cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of diabetes mellitus on renal fatty acid activation and desaturation.

Abstract We report the first direct measurement of delta-6 desaturase and delta-9 desaturase (EC 1.3.99.3, acyl-CoA dehydrogenase) activities in the rat kidney. Crude renal cortical homogenates from alloxan-diabetic and from normal rats were assayed for delta-6 and delta-9 desaturase activities. The delta-6 desaturation pathway activity measured with 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid) as substrate was increased, while the delta-9 desaturation pathway measured with hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) as substrate was unchanged in diabetic renal cortex, suggesting that the two enzymes are regulated independently in this tissue. In contrast to the kidney, delta-6 desaturase pathway activity was unchanged and the delta-9 desaturase pathway activity was greatly depressed in diabetic liver. When exogenous long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.3; acid:CoA ligase, AMP-forming) was added to the delta-6 desaturase assay system, the rate of delta-6 desaturation in normal kidney increased to a rate similar to that found in diabetic kidney; rates in diabetic extracts were unchanged. These results suggest that the rate of fatty acid substrate activation to the coenzyme A ester limits the rate of delta-6 desaturation in normal renal cortex. These results also suggest that the rate of fatty acid activation by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase activity is increased in diabetic renal cortex. Direct measurement of the activity of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase demonstrated that its activity was indeed increased significantly in the renal cortex of diabetic rats.
Differential Outcomes of Two Bilingual Education Programs on English Language Learners

Abstract This study investigated the effects of two types of bilingual programs (two-way and transitional) on the academic performance and attitudes of fifth-grade students who entered kindergarten or first grade with different levels of English proficiency. A mixed methods design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analyses phases was employed. Quantitative data analyses indicated no significant differences in standardized measures of English achievement, although significant differences were found in other measures, including measures of oral language acquisition in English, Spanish-reading ability, students' attitudes, and perceived levels of proficiency in English and Spanish. Qualitative data analysis indicated that the students in two-way bilingual education programs were more likely to express positive attitudes towards bilingualism. Based on the mixed data, it is concluded that despite some similarity in the effects, each of the bilingual programs also has unique effects. Po...
Self-Consistent Treatment of the Kondo Effect

We investigate the scattering of conduction electrons by magnetic impurities for arbitrary exchange and normal interaction using Nagaoka's self-consistent-field approach. The corresponding self-consistent equations are solved by iteration in the limit of high and low temperatures. One finds for an extended exchange interaction a series of Suhl-Abrikosov resonances corresponding to different partial waves, which determine the scattering at low temperatures. A part of these resonances is affected by the normal interaction. In the special case of a $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function exchange interaction corresponding to a single resonance, the exchange component of the resistivity goes to zero as $T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$. For temperatures high compared to the temperature where the first resonance becomes possible, we find generalizations for Kondo's expressions for the resistivity and thermo-power. However, the exchange and normal interactions no longer give independent contributions to the resistivity. One finds for a sufficiently large normal interaction a resistivity minimum for ferromagnetic exchange coupling.
Scale Invariance in Selectin-Mediated Leukocyte Rolling

White blood cells slowly roll along the walls of blood vessels, due to the coordinated formation and breakage of chemical selectin-carbohydrate bonds. Using detailed computer simulations of cells rolling on a selectin surface under flow, we show the time series of the cell translational velocity to be fractal in nature over time scales ranging from 22–211 ms. A rescaled range analysis was performed to determine the Hurst exponent of the velocity time series, for simulations of cells rolling on either a uniform or punctate distribution of P-selectin molecules. The rolling behavior was found to exhibit two very distinct regimes, with a negative Hurst exponent ranging from -(1.2-0.6) over time scales of 23-27 ms, and a positive Hurst exponent of +0.47±0.03 over time scales of 27-211 ms. The short-time Hurst exponent was found to be a strong function of the molecular distribution and also a function of average molecular density, while the long-time Hurst exponent was unchanged over all conditions studied. The implication is that the short-time adhesive behavior of cells interacting with a reactive surface is sensitive to the spatial arrangement of molecules, and the total number of molecules on the surface.
Strange Attractors and Chaos in Nonlinear Mechanics

We review several examples of nonlinear mechanical and electrical systems and related mathematical models that display chaotic dynamics or strange attractors. Some simple mathematical models — iterated piecewise linear mappings — are introduced to explain and illustrate the concepts of sensitive dependence on initial conditions and chaos. In particular, we describe the role of homoclinic orbits and the horseshoe map in the generation of chaos, and indicate how the existence of such features can be detected in specific nonlinear differential equations.
Response mode as a determinant of transfer from serial to paired-associate learning

The study investigated the effects of vocal and nonvocal responding to the stimulus terms in a PA task derived from a previously learned serial list. Seventy-two Ss learned lists of pronounceable trigrams under four transfer and two control conditions. Performance on a single-function, derived PA list was facilitated when stimulus terms were vocalized and inhibited when they were not, as compared with performance on a nonderived PA list. These results were discussed in terms of the nature of the effective stimulus in serial learning.
An Inconvenient Truth and the scientists

