cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Near the ground laser communication system for monitoring the statistics of turbulence: fried parameter estimation from the PSF measurements

The outdoor 3.2km, partially over water, turbulence measurement and monitoring communication link has being developed with the goal to statistically describe atmospheric turbulence using results derived from the experimentally collected data. The system described in this paper has two transmitters and a receiver. The transmitter side is equipped with the laser and the bank of 20 horizontally, in-line mounted LEDs. The receiver side consists of the two-channel receiver allowing performing simultaneous wavefront sensor and point spread function measurements.The data collected from both channels are used for the Fried parameter estimations. In this paper we emphasize out attention on the data collection and analysis via point spread function channel only. The results presented in this paper are based on the 6Tb of data collected through 40 days time interval, and under various day and night atmospheric conditions.
Synthesis and Characterization of Truncated Triangular Silver Nanoplates

Truncated triangular silver nanoplates have been synthesized in large quantities using a solution phase method in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles. The obtained particles have an average edge size of 68 nm, thickness of 24 nm, and the degree of truncation of 0.35. They are single crystals, with a (111) lattice plane as the basal plane. The aqueous solution of these particles displays a clear red color due to a strong in-plane dipole plasmon resonance peaked at 552 nm. These particles can self-assemble into chainlike nanostructures through either partial or close stacking of neighborhood nanoplates.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Diagnosis and Treatment

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has become a model in research and management among malignant disorders. Since the discovery of the presence of a unique and constant chromosomal abnormality slightly more than 40 years ago, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the biology of the disease. This progress has translated into significant improvement in the long-term prognosis of patients with this disease. This change came first with the use of stem cell transplantation and interferon alfa, but recently it has opened the era of molecularly targeted therapies. Imatinib, a potent and selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, may be the best example of our attempts to identify molecular abnormalities and develop drugs directed specifically at them. Furthermore, the understanding of at least some of the mechanisms of resistance to imatinib has led to rapid development of new agents that may overcome this resistance. The outlook today for patients with CML is much brighter than just a few years ago. It is our hope that this fascinating journey in CML can be replicated in other malignancies. In this article, we review our current understanding of this disease.
Exploring the implications of vitamin B12 conjugation to insulin on insulin receptor binding

We recently reported a vitamin B12 (B12) based insulin conjugate that produced significantly decreased blood glucose levels in diabetic STZ-rat models. The results of this study posed a fundamental question, namely what implications does B12 conjugation have on insulin's interaction with the insulin receptor (IR)? To explore this question we used a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and immunoelectron microscopy, and the results are described herein. This investigation demonstrates that chemical modification of insulin by linking relatively large pendant groups does not inherently interfere with IR recognition. Furthermore, given that we have previously demonstrated a significant drop in blood glucose concentration following the oral administration of the B12-insulin bioconjugate used in this work, it is reasonable to conclude that the IR recognition described herein is associated with maintenance of biological activity for insulin. This outcome offers significant research scope for chemical modification of insulin with the purpose of improving oral-uptake efficiency.
Recording pattern reversal visual evoked response with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope

We recorded visual evoked responses (VERs) to alternating, checkerboard pattern stimuli using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). Retinal position and focus of checkerboard stimuli were monitored on the SLO video monitor throughout testing. Checkerboard size, check size, and retinal positions were varied. Consistent with other, well-established pattern reversal techniques, the SLO method produced: 1) reliable VERs with amplitudes of 2 to 10 microvolts, 2) maximum amplitudes at an intermediate check size for a fixed overall pattern size, and 3) variations in VER amplitude depending on stimulus retinal position relative to the fovea. Hence, the SLO-VER technique would be useful for clinical VER measurements when precise retinal stimulus position and focus are desired.
Regioselective Synthesis of α-Methyl 2-Methyleneglutarate via a Novel Lactonization−Elimination Rearrangement

A facile route to the α-methyl ester of 2-methyleneglutarate via a three-step sequence from 3-hydroxymethylcyclopentene is described. Regioselective formation of the monoacid from a diester precursor proceeds via a novel fluoride-mediated, tandem deprotection/rearrangement of O-silyl 2-(hydroxymethyl)dimethylglutarate.
Cerebral blood volume measurements by rapid contrast infusion and T2*-weighted echo planar MRI

