permits monitoring of interface morphology and kinetics with a depth resolution of 200 A at bulk flow rates of up to 2000 micron/s. Particular attention was paid to the prevention of protein denaturation that is often associated with the pumping of protein solutions. We found that at bulk flow rates it less than 250 microns/s the average growth rate and step velocity, R(sub avg) and upsilon(sub avg) increase with increasing it. This can be quantitatively understood in terms of the enhanced, convective solute supply to the interface. With high-purity solutions, it u greater than 250 microns/s lead to growth deceleration, and, at low supersaturations sigma, to growth cessation. When solutions containing approx. 1% of other protein impurities were used, growth deceleration occurred at any u greater than 0 and cessation in the low sigma experiments was reached at about half the it causing cessation with pure solution. The flow-induced changes in R(sub avg) and upsilon(sub avg) including growth cessation, were reversible and reproducible, independent of the direction of the u-changes and solution purity. Hence, we attribute the deceleration to the convection-enhanced supply of impurities to the interface, which at higher flow rates overpowers the effects of enhanced interfacial solute concentration. Most importantly, we found that convective transport leads to a significant reduction in kinetics fluctuations, in agreement with our earlier expectations for the lysozyme system. This supports our hypothesis that these long-term fluctuations represent an intrinsic response feature of the coupled bulk transport-interfacial kinetics system in the mixed growth control regime.
Ultracold Atomic Interactions and Bose–Einstein Condensation

Atomic interactions play a crucial role in Bose-condensed alkali gases. The condensate self-energy, proportional to the two-body s-wave scattering length, strongly affects the stability and other properties of a condensate. Alkali atom scattering lengths have been determined only during the past few years by a combination of conventional molecular spectroscopy, photoassociation spectroscopy, and ultracold atomic collision studies. In this article, we present a brief review of alkali atom interactions and scattering length determinations.
Sensitivity study of voxel-based PET image comparison to image registration algorithms.

Purpose: Accurate deformable registration is essential for voxel-based comparison of sequential positron emission tomography (PET) images for proper adaptation of treatment plan and treatment response assessment. The comparison may be sensitive to the method of deformable registration as the optimal algorithm is unknown. This study investigated the impact of registration algorithm choice on therapy response evaluation. Methods: Sixteen patients with 20 lung tumors underwent a pre- and post-treatment computed tomography (CT) and 4D FDG-PET scans before and after chemoradiotherapy. All CT images were coregistered using a rigid and ten deformable registration algorithms. The resulting transformations were then applied to the respective PET images. Moreover, the tumor region defined by a physician on the registered PET images was classified into progressor, stable-disease, and responder subvolumes. Particularly, voxels with standardized uptake value (SUV) decreases >30% were classified as responder, while voxels with SUV increases >30% were progressor. All other voxels were considered stable-disease. The agreement of the subvolumes resulting from difference registration algorithms was assessed by Dice similarity index (DSI). Coefficient of variation (CV) was computed to assess variability of DSI between individual tumors. Root mean square difference (RMSrigid) of the rigidly registered CT images was used to measure the degree of tumor deformation. RMSrigid and DSI were correlated by Spearman correlation coefficient (R) to investigate the effect of tumor deformation on DSI. Results: Median DSIrigid was found to be 72%, 66%, and 80%, for progressor, stable-disease, and responder, respectively. Median DSIdeformable was 63%–84%, 65%–81%, and 82%–89%. Variability of DSI was substantial and similar for both rigid and deformable algorithms with CV > 10% for all subvolumes. Tumor deformation had moderate to significant impact on DSI for progressor subvolume with R rigid = − 0.60 (p = 0.01) and R deformable = − 0.46 (p = 0.01–0.20) averaging over all deformable algorithms. For stable-disease subvolumes, the correlations were significant (p 70%) for RMSrigid 0.27. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that deformable algorithms cannot be arbitrarily chosen; different deformable algorithms can result in large differences of voxel-based PET image comparison. For low tumor deformation (RMSrigid < 150 HU), rigid and deformable algorithms yield similar results, suggesting deformable registration is not required for these cases.
Optimal battery charge and discharge control scheme under solar power inflow

This paper presents an optimal battery working scheme for charging and discharging batteries under solar power inflow. A modified Kinetic Battery Model (KBM) was employed to model the battery as a dynamic system. Using a solar panel as the battery charging source under different solar intensities, an optimal control problem was formulated to maximize the final battery energy level while completing required technical tasks. The optimal solution was derived based on the appropriate constrains and boundary conditions. Preliminary numerical and experimental results have shown that the developed battery control scheme can meet the task requirements while maximizing the stored energy level of the battery
High-pressure and low-temperature study of electrical resistance of lithium.