An Inconvenient Truth provides an opportunity to examine the differences between scientific statements and the mixed statements made by politicians. The Gore movie is a powerful example of the latter. There are some inaccuracies and exaggerations in the film, but on the whole it represents mainstream scientific views on global warming. This essay looks into the state of the art of climate change research including its scientific underpinnings. Climate science is in a state of ‘normal science’ as discussed by Kuhn. There is a large body of scientists who are adherents to the paradigm and there does not appear to be any serious alternative at this time.
The Usefulness of the Detection of GSTP1 Methylation in Urine as a Biomarker in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Prostate cancer has a unique set of problems associated with its early detection and diagnosis that might be aided by the addition of molecular markers, such as DNA hypermethylation. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation that has a critical role in normal developmental processes. Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of carcinogenesis and GSTP1 hypermethylation is the most common molecular alteration in human prostate cancer. To our knowledge the clinical usefulness of the detection of gene methylation is yet to be established.Materials and Methods: We evaluated GSTP1 hypermethylation in urine collected after prostatic massage and in core needle biopsies from 100 men referred for diagnostic biopsy.Results: Methylation of GSTP1 in urine specimens had 75% sensitivity and 98% specificity for prostate cancer. GSTP1 methylation in the biopsy had 88% specificity and 91% sensitivity. Interestingly we observed a higher frequency of GSTP1 methylation in the urine of men ...
Colocalization of Amanitin and a Candidate Toxin-Processing Prolyl Oligopeptidase in Amanita Basidiocarps

Fungi in the basidiomycetous genus Amanita owe their high mammalian toxicity to the bicyclic octapeptide amatoxins such as α-amanitin. Amatoxins and the related phallotoxins (such as the heptapeptide phalloidin) are encoded by members of the “MSDIN” gene family and are synthesized on ribosomes as short (34- to 35-amino-acid) proproteins. Antiamanitin antibodies and confocal microscopy were used to determine the cellular and subcellular localizations of amanitin accumulation in basidiocarps (mushrooms) of the Eastern North American destroying angel (Amanita bisporigera). Consistent with previous studies, amanitin is present throughout the basidiocarp (stipe, pileus, lamellae, trama, and universal veil), but it is present in only a subset of cells within these tissues. Restriction of amanitin to certain cells is especially marked in the hymenium. Several lines of evidence implicate a specific prolyl oligopeptidase, A. bisporigera POPB (AbPOPB), in the initial processing of the amanitin and phallotoxin proproteins. The gene for AbPOPB is restricted taxonomically to the amatoxin-producing species of Amanita and is clustered in the genome with at least one expressed member of the MSDIN gene family. Immunologically, amanitin and AbPOPB show a high degree of colocalization, indicating that toxin biosynthesis and accumulation occur in the same cells and possibly in the same subcellular compartments.
Comments on “power-law falloff in the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase of a two-dimensional lattice Coulomb gas”

A simple argument is presented by which one can show that the critical inverse temperatureβc of a two-dimensional Coulomb gas (standard or hard-core) with activityz satisfies\(\beta _c \leqslant \mathop \beta \limits^ - \), where\(\mathop \beta \limits^ - = \mathop \beta \limits^ - (z) \to (1 + \sqrt 3 ) 8\pi /(3 - \sqrt 3 )\) in the low-activity limit. Previous results yield\(\mathop \beta \limits^ - (z) \to 24\pi \).
The derivation of vegetation indices from AVHRR data

The reliability of a 1-weck composited normalized difference vegetation index has been evaluated by using a cloud-screening algorithm applied to the visible and near-infrared data from the Advanced...
An alternative measurement tool for the identification of hysteretic responses in biological joints.

Abstract In structural engineering, sophisticated multi-dimensional analysis techniques, such as the Restoring Force Method (RFM), have been established for complex, nonlinear hysteretic systems. The purpose of the present study was to apply the RFM to quantify nonlinear spine hysteresis responses under applied moments. First, synthetic hysteretic spine responses (n=50) were generated based on representative results from pure moment flexion–extension loading of a human cadaveric lumbar spine segment. Then, the RFM was applied to each hysteresis response to describe the flexion–extension rotation as a function of applied moment and simulated axial displacement using a set of 16 unique coefficients. Range of motion, neutral zone, elastic zone, and stiffness were also measured. The RFM coefficient corresponding to the 1st-order linear dependence of rotation on applied moment was dominant, and paralleled changes in elastic zone. The remaining RFM coefficients were not captured from the traditional biomechanical analysis. Therefore, the RFM may potentially supplement the traditional analysis to develop a more comprehensive, quantitative description of spine hysteresis. The results suggest the potential for more thorough and specific characterization of spine kinematics, and may lead to future applications of such techniques in characterizing biological structures.
A new goodness of fit test for the equality of multinomial cell probabilities versus trend alternatives