Cerebral blood volume (CBV) provides information complementary to that of cerebral blood flow in cerebral ischemia, tumors, and other conditions. We have developed an alternative theory and method for measuring CBV based on dynamic imaging by MRI or CT during a short contrast infusion. This method avoids several limitations of traditional approaches that involve waiting for steady state or measuring the area under the curve (AUC) during bolus contrast injection. Anesthetized dogs were studied by T2*-weighted echo planar imaging during gadolinium-DTPA infusions lasting 30-60 sec. CBV was calculated from the ratio of the signal changes in tissue and artery. Method responsiveness was compared to AUC measurements using the vasodilator acepromazine. The ratio of signal change in tissue to that in artery rapidly approached an asymptotic value even while the amount of contrast in artery continued to increase. Using 30-sec infusions, the mean (+/- SD) of CBV for control animals was 3.6 +/- 0.9 ml blood/100 g tissue in gray matter and 2.3 +/- 0.8 ml blood/100 g tissue in white matter (ratio = 1.6). Acepromazine increased CBV to 5.7 +/- 1.5 ml blood/100 g tissue in gray matter and 3.1 +/- 0.8 ml blood/100 g tissue in white matter (ratio = 2.0). AUC measurements after bolus injection yielded similar values for control animals but failed to demonstrate any change after acepromazine. It is possible to measure CBV using dynamic MRI or CT during 30-60-sec contrast infusions. This method may be more sensitive to changes in CBV than traditional AUC methods.
Earthquake‐Resisting System Selection Statistics for Reinforced Concrete Buildings

Abstract To document current practice in selecting earthquake‐resisting systems for reinforced concrete buildings, a survey was sent to consulting firms located in the United States, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The respondents documented the earthquake‐resisting systems for 4700 cast‐in‐place buildings that they had designed during the last five years. In addition, the respondents listed the factors that most affect the selection of earthquake‐resisting systems. This paper presents a statistical summary of the responses and compares the responses collected from three U.S. geographical regions (Northern California, Pacific Northwest and Southern California) and among the six surveyed countries.
Helping Traumatized Families

Part I: Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Families. The Family as a Living System. Individual Responses to Trauma. Spreading Beyond the Individual: Family Adaption to Stress and Trauma. Part II: Empowering Families. Foundations of the Empowerment Treatment Approach. Phase I: Joining the Family. Phase II: Understanding and Framing the Family's Trauma Response. Phase III: Building Healing Skills. Phase IV: Sharing and Healing. Phase V: Moving Forward. Part III: Empowering Family Trauma Therapists. The Family Trauma Therapist. Epilogue: Looking Back and Looking Forward. References.
Selection and implementation of an information system: A General Motors case

Abstract As part of an effort to minimize cost, a group of General Motors divisions has consolidated the disbursement function of its divisions into one central, efficient system. Before the consolidation, the divisions used different systems. A careful analysis and selection process, performed by a committed team, resulted in an effective and efficient central system that saves the company millions of dollars annually. This article follows the analysis, selection, and implementation processes of the system. An evaluation of the processes is done along the lines of four typical failures of information systems: correspondence failure, process failure, interaction failure, and expectation failure. The evaluation illustrates how a large, multi-divisional organization can avoid these failures by adhering to a few rules: secure an organizational and personal commitment to the project, involve the prospective users, ensure a managerial consensus in decision-making, use a structured selection method, and outline a realistic time-table for implementation.
On the comparison of risk-neutral and risk-averse newsvendor problems

The objective of this paper is to investigate and compare the relationship between risk-neutral and risk-averse newsvendor problems under three different decision criteria: expected utility (EU) maximization, mean-variance (MV) analysis, and conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) minimization. Several models in the literature have shown that for special cases of the newsvendor problem (eg, no salvage value, no shortage penalty, and with recourse option), a risk-averse newsvendor orders less than a risk-neutral newsvendor. First, we present an observation about the EU maximization models with such special cases where a risk-averse newsvendor orders less than a risk-neutral one. We note that this observation does not extend to the newsvendor problem with positive shortage penalty. Using several counterexamples, we demonstrate that the common wisdom that a risk-averse newsvendor orders less than a risk-neutral newsvendor is not true in general. Second, we demonstrate, analytically where possible and numerically if not, that the comparison of the optimal order quantities of risk-neutral and risk-averse newsvendors depends on the key assumptions regarding the model inputs, namely, the decision criterion, the demand distribution and the cost parameters such as shortage penalty and unit ordering cost. Third, we show that EU and the MV criteria yield consistent results while EU and CVaR criteria may yield consistent or conflicting results depending on the loss function used for the CVaR criterion.
Genetic and cytogenetic studies of four glycolytic enzymes in Drosophila melanogaster: aldolase, triosephosphate isomerase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, and phosphoglucomutase.

Four glycolytic enzymes in Drosophila melanogaster have been genetically and/or cytogenetically mapped. The structural gene for aldolase (Ald) has been genetically mapped to 3-91.5 and cytogenetically localized to 97A-B. Tpi, the structural gene for triosephosphate isomerase, has been genetically mapped to 3-101.3 and cytogenetically localized to 99B-E. Utilizing closer-flanking markers than the previous mapping, Pgk, the structural gene for 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, has been mapped to 2-5.9; cytogenetically it was found to lie in the interval between 22D and 23E3. The cytogenetic location of Pgm, the structural gene for phosphoglucomutase which has been located genetically at 3-43.4, was determined to be in 72D1-5.
Three Dimensional Display Of Tumors Via Computed Tomography