The electrical-resistance behavior of Li is studied for pressures up to 410 kbar and temperatures from 300 K down to about 2 K. We found that between 220 and 320 kbar the electrical resistance of Li at low temperature exhibits a sharp drop around 7 K, suggesting a phase transition. It is suggested that Li transforms from the hcp to fcc phase near 260 kbar at low temperature.
The computer and the universe

The reasons are briefly recalled why (1) time cannot be a primordial category in the description of nature, but secondary, approximate and derived, and (2) the laws of physics could not have been engraved for all time upon a tablet of granite, but had to come into being by a higgledy-piggledy mechanism. It is difficult to defend the view that existence is built at bottom upon particles, fields of force or space and time. Attention is called to the “elementary quantum phenomenon” as potential building element for all that is. The task of construction of physics from such elements is compared and contrasted with the problem of constructing a computer out of “yes, no” devices.
Post-transcriptional regulation of androgen receptor mRNA by an ErbB3 binding protein 1 in prostate cancer

Androgen receptor (AR)-mediated pathways play a critical role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. However, little is known about the regulation of AR mRNA stability and translation, two central processes that control AR expression. The ErbB3 binding protein 1 (EBP1), an AR corepressor, negatively regulates crosstalk between ErbB3 ligand heregulin (HRG)-triggered signaling and the AR axis, affecting biological properties of prostate cancer cells. EBP1 protein expression is also decreased in clinical prostate cancer. We previously demonstrated that EBP1 overexpression results in decreased AR protein levels by affecting AR promoter activity. However, EBP1 has recently been demonstrated to be an RNA binding protein. We therefore examined the ability of EBP1 to regulate AR post-transcriptionally. Here we show that EBP1 promoted AR mRNA decay through physical interaction with a conserved UC-rich motif within the 3′-UTR of AR. The ability of EBP1 to accelerate AR mRNA decay was further enhanced by HRG treatment. EBP1 also bound to a CAG-formed stem-loop in the 5′ coding region of AR mRNA and was able to inhibit AR translation. Thus, decreases of EBP1 in prostate cancer could be important for the post-transcriptional up-regulation of AR contributing to aberrant AR expression and disease progression.
Is right-sided laparoendoscopic single-site donor nephrectomy feasible?

Objective To present our initial experience with right-sided laparoendoscopic single-site donor nephrectomy (LESS-RDN). Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) donor nephrectomy, although in its infancy, represents a potential exciting advancement over conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN). Almost all of the reported cases thus far have been left-sided kidneys. Methods Between August 2009 and June 2010, a total of 85 consecutive LESS DN were performed. Of these, 6 (7%) were LESS-RDN. Donor outcomes analyzed included operative time, estimated blood loss, complications, visual analog pain scores, and recovery time. Renal vein lengths were measured on preoperative computed tomography scans. Recipient outcomes analyzed included recipient creatinine at discharge and at 1 and 3 months. All data were prospectively accrued in an institutional review board-approved database. Results Five LESS-RDN were successfully performed. One case was converted to hand-assisted laparoscopy to optimize hilar dissection. The mean (± SE) operative time until allograft extraction was 89 ± 5.1 minutes, total operative time was 146 ± 12.8 minutes, warm ischemia time was 3.9 ± 0.2 minutes, and estimated blood loss was 92 ± 27 mL. The mean renal vein length was 2.7 ± 0.3 cm. There were no perioperative complications. All allografts functioned after transplantation. When compared with a matched cohort of LESS-LDN, there was no difference in allograft function at discharge and at 1 and 3 months. Conclusions Although technically challenging, LESS-RDN in experienced hands can be performed safely and should be considered as an alternative if it is the preferred kidney for transplantation.
Functional compensation by particular nucleotide substitutions of a critical G•U wobble base-pair during aminoacylation of transfer RNA