In this paper, a new test statistic is presented for testing the null hypothesis of equal multinomial cell probabilities versus various trend alternatives. Exact asymptotic critical values are obtained, The power of the test is compared with several other statistics considered by Choulakian et al (1995), The test is shown to have better power for certain trend alternatives.
Derivation of the vascular elements in the fetal cotyledon of the hemochorial placenta: A contribution to the theory of placental morphogenesis

A schematic plan of late developmental organization of the fetal cotyledonary elements of the hemochorial placenta is presented. It involves mechanical shaping by hemodynamics and stretching of the elements involved in the late chorion frondosum stage after the 2nd month of gestation. The result is the fetal cotyledon as described by Wilkin. The components of the fetal cotyledon are derived from differentiated vascular elements in tertiary stem, or anchoring, villi and vascular elements of the blastoderm which are formed by the twenty-first day after ovulation.
Thermal physiology of laboratory mice: Defining thermoneutrality☆

In terms of total number of publications, the laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) has emerged as the most popular test subject in biomedical research. Mice are used as models to study obesity, diabetes, CNS diseases and variety of other pathologies. Mice are classified as homeotherms and regulate their core temperature over a relatively wide range of ambient temperatures. However, researchers find that the thermoregulatory system of mice is easily affected by drugs, chemicals, and a variety of pathological conditions, effects that can be exacerbated by changes in ambient temperature. To this end, a thorough review of the thermal physiology of mice, including their sensitivity and regulatory limits to changes in ambient temperature is the primary focus of this review. Specifically, the zone of thermoneutrality for metabolic rate and how it corresponds to that for growth, reproduction, development, thermal comfort, and many other variables is covered. A key point of the review is to show that behavioral thermoregulation of mice is geared to minimize energy expenditure. Their zone of thermal comfort is essentially wedged between the thresholds to increase heat production and heat loss; however, this zone is above the recommended guidelines for animal vivariums. Future work is needed to better understand the behavioral and autonomic thermoregulatory responses of this most popular test species.
The effect of puromycin on rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes.

The release of [14C]amino acid-containing polypeptides from rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes by puromycin has been studied and compared to the release occurring in a hemoglobin synthesizing cell-free system. Unlike the more naturally occurring release of a completed peptide chain, the puromycin-produced release of polypeptide from the ribosome does not require an ATP-generating system or the supernatant fraction, and occurs maximally in 1 or 2 min. Thus, completion of a chain is apparently a requisite for the naturally occurring release, but not for puromycin release. The polypeptide released by puromycin is not hemoglobin but resembles the completed molecule in having N-terminal valine. [14C]Puromycin, synthesized by methylating the tyrosyl analog with [14C]diazomethane is bound by the soluble polypeptide released from the ribosome. Saturation of the binding site on the puromycin-released polypeptide occurs at a puromycin concentration equivalent to that producing maximal inhibition of [14C]amino acid incorporation in a cell-free system and maximal release of polypeptide from the ribosomes. One residue of puromycin is bound to the released polypeptide for every N-terminal valine or one residue per polypeptide chain. It is hypothesized that puromycin may displace the soluble RNA binding the polypeptide chain to the ribosome in its action in releasing the chain from the ribosome.
Self‐Concepts and Self‐Worth as Predictors of Self‐Perception of Morality: Implications for Delinquent Risk Behavior Associated With Shoplifting

This study examined delinquent risk behavior defined as shoplifting involvement from a social domain perspective. Aspects of adolescent self-concepts associated with significant others and self-worth were explored as predictors of self-perception of morality. The sample (N = 155) comprised Caucasian students aged 14 to 18 enrolled in one high school in a Southwest state. More than half of the adolescents had self-reported shoplifting involvement. Independent two-step regression analyses were conducted for the two shoplifting involvement groups. Peer social acceptance was a strong positive predictor of self-worth for adolescents with shoplifting involvement, whereas the strongest predictor for adolescents with no shoplifting involvement was parent-child relationships. Strong direct paths linked peer social acceptance, self-worth, and self-perception of morality for adolescents with shoplifting involvement, and parent-child relationships, self-worth, and self-perception of morality for adolescents with no shoplifting involvement. Educational implications for programs focusing on adolescent self-concept and moral development are discussed.
Product inhibition of the cysteine sulfoxide lyase of tulbaghia violacea

