cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Left atrial volume during the early convalescent phase of acute MI is strongly related to expansion of myocardial extracellular matrix during infarct healing and ventricular remodeling

Background Changes in left ventricular compliance caused by diffuse fibrosis after MI may result in diastolic dysfunction and left atrial enlargement. We sought to test the hypothesis that left atrial volume is associated with ECV (a marker of diffuse myocardial fibrosis) during the sub-acute phase of infarction and can predict the increase of ECV during the ensuing months of infarct healing. We quantified left atrial volumes serially in patients after ST-elevation myocardial infarction and assessed their relationship with indices of post-MI remodeling including left ventricular dimensions, ECV, and infarct size. Methods
Defensive medicine: two historical cases

Two characteristic historical examples of defensive medicine are referred to and analysed. The first of them relates to the behaviour of the eminent and experienced physician Critobulus, a member of the family of Asclepiades of Cos Island, native island of Hippocrates, who hesitated to undertake the operation on the severely wounded Alexander the Great, who was hurt during the siege of a town of the Mallians in India (326 BC). The second case refers to the Byzantine Emperor, Justin II (578 AD), when his physicians hesitated to undertake an operation for a possible wedging of a stone in the urethra, which caused painful inflammation. In both cases, the physicians proceeded to the operation after being reassured by their illustrious patients that they would not be punished in the event of failure. Furthermore, in the second case, of the mentally unbalanced Justin II, the physicians requested, obviously in the presence of witnesses, their immunity from punishment with the symbolic gesture of the handing over of the scalpel to them by the patient. This act symbolised the agreement of the patient to the operation.
Overexpression of a Zn2+-sensitive Soluble Exopolyphosphatase from Trypanosoma cruzi Depletes Polyphosphate and Affects Osmoregulation *

We report the cloning, expression, purification, and characterization of the Trypanosoma cruzi exopolyphosphatase (TcPPX). The product of this gene (TcPPX), has 383 amino acids and a molecular mass of 43.1 kDa. TcPPX differs from most exopolyphosphatases in its preference for short-chain polyphosphate (poly P). Heterologous expression of TcPPX in Escherichia coli produced a functional enzyme that had a neutral optimum pH and was dramatically inhibited by low concentrations of Zn2+, high concentrations of basic amino acids (lysine and arginine), and heparin. TcPPX is a processive enzyme and does not hydrolyze ATP, pyrophosphate, or p-nitrophenyl phosphate, although it hydrolyzes guanosine 5′-tetraphosphate very efficiently. Overexpression of TcPPX resulted in a dramatic decrease in total short-chain poly P and partial decrease in long-chain poly P. This was accompanied by a delayed regulatory volume decrease after hyposmotic stress. These results support the role of poly P in T. cruzi osmoregulation.
Modulation and mapping of a human plasminogen activator by cell fusion

Neoplastic cells, transformed cells and some normal mammalian cells secrete large amounts of plasminogen activator (PA), an arginine-specific protease which converts plasminogen to plasmin. To study the regulation of PA, we have obtained two classes of mouse-human somatic cell hybrids. PG19, a mouse PA+ cell line, was fused with C32 (human PA+) or human diploid fibroblasts (PA-). All hybrids secreted PA. Human- and mouse-specific forms of PA were distinguished in these hybrids by electrophoretic methods. While all hybrids produced the murine PA, many produced the human PA and some did not. All hybrids which produced human PA had chromosome 6 in common. The absence of each of the other human chromosomes did not affect PA expression, while the absence of chromosome 6 correlated with the lack of human PA. We conclude that chromosome 6 carries the structural gene for human PA. These experiments also show that the fusion of mouse PA+ cells with human PA- cells results in the activation of the human PA gene.
Impact of social media and Web 2.0 on decision-making

Information technology continues to provide opportunities to alter the decisionmaking behavior of individuals, groups and organizations. Two related changes that are emerging are social media and W...
Evolving Sjogren to POEMS Neuropathy Associated with a Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report (P07.147)