Abstract Expression of the genetic code depends on precise tRNA aminoacylation by cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase enzymes. The G · U wobble base-pair in the acceptor helix of Escherichia coli alanine tRNA is the primary aminoacylation determinant of this molecule. Previous work on the process of synthetase recognition of the G · U pair showed that replacing G · U by a G · C Watson-Crick base-pair inactivates alanine acceptance by the tRNA, but that C · A and G · A wobble pair replacements preserve acceptance. Work by another group reported that the effects of a G · C replacement were reversed by a distal wobble base-pair in the anticodon helix. This result is potentially interesting because it suggests that distant regions in alanine tRNA are functionally coupled during synthetase recognition and more generally because recognition determinants of many other tRNAs lie in both the acceptor helix and anticodon helix region. Here, we have conducted an extensive in vivo analysis of the distal wobble pair in alanine tRNA and report that it does not behave like a compensating mutation. Restoration of alanine acceptance was not detected even when the synthetase enzyme was overproduced. We discuss the previous experimental evidence and suggest how the distal wobble pair was incorrectly analyzed. The available data indicate that all principal recognition determinants of alanine tRNA lie in the molecule’s acceptor helix.
Annexin A2 Modulates Radiation-Sensitive Transcriptional Programming and Cell Fate

We previously established annexin A2 as a radioresponsive protein associated with anchorage independent growth in murine epidermal cells. In this study, we demonstrate annexin A2 nuclear translocation in human skin organotypic culture and murine epidermal cells after exposure to X radiation (10–200 cGy), supporting a conserved nuclear function for annexin A2. Whole genome expression profiling in the presence and absence of annexin A2 [shRNA] identified fundamentally altered transcriptional programming that changes the radioresponsive transcriptome. Bioinformatics predicted that silencing AnxA2 may enhance cell death responses to stress in association with reduced activation of pro-survival signals such as nuclear factor kappa B. This prediction was validated by demonstrating a significant increase in sensitivity toward tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced cell death in annexin A2 silenced cells, relative to vector controls, associated with reduced nuclear translocation of RelA (p65) following tumor necrosi...
Ground Water Monitoring Statistics Update: Part I: Progress Since 1988

Current federal ground water monitoring statistical regulation dates from the revised RCRA Subtitle C Final Rule of 1988. That rule was a considerable advance over previous RCRA statistical rules. However, two major problem areas remained: facility-wide false positive rate (FWFPR) control and spatial variability. Progress has been made in the 1991 Subtitle D Final Rule and in guidance: the 1992 Addendum to Interim Final Guidance in particular includes a substantial conceptual advance toward resolving the FWFPR problem. Other areas of improvement include normality testing and distribution assumptions, dropping the four independent samples per monitoring period requirement, allowing a preliminary evaluation short of a 40 CFR Part 258 Appendix II assessment upon finding a statistically significant increase, and suggesting superior alternatives to analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and tests of proportions. The problem of dealing with natural spatial variability remains. Although certain techniques listed in the regulations can control for inherent spatial variability and the performance standards require doing so “when necessary,” little attention has been paid to the ubiquity of such spatial variation. Moreover, regulatory traditions favoring upgradient-downgradient comparisons often make control of natural spatial variation difficult and ineffective. With new. lined facilities easily implemented statistical solutions are available; however, dealing with the several existing solid waste facilities which will now be regulated under Subtitle D will present major challenges. In short, the 1988 revision of the Subtitle C rules made it more possible to provide statistically sound monitoring programs, and there has been steady progress since then. Challenges remain, however. These vary from slate to slate, particularly with regard to controlling false positives and false negatives in the presence of natural spatial variability.
Diagnosis and Management of Cough: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines

T he American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) finds it imperative to include individuals who are experts in their respective fields on guideline development committees. Recommendations and publications that are the resulting products from these committees will have far-reaching significance that may affect multiple aspects of the practice of chest medicine throughout the world. Therefore, it is essential that the ACCP have full disclosure of outside interests from those individuals serving on policy development committees, including liaison representatives from outside organizations. In the ever-changing field of medicine, it is important and necessary to have access to up-to-date information. New studies that may have become available late in the process of guideline development may not be incorporated into this document. Therefore, the reader is encouraged to seek out newer information that might impact the diagnostic and treatment recommendations contained within the guideline. Clinical practice guidelines are developed to enhance the clinician’s ability to practice evidence-based medicine and also to provide an opportunity for the busy clinician to receive the latest evidence on a particular topic. The information provided in the guideline should be used in conjunction with clinical judgment. Although the guideline provides recommendations that are based on evidence from studies involving various populations, the recommendations may not apply to every individual patient. It is important for the physician to take into consideration the role of patient preferences and the availability of local resources. The ACCP is sensitive to concerns that nationally and/or internationally developed guidelines are not always applicable in local settings. Further, guideline recommendations are just that, recommendations not dictates. In treating patients, individual circumstances, preferences, and resources do play a role in the course of treatment at every decision level. Although the science behind evidence-based medicine is rigorous, there are always exceptions. The recommendations are intended to guide health-care decisions. These recommendations can be adapted to be applicable at various levels. Correspondence to: Richard S. Irwin, MD, FCCP, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Room S6-842, 55 Lake Ave North, Worcester, MA 01655-0330; e-mail: irwinr@ummhc.org
Angiographic and prognostic implications of an exaggerated exercise systolic blood pressure response and rest systolic blood pressure in adults undergoing evaluation for suspected coronary artery disease.

