cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel Developments in Acute Kidney Injury

Over the past decade, acute kidney injury (AKI) has emerged rapidly in the scientific literature and clinical awareness. There have been great strides in understanding the pathophysiology and adverse outcomes associated with AKI. In this special issue on acute kidney injury (AKI), contributing authors discuss novel clinical and experimental research emerging in the field of AKI. Clinical. Several contributions provide evaluations of AKI in clinical practice. J. Brown et al. start off the special issue on AKI by reviewing the trends in AKI related hospitalization in the United States of America over the past decade. O. E. Ibrahim et al. evaluated the association of elevated serum creatine kinase (>2500 U/mL) as a marker for rhabdomyolysis and AKI after high risk adult cardiac surgery. A. Kwizera et al. explore the association of intermittent hemodialysis for treating AKI in an African Intensive Care Unit. Basic Science. Likewise, novel experiments and investigations to better our understanding of AKI in animal models provide important insights into future AKI exploration. C. Jiang et al. report on a novel active ingredient of a Chinese herb known to be kidney protective called Tanshinone IIA showing a reduction in folic-acid induced kidney dysfunction through attenuating renal fibrosis after acute kidney injury in a mouse model through inhibition of fibrocytes recruitment. S. M. Fernandes et al. investigate the association between iodinated contrast and renal function in rats with chronic kidney disease and chronic hyperglycemia. Several experiments focused on the issue of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal models. E. C. Costalonga et al. examined whether valproic acid could prevent renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and subsequent AKI in male Wistar rats. S. Ozbilgin et al. explored whether ischemic preconditioning could prevent reperfusion injury in diabetic rats. Lastly, D. Wen et al. in an in vivo model discuss the role of a DNA binding 1 inhibitor during renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Review of the Literature. Two reviews provide a critical appraisal of the literature on the role of cisplatin nephrotoxicity and a technology evaluation on the role of renal magnetic resonance imaging in patients with AKI. G. Oh et al. provide a review on cisplatin nephrotoxicity operating through oxidative stress and inflammation and by the reduction of the intracellular NAD+/NADH ratio. H. Y. Zhou et al. discuss the role of functional renal magnetic resonance imaging as an assessment tool to evaluate renal morphology and function in the management of AKI. Jeremiah R. Brown Peter A. McCullough Michael E. Matheny
Chronic Binge Alcohol Administration Impairs Glucose-Insulin Dynamics and Decreases Adiponectin in Asymptomatic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) frequently exist among persons living with HIV/AIDS. Chronic alcohol consumption, HIV infection, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are independently associated with impa...
Alzheimer's disease: Structure of aggregates revealed

A technical feat achieved by two independent groups has enabled resolution of the molecular structure of a form of the amyloid-β protein that is thought to play a major part in Alzheimer's disease.
Dielectric properties-based method for rapid and nondestructive moisture sensing in almonds

ABSTRACTA dielectric properties-based method is presented for rapid and nondestructive determination of moisture content in almonds independent of bulk density. The method relies on measurements of the dielectric properties at microwave frequencies. The dielectric properties of almonds were measured between 5 and 15 GHz, at 1-GHz increments, for samples with moisture contents from 4.8% to 16.5%, wet basis, bulk densities from 0.565 to 0.7 g/cm3 and temperatures ranging from 5.2 to 45 °C. Moisture calibration equations are given for several frequencies, at room temperature (25 °C) and with temperature compensation for temperatures between 5.2 and 45 °C, along with their respective standard errors of performance, which ranged from 0.44% to 1.06% depending on frequency.
DNA-PKcs, ATM, and ATR Interplay Maintains Genome Integrity during Neurogenesis

The DNA damage response (DDR) orchestrates a network of cellular processes that integrates cell-cycle control and DNA repair or apoptosis, which serves to maintain genome stability. DNA-PKcs (the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent kinase, encoded by PRKDC ), ATM (ataxia telangiectasia, mutated), and ATR (ATM and Rad3-related) are related PI3K-like protein kinases and central regulators of the DDR. Defects in these kinases have been linked to neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental syndromes. In all cases, the key neuroprotective function of these kinases is uncertain. It also remains unclear how interactions between the three DNA damage-responsive kinases coordinate genome stability, particularly in a physiological context. Here, we used a genetic approach to identify the neural function of DNA-PKcs and the interplay between ATM and ATR during neurogenesis. We found that DNA-PKcs loss in the mouse sensitized neuronal progenitors to apoptosis after ionizing radiation because of excessive DNA damage. DNA-PKcs was also required to prevent endogenous DNA damage accumulation throughout the adult brain. In contrast, ATR coordinated the DDR during neurogenesis to direct apoptosis in cycling neural progenitors, whereas ATM regulated apoptosis in both proliferative and noncycling cells. We also found that ATR controls a DNA damage-induced G2/M checkpoint in cortical progenitors, independent of ATM and DNA-PKcs. These nonoverlapping roles were further confirmed via sustained murine embryonic or cortical development after all three kinases were simultaneously inactivated. Thus, our results illustrate how DNA-PKcs, ATM, and ATR have unique and essential roles during the DDR, collectively ensuring comprehensive genome maintenance in the nervous system. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The DNA damage response (DDR) is essential for prevention of a broad spectrum of different human neurologic diseases. However, a detailed understanding of the DDR at a physiological level is lacking. In contrast to many in vitro cellular studies, here we demonstrate independent biological roles for the DDR kinases DNA-PKcs, ATM, and ATR during neurogenesis. We show that DNA-PKcs is central to DNA repair in nonproliferating cells, and restricts DNA damage accumulation, whereas ATR controls damage-induced G2 checkpoint control and apoptosis in proliferating cells. Conversely, ATM is critical for controlling apoptosis in immature noncycling neural cells after DNA damage. These data demonstrate functionally distinct, but cooperative, roles for each kinase in preserving genome stability in the nervous system.
A Supported Tubulated Bilayer System Shows Effects of Synaptotagmin-7 on Membrane Curvature