ABSTRACT Computed tomography is widely utilized for the detection and staging of neoplasm. Typical chest, abdomen or pelvis CT scans may produce 10 to 20 transverse slices for each region. The mental reconstruction of the three dimensional anatomy from thesetransverse sections can be done by a physician who has had training in the analysis and interpretation of cross sectional anatomy and pathology. This mental reconstruction,however, may take years to develop into an efficient tool. With the 3 -D reconstructions used in this study, diagnostic information concerning the location, shape and spread oftumor masses can be presented in a simple, intuitive 3- dimensional display. This technique has been found to be useful for improving communication between diagnosticradiologists and consulting physicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS Selected cases of computed tomograms of patients at the Stanford University Medical Center in 1984 were reviewed and analyzed. The original CT scan image data from General Electric 8800 or 9800 CT scanners was available on tape.
Growth and Respiratory Response of Fig ( Ficus carica L. cv. Mission) Fruits to Ethylene

Growth in diameter of the fig (Ficus carica L. cv. Mission) fruit takes place in three distinct periods; two periods (I and III) of rapid growth are separated by a period (II) of slow growth. With respect to exposure to ethylene, the fruit exhibits a two phase response. Ethylene inhibits fruit growth in phase A (period I), the period of cell division, stimulates growth in early phase B (early period II), and stimulates both growth and ripening during the remainder of phase B (late period II and period III). The adverse effect of exogenous ethylene on fruits during phase A is thought to be due to inhibition of cell division. The gradual transition occurring in the response of fruits during phase B was interpreted in terms of carbohydrate level in the fruits.The onset of period III and a respiratory climacteric rise was preceded by or concomitant with a sudden burst of endogenous ethylene synthesis. This, together with the fact that exogenous ethylene applied at the proper stage of fruit growth triggers both ripening and the climacteric rise, leads to the conclusion that ethylene is the causal agent. In other words, the data support the concept that ethylene is a growth hormone that initiates a chain of metabolic and physiological events leading to fig fruit ripening.
Error bounds for nondegenerate monotone linear complementarity problems

Error bounds and upper Lipschitz continuity results are given for monotone linear complementarity problems with a nondegenerate solution. The existence of a nondegenerate solution considerably simplifies the error bounds compared with problems for which all solutions are degenerate. Thus when a point satisfies the linear inequalities of a nondegenerate complementarity problem, the residual that bounds the distance from a solution point consists of the complementarity condition alone, whereas for degenerate problems this residual cannot bound the distance to a solution without adding the square root of the complementarity condition to it. This and other simplified results are a consequence of the polyhedral characterization of the solution set as the intersection of the feasible region {z∣Mz + q ≥ 0, z ≥ 0} with a single linear affine inequality constraint.
Ethanol Steam Reforming to Produce Hydrogen Over Co/ZnO and PtCo/ZnO Catalysts

In this study, hydrogen production using ethanol steam reforming (ESR) over monometallic Cox/ZnO and bimetallic PtyCo10/ZnO catalysts was investigated. Cox/ZnO (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% Co) and PtyCo10/ZnO catalysts (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 wt% Pt and 10 wt% Co) were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) method. The catalytic activity of the ESR was evaluated in a fixed-bed reactor under 22,000 h−1 gas hourly space velocity and an H2O/EtOH molar ratio of 13. According to the results we find that the optimum loading of Co10/ZnO catalyst exhibited higher surface area and better catalytic activity for the ESR reaction. Further, in order to understand the catalytic performance over Co-based catalysts for the ESR reaction, other focused on the effect of Pt loading. The Pt0.5Co10/ZnO catalyst showed the best intimately mixed and synergistic effect, combining the advantages of the Pt and Co catalysts, respectively, i.e. Pt was active for the dehydrogenation of ethanol and decomposition of acetaldehyde at temperatures lower than 300 °C; Co was active for the reforming of acetaldehyde. The product distribution showed that good performance was achieved at 325 °C with a composition of H2/CO2/CH4/CO equal to 73.2/23.8/2.4/0.6 %. The Pt0.5Co10/ZnO catalyst shows high catalytic activity at 325 °C with a composition of H2/CO2/CH4/CO equal to 73.2%/23.8%/2.4%/0.64%.
Replicating and extending the good-enough level model of change: Considering session frequency

The good-enough level (GEL) model posits that the rate of change in psychotherapy is related to the total dose of therapy. The psychotherapy dose-response literature has typically measured dose as number of sessions attended without considering the number of days or weeks it takes to complete the sessions (session frequency). The current study sought to replicate the GEL model and explore if session frequency moderates the influence that the number of sessions has on the rate of change in psychotherapy. An archived naturalistic data set with a US university counseling center sample (n=1,207), with treatment progress measured using the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (Lambert et al., 1996), was used. Our results are consistent with the GEL model (i.e., clients who attended fewer sessions evidenced faster rates of change), but extended it by showing that the rate of change was also influenced by session frequency (i.e., clients who attended more sessions on average per week demonstrated more rapid improvement). Evidence suggests that clinicians and researchers should give consideration to session frequency, both in their work with clients and how "dose" is operationalized in psychotherapy research.
Studying Master Paintings to Promote Painting Skills: The Role of Visualization, Copying from Memory, and Spatial Ability:

Middle-school students with low prior-knowledge in art studied a set of masterpiece paintings by visualizing a reproduction of the artwork (visual group), by being given a description of the artwork (verbal group), or both (dual group). Within each group, some students recreated the artwork from memory whereas others created a painting of their choice. The dual group outperformed the visual group on a retention test and recreated more elaborated visual elements from the masterpieces than the verbal and visual groups. Spatial ability predicted students' ability to recreate the masterpieces. The results support a two-stage information processing model of visual perception and cognition and suggest that verbal information can act as a substitute for prior knowledge in guiding students' processing of complex visual information.
Laser-excited vibrational fluorescence of HCI and the HCICO2 laser

Abstract Vibrational energy transfer rates in HCICO2. HCIHI and HICO2 mixtures have been measured by laser-excited vibrational fluorescence. CO2 laser action was produced by adding CO2 to the Cl· - HI chemical laser.
Etching-enhanced ablation and the formation of a microstructure in silicon by laser irradiation in an SF6 atmosphere

Sequential pulsed-laser irradiation of silicon in SF6 atmospheres induced the formation of an ensemble of microholes and microcones. Profilometry measurements and direct imaging with an intensifying charge-coupled device camera were used to study the evolution of this microstructure and the laser-generated plume. Both the partial pressure of SF6 and the total pressure of an SF6-inert gas mixture strongly influenced the maximum height that the microcones attained over the initial surface. The cones first grew continuously with the number of pulses, reached a maximum, and then began to recede as the number of laser pulses increased further. The growth of the cones was closely connected with the evolution of the laser-generated plume.
NETWORKS AND GOVERNANCE IN TRADE ASSOCIATIONS: AEIC AND NELA IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERICAN ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY 1885–1910

In this paper, I demonstrate an alternative explanation to the development of the American electricity industry. I propose a social embeddedness approach (Granovetter, 1985, 1992) to interpret why the American electricity industry appears the way it does today, and start by addressing the following questions: Why is the generating dynamo located in well‐connected central stations rather than in isolated stations? Why does not every manufacturing firm, hospital, school, or even household operate its own generating equipment? Why do we use incandescent lamps rather than arc lamps or gas lamps for lighting? At the end of the nineteenth century, the first era of the electricity industry, all these technical as well as organizational forms were indeed possible alternatives. The centralized systems we see today comprise integrated, urban, central station firms which produce and sell electricity to users within a monopolized territory. Yet there were visions of a more decentralized electricity industry. For instance, a geographically decentralized system might have dispersed small systems based around an isolated or neighborhood generating dynamo; or a functionally decentralized system which included firms solely generating and transmitting the power, and selling the power to locally‐owned distribution firms (McGuire, Granovetter, and Schwartz, forthcoming). Similarly, the incandescent lamp was not the only illuminating device available at that time. The arc lamp was more suitable for large‐space lighting than incandescent lamps; and the second‐generation gas lamp ‐ Welsbach mantle lamp ‐ was much cheaper than the incandescent electric light and nearly as good in quality (Passer, 1953:196–197).
Statistical relational tables for statistical database management

E.F. Codd's (1970) relational view is extended to represent statistical data and to achieve its analysis. A new view called a statistical relational table is presented to meet the needs of statisticians, and some of Codd's relational operators are extended to statistical relational tables. New operators based on these tables are introduced for communicating requests for statistical analysis. A new query language called the query-by-statistical-relational-table (which has some similarities to query-by-example) is introduced. Extensions of the SQL language for processing the commands of the new query language are also discussed. Creation and storage of metadata for fast statistical analysis are considered. Some problems related to privacy in statistical databases are also examined.
Dietary Patterns Are Associated with Metabolic Risk Factors in South Asians Living in the United States

Background: South Asians are at high risk of metabolic syndrome, and dietary patterns may influence this risk. Objective: We aimed to determine prevalent dietary patterns for South Asians in the United States and their associations with risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Methods: South Asians aged 40‐84 y without known cardiovascular disease were enrolled in a community-based cohort called Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America. A validated food frequency questionnaire and serum samples for fasting and 2-h glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, and total and HDL cholesterol were collected cross-sectionally. We used principal component analysis with varimax rotation to determine dietary patterns, and sequential linear and logistic regression models for associations with metabolic factors. Results: A total of 892 participants were included (47% women). We identified 3 major dietary patterns: animal protein; fried snacks, sweets, and high-fat dairy; and fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. These were analyzed by tertile of factor score. The highest vs. the lowest tertile of the fried snacks, sweets, and high-fat dairy pattern was associated with higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (b: 1.88 mmol/L uIU/L) and lower HDL cholesterol (b: 24.48 mg/dL) in a model adjusted for age, sex, study site, and caloric intake (P < 0.05). The animal protein pattern was associated with higher body mass index (b: 0.73 m/kg 2 ), waist circumference (b: 0.84 cm), total cholesterol (b: 8.16 mg/dL), and LDL cholesterol (b: 5.69mg/dL) (allP< 0.05). The fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumespatternwas associated with lower odds of hypertension (OR: 0.63) and metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.53), and lower HOMA-IR (b: 1.95 mmol/L uIU/L) (P <0 .05). Conclusions: The animal protein and the fried snacks, sweets, and high-fat dairy patterns were associated with adverse metabolic risk factors in South Asians in the United States, whereas the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes pattern was linked with a decreased prevalence of hypertension and metabolic syndrome. J Nutr doi: 10.3945/jn.114.207753.
A randomized comparison of plateletpheresis with the same donors using four blood separators at a single blood center.