Objectives. This study was designed to assess the angiographic and prognostic implications of an exaggerated systolic blood pressure response to exercise (“exercise hypertension”) in adults undergoing evaluation for suspected coronary artery disease. Background. The clinical implications of exercise hypertension are unclear. Methods. Subjects for this prospective cohort study were derived from a consecutive sample of 9,608 adults who were referred for treadmill testing and who augmented their systolic blood pressure by at least 10 mm Hg. There were 594 subjects who underwent coronary angiography within 90 days of treadmill testing. Exercise hypertension was defined as a peak exercise systolic blood pressure ≥210 mm Hg in men and ≥190 mm Hg in women. Severe angiographic coronary disease was defined as left main coronary artery disease (≥50% diameter stenosis), three-vessel disease (≥70% diameter stenosis) or two-vessel disease with ≥70% diameter stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. All-cause mortality was assessed during a follow-up period of ∼2 years. Results. Exercise hypertension was present in 196 subjects (33%). Severe coronary disease was less common in subjects with exercise hypertension (14% vs. 25%, odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32 to 0.81, p = 0.004). Exercise hypertension remained associated with a lower rate of severe coronary disease even after adjusting for rest hypertension, age, gender, exercise capacity and other possible confounders. During the follow-up period, there were 23 deaths; only 2 occurred in the group with exercise hypertension. After adjusting for severity of coronary disease, exercise hypertension remained associated with a lower mortality rate (adjusted relative risk 0.20, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.84, p = 0.03). Conclusions. In adults evaluated for coronary artery disease, exercise hypertension is associated with a lower likelihood of angiographically severe disease and a lower adjusted mortality rate.
Model of the bare Pomeron

We present a model of the bare Pomeron. By bare Pomeron we mean a mechanism which accounts for constant total cross sections, zero real parts of scattering amplitudes, and limiting fragmentation (or Feynman scaling). No attempt is made to estimate higher-order corrections, which will presumably generate logarithmic growth, finite real parts, and violation of Feynman scaling. The model can be most clearly formulated in terms of the bag of Chodos et al., although it is probably more general. It consists in the exchange of confined, colored Yang-Mills gluons between confined quarks and appears to account qualitatively for the properties listed above, as well as Gottfried's model of multiplicities in hadron-nucleus collisions. The model in its present form is unable to account for Pomeron factorization. The nonrationalized coupling constant $\frac{{g}^{2}}{4\ensuremath{\pi}}$ is approximately $\frac{1}{3}$.
Dislocation mobility in potassium and iron single crystals

Abstract Dislocation velocities in potassium and iron single crystals were measured by the stress pulse method as a function of the resolved shear stress in the temperature region between room temperature and liquid helium temperature. The observed velocities ranged in value from about 10 m/s to 103 m/s, both in potassium and in iron. A linear relationship between the velocity and stress was observed at low stress levels. In potassium the velocity varied with the stress at a rate less than the linear at high stress and the extrapolated curves seem to approach the shear sound velocity. (Iron crystals were not tested at high enough stresses to observe a non-linear velocity - stress relationship). From the slope of the linear portion of the velocity-versus-stress curve a dislocation damping constant B was calculated. The value of B in potassium decreases with decreasing temperature from room temperature to 20°K. Below 20°K the value of B increases with decreasing temperature down to 4.2°K. In iron the value of B increases with decreasing temperature from room temperature to 4.2°K.
Comparison of automated and manual methods of estimation of methylmalonic acid.