Fusion and fission of cellular membranes involve dramatic, precisely regulated changes in membrane curvature mediated by a number of proteins. The mechanisms by which proteins influence membrane curvature are not well understood, and current methods for investigating curvature changes using well-controlled systems are limited. We have developed a system based on supported lipid bilayers in which lipid tubules spontaneously form in a manner that can be tuned by varying the ionic character and strength used during bilayer deposition and imaging. Using this supported tubulated bilayer system, which we term “STuBS,” we have investigated membrane-targeting C2 domains from synaptotagmin-7, a member of the synaptotagmin protein family that triggers exocytosis in neurons and neuroendocrine cells. We find that addition of purified synaptotagmin-7 C2AB domains, but not synaptotagmin-1 C2A, leads to a Ca2+-dependent disappearance of tubules with concomitant formation of vesicles. These studies demonstrate that synaptotagmin-7 can alter membrane morphology by driving changes in membrane curvature. STuBS is a novel experimental system useful for monitoring solute- and protein-mediated effects on membrane topology in aqueous media and in real time.
Natural fiber and aluminum sheet hybrid composites for high electromagnetic interference shielding performance

Abstract Using natural fiber mats, aluminum sheets and epoxy resin, hybrid composites were fabricated through vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. With novel sandwich structures, these hybrid composites contain natural fiber-based shells and ultra-thin aluminum sheet core. The hybrid composites offered excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance with good mechanical properties inherited from aluminum sheets and natural fiber-based composites, respectively. Furthermore, the shell material (natural fiber-based composites) provides protection of the aluminum sheets from exposing to atmosphere directly to prevent being corroded. In this study, the EMI shielding effectiveness, microstructure, flexure property, tensile property, and internal bonding strength of the hybrid composites were examined. The excellent EMI shielding performance and good mechanical properties enable the new hybrid composites to be used as engineering materials in the EMI protection fields.
Candida pyocalix: unusual complication of prolonged nephrostomy drainage.

AbstractLong-term nephrostomy drainage rarely is used except in extreme circumstances. We report an unusual complication, that is Candida pyocalix in a solitary kidney. The obstruction developed following removal of the nephrostomy tube at the infundibular outlet to the calix where the tube had resided.
Dual-comb spectrometer for fast wideband RF spectral analysis

We propose a novel spectrum analyzer based on heterodyne down-conversion with two detuned optical frequency combs for rapid, wideband characterization of RF signals. The measurement bandwidth of ∼40GHz is limited by modulator speed and the system latency and frequency resolution are time-bandwidth limited.
Space of the Crazy in Saadat Hasan Manto's Toba Tek Singh

(2005). Space of the Crazy in Saadat Hasan Manto's Toba Tek Singh. South Asian Review: Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 202-216.
Readiness Realities: Struggles and Successes During the Transition to College

Readiness Realities is a slim volume but offers a powerful message: Students live complicated lives and interface with higher education institutions in complex ways. Hollander used the metaphor of ...
How the West Was Spun: The De-politicization of Fire in the American West

Diverse groups in the American West extract profits and surplus value from fire-prone areas at the urban periphery while inserting considerable social risks and costs back onto the landscape. To better excavate these drivers of increased risk (referred to here as ‘the Incendiary’), this chapter suggests a Critical Physical Geography approach to fire that shifts our focus from the study of wildland-urban interface areas to the study of affluence-vulnerability interface processes. This approach is particularly important because reckless resource management and planning practices are de-politicized and obscured behind a series of scientific framings and policy debates. Suburban areas and their injurious and costly wildfires are ‘spun’ as strangely natural and inevitable. A second process of re-politicization supports this de-politicization by filling the debate arena with other distracting ideological disputes and micro-scale controversies.
In vivo imaging of neuronal calcium during electrode implantation: Spatial and temporal mapping of damage and recovery.