At one blood center, each of 20 donors underwent plateletpheresis on four blood cell separators in random order. We compared the CS3000+, Amicus V 2.41, MCS Plus, and Spectra LRS V 7 Turbo regarding platelet (PLT) yield, pre- and post-procedure PLT counts, percent fall in donor PLT count, process time, efficiency, PLT product and donor PLT volume (MPV). Using ≥ 150 × 109 PLTs/L pre-donation counts, a goal was set of 4.5 × 1011 PLTs unit in up to 100 minutes processing time. Results were (mean values) PLT yields of Amicus, Spectra, CS3000+, and MCS Plus: 4.3, 4.6, 4.3, 4.0 × 1011 PLTS, respectively; percent donor PLT fall: 24, 32, 30, 29%, respectively; processing times: 50, 74, 87, 101 minutes, respectively; relative efficiency (RE): 2.2, 1.6, 1.2,1.0, respectively (based on the MCS Plus performance with RE of 1 = 4 × 109 PLTS/min); PLT product MPV: 6.7, 7.4, 6.8,7.1 fL, respectively; pre-procedure donor MPV: 7.7, 7.3, 7.6 and 7.6 fL, respectively; and percent donor MPV change: −5.2, 0, −6.6, and −10%, respectively. Significant changes in the donor MPV were noted (P < 0.05) but could not be related to product MPV. Spectra seemed to collect larger PLTs (higher MPV); the significance remains unknown for both donors and recipients. Importantly, all four separators gave acceptable and comparable PLT yields (P < 0.05) with Spectra trending higher. The short process time and high RE together indicate highly efficient collections particularly by Amicus and Spectra. J. Clin. Apheresis 17:170–176, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Innovative Bike Race for Recreational Sports

Presented here are the rules, procedures and some other important considerations involved in conducting a team criterium relay bike race, a unique event which incorporates modifications of several ...
SODIUM NITRITE AND SORBIC ACID EFFECTS ON Clostridium botulinum TOXIN FORMATION IN CHICKEN FRANKFURTER‐TYPE EMULSIONS

C. botulinum growth and toxin production and residual nitrite depletion were studied in a mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM) frankfurter-type product, during 27°C temperature abuse. A series of three trials were conducted in order to determine the effects of sodium nitrite and sorbic acid on the above parameters. Low nitrite concentrations (20 and 40 μg/g), did not influence C botulinum growth and toxin production. The addition of sorbic acid (0.2%) to these nitrite levels resulted in a significant extention of the time necessary for toxin to develop. The 0.1% sorbic acid level was ineffective. Nitrite concentrations of 156 μg/g doubled the time necessary, for botulinal toxin production, as did 0.2% sorbic acid alone. The magnitude of toxin production delay was increased five fold when 156 μg/g nitrite and 0.2% sorbic acid were combined. Nitrite depletion, was rapid during processing and 27°C incubation. Low residual nitrite concentrations were present for a longer time in nitrite-sorbic acid combination treatments, indicating that the presence of sorbic acid may delay depletion of residual nitrite. Gas production and spoilage of the product followed the same rate of development as toxin.
Characterization of Patients with Androgen-Independent Prostatic Carcinoma Whose Serum Prostate Specific Antigen Decreased Following Flutamide Withdrawal

AbstractPurpose: We confirmed the reported rate of prostate specific antigen (PSA) suppression after flutamide withdrawal in patients with metastatic prostatic carcinoma, increasing serum PSA and tumor progression following treatment with total androgen blockade (castration and flutamide). The value of clinical variables in predicting the rate of PSA decrease after flutamide withdrawal was assessed and adrenal androgen metabolism was correlated with the rate of PSA suppression following flutamide withdrawal.Materials and Methods: A total of 41 consecutive patients with metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma and an increasing serum PSA while effectively castrated (plasma testosterone level less than 50 ng./ml.) who were receiving 250 mg. flutamide 3 times daily was evaluated prospectively before cessation of the flutamide. Responses were determined at 6 weeks. Only 2 of the 41 study patients (3 percent) had stable disease at 6 weeks, that is they had not met objective criteria for response or progression at a...
Finding Duplication Events Using GenomeVectorizer

GenomeVectorizer is a genome visualization tool that is designed to extend the functionality of GenomePixelizer, genome visualization tool that was developed for the Department of Plant Pathology at University of California, Davis in 2002. GenomeVectorizer was written using XML, XSLT, and SVG technologies combined with JavaScript scripting to provide the level of flexibility, dynamism and interactivity not supported by TCL/TK written application (GenomePixelizer). GenomeVectorizer was tested with available data for Arabidopsis NBS-LRR study and its output was compared to the output of GenomePixelizer. The relationships drawn at the same identity value were identical. GenomeVectorizer was successfully applied to study NBS-LRR genes and duplication events in Soybean. Once the dragability function will be fully implemented, GenomeVectorizer will be a unique tool on the market of wide variety available Genome Visualization Software.
Effect of oral midazolam premedication on the awakening concentration of sevoflurane, recovery times and bispectral index in children.