Abstract An automated method for estimation of methylmalonic acid in urine is described that compares well with results obtained by a manual method. The temperature at which color is developed can be set anywhere between ambient and 90°C without loss of linearity over a certain range of concentrations. The higher temperatures have greater sensitivity but a smaller linear range than do lower incubation-temperatures.
Experimental Aerodynamic Response for an Oscillating Airfoil in Buffeting Flow

In prior work, several authors including the present ones have noted the analogy between the fluid oscillations induced by a bluff body in cross flow (e.g., the classic von Karman vortex street behind a cylinder) and the flow oscillations often called buffet that occur for flow around wings and airfoils in transonic flow at sufficiently large angles of attack. In the present study, an airfoil in low-speed flow is placed at very high angles of attack and buffet and/or a von Karman vortex street is indeed found. Of interest is the fact that the required angles of attack at these low speeds are well beyond the angle of attack for the onset of stall. The dependence of the characteristic Strouhal or reduced frequency on angle of attack and flow velocity (Reynolds number) is also determined, as are the peak amplitudes of the oscillating flow. At the large static angles of attack where buffet occurs, the airfoil is oscillated at various frequencies near the buffet frequency and with several amplitudes. Lock-in i...
A comparison of algorithms for maximum likelihood estimation of choice models

Abstract Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) is often avoided in econometric and other statistical applications due to computational considerations despite its strong theoretical appeal. Recent advances in non-linear optimization provide feasible alternative methods for calculating MLE's, especially when special structure may be exploited, as for example in probabilistic choice models. This paper examines a range of quasi-Newton methods and gives numerical comparisons based on the multinomial logit model and a non-independence of irrelevant alternative model. Among the issues considered are step determination and methods of approximating the Hessian. These include standard secant updates (DFP and BFGS), statistical approximations (BHHH), and recently developed approaches which use model switching.
Validation of Two Subjective Rating Systems for Synchronized Swimming.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of two subjective approaches to judging in synchronized swimming. Scores assigned by nationally accredited officials to 28 solo and 33 duet competitors at the 1977 Senior National AAU Outdoor Synchronized Swimming championships were examined through a multitrait-multimethod matrix. The use of one panel of 7 raters to award both execution and content scores to a performance was compared to an experimental method in which these scores were independently awarded by two panels of raters. An examination of the interrelationships between methods and scores revealed a tendency for the single panel to treat execution and content as one. Further attention to the proposal of two separate panels is recommended.
Protective role of nitric oxide in the TNFα-mediated hepatic microvascular inflammatory response following acute ethanol ingestion

Abstract Gut-drived endotoxin is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. Nitric oxide (NO) has a protective function in attenuating hepatic injury elicited by endotoxin and is suspected to play a role in the hepatic microvascular responses induced following alcohol ingestion. As a result, the role of NO and the possible involvement of TNFα in these hepatic microcirculatory responses were investigated in mice using established in vivo microscopic methods. The livers were examined 3 h after acute ethanol (1 g/kg b.w.) ingestion alone or in combined with inhibition of NO synthesis by intravenous N G -monomethyl- l -arginine (L-NMMA) injection. Portal venous blood pressure and ethanol concentrations also were measured. Acute ethanol ingestion alone elicited 2-fold increase in leukocyte adherence (WBC) to the sinusoid lining but without alteration in blood flow when compared with maltose-dextrin treated controls. In contrast, in mice treated with the combination of L-NMMA and ethanol, WBC was increased an additional 3-fold above animals treated with ethanol alone. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in sinusoidal blood flow, no significant changes in portal blood pressure or concentrations of ethanol. Simultaneous administration of l -arginine eliminated these microcirculatory disturbances. Pretreatment with anti-mouse TNFα serum neutralized the microvascular responses elicited by the combined treatment of ethanol and L-NMMA. The results demonstrate that inhibition of NO production leads to hepatic microcirculatory dysfunction in response to a small dose of acute ethanol ingestion which by itself is scarcely stimulatory and that anti-TNFα neutralizes these responses. Thus, the results suggest that NO plays a significant role in stabilizing the TNFα mediated hepatic microvascular inflammatory responses elicited following acute ethanol ingestion.
An augmented Lagrangian approach to Bingham fluid flows in a lid-driven square cavity with piecewise linear equal-order finite elements

Abstract We study an augmented Lagrangian approach to Bingham fluid flows in a lid-driven square cavity. The piecewise linear equal-order finite element spaces for both the velocity and the pressure approximations, proposed and analyzed by Latche and Vola [18] , are applied. Based on the resulting regularity of the numerical solutions, a mesh adaptive strategy is proposed to render the yield surfaces of desired resolution. The corresponding numerical scheme is formulated for general Herschel–Bulkley models, and its validity is verified on the benchmark model: Bingham fluid flows in a lid-driven square cavity.
Aging: Stimulation rate on cardiac intracellular Na+ activity and developed tension