Abstract Tulbaghia violacea Harv. contains a pyridoxal phosphate-requiring enzyme which catalyzes the cleavage of S-ethyl- l -cysteine sulfoxide to ethyl ethanethiosulfinate, pyruvate, and ammonia. This enzyme is similar to the alliin alkyl sulphenate-lyase (alliinase) of Allium sativum L. (garlic). In vitro the reaction ceased when only a small percentage of the substrate had been transformed, and inhibition of the enzyme activity obeyed first-order kinetics irrespective of the amount of enzyme or substrate present. Also, the amount of substrate transformed at termination of reaction was curvilinearly related to the amount of enzyme present. The rate of enzyme inactivation, as measured by t 1 2 , was dependent on the rate of reaction rather than on substrate concentration. The data indicate that the inactivation is a result of substrate cleavage, but none of the end products of reaction are inhibitors of the enzyme. The similarity of the findings to those reported for other α, β elimination reactions involving pyridoxal phosphate enzymes is discussed. It is proposed that the inhibition of these reactions is similar to that of the lyase and is caused by an unstable precursor of pyruvate which interacts with the pyridoxal phosphate of the holoenzyme.
The asymptotics of the Arakelov-Green's function and Faltings' delta invariant

We study the behavior of the Arakelov-Green's function and Faltings' delta invariant on degenerating Riemann surfaces.
Tradition cures: Mainstreaming “macrobiotic” in Japan in digital age

The origin of “macrobiotic” goes back to several Japanese “founding fathers” who sought a proper human diet at the turn of the 20th century. While initial followers of the diet consisted of those especially interested in curing their ill health, the “macrobiotic” philosophy also included a scope larger than diet such as principles of the universe. In the United States, the suggested dietary changes in McGovern Committee report in the 1970s had a striking resemblance to macrobiotic diet, which contributed to its popular recognition. In 2005, the term “macrobiotic” gained a popular recognition at a scale largest ever in Japan, appearing in major trade and business newspapers, introducing “macrobiotic” choices available at mainstream restaurants, hotels and deli shops. This sudden popularity and mainstreaming of “macrobiotic” diet has special reference to the development of digital communication tools such as personal weblogs. Information shared on weblogs of macrobiotic diet followers shows that the cure of ill health—from food allergy to terminal cancer—is still one of the key motivations of macrobiotic diet followers, while broadly defined environmental concerns are another. Nostalgia for traditional diet and authenticity also play roles in mainstreaming of “macrobiotic” in Japan today.
Compressing and companding high dynamic range images with subband architectures

High dynamic range (HDR) imaging is an area of increasing importance, but most display devices still have limited dynamic range (LDR). Various techniques have been proposed for compressing the dynamic range while retaining important visual information. Multi-scale image processing techniques, which are widely used for many image processing tasks, have a reputation of causing halo artifacts when used for range compression. However, we demonstrate that they can work when properly implemented. We use a symmetrical analysis-synthesis filter bank, and apply local gain control to the subbands. We also show that the technique can be adapted for the related problem of "companding", in which an HDR image is converted to an LDR image, and later expanded back to high dynamic range.
Spinal epidural hematoma after a pathologic compression fracture: an unusual presentation of multiple myeloma.

Abstract Background context Spinal epidural hematoma can result from traumatic and atraumatic etiologies. Atraumatic spinal epidural hematomas have been reported as an initial presentation of multiple myeloma. There are no other reports previously describing spinal epidural hematoma after a pathologic spinal fracture. Purpose To present the first reported case of a spinal epidural hematoma after a pathologic fracture and a very unusual initial presentation of multiple myeloma in a young patient. Study design/setting Case report. Methods A healthy asymptomatic 37-year-old male was struck in the head with a ball while playing soccer. Initial symptoms included severe back pain without neurologic symptoms. Complete motor paralysis developed over the next 24 hours in the lower extremities with a sensory level of T10. Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the spine revealed a T6 compression fracture with a dorsal T3 to T10 epidural hematoma. The patient underwent surgical T2 to T8 posterior spinal decompression with evacuation of the hematoma. Serum and urine electrophoresis and bone marrow biopsy were performed. Results The results of the electrophoresis revealed an immunoglobulin A monoclonal spike. The bone marrow biopsy was positive for plasma cell myeloma. Recovery of some motor function was noted in both lower extremities postoperatively. The patient was subsequently started on steroids and chemotherapy for myeloma. The patient has also undergone bone marrow transplant, and his myeloma is currently in remission. Conclusion This is the first reported case of spinal epidural hematoma after a pathologic spinal fracture. Also, this case represents an unusual initial presentation of multiple myeloma in a young patient.
Biotic diversity of Natchez Trace State Forest, western Tennessee

We carried out a multiple-scale assessment of biotic resources within Natchez Trace State Forest (NTSF) in western Tennessee, focusing on the relation between biotic communities and seven previously developed ecological land types (ELT, based on topography and soils). We wanted to test the functional ability of ELTs for biodiversity stewardship. Woody and herbaceous flora as well as herpetofauna and avifauna communities had substantial differences between upland and lowland forests. However, none of the faunal communities distinguished among upland ELTs. In addition, herbaceous taxa also failed to distinguish upland ELTs. The results suggest the present use of ELTs at NTSF will not be a helpful guide to land stewardship focusing on biodiversity. The disturbance history of the Forest and the mobility of animals are given as potential explanations for a poor relationship between abiotic ELTs and the resident biota.
Relationship between spleen weight increase factor (SWIF) of mice and Eperythrozoon coccoides.