Background: We sought to determine the influence of preoperative oral midazolam on: (i) measures of anaesthetic emergence; (ii) recovery times and (iii) intraoperative bispectral index (BIS) measurements during sevoflurane/N2O anaesthesia in paediatric patients. Methods: Fifty-two patients, aged 1–10 years, ASA I–II, were enrolled in a prospective double-blinded study. Patients were randomized to receive either midazolam 0.5 mg·kg–1 (M) or midazolam vehicle (P) as premedication. After inhalation induction and intubation, expired sevoflurane was stabilized at 3% in 60% N2O and the corresponding BIS (BIS I) recorded. At the completion of surgery, sevoflurane was stabilized at 0.5% and the BIS (BIS E) again recorded. Awakening time, expired sevoflurane/N2O awakening concentrations and recovery times were recorded. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in awakening time, sevoflurane or N2O awakening concentrations, time to PACU discharge, time to hospital discharge or in BIS I and BIS E measurements.
Computational aspects of a seismic performance test method using on‐line computer control

The basic computational procedure of a newly developed seismic performance test method is presented and examined in this paper. This method uses a direct step-by-step integration technique to compute the displacement response of a test specimen subjected to a numerically specified seismic excitation record, utilizing the non-linear restoring forces actually developed by the specimen during the experiment. Due to the limitations of the experimental procedure and conditions, special analytical assumptions and numerical methods must be adopted. The adequacy of such analytical techniques is evaluated and possible computational errors are identified. An improved numerical integration algorithm is also proposed for this specific application. It has been found that the method can be a reliable and powerful experimental tool provided appropriate analytical and numerical criteria, as discussed in this paper, are observed.
Inhibition of Constitutive NF-κB Activation in Mantle Cell Lymphoma B Cells Leads to Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis

Constitutive activation of the NF-κB has been documented to be involved in the pathogenesis of many human malignancies, including hemopoietic neoplasms. In this study, we examined the status of NF-κB in two non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cell lines derived from mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) samples and in patient MCL biopsy specimens by EMSA and confocal microscopic analysis. We observed that NF-κB is constitutively activated in both the MCL cell lines and in the MCL patient biopsy cells. Since NF-κB has been shown to play an important role in a variety of cellular processes, including cell cycle regulation and apoptosis, targeting the NF-κB pathways for therapy may represent a rational approach in this malignancy. In the MCL cell lines, inhibition of constitutive NF-κB by the proteasome inhibitor PS-341 or a specific pIκBα inhibitor, BAY 11-7082, led to cell cycle arrest in G 1 and rapid induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis was associated with the down-regulation of bcl-2 family members bcl-x L and bfl/A1, and the activation of caspase 3, that mediates bcl-2 cleavage, resulting in the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. PS-341or BAY 11-induced G 1 cell cycle arrest was associated with the inhibition of cyclin D1 expression, a molecular genetic marker of MCL. These studies suggest that constitutive NF-κB expression plays a key role in the growth and survival of MCL cells, and that PS-341 and BAY 11 may be useful therapeutic agents for MCL, a lymphoma that is refractory to most current chemotherapy regimens.
A robust adaptive scaled function weighted order (SFWO) filter for nonlinear image restoration

An adaptive order filter structure for image restoration, which utilizes a specific class of filters commonly known as L-filters is presented. The coefficients of the present filter change locally depending on the value of the robust estimate of the local standard deviation. The form used for this estimate is the median of the absolute deviations from the median (MAD). The proposed filter can adapt well to a variety of noise types. Computer simulations illustrate the new filter to be very competitive in restoration of images corrupted by different noise types without any prior knowledge about the noise.
Tumor-associated antigen expression and growth requirements predict tumorigenesis in squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the most common malignancies in man. While clinical specimens are theoretically ideal to study tumor development and progression, practical difficulties such as normal cell contamination, the presence of different cell types. and limited material make preclinical studies of model systems involving a homogeneous population of normal or transformed cells preferable. Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) found on the cell surface, including integrins, mucins, cadherins, growth factor receptors, membrane bound antigens, and glycoproteins are known to play an important role in squamous carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that (1) alterations in TAA expression in vitro predict in vivo alterations, (2) analysis of a group of TAAs would provide a better indication of SCC tumorigenesis than any single marker, and (3) SCCs with independence from exogenous growth factors in vitro would demonstrate the most aggressive growth in vivo. The cell line which grew best in vitro without serum or other supplements demonstrated the most rapid tumor growth. whereas cell lines which grew only with supplements rarely formed tumors. Normal keratinocytes. eight SCC and two immortal keratinocyte cell lines were evaluated by flow cytometry for the expression of 10 cell surface markers, including alpha and beta integrins, minor blood group-related carbohydrate determinants. carcinoembryonic antigen-related proteins, E-cadherin, and GA733 (epithelial glycoprotein. epithelial cell adhesion molecule). None of the cell lines with abnormal expression of or = 3 markers formed tumors. Using GA733 expression as an example, we found that altered TAA expression in vitro predicted the presence of TAA alterations in clinical specimens. In summary, in vitro independence from supplements for optimal growth and altered expression of > or = 3 cell surface markers were good predictors of SCC tumorigenesis. These findings may be useful in decreasing the need for whole animal tumorigenicity experiments.
Prescribing of Psychiatric Medication to Bereaved Parents Following Perinatal/Neonatal Death: An Observational Study