Abstract Implantable electrode devices enable long-term electrophysiological recordings for brain-machine interfaces and basic neuroscience research. Implantation of these devices, however, leads to neuronal damage and progressive neural degeneration that can lead to device failure. The present study uses in vivo two-photon microscopy to study the calcium activity and morphology of neurons before, during, and one month after electrode implantation to determine how implantation trauma injures neurons. We show that implantation leads to prolonged, elevated calcium levels in neurons within 150 μm of the electrode interface. These neurons show signs of mechanical distortion and mechanoporation after implantation, suggesting that calcium influx is related to mechanical trauma. Further, calcium-laden neurites develop signs of axonal injury at 1–3 h post-insert. Over the first month after implantation, physiological neuronal calcium activity increases, suggesting that neurons may be recovering. By defining the mechanisms of neuron damage after electrode implantation, our results suggest new directions for therapies to improve electrode longevity.
A Comparison of Defense and Plaintiff Expert Witnesses in Orthopaedic Surgery Malpractice Litigation.

Author(s): Park, Howard Y; Zoller, Stephen D; Sheppard, William L; Hegde, Vishal; Smith, Ryan A; Borthwell, Rachel M; Clarkson, Samuel J; Hamad, Christopher D; Proal, Joshua D; Bernthal, Nicholas M | Abstract: BackgroundAccording to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Standards of Professionalism, the responsible testimony of expert witnesses in orthopaedic surgery malpractice lawsuits is important to the public interest. However, these expert witnesses are recruited and compensated without established standards, and their testimony can potentially sway court opinion, with substantial consequences. The objective of this study was to characterize defense and plaintiff expert orthopaedic surgeon witnesses in orthopaedic surgery malpractice litigation.MethodsUtilizing the WestlawNext legal database, defense and plaintiff expert witnesses involved in orthopaedic surgery malpractice lawsuits from 2013 to 2017 were identified. Each witness's subspecialty, mean years of experience, involvement in academic or private practice, fellowship training, and scholarly impact, as measured by the Hirsch index (h-index), were determined through a query of professional profiles, the Scopus database, and a PubMed search. Statistical comparisons were made for each parameter among defense and plaintiff expert witnesses.ResultsBetween 2013 and 2017, 306 expert medical witnesses for orthopaedic cases were identified; 174 (56.9%) testified on behalf of the plaintiff, and 132 (43.1%) testified on behalf of the defense. Orthopaedic surgeons who identified themselves as general orthopaedists comprised the largest share of expert witnesses on both the plaintiff (n = 61) and defense (n = 25) sides. The plaintiff witnesses averaged 36 years of experience versus 31 years for the defense witnesses (p l 0.001); 26% of the plaintiff witnesses held an academic position versus 43% of the defense witnesses (p = 0.013). Defense witnesses exhibited a higher proportion of fellowship training in comparison to plaintiff expert witnesses (80.5% versus 64.5%, respectively, p = 0.003). The h-index for the plaintiff group was 6.6 versus 9.1 for the defense group (p = 0.04). Two witnesses testified for both the plaintiff and defense sides.ConclusionsDefense expert witnesses held higher rates of academic appointments and exhibited greater scholarly impact than their plaintiff counterparts, with both sides averaging g30 years of experience. These data collectively show that there are differences in characteristics between plaintiff and defense witnesses. Additional study is needed to illuminate the etiology of these differences.
Characterization of Fiber-Matrix Interphases in High-Temperature Composites: Experiment and Analysis

In this paper we summarize the development of a method to determine effective elastic moduli of fiber-matrix interphases in high-temperature composites from measured elastic moduli of the composites. Special emphasis is placed on error propagation in the inversion process and interpretation of experimental results.
Developing a Canonical Process Model

What do we mean by the ‘Canonical Process Model’? This is the officially defined model of the process which describes the stages in the workflow, the roles, and how work flows normally and in the event of an exception. We make a distinction between the defined process and the actual process being executed ‘on-the-ground’. Very often, even if there is a process well defined, the actual process will begin to stray for a number of reasons.
Aggressive behaviors among nursing home residents: association with dementia and behavioral health disorders