Abstract Previous reports suggested that Na,K-ATPase activity and Na+-pump capacity decrease with senescence in left atrial myocardium of F344 rats. Current experiments were designed to determine if this reduction in the Na+-pump affects free intracellular Na+ levels. Mean intracellular Na+ ion activity (aiNa) was measured with Na-selective microelectrodes in left atrial muscle isolated from hearts of 4-, 14- and 25-month-old F344 rats. Preparations were stimulated randomly at frequencies between 0 and 12 h. There were no age-associated differences in a iNa measured at any frequency or in the decay of Na+ activity following discontinuation of electrical stimulation. These data indicate that the aging-related decline in Na,K-ATPase does not result in elevated aiNa even at extremely high stimulation frequencies, thus suggesting that other routes of Na+ influx and efflux are also altered in atrial muscle.
EO‐1 Hyperion, ALI and Landsat 7 ETM+ data comparison for estimating forest crown closure and leaf area index

In this study, mixed coniferous forest crown closure (CC) and leaf area index (LAI) were measured at the Blodgett Forest Research Station, University of California at Berkeley, USA. Data from EO-1 Hyperspectral Imager (Hyperion) and Advanced Land Imager (ALI) acquired on 9 October 2001, and from Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) on 25 October 2001 were used for estimation of CC and LAI. A total of 38 forest CC and LAI measurements were used in this correlation analysis. The analysis procedure consists of (1) atmospheric correction to retrieve surface reflectance from Hyperion, ALI and ETM+ data, (2) a total of 38 patches, corresponding to ground CC and LAI measurement plots, extracted from data from the three sensors, and (3) calculating univariate/multivariate correlation coefficient (R 2 ) and root mean square error (RMSE) using CC and LAI measurements and retrieved surface reflectance data of the three sensors. The experimental results indicate: (1) higher individual band correlations with CC and LAI appear in visible and short wave infrared (SWIR) regions due to spectral absorption features (pigments in visible and water and other biochemicals in SWIR); (2) based on ALI individual band wavelengths, the R 2 /RMSE produced with Hyperion bands are all better than those with ALI, except ALI band 1, due to atmospheric scattering of Hyperion bands in the visible region; (3) based on ETM+ individual band wavelengths, Hyperion is better than ALI, which is better than ETM+, especially for the NIR band group of Hyperion; (4) based on spectral region, Hyperion, again, is better than ALI which is better than ETM+, and optimal results appear in the visible region for ALI and in SWIR for Hyperion; and (5) if considering just six bands or six features (six principal components) in estimating CC and LAI, optimal results are obtained with six bands selected from the 167 Hyperion bands. In general, for estimation of forest CC and LAI in this study, the Hyperion sensor has outperformed the ALI and ETM+ sensors, whereas ALI is better than ETM+. The best spectral region for Hyperion is SWIR, but for ALI and ETM+, the visible region should be considered instead.
Oncogenic Role of Merlin/NF2 in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults, with a poor prognosis because of its resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Merlin/NF2 (moesin-ezrin-radixin-like protein/neurofibromatosis type 2) is a tumor suppressor found to be mutated in most nervous system tumors; however, it is not mutated in glioblastomas. Merlin associates with several transmembrane receptors and intracellular proteins serving as an anchoring molecule. Additionally, it acts as a key component of cell motility. By selecting sub-populations of U251 glioblastoma cells, we observed that high expression of phosphorylated Merlin at serine 518 (S518-Merlin), NOTCH1 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) correlated with increased cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. These cells were defective in cell-contact inhibition with changes in Merlin phosphorylation directly affecting NOTCH1 and EGFR expression, as well as downstream targets HES1 (hairy and enhancer of split-1) and CCND1 (cyclin D1). Of note, we identified a function for S518-Merlin, which is distinct from what has been reported when the expression of Merlin is diminished in relation to EGFR and NOTCH1 expression, providing first-time evidence that demonstrates that the phosphorylation of S518-Merlin in glioblastoma promotes oncogenic properties that are not only the result of inactivation of the tumor suppressor role of Merlin but also an independent process implicating a Merlin-driven regulation of NOTCH1 and EGFR.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Detecting and Responding to Elder Mistreatment: Creating a University-Community Partnership

As the aging population grows, the problem of elder mistreatment is escalating. Cases of elder mistreatment are anticipated to increase further as the—baby boomers age and the number of elderly individuals living and receiving care at home increases (Stiegel 2006; Kennedy 2005; Meeks-Sjostrom 2004). While there has been increasing attention placed on understanding the dynamic of elder mistreatment, advancement of public policy and scholarly work has been hampered due to the fact that much of this work occurs in disciplinary silos. This paper spotlights one example in which university scholars from various disciplines partnered with social service providers, legal professionals, and healthcare educators in the community to enhance the development of a sustainable comprehensive elder justice network.
Review: complications of surgery for thoracic disc disease.