To examine psychiatric prescribing in response to perinatal/neonatal death, we analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey of 235 bereaved parents participating in an online support community. Of the 88 respondents prescribed medication, antidepressants were most common (n = 70, 79.5%) followed by benzodiazepines/sleep aids (n = 18, 20.5%). Many prescriptions were written shortly after the death (32.2% within 48 hr, 43.7% within a week, and 74.7% within a month). Obstetrician/gynecologists wrote most prescriptions given shortly after loss. Most respondents prescribed antidepressants took them long-term. This sample is select, but these data raise disturbing questions about prescribing practices for grieving parents.
Spherulitic crystallization of starch: influence of botanical origin and extent of thermal treatment

Numerous, well-developed spherulites exhibiting strong birefringence were formed in aqueous dispersions of mung bean and potato starch rapidly quenched (150 °C/min) from 180 °C. Ordinary maize starch yielded less numerous, less well-developed, coarse spherulites than did mung bean and potato starch. Acid-modified maize starch yielded large numbers of very round spherulites displaying moderately strong birefringence. Wheat, tapioca and arrowroot starches formed few or very poorly developed spherulites. No spherulitic morphology was observed in oat, rice, or sorghum starch dispersions. Equivocal results were obtained for amaranth and yellow pea starches. Potato and mung bean starches required heating to at least 170 °C before spherulite formation was observed. Acid-modified maize starch formed spherulites after heating to only 160 °C and possibly as low as 150 °C.
Prolongation of cardiac allograft survival using dendritic cells treated with NF-κB decoy oligodeoxyribonucleotides

Dendritic cells (DC) classically promote immune responses but can be manipulated to induce antigen-specific hyporesponsiveness in vitro. The expression of costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD86, CD80) at the DC cell surface correlates with their capacity to induce or suppress immune responses. Expression of these molecules is associated with NF-kB-dependent transcription of their genes. DC tolerogenicity has been associated with impaired NF-kB-dependent transcription of costimulatory genes as well as NF-kB translocation to the nucleus. In this report, we demonstrate that double-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing binding sites for NF-kB (NF-kB ODN) are efficiently incorporated by bone marrow-derived DC and specifically inhibit NF-kB-dependent transcription of a reporter gene. Moreover, exposure of DC to the oligonucleotide decoys inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide production, a marker of DC maturation. Treatment of bone marrow-derived DC progenitors with NF-kB ODN selectively suppressed the cell-surface expression of costimulatory molecules without interfering with MHC class I or class II expression. Furthermore, NF-kB ODN DC induced allogeneic donor-specific hyporesponsiveness in mixed leukocyte cultures, and this was associated with inhibition of Th1-type cytokine production. Finally, infusion of NF-kB ODN-modified bone marrow-derived DC into allogeneic recipients prior to heart transplantation resulted in significant prolongation of allograft survival in the absence of immunosuppression. Specific interference with NF-kB and other transcriptional pathways involved in immune stimulation in DC using ODN decoy approaches could be one means to promote tolerance induction in organ transplantation.
Plant Community Influence on Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Species Richness and Abundance

Abstract Pitfall traps were used to sample ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from adjacent climax big sagebrush and disturbed cheatgrass dominated communities at the Hanford Site, which is located in southcentral Washington. Although the number of species captured was the same (S=15) in each plant community, the composition and abundance of species were dramatically different. Herbivorous species dominated the cheatgrass stand while predaceous species were dominant in the sagebrush. These findings, while preliminary, suggest that long-term changes in vegetation alone can affect ground beetle communities.
Living in a 64K world

Abstract MOS memory technology is currently moving into production at the 64K density level with 64K Dynamic RAMS, EPROMS and ROMS now becoming available. In the next year 128K and 256K devices will begin to be sampled with mega bit devices on the horizon. The increase in device density on the chip is coupled with technology advances leading to the sub-micron range of minimum geometrics. A number of design, package and process innovations will be required to produce the mega bit memory chip.
Robust R-Estimation of a Consensus Value from Multi-Center Studies