Abstract Objectives We measured the prevalence and severity of aggressive behaviors (ABs) among nursing home (NH) residents and examined whether individuals with behavioral health disorders were more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors than others. Setting and participants The analytical sample included 3,270,713 first Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments for residents in 15,706 NHs in 2015. Measures Individuals were identified as having (1) behavioral health disorders only (hierarchically categorized as schizophrenia/psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, substance abuse, depression/anxiety); (2) dementia only; (3) behavioral health disorders and dementia; or (4) neither. The Aggressive Behavior Scale (ABS) measured the degree of aggressive behaviors exhibited, based on 4 MDS items (verbal, physical, other behavioral symptoms, and rejection of care). The ABS scores ranged from 0 to 12 reflecting symptom severity as none (ABS score = 0), mild (ABS score = 1–2), moderate (ABS score = 3–5), and severe (ABS score = 6–12). Bivariate comparisons and multinomial logistic regressions were performed. Results Residents with behavioral health disorders and dementia had the highest prevalence of ABs (23.1%), followed by dementia only (15.3%), behavioral health disorders only (9.3%), and neither (5.3%). After controlling for individual risk factors and facility covariates, the relative risk of exhibiting severe ABs was 2.47, 5.50, and 9.42 for residents with behavioral health disorders only, dementia only, and behavioral health disorders and dementia, respectively, with a similar pattern for moderate or mild ABs. Conclusions Residents with behavioral health disorders were less likely than residents with dementia to exhibit aggressive behaviors in nursing homes. Thus, anecdotally reported concerns that aggressive behaviors are primarily an issue for residents with behavioral health disorders, rather than those with dementia, were not empirically justified.
First-principles investigation of BiVO3 for thermochemical water splitting

Abstract Thermochemical water splitting is a promising clean method of hydrogen production of high relevance in a society heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Using evolutionary methods and density functional theory, we predict the structure and electronic properties of BiVO3. We build on previous literature to develop a framework to evaluate the thermodynamics of thermochemical water splitting cycles for hydrogen production. We use these results to consider the feasibility of BiVO3 as a catalyst for thermochemical water splitting. We show that for BiVO3, both the thermal reduction and gas splitting reactions are thermodynamically favorable under typical temperature conditions. We predict that thermochemical water splitting cycles employing BiVO3 as a catalyst produce hydrogen yields comparable to those of commonly used catalysts.
Early Postoperative Anti-TNF Therapy Does Not Increase Complications Following Abdominal Surgery in Crohn’s Disease

The impact of postoperative anti-TNF therapy on infectious complications following Crohn’s disease surgery remains controversial. Use of anti-TNF therapy 2–4 weeks postoperatively appears safe, but safety of use within 2 weeks is unknown. We sought to evaluate the effect of anti-TNF therapy initiated within 2 weeks of abdominal surgery in patients with Crohn’s disease. We conducted a retrospective review of adult Crohn’s disease patients undergoing abdominal surgery between 2004 and 2011. Infectious and non-infectious complications were compared between patients exposed to anti-TNF therapy within 2 weeks or between 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively and to those without exposure using chi-squared and regression analysis. Three hundred thirty-one abdominal surgeries were included; 241 were without anti-TNF exposure, 46 received postoperative anti-TNF within 2 weeks of surgery, and 44 received anti-TNF therapy 2–4 weeks after surgery. Patients who received anti-TNF therapy within 2 weeks of surgery, those initiated between 2 and 4 weeks of surgery, and those who did not receive anti-TNF therapy within 4 weeks of surgery had no significant difference in rates of infectious complications (22%, 32%, 33%, p = 0.332). Rates of non-infectious complications (4%, 9%, 14%, p = 0.143), mortality (0%, 0%, 3%, p = 0.105), hospital readmission (17%, 16%, 15%, p = 0.940), and reoperation (11%, 11%, 16%, p = 0.563) were also similar between groups. Use of early anti-TNF therapy within 2 weeks or between 2 and 4 weeks following abdominal surgery did not increase risk of postoperative surgical infections in Crohn’s patients.
Julia M. Esparza, AHIP, Medical Library Association President, 2019-2020.

In this profile of Julia M. Esparza, AHIP, Medical Library Association President, 2019–2020, she is described as a pleasure to work with, practical, and intelligent, and she adds a spark of humor to any activity. Esparza has spent the last twelve years of her career in the Health Sciences Library and Department of Medical Library Science at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport. She is an excellent role model for medical librarians who want to engage in scholarly activities and is active in supporting the educational needs of health care providers, students, library personnel, and the community through her instructional efforts.
Determination of ADC Concentration by Ligand-Binding Assays

Total antibody, conjugated antibody or antibody-conjugated drug, and free drug are key analytes required to establish exposure-response relationships for ADCs. Therefore, bioanalytical strategies for ADCs include ligand-binding assays (LBA) and LC-MS/MS methods. Here we describe detailed methodology to develop a solid-phase-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which is the most widely used LBA to quantify large-molecule components of ADC in biological matrices such as plasma, serum, tumor, or tissue homogenates. The approach presented here is designed to quantify total antibody concentrations in ADC containing samples, and can be easily adapted to quantify conjugated antibody concentrations.
Freezing-of-Gait Detection Using Wearable-Sensor Technology and Neural-Network Classifier

Freezing of gait (FoG) is a syndrome of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), which causes patients to be unable to initiate and/or maintain the rhythmical and alternating leg movements of locomotion. Since FoG negatively impacts patient quality of life and is a main reason for PD patients to fall, the ability to quantify FoG episodes with reliable and accurate algorithms could help enable high-value therapies to be developed. In this study, a wearable sensor platform is used to collect inertial and physiological signals to cover all the variations of freezing patterns. A diverse set of features is also introduced and fed to a Fully-Connected-Neural Network (FCNN) to learn and predict freezing episodes.
Vomiting of unclear etiology in an autistic child—multiple possible diagnoses: A case report