Abstract Background Thoracic discectomy has evolved over the last 60 years from resection through standard laminectomy, to posterolateral procedures to open thoracotomy and finally thoracoscopy. Comparison of relative morbidity and mortality between these approaches is now possible. Methods Peer-reviewed publications reporting clinical data relating to thoracic discectomy, and which provided sufficient information to enable adequate assessment of mortality and morbidity were reviewed. These articles were determined via review of the results of MedLine searches and articles gathered through compilation of references from those articles. Results Articles reviewed spanned a period of over 60 years. Surgical procedures used for thoracic discectomy included laminectomy, pediculectomy, costotransversectomy, lateral extracavitary, transverse arthropediculectomy, anterolateral thoracotomy, and thoracoscopy. Complications included death, paralysis, paresis, loss of bowel and/or bladder control, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, atelectasis, compression fracture, infection, pleural tear, bowel obstruction, and anesthesia dolorosa. Mortality dropped to nearly zero after development of anterior and posterolateral approaches. Morbidity seems relatively similar between most procedures other than laminectomy. Not enough procedures have been reported using thoracoscopy to adequately assess its morbidity. Conclusion Comparison of relative rates of morbidity and mortality between surgical approaches to thoracic discectomy suggest that laminectomy does not provide adequate access for the safe removal of these lesions. Choice of approach among the alternatives should be based on the evacuation of the herniated fragment and experience of the surgeon. Thoracoscopy, although promising, has not had sufficient time for evaluation of morbidity to make definite statements regarding its safety.
van der Waals energy and pressure in dissipative media: Fluctuational electrodynamics and mode summation

We derive the van der Waals energy and pressure in a planar multilayer system with arbitrary number of dissipative films between two half-spaces. A unique feature of this work is that the entire analysis is performed on the real frequency axis instead of summation over Matsubara frequencies on the imaginary frequency axis. The expression we obtain for van der Waals energy is a generalization of van Kampen and Schram's result for dissipationless media. By considering a specific case of a vacuum gap between multilayer objects with dissipative films, we show that the van der Waals energy due to the vacuum gap can not be interpreted simply as a sum of free energy of normal modes.
On imperial spectacle: The dialectics of seeing in Colonial Nigeria

Critical studies of visual culture have established profound connections between capitalism, state power and the “scopic regimes of modernity” (Jay 1988). As the dominant philosophical leitmotif of the European enlightenment, visuality characterized the domain of reason and truth, modeling both the clear and distinct ideas of Continental rationalism and the sense-based epistemology of British empiricism. Compelling in its “given” transparency, the rhetoric of vision continually conceals the historical conditions of its production. Indeed, as Marx first stated in the 1844 manuscripts, the history of seeing belongs to that political economy of the senses so deeply embedded in historical materialism (Marx 1978:89). Critical models of visuality and spectacle, however, remain largely overdetermined, either as bourgeois forms of consumption and display (Debord 1977; Richards 1990), strategic stagecraft serving political ends (Edelman 1988; Falasca-Zamponi 1997; Scott 1998), or as hegemonic forms of objectification incorporating citizens and subjects into the discursive armature of modern states and empires (Crary 1990; Diehl 1986; Foucault 1995; Morris 1982; Mitchell 1988; Coombes 1994:63–108).I do not mean to reduce these theoretically rich and innovative studies to such banal and simplistic propositions, but rather to characterize the dominant orientations within which they fall. For a nuanced collection of perspectives on scopic regimes of surveillance and desire, see Brennan and Jay (1996), with special reference to de Bolla's (1996) discussion of Adam Smith's theory of spectatorial subjectivity. For a more dialectical approach to visual economy, applied to visual images in the Andes, see Poole (1997).
Methodology for Determining Relative Favorability for Development of United States Tar Sand Deposits: ABSTRACT