We consider multi-center experiments (for determining a consensus value) conducted in possibly heterogeneous set-ups leading to unbalanced heteroscedastic one-way random effects models. When normality of both the random components and their homoscedasticity are in doubt, standard statistical methods may not be valid. Two robust R-estimators (for the common location parameter), based on signed-rank statistics, are proposed and their properties studied. When large heteroscedasticity is present or the distribution of random effect is abnormal, the proposed estimators perform better than the classical weighted least squares and selected estimators. This feature is illustrated with an arsenic in oyster tissue problem, along with some other simulation studies.
Fractal-spiral antenna for UWB standard

We claim a new approach for UWB antennas taking advantages from the classical and the fractal techniques by applying a log spiral transformation to a fractal design. Stricto senso, this antenna loose its mathematical fractal properties but keeps the physical advantages of a real fractal pattern. A concrete realization of this concept on a twisted Sierpinsky carpet is presented in this paper. To cancel potential additional resonance deserving UWB pulse system, we also propose to use different iterations of the pattern or different fractal initiator for each arm of this antenna. Based upon the simulation of a dipolar twisted Sierpinski carpet, several advantages related to this concept have been emphasized and are detailed here.
Adaptation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Face of Vancomycin Therapy

For the past 2 decades, vancomycin has served as the cornerstone of therapy against serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. This role is increasingly challenged by questions of efficacy, including reduced efficacy against infections caused by glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus strains. In an evaluation of clinical glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus isolates and serial, clinical methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates obtained from patients receiving vancomycin for the treatment of bacteremia, we found that loss of function of the accessory gene regulator operon may confer a survival advantage to S. aureus under vancomycin selection pressure, particularly in strains with the accessory gene regulator group II genotype. Other advantages in a nosocomial setting may include enhancement of biofilm formation and promotion of physiologic changes supporting colonization. We conclude that loss of accessory gene regulator function in methicillin-resistant S. aureus might, in part, explain the decreased efficacy of vancomycin in the therapy of methicillin-resistant S. aureus bacteremia, thus highlighting the need to reevaluate the criteria of susceptibility to vancomycin.
Six Propositions on Public Participation and Their Relevance for Risk Communication

New societal obligations for communicating risk information are emerging in a variety of contexts. This article draws upon the lengthy societal experience with citizen participation programs to identify how risk communication efforts may be effectively structured and implemented. Six major propositions address such themes as means/ends differences in expectations, the timing of the program, the role of credibility and trust, the need for technical and analytical resources, differing thresholds of public involvement, and limitations upon current understandings. Key conclusions for the design of risk communication programs are set forth.
Ca2+-activated K+ Channels in Murine Endothelial Cells: Block by Intracellular Calcium and Magnesium

The intermediate (IKCa) and small (SKCa) conductance Ca2+-sensitive K+ channels in endothelial cells (ECs) modulate vascular diameter through regulation of EC membrane potential. However, contribution of IKCa and SKCa channels to membrane current and potential in native endothelial cells remains unclear. In freshly isolated endothelial cells from mouse aorta dialyzed with 3 μM free [Ca2+]i and 1 mM free [Mg2+]i, membrane currents reversed at the potassium equilibrium potential and exhibited an inward rectification at positive membrane potentials. Blockers of large-conductance, Ca2+-sensitive potassium (BKCa) and strong inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels did not affect the membrane current. However, blockers of IKCa channels, charybdotoxin (ChTX), and of SKCa channels, apamin (Ap), significantly reduced the whole-cell current. Although IKCa and SKCa channels are intrinsically voltage independent, ChTX- and Ap-sensitive currents decreased steeply with membrane potential depolarization. Removal of intracellular Mg2+ significantly increased these currents. Moreover, concomitant reduction of the [Ca2+]i to 1 μM caused an additional increase in ChTX- and Ap-sensitive currents so that the currents exhibited theoretical outward rectification. Block of IKCa and SKCa channels caused a significant endothelial membrane potential depolarization (≈11 mV) and decrease in [Ca2+]i in mesenteric arteries in the absence of an agonist. These results indicate that [Ca2+]i can both activate and block IKCa and SKCa channels in endothelial cells, and that these channels regulate the resting membrane potential and intracellular calcium in native endothelium.
Fetal heart rate estimation via adaptive least mean square linear prediction methods

Adaptive signal processing methods are presented in support of a noninvasive ambulatory fetal heart rate monitor. Adaptive least mean square (LMS) linear prediction methods are used for fetal heart tone signature analysis and detection in the presence of background acoustic noise. The signal processing techniques designed to identify, analyze, and detect the fetal phonocardiographic signature are discussed. Subsequent evaluation of the detected fetal heart tone events are used to determine the instantaneous heart rate. Preliminary investigation has indicated that linear prediction is feasible for detecting the fetal heart tones in an advanced acoustic fetal heart rate monitor. A prediction length of eight was found to be suboptimal in minimizing the total mean square error over the training event. >