SummaryA quantitative assay was devised for the spleen weight increase factor (SWIF). With it, a precise relationship was established between extracellular annular structures in the blood of infected splenectomized mice and the spleen weight of intact mice. Since these annular structures are prominent morphological elements of the entity designated E. coccoides, it was concluded that the SWIF is identical with E. coccoides. It was found that the spleen in situ is a deterrent to the infectivity of the plasma.
Ribosomes take control

The ribosome plays a universally conserved role in catalyzing the translation of all mRNAs in every cell across all kingdoms of life. It is therefore not surprising that the ribosome is considered one of the most complex and elaborately formed “molecular machines” in the cell, whose biogenesis is extraordinarily orchestrated, requiring all three RNA polymerases and more than 150 nonribosomal factors (1). Indeed, ribosomes make up much of the cell’s mass, and the eukaryotic ribosome is comprised of four RNA species and 79 ribosomal proteins (RPs). For decades, the dogma has been that, although the ribosome plays a critical function in translating the genomic code, it is largely a “back-stage” participant in gene regulation. This view has been reinforced by the widespread belief, early in the advent of the molecular era, that transcription rather than translation is the major molecular rheostat of gene expression. On the contrary, recent emerging evidence now reveals tremendous variation between expression of the transcriptome and proteome and that the cellular abundance of proteins may be predominantly controlled at the level of translational control (2). By extension, an interesting emerging question is whether the ribosome exerts a previously unappreciated regulatory function or specificity in translational control (3). A PNAS study by Lee et al. contributes to the growing realization of a surprising and emerging role for the ribosome as a “front-stage” participant in gene regulation (4). Moreover, their studies strongly suggest that much can be learned with respect to specialized mechanisms for cellular mRNA translation through the study of viral gene expression.
Fission Product Yields for 14 MeV Neutrons on 235U, 238U and 239Pu

Abstract We report cumulative fission product yields (FPY) measured at Los Alamos for 14 MeV neutrons on 235 U, 238 U and 239 Pu. The results are from historical measurements made in the 1950s–1970s, not previously available in the peer reviewed literature, although an early version of the data was reported in the Ford and Norris review. The results are compared with other measurements and with the ENDF/B-VI England and Rider evaluation. Compared to the Laurec (CEA) data and to ENDF/B-VI evaluation, good agreement is seen for 235 U and 238 U, but our FPYs are generally higher for 239 Pu. The reason for the higher plutonium FPYs compared to earlier Los Alamos assessments reported by Ford and Norris is that we update the measured values to use modern nuclear data, and in particular the 14 MeV 239 Pu fission cross section is now known to be 15–20% lower than the value assumed in the 1950s, and therefore our assessed number of fissions in the plutonium sample is correspondingly lower. Our results are in excellent agreement with absolute FPY measurements by Nethaway (1971), although Nethaway later renormalized his data down by 9% having hypothesized that he had a normalization error. The new ENDF/B-VII.1 14 MeV FPY evaluation is in good agreement with our data.
A Human Proximity Operations System test case validation approach

A Human Proximity Operations System (HPOS) poses numerous risks in a real world environment. These risks range from mundane tasks such as avoiding walls and fixed obstacles to the critical need to keep people and processes safe in the context of the HPOS's situation-specific decision making. Validating the performance of an HPOS, which must operate in a real-world environment, is an ill posed problem due to the complexity that is introduced by erratic (non-computer) actors. In order to prove the HPOS's usefulness, test cases must be generated to simulate possible actions of these actors, so the HPOS can be shown to be able perform safely in environments where it will be operated. The HPOS must demonstrate its ability to be as safe as a human, across a wide range of foreseeable circumstances. This paper evaluates the use of test cases to validate HPOS performance and utility. It considers an HPOS's safe performance in the context of a common human activity, moving through a crowded corridor, and extrapolates (based on this) to the suitability of using test cases for AI validation in other areas of prospective application.
Upper-ocean thermal structure and heat content off the US West Coast during the 1997–1998 El Niño event based on AXBT and satellite altimetry data