Appendicitis is a common complaint in the emergency department (ED) presenting with abdominal pain or vomiting and is often the foremost etiology the provider must rule out using history and physical examination. However, history and physical examination is limited in children and the developmentally delayed who are often non-cooperative. Less commonly, choledochal cysts are found that also require management, or rarer still, multiple possible radiologic or surgical diagnoses. This case report follows a delayed child presenting with vomiting found to have a large type 1 choledochal cyst, cholecystitis, and appendicitis on advanced imaging prompting surgical management of these etiologies. This report reviews the evaluation of children with vomiting and the need for thorough evaluation with advanced imaging when appropriate.
Vertebral stiffness measured via tomosynthesis-based digital volume correlation is strongly correlated with reference values from micro-CT-based DVC.

Abstract Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) is a clinically available modality that allows imaging of a patient's spine in supine and standing positions. The purpose of this study was to establish the extent to which vertebral displacement and stiffness derived from DTS-based digital volume correlation (DTS-DVC) are correlated with those from a reference method, i.e., microcomputed tomography-based DVC (μCT-DVC). T11 vertebral bodies from 11 cadaveric donors were DTS imaged twice in a nonloaded state and once under a fixed load level approximating upper body weight. The same vertebrae were µCT imaged in nonloaded and loaded states (40 μm voxel size). Vertebral displacements were calculated at each voxel using DVC with pairs of nonloaded and loaded images, from which endplate-to-endplate axial displacement (DDVC) and vertebral stiffness (SDVC) were calculated. Both DDVC and SDVC demonstrated strong positive correlations between DTS-DVC and μCT-DVC, with correlations being stronger when vertebral displacement was calculated using the median (R2=0.80; p
Designing Interactions Beyond Conscious Control: A New Model for Wearable Interfaces

Recent research in psychology distinguishes levels of consciousness into a tripartite model - conscious, unconscious and metaconscious. HCI technologies largely focus on the conscious pathway for computer-to-human interaction, requiring explicit user attention and action. In contrast, the other two pathways provide opportunities to create new interfaces that can alter emotion, cognition and behavior without demands on attentional resources. These direct interfaces connect to cognitive processes that are in our perception but outside our conscious control. In this work, we feature two sub-categories, namely preconscious and metasomatic within the tripartite model of consciousness. Our goal is to provide a finer categorization of cognitive processes that can better help classify HCI research related to activating non-conscious cognitive pathways. We present the design of two wearable devices, MoveU and Frisson. From lessons learned during the iterative design process and the user studies, we present four design considerations that can be used to aid HCI researchers of future devices that influence the mind. With this work we aim to highlight that awareness of consciousness levels can be a valuable design element that can help to expand the range of computer-to-human interface devices we build.
Telemedicine, Patient Satisfaction, and Chronic Rhinosinusitis Care in the Era of COVID-19.

BackgroundTelemedicine has become increasingly popular in the care of rhinologic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This change in practice patterns may place patients at risk of a perceived lo...
A patient with single coronary artery, bicuspid aortic valve and sinus of Valsalva aneurysm

We report a rare case of a patient who presented with chest pain and was found to have a constellation of rare cardiac anomalies. A 67-year-old patient with no past medical history presented with chest pain. He had mild troponin elevation, but no ischemic changes on ECG. He underwent a CT coronary angiogram for further evaluation. He was found to have a type 0 bicuspid aortic valve, large left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and type R-III single coronary artery. These findings were confirmed with transesophageal echocardiogram and coronary angiogram. He underwent a successful repair of his aortic root aneurysm with a synthetic patch. The combination of type R-III single coronary artery, bicuspid aortic valve, and left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm congenital anomalies in one individual is extremely rare and marks our case unique. Given the size of his Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, the patient underwent surgical repair of his aneurysm and was asymptomatic when seen in follow-up.
Canoe-carving, Lamotrek style : An interdisciplinary study in crafting, design, engineering, and sustainability

Micronesian traditional canoe carvers of Lamotrek Atoll are one of the few Pacific communities whose canoe carving, ocean seafaring and indigenous navigation techniques are living traditions. They sail long distances on open ocean in these craft without instruments or maps, using traditional navigation techniques. Their building procedures involve no plans, no measuring devices or numbers. This kind of indigenous boatbuilding and seafaring was once practiced by virtually all Pacific island communities over hundreds or thousands of years, but the traditional knowledge has been eradicated in all but the most isolated and impoverished communities.
19F nuclear relaxation time in CaF2 : Nd