As part of the Department of Energy's overall program to stimulate petroleum production from unconventional sources, the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory is developing a methodology to compare and rank the U.S. tar sand deposits on the basis of favorability for production. Major categories were first defined and included resource characteristics, technologic parameters, extraction process costs, environmental impacts, and institutional constraints. Under each of these major headings are the factors identified as bearing on favorability for production. These factors are assessed by their interrelations and relative importance, and are prioritized by individual and combined impact. This ranking methodology is being verified by analyzing eight reasonable well characterized t r sand deposits, selected on the basis of available information and diversity of both location and character. Ultimately, it will be expanded to include all U.S. tar sand deposits that may have commercial potential. A major goal of this work is to assist industry and government in the timely and systematic development of U.S. tar sands, potentially a very significant petroleum resource. If it is assumed that only 30 billion bbl of oil are contained in the U.S. tar sand deposits, and that only half that amount is recoverable, the tar sand resource could still reduce our current import needs by 50% for over a decade. Furthermore, world tar sand and heavy oil resources are estimated to be greater than all of the conventional oil produced or discovered to date. End_of_Article - Last_Page 888------------
Inheritance of Urinary Calculi in the Dalmatian

Dalmatians are unique among dogs in that they excrete uric acid in their urine as the end product of purine metabolism rather than allantoin as do other breeds of dogs. Urinary calculi form from urate (salts of uric acid) and can cause urethral obstruction in male Dalmatians. Although all Dalmatians have the primary defect, only a subset develops clinical disease. We postulated that calculi formation might have a genetic component that segregates within the breed, causing some animals to form calculi and others to never form calculi despite excreting uric acid in their urine. We used a survey to ascertain the urinary calculi status based on clinical signs of adult Dalmatians aged 6 years or older, and we used pedigrees from these same animals to estimate the heritability of the clinical manifestation of urate calculi within the breed to be .87 (.75-.96). The prevalence of the disease was 34% (24.99-43.70%) among male Dalmatians in our survey. The high heritability of the disease makes it possible for breeders to effectively select against the disease.
Microscopic flow near the surface of two-dimensional porous media. Part 1. Axial flow

A model problem is analysed to study the microscopic flow near the surface of two-dimensional porous media. In the idealized problem we consider axial flow through infinite and semi-infinite lattices of cylindrical inclusions. The effect of lattice geometry and inclusion shape on the permeability and surface flow are examined. Calculations show that the definition of a slip coefficient for a porous medium is meaningful only for extremely dilute systems. Brinkman's equation gives reasonable predictions for the rate of decay of the mean velocity for certain simple geometries, but fails for to predict the correct behaviour for media anisotropic in the plane normal to the flow direction.
Comparative study of TCP compatible binomial congestion control schemes

Current TCP implementations employ additive increase multiplicative decrease (AIMD) as the congestion control mechanism. Previously, a new set of schemes called binomial congestion control schemes (BCCS) were proposed and a section of these schemes is TCP compliant. In this paper we evaluate the performance of these TCP compliant binomial schemes and show through simulations that AIMD performs better than the other BCCS policies in a wide range networking environments. Specifically, we study the performance of these schemes with respect to throughput, fairness, losses, timeouts and self-similarity. We show that the superior performance of AIMD can be attributed to its more conservative attitude in the presence of losses when it reduces its transmission rate much faster than the other schemes. This results in smaller congestion periods thereby reducing the losses and timeouts which in turn increases the throughput and decreases the degree of self-similarity of the traffic. We also evaluated the performance of TCP Compatible BCCS when they compete with TCP flows. It was found that with sufficiently large number of flows, BCCS competes fairly with TCP. However, with a smaller number of flows in the network TCP flows get a smaller share of the bottleneck and disproportionately higher losses and timeouts.
Assessing the relationship between child sexual abuse and marginal living conditions on HIV/AIDS-related risk behavior among women prisoners

Abstract Objective: There were two aims in this research. First, to examine the relationships between childhood sexual abuse and HIV drug and sexual risk taking behaviors among female prisoners, and second, to examine the relationship between a marginal adult living context and HIV drug and sexual risk taking behavior among female prisoners. Method: The data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a random sample of 500 women at admission to prison in 1994. Differences between women who were sexually abused while growing up (n = 130) were compared to women who reported no sexual abuse (n = 370) along various demographic, and HIV drug and sexual risk taking dimensions. Results: A history of sexual abuse while growing up was associated with increased sexual risk taking behaviors in adulthood. A marginal adult living situation also emerged as an important factor increasing the risk for HIV infection. Examining the co-occurrence of both childhood sexual abuse and adult marginal living context revealed a strong relationship between these two factors and HIV risk taking activities. Conclusions: The findings indicate that childhood sexual abuse may be a predictor for HIV sexual risk taking behaviors among incarcerated women. The marginal and chaotic adult living style of these women was also associated the extent of their HIV drug and sexual risk taking behaviors. Our research suggests that the co-occurrence of sexual victimization and marginality is a stronger predictor of HIV risk than each variable alone.