Abstract During the 1997/1998 El Nino event, extensive oceanic temperature profiles were taken off the coast of California in January and February 1998 using Airborne Expendable Bathythermographs (AXBTs). These AXBT measurements are compared with altimetry-based upper-ocean temperature estimates using TOPEX and ERS satellite altimetry data. The altimetry-based temperature estimates are well correlated with the AXBT data, in particular when combining the two satellite data sets together to form a blended altimeter temperature estimate. Both the AXBT and altimetry data show that the nearshore coastal El Nino signal differed from that further offshore. The AXBT data show that near shore, the warm anomalies extended to much greater depths and had greater amplitude. A time series of the satellite-derived layer-averaged temperatures, averaged separately over the nearshore and offshore halves of the AXBT analysis domain, also shows a larger El Nino signal in the nearshore half. The role of local atmospheric forcing of the coastal oceanic temperature anomalies is analyzed using NCEP reanalysis and coastal upwelling data sets. The forcing terms include Ekman pumping, radiation, surface heat fluxes, precipitation, and alongshore wind stresses that drive coastal upwelling (expressed as a coastal downwelling index, CDI). The temperature forcing from all of the terms except the CDI anomalies are small. The CDI anomalies can explain most of the slowly varying temperature changes that occur near the coast during a two-year period spanning the El Nino event, as well as some of the larger amplitude, rapid (monthly) warming episodes that appear to be part of the El Nino signal. Several distinct rapid warming episodes, however, are not correlated with the CDI anomalies, and therefore we conclude that the nearshore El Nino signal originates from a combination of both a remote oceanic pathway and local atmospheric forcing.
A Case of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome with Persistent Dyspnea Secondary to Laryngeal Edema

Purpose: We report a case of laryngeal edema associated with the Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome. Patient and Methods: A 32-year-old African-American female presented with a 12-day prodrome, including headache, tinnitus and shortness of breath, which preceded sudden photophobia and bilateral visual loss. Examination and clinical testing were most consistent with VKH, and the patient improved with intravenous methylprednisolone therapy. Results: The patient had persistent dyspnea, which was out of proportion to chest CT findings and which was exacerbated during a recurrence of VKH. Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy with stroboscopy revealed diffuse laryngeal edema. Symptoms were alleviated with breathing exercises. Conclusions: Several autoimmune diseases may cause diffuse laryngeal edema. In this case, VKH was associated with the patient's glottic edema and dyspnea. We recommend that laryngeal edema be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with dyspnea and VKH.
Reframing governance, security and conflict in the light of HIV/AIDS: a synthesis of findings from the AIDS, security and conflict initiative.

Abstract This paper draws upon the findings of the AIDS, Security and Conflict Initiative (ASCI) to reach conclusions about the relationship between HIV/AIDS, security, conflict and governance, in the areas of HIV/AIDS and state fragility, the reciprocal interactions between armed conflicts (including post-conflict transitions) and HIV/AIDS, and the impact of HIV/AIDS on uniformed services and their operational effectiveness. Gender issues cut across all elements of the research agenda. ASCI commissioned 29 research projects across regions, disciplines and communities of practice. Over the last decade, approaches to HIV/AIDS as a security threat have altered dramatically, from the early anticipation that the epidemic posed a threat to the basic functioning of states and security institutions, to a more sanguine assessment that the impacts will be less severe than feared. ASCI finds that governance outcomes have been shaped as much by the perception of HIV/AIDS as a security threat, as the actual impacts of the epidemic. ASCI research found that the current indices of fragility at country level did not demonstrate any significant association with HIV, calling into question the models used for asserting such linkages. However at local government level, appreciable impacts can be seen. Evidence from ASCI and elsewhere indicates that conventional indicators of conflict, including the definition of when it ends, fail to capture the social traumas associated with violent disruption and their implications for HIV. Policy frameworks adopted for political and security reasons translate poorly into social and public health policies. Fears of much-elevated HIV rates among soldiers with disastrous impacts on armies as institutions, have been overstated. In mature epidemics, rates of infection among the military resemble those of the peer groups within the general population. Military HIV/AIDS control policies follow a different and parallel paradigm to national (civilian) policies, in which armies prioritize command responsibility and operational effectiveness over individual rights. Law enforcement practices regarding criminalized and stigmatized activities, such as injecting drug use and commercial sex work, are an important factor in shaping the trajectory of HIV epidemics.
Evidence of preservation injury to bile ducts by bile salts in the pig and its prevention by infusions of hydrophilic bile salts

Abstract Preservation injury to bile ducts is a serious problem in liver transplantation, especially when preservation exceeds 12 hours. The authors hypothesized that the injury was caused by contact of bile ducts with bile salts during cold preservation and might be preventable by infusion of more hydrophilic bile salts. Swine livers were harvested after intraportal infusions of saline (control), of the hydrophobic bile salt taurodeoxycholate, or of the hydrophilic bile salts tauroursodeoxycholate or dehydrocholate. The effect of infusing a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic bile acids was also studied. Bile samples were taken before and during the infusions. Then livers were perfused with UW solution, ducts were flushed retrograde with UW, and livers were stored at 0 to 1°C for 20 hours. Bile ducts were harvested after preservation, and coded microscopic slides of the specimens were examined by light microscopy. There was large variability in baseline bile salt concentration. Injury after preservation consisted of sloughing and pyknosis of surface and glandular epithelium. The histologic injury score determined after preservation was directly related to bile salt concentration in bile ducts at the time of flushing. During bile salt infusions, the infused bile salt replaced most or all of the other bile salts present in bile. Severe postpreservation injury of intrahepatic ducts occurred after taurodeoxycholate infusions, but injury was minimal when either of the two hydrophilic bile salts was infused. The mixture of bile acids produced intermediate results. Retrograde flushing with UW does not prevent injury to intrahepatic ducts. The authors conclude that the injury is caused by contact with bile salts, is dependent on bile salt concentration and composition, and is preventable.
Huntington’s Disease