The 19F nuclear spin-lattice relaxation time T1 has been measured in neodymium doped calcium fluoride (0.005 weight - %) in the temperature range 2°K < T < 300°K. Data were obtained by a pulsed nuclear resonance method for the magnetic field aligned along the crystal directions (100) and (110). The experimental results were analyzed by means of a general expression for T1 valid for diffusion limited and rapid diffusion relaxation as well as for the intermediate case. This expression takes account of the dependence of the barrier radius for diffusion on temperature and impurity correlation time and can be used to determine the effective correlation time as a function of temperature. The impurity correlation times ρ necessary to explain the observed values of T1 range from ρ ≈ 10-4 sec at 2°K to ρ ≈ 10-11 sec at 300°K. The temperature dependence of ρ can be explained by an Orbach process involving an exited state at approximately 65 cm-1.
On perfect isometries and isotypies in alternating groups

Perfect isometries and isotypies are constructed for alternating groups between blocks with abelian defect groups and the Brauer correspondents of these blocks. These perfect isometries and isotypies satisfy additional compatibility conditions which imply that an extended Broue conjecture holds for the principal block of an almost simple group with an abelian Sylow psubgroup and a generalized Fitting subgroup isomorphic to an alternating group. Let G be a finite group and let 0 be a complete discrete valuation ring with field of quotients K of characteristic 0 and residue class field k of characteristic p > 0. We suppose that K contains a primitive IGI-th root of unity. In [4, (6.1)] Michel Broue posed the following Isotypy Conjecture. Let e be a block of OG with abelian defect group D and let f be the Brauer correspondent of e in (9NG (D). Then e and f are isotypic blocks. If G has an abelian Sylow p-subgroup, then the conjecture can be posed for the principal block of 0G. In this case the authors have shown that the conjecture holds provided an extended conjecture holds for the principal block of almost simple groups with an abelian Sylow p-subgroup (see [10, (5E)]). In this paper the isotypy conjecture for an arbitrary block with abelian defect group is proved for alternating groups. In addition, the extended conjecture is proved for the principal p-block of almost simple groups with abelian Sylow p-subgroups and generalized Fitting subgroup isomorphic to an alternating group. We recall the basic definitions. Let -: 0 k be the canonical quotient mapping and let -: OG kG be the induced 0-algebra homomorphism of the group algebras. In particular, -: e -*e induces a bijection between central idempotents of OG and kG. If e is a block idempotent of OG, let KGeMod be the category of left KGe-modules of finite type and let ZK (G, e) be the Grothendieck group of KGeMod. Let Gv be the set of irreducible characters of G over K. We identify R.K (G, e) with the free abelian group on (G, e)v = {X E Gv X(ge) = X(g) for all g E G}. Let CF(G, K) be the K-space of K-valued class functions on G, and let CF(G, e, K) be the K-subspace of class functions ae in CF(G, K) such that ao(ge) = a(g). The Received by the editors March 26, 1996. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 20C15, 20C20; Secondary 20C30. The first author was supported in part by NSF grant DMS 9100310. The second author was supported in part by NSA grant MDA 904 92-H-3027. ?1997 American Mathematical Society
STUDIES ON THE NEURAMINIDASE OF INFLUENZA VIRUS. II. ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES OF THE ENZYMES FROM THE ASIAN AND PR 8 STRAINS.

Abstract A comparison of the properties of purified neuraminidases from the Asian and PR 8 strains of influenza virus has shown a number of differences. The enzymes differ in their K M values for N -acetylneuraminyllactose, in their K I values for the competitive inhibitor N -acetylneuraminic acid, in heat stability, and in their pH optimum for a number of substrates. Preliminary studies indicate that the two enzymes are immunologically distinguishable, and the degree of neutralization of enzyme action by specific antiserum is dependent on the substrate employed.
Comparison Among the Functional Forms Describing Changes in Thermal and Mechanical Properties Due to Microcracking and Porosity

Both microcracks and porosity can induce changes in the thermal and mechanical properties of ceramics. However, the functional forms that describe property changes due to microcracking can be very different than for porosity. The expressions for property changes due to microcracking and due to porosity will be compared and discussed.
Simplified Helium Refrigerator Cycle Analysis Using the `Carnot Step'

An analysis of the Claude form of an idealized helium liquefier for the minimum input work reveals the ‘Carnot Step’ for helium refrigerator cycles. As the ‘Carnot Step’ for a multi‐stage polytropic compression process consists of equal pressure ratio stages; similarly for an idealized helium liquefier the ‘Carnot Step’ consists of equal temperature ratio stages for a given number of expansion stages. This paper presents the analytical basis and some useful equations for the preliminary examination of existing and new Claude helium refrigeration cycles.
An Access and Information Flow Control Paradigm for Secure Information Sharing in Service-Based Systems

Cloud now provides a wide range of services hosted by different providers from different domains. These services can be composed together dynamically to realize important tasks. In a composite service, information may flow from one service to subsequent services from different domains. Such information flow, if not properly controlled, may cause undesired leakage of critical data. Existing works on access control for web service do not consider the information flow problem in composite services. Existing information flow control (IFC) techniques is not flexible and cannot work with domain-specific information flow control policies. Existing works on access control for web service do not consider the information flow problem in composite services. Existing information flow control (IFC) techniques are not flexible and cannot work with domain-specific information flow control policies. In this paper, we define the WS-AIFC infrastructure for enforcing access and information flow control. The major goal of WS-AIFC is to provide a new IFC mechanism that can allow each domain to define their own IFC policies while WS-AIFC is capable of preventing undesired information leakage (IFC policy violation) among benign, semi-honest service domains. The main idea in WS-AIFC is to derive and record the dependency list for each data object. The system, upon receiving an access request to a critical data object, not only validates the conventional access control policy for the access, but also extracts the data and the corresponding domains in the dependency list and consults these domains to validate their IFC policies for the indirect access. In summary, WS-AIFC empowers individual domains to control how their information flows and achieves enhanced security for service based systems.
A Simple Empirical Method for Determining the Energy Gap in Non-Spherical Even-Even Nuclei

It is shown that the energy gap in non-spherical even-even nuclei is rather sharply delineated in γ-ray spectra following average resonance neutron capture. The relation to other methods of determining the energy gap is also presented.
The Geography of International Investment

Multinationals have become increasingly important to the world economy. Overseas production by U.S. affiliates is three times U.S. exports, for example. Who is investing where, for sales where? Much foreign direct investment is between high-income countries, but investment in some developing and transition regions, while still modest, grew rapidly in the 1990s. Adjusting for market size, much investment stays close to home; adjusting for distance, much heads toward the countries with the biggest markets. Foreign direct investment is more geographically concentrated than either exports or production. Thus U.S. affiliate production in Europe is 7 times U.S. exports to Europe; that ratio drops to 4 for all industrial countries and to 1.6 for developing countries. Multinational activity in high-income countries is overwhelmingly horizontal, involving production for sale to the host country market. In developing countries, a greater proportion of multinational activity is vertical, involving manufacturing at intermediate stages of production. Thus only 4 percent of U.S. affiliate production in the European Union is sold back to the United States, whereas for developing countries the figure is 18 percent, rising to 40 percent for Mexico. Similarly, less than 10 percent of Japan's affiliate production in the EU is sold back to Japan, compared with more than 20 percent in developing countries. In models of horizontal activity, the decision to go multinational is a tradeoff between the additional fixed costs involved in setting up a new plant and the savings in variable costs (transport costs and tariffs) on exports. In models of vertical activity, direct investment is motivated by differences in factor costs. Tariffs and transport costs both encourage vertical multinational activity (by magnifying differences in factor prices) and discourage it (by making trade between headquarters and an affiliate more expensive). The major outward investors carry out much horizontal investment in large markets. For U.S. investors, this means Europe, especially the United Kingdom; for Japan and Europe, it means the United States. Most EU investments, however, stay within the EU. The major outward investors carry out much of their vertical investment closer to home: the United States, in Mexico; the EU, in Central and Eastern Europe; Japan, in Asia. This paper - a product of Trade, Development Research Group - is part of a larger effort in the group to study the location of economic activity. Anthony J. Venables may be contacted at a.j.venables@lse.ac.uk.
What Makes Cities Healthy

The benefits of good health to individuals and to society are strongly positive and improving the health of the poor is a key Millennium Development Goal. A typical health strategy advocated by some is increased public spending on health targeted to favor the poor and backed by foreign assistance, as well as by an international effort to perfect drugs and vaccines to ameliorate infectious diseases bedeviling the developing nations. But if the objective is better health outcomes at the least cost and a reduction in urban health inequity, the authors' research suggests that the four most potent policy interventions are: water and sanitation systems; urban land use and transport planning; effective primary care and health programs aimed at influencing diets and lifestyles; and education. The payoff from these four in terms of health outcomes dwarf the returns from new drugs and curative hospital-based medicine, although these certainly have their place in a modern urban health system. And the authors find that the resource requirements for successful health care policies are likely to depend on an acceleration of economic growth rates which increase household purchasing power and enlarge the pool of resources available to national and subnational governments to invest in health-related infrastructure and services. Thus, an acceleration of growth rates may be necessary to sustain a viable urban health strategy which is equitable and to ensure steady gains in health outcomes.
Great American Sociology