The third edition of Huntington’s Disease, edited by Gillian Bates, Peter Harper, and Lesley Jones, is dedicated to patients with Huntington’s disease (HD) and their families. Compiled by leaders of HD research, this exhaustive and very informative review of the field is intended for the general reader.
Ultrafine FePt Nanoparticles Prepared by the Chemical Reduction Method

Monodisperse FePt nanoparticles with particle size of about 2 nm have been prepared by 1,2-hexadecanediol reduction of iron acetylacetonate and platinum acetylacetonate in dioctyl ether. The as-synthesized particles have a chemically disordered fcc structure and can be transformed into chemically ordered fct structure after thermal processing at temperatures above 500°C. The ordered fct FePt phase has high magnetic anisotropy and thus large coercivity up to 1.8 T.
Plasma destruction of battlefield chemical and biological warfare agents

Summary form only given, as follows. Thermal plasmas are being evaluated for use in the destruction of deadly chemical and biological warfare agents. The technology approach consists of employing an electric arc to establish a plasma forming gas plume used to kill the harmful agents. The approach has been demonstrated on surrogate chemical and biological warfare agents. The harmful agents are rapidly destroyed, e.g., within a few seconds. Three different plasmas have been evaluated for their effectiveness to destroy harmful agents. The approaches used include nitrogen plasma, air plasma and a novel water plasma arcjet. The work incorporates an evaluation of the durability of the plasma arcjet technology for this application, e.g., cyclic life and steady-state durability. The follow-on phase of this project will result in a prototype system development suitable for field application. Anticipated benefits are the development of an effective system that will allow rapid and f-effective decontamination of surfaces that have been contaminated with chemical and biological warfare agents. No harmful byproducts will be produced. Additionally, the methods developed have application in the destruction of medical wastes, hazardous industrial wastes and in the destruction of hazardous materials associated with worldwide demilitarization activities.
On blind separation of convolutive mixtures of independent linear signals

This paper is concerned with the problem of blind separation of independent signals (sources) from their linear convolutive mixtures. The problem consists of recovering the sources up to the shaping filters from the observations of the MIMO system output. The various signals an assumed to be linear but not necessarily i.i.d. (independent and identically distributed). An iterative, normalized higher-order cumulant maximization based approach is developed using the third-order and/or fourth-order normalized cumulants of the "beamformed" data. The approach is source-iterative, i.e., the sources an extracted (at each sensor) and cancelled one-by-one. The proposed solution provides a decomposition of the given data at each sensor into its independent signal components. The proposed approach is an extension/application of a previously proposed approach for MIMO system identification where the system is driven by unobserved i.i.d. inputs.
Transcriptional Regulatory Networks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have determined how most of the transcriptional regulators encoded in the eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiaeassociate with genes across the genome in living cells. Just as maps of metabolic networks describe the potential pathways that may be used by a cell to accomplish metabolic processes, this network of regulator-gene interactions describes potential pathways yeast cells can use to regulate global gene expression programs. We use this information to identify network motifs, the simplest units of network architecture, and demonstrate that an automated process can use motifs to assemble a transcriptional regulatory network structure. Our results reveal that eukaryotic cellular functions are highly connected through networks of transcriptional regulators that regulate other transcriptional regulators.
Applications of a Fifth-Order Non-Centered Compact Scheme for Large Eddy Simulation

In this paper we investigate the performance of a flfth-order scheme (CUD-II-5), which is member of a family of Compact Upwind Difierence schemes developed by Tolstykh, 1 for large eddy simulations. To implement the upwind scheme, we use Lax-Friedrichs and van Leer ∞ux vector splitting. We study the temporal decay of isotropic turbulence, and compare the 3D energy spectra with experimental data for grid generated turbulence. We have found that the spectra are sensitive to the method of ∞ux vector splitting. With van Leer splitting the CUD-II-5 scheme is too dissipative. However, with Lax-Friedrichs it is possible to obtain good agreement with experiments by controlling the level of artiflcial dissipation. This study has led us to recommend a new procedure, we denote by C6CUD5 scheme, that combines a compact sixth-order scheme with the CUD-II-5 scheme. With van Leer ∞ux vector splitting, the C6CUD5 scheme is very e‐cient and provides reliable results. As an application of the CUD-II-5 scheme to a problem in wind engineering, we have investigated the efiects of free stream turbulence on the ∞ow structure around a surface mounted prism. Analysis of the ∞ow pattern, pressure flelds and turbulence statistics shows that the scheme provides high resolution of local ∞ow structures.
Analysis of precipitates from reactions of hyperalkaline solutions with soluble silica

Cancrinite, sodalite, and zeolite A have been found to form upon contacting hyperalkaline simulated tank waste (STW) with vadose zone sediments from the Hanford Reservation. Here, soluble silica and STW are used to study mineral formation and transformation. Two Hanford sediment fractions (diameters 50 lm instead of soluble silica) are also used as silica sources for comparison. A series of batch experiments at 50 � C and 25 days duration were conducted by reacting 0.026 mol/kg soluble Si with 6 different STW solutions. The STW solutions differed in NaOH and Al concentrations. Cancrinite, sodalite, and zeolite A formed when soluble Si was used as the Si source. The minerals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and 27 Al and 29 Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR). Larger NaOH and Al concentrations favored formation of the more compact structures of cancrinite and sodalite. At larger NaOH concentration more Al for Si substitution occurred in the tetrahedral sites. A greater Al(4)/Al(6) ratio in the solids was found for the higher Si/Al ratio solutions based on NMR results. Mixtures of cancrinite and sodalite were characterized by particles with lepispheric morphology. At low Al concentration, increasing NaOH resulted in distinct hexagonal, prismatic particles common to crystalline cancrinite. At low Al/Si ratio, the characteristic cubic morphology of zeolite was observed in addition to cancrinite and sodalite. � 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A Street-Drug Elimination Initiative: The Law Enforcement Perspective

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to elucidate the elements, developmental stages, and operational steps of an open-air drug market intervention employed in two North Carolina communities in an effort to produce a model that can be duplicated by other law enforcement agencies. Design/methodology/approach– A systematic and practitioner-informed analysis of the steps and stages of the initiative is presented here. Law enforcement partners at the command and operational levels collectively contributed their voices to the synthesis of this model. Through purposive sampling, 13 key law enforcement stakeholders from the two police departments in North Carolina participated in semi-structured interviews conducted by a member of the research team. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed to extract participants' perceptions and recommendations regarding the intervention. Findings– Based on analyses of the interviews, the street-drug elimination strategy has been synthesized into several major steps. This paper elucidates the elements, developmental stages, and operational steps of the intervention. Research limitations/implications– This paper underscores important ingredients of the intervention and presents a model for other police departments to implement. Further examination of the strategy is necessary including research on improving the intervention, clarifying the factors that moderate the strategy's effectiveness, explicating the roles and perceptions of non-law enforcement partners and examining the continued impact of the initiative. Originality/value– The paper illustrates that this intervention has shown promise in reducing drug and violent crime associated with open-air drug markets and the research is of value to other police agencies that desire to implement this intervention.
Activating function of needle electrodes in anisotropic tissue.

We present an analytical solution for the electrical potential and activating function (AF) established by cylindrical needle electrodes in anisotropic tissue. We compare this activating function to (1) AF computed assuming line-source electrodes and (2) AF computed using a finite element program. The results show that when the fiber is two needle diameters away from the electrodes, the maximum of the AF for needle electrodes is 1.43-times larger than for line-source electrodes, which results in lower thresholds for stimulation and electroporation. Therefore, for fibers that are close to the stimulating electrodes, one would benefit from using the formula that accounts for the electrodes’ geometry.
Three-component image compression with frequency-weighted texture coding and edge modeling

Coding methods are presented for the three-component image analysis-synthesis system. The three components contain low-pass, edge, and texture information. The edge component is coded using a parametrized model, while the low-pass and texture components are jointly coded using subband coding with frequency-weighted bit allocation. Coding simulation results show how misleading objective measures can be, particularly regarding edge distortions such as blurriness and ringing. By maintaining edge fidelity, the thee-component coder outperforms the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and subband coders at very low bit rates. >
The Geometry and Properties of Two-Bar Tricot Fabrics:

A study was made of the geometry of 97 two-bar tricot fabrics knit of several deniers of acetate and viscose filament yarns knit with different courses per inch and runner ratios. Relationships were derived from the observed data of stitch length, diameter of yarn, runner ratios, wales and courses per inch, breaking strength, elongation, and burst ing strength.
Calculated orientations and aspect ratios of stiffened rectangular support systems of SC-cut quartz resonators which minimize the influence of fabrication imperfections on acceleration sensitivity

Existing computer programs are used in the calculation of rectangular support orientations and aspect ratios to minimize the influence of fabrication imperfections on the resultant acceleration sensitivity of stiffened rectangular support systems of SC-cut quartz resonators. Both contoured and flat-plate trapped energy resonators are treated. The shorter distance between the sidewalls is established by a criterion associated with the energy in the mode shape for each particular harmonic. Results are presented for a range of energy criteria and a number of contoured and flat-plate resonators. Although the square plate never yields good results, optimal and near-optimal results are obtained for aspect ratios considerably less than 2.0. Indeed, it is shown that an aspect ratio of 1.5 consistently yields optimum or near-optimum results. However, the orientation of the support rectangle varies significantly from one resonator to another. >