Let me begin with my conclusion: Rob Sampson has written a great book. It is a mustread for almost all sociologists and demographers, and especially important for urbanists. Though I have written numerous book reviews and read countless others, this essay is by far the hardest one I’ve been asked to do. It is hard for two reasons: first, there is so much excellent material in Great American City to write about that it is hard to know where to begin; and second, the book is so good it is difficult to keep from being overly effusive in praising it. When you first pick up Great American City, you expect to begin reading a book about a city. But you very quickly learn that this book is much, much more than that. Early on, Sampson says that his book is “ . . . about everything, or at least everything social about the city” (p. 22). And that is indeed the case. It is a review of much of urban sociology, in fact, of sociology in general, while it is also an in-depth analysis of several important and contentious contemporary issues, namely, neighborhood effects and selectivity. Theoretically driven and methodologically sophisticated, Great American City challenges the reader in every chapter. Put another way, many will find it impossible to understand everything he’s doing in a single reading. In this, it reminds me especially of Stanley Lieberson’s classic A Piece of the Pie. Different data, different methods, different topics in every single chapter, yet all seamlessly linked by an overarching theory of context developed in the penultimate chapter. The book has 17 chapters, organized into five sections. Part I sets the stage: topics, location, and thesis. In Part II the reader learns Sampson’s analytic approach and gets an overview of the Chicago Project. In the third part community-level processes are explained and investigated, preparing the reader for Part IV, which lays out interlocking structures as they relate to place. The final section is a synthesis and revisits the themes in the early chapters. Throughout, he rejects the specialization (read narrowness) of much social science research and especially rejects the individualism that has dominated so much sociological research in the late 20th century. It is hard to imagine any reader of this essay who has not already read some of Rob Sampson’s work. At the same time, I imagine that many, like myself, will be surprised by the scope of the research reported in this book. Given that academic specialization encourages reading along subdisciplinary lines, it is doubtful anyone would have found all these pieces unless they were reading Sampson’s C.V. What Sampson calls “the Chicago Project” is really multiple parts of the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN), as well as the Chicago Collective Civic Participation Project
A 64 Element, 70–95 GHz Focal Plane Phased Array

We discuss the theory and implementation of phased array receivers in the focal plane of a telescope as applied to the mm-wave band. Simulated performance and construction details are given for a 64 element, 70–95 GHz array receiver for use on the Green Bank Telescope (GBT).
Heterocyst formation in Anabaena.

Abstract Heterocystous cyanobacteria grow as multicellular organisms with a distinct one-dimensional developmental pattern of single nitrogen-fixing heterocysts separated by approximately ten vegetative cells. Several genes have been identified that are required for heterocyst development and pattern formation. A key regulator, HetR, has been recently shown to be a serine-type protease.
Lattes ’n libraries

Multnomah Country Library, Oregon, partnered with Starbucks Coffee to provide an onsite coffee bar. This article includes guidelines for feasibility assessment, constructing a Request for Proposal, and working with vendors on this increasingly popular type of project. The advantages and disadvantages of working with a big vendor and choosing a cart versus a full‐service cafe are discussed.
Cues in the Web-Building Process

SYNOPSIS. Sensory events presumably guide the orb-weaver in the sequence of placing radii. However, at a given stage of construction, several sectors of the web may be equivalent in the sense that they possess features capable of eliciting radius-building. Observation of the natural progress of construction cannot reveal these characteristics. Some delineation of the problem may be obtained by compelling the spider to identify equivalent sectors. This procedure was followed for Araneus diademntus by selectively destroying threads, in effect repeatedly forcing the spider into the same web-array. The “candidate” sectors—those regions which are placed and replaced by the spider—are sufficiently described by the size of their central angles in early stages of radius-building, but not in later stages. Angles of relatively large size are left open in the upper half of the web. Sensory guidance in construction of radii may depend upon response to a complex array of forces in the web.
Stage II testicular seminoma: evolution of radiotherapeutic practice in the United States.

Abstract We studied the evolution of treatment philosophy for testicular seminoma, by means of a questionnaire mailed to radiation oncologists practising in the United States. Of the 600 respondents 65% indicated a change in treatment policy since 1982. In patients with stage IIA disease the mediastinum is no longer treated by 62% of physicians, whereas 38% omit such treatment in Stage IIB patients. A trend towards the use of lower doses of radiation in areas treated was also noted. Omission of mediastinal irradiation in some stage II patients may be associated with an increased risk of failure in this site. Patients who do not receive treatment to the mediastinum must be carefully followed for recurrent tumour.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of choledocholithiasis.

Surgeons today have a wide range of therapeutic options for the management of patients with choledocholithiasis. Endoscopists, interventional radiologists, and surgeons employ a variety of techniques to access and remove common bile duct stones (CBDS) successfully. Although earlier studies have been done to assess the relative merits of laparoscopic and endoscopic management of CBDS, few of them have employed a randomized prospective trial for the comparison. Without recognized parameters for comparison, no definitive conclusions can be drawn. Herein, we examine the role of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as an important adjunct to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the management of CBDS. The three main scenarios in which this modality is employed for CBDS removal are selective preoperative ERCP, intraoperative ERCP, and postoperative ERCP. We conclude that an appropriate balance must be struck to maintain a high yield of positive or therapeutic ERCP, avoid unnecessary ERCP, and not miss CBDS, while ensuring acceptably low rates of morbidity and mortality and controlling costs. As we await the publication of prospective data, we may look for direction from decision analysis in order to develop optimal management strategies and define the ``best practice'' results that should be expected of operators before new procedures and innovative technology are accepted on a widespread basis.