Objective: We describe the patient with ophthalmoparesis, visual loss and ataxia suspected of Sjogren9s, whose symptoms improved with steroids and IVIg but evolved into severe ataxia, weakness and systemic symptoms consistent with POEMS, which lead to diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma. Background Lymphoma and related lymphoproliferative disorders may involve peripheral nerves on immunological or infiltrative basis long before known malignancy. Examples include non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin9s lymphoma, CLL, Waldenstrom9s macroglobulinemia, and osteosclerotic myeloma. Different phenotypes of neuropathies associated with lymphomas are likely due to circulating monoclonal anti-nerve antibodies secreted by tumor cells, usually immunoglobulin-M paraproteins directed at specific antigens such as the ganglioside GM1 and myelin-associated glycoprotein. Design/Methods: Previously healthy a 61- year-old man developed visual disturbance and gait imbalance that improved initially with oral steroids and IVIg. Three months later, he became diffusely weak and ataxic, and did not respond to IVIg and later on to plasma exchanges with IV steroids. Diagnostic work up of neuropathy and weight loss was initially consistent with Sjogren9s and suggestive of POEMS, which prompted bone marrow and lymph node biopsies. Results: Markedly elevated SS-A/ SS-B and IgM GM1 antibodies with IgM monoclonal paraprotein lambda light chain were identified in serum, while VEGF was normal. Lip biopsy was consistent with Sjogren9s. Skeletal survey was negative for osteosclerotic lesions, while CT scans revealed diffuse lymphadenopathy. Subsequent bone marrow and lymph node biopsies were consistent with transformed marginal zone lymphoma. Repeated lymph node biopsy showed more aggressive diffuse B-cell lymphoma. Three courses of cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, rituximab and doxorubicin resulted in marked clinical improvement. Conclusions: IgM monoclonal gammopathy and Sjogren9s-associated neuropathy may herald associated malignancy of B-cell lineage, and it can be refractory to immunotherapies but responsive to chemotherapy. Transformation of indolent marginal zone into more aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has less favorable prognosis and may require hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Disclosure: Dr. Snapp has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ambrose has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kremens has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Novartis, Allergan, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., and General Electric Healthcare. Dr. Marmura has received personal compensation for activities with NeurogesX and Iroko as a consultant. Dr. Marmura has received research support from Merck. Dr. Rakocevic has nothing to disclose.
Non-discrimination rules for ISPs and vertical integration: Lessons from cable television

The experience of cable television indicates that vertically integrated ISPs have plausible incentives to favor their affiliated content and to restrict entry of nascent rival content services, but these incentives are weakened in some respects, and strengthened in others, by differences in the economic architectures of cable and Internet broadband. Non-discrimination regulations designed to control such behavior are potentially more effective than in cable, but rules governing discrimination both in the upstream access and the downstream retail markets (as the FCC's no-unreasonable-discrimination rule appears to do) are likely to be necessary for effectiveness. Beneficial effects of vertical integration on financing and entry of cable programming networks should also apply to Internet video content development, but emergence since the 1970s of a robust programming supply industry with few vertical ties to cable suggests that such benefits will be less significant in the ISP case. Finally, the history of both the cable and ISP industries makes evident that the fundamental policy concern should not be vertical integration but horizontal market shares of ISPs, both at the local and national levels.
Undergraduate students’ experiences with recorded lectures: towards a theory of acculturation

The use of recorded lectures—an instructional format that involves recording live lectures and disseminating these recordings to students by means of various technologies—as substitutes for classroom instruction is a growing phenomenon in higher education. Sustained use of recorded lectures has the potential to significantly alter students’ college experience, however research on students’ experiences with recorded lectures is scarce. This article reports a qualitative study of undergraduate students’ experiences with sustained participation in recorded lectures as a required part of their curriculum, thereby addressing calls for research on the impact of technology on students’ college experience. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 students enrolled in a campus-based undergraduate degree program in business at a flagship public university in the US, and were consequently analyzed using grounded theory. The findings suggest that students’ experiences constitute a process of acculturation into the institutional context of recorded lecture courses through four stages, which are respectively labeled ignorance, disillusionment, crisis, and coping. The study’s findings have implications for future research and practice in student development and instructional technology.
Melt Dynamics of Blended Poly(oxyethylene) Chains and Rings

Monodisperse cyclic poly(oxyethylene) (CPOE) was synthesized from linear dihydroxy-terminated poly(oxyethylene) (LPOE) with molecular weights from 400 to 1500 g/mol. Blends of CPOE with LPOE were prepared and examined with pulsed-field-gradient (PFG) 1H NMR and rheology to determine the self-diffusion coefficient (D) and zero-shear viscosity (η) in the melt. Single average diffusion coefficients were measured for all blends. For blends prepared from components with equivalent molecular weights >400 g/mol, the D’s are suppressed and the η’s are enhanced in comparison with predictions based on binary mixing rules. This is attributed to topological threading of rings onto linear chains. Blends of perdeuterated LPOE with hydrogenous CPOE (1500 g/mol) were prepared and examined with PFG NMR. The resulting D’s, representing only the CPOE in the blends, are smaller than the average D’s measured for the fully hydrogenous blends at a given composition, indicating that complete averaging of the component molecular ...
10 Years Later: A Technical and Financial Review of the United States Navy’s High Pressure Turbine Blade Refurbishment Program

In 1999, the United States Navy implemented an LM2500 High Pressure Turbine Blade Refurbishment Program. Traditionally, the US Navy had replaced high pressure turbine components each time an engine was removed from a ship during its depot overhaul visit. Following successful testing of several Rainbow rotors built up with refurbished LM2500 blades, as well as experience gained by the Royal Australian Navy, refurbishment of stage 1 and 2 high pressure turbine blades was adopted vice the replace with new part strategy previously utilized. This paper takes a fresh look at the blade refurbishment effort from two perspectives, first, an updated technical assessment is made of Rainbow rotor components as well as parts which were implemented as part of the refurbishment program to evaluate their current (2009) condition and define service life expectations. Secondly, a financial assessment is made of the program itself, defining the cost avoidance of refurbishing customer owned blades versus the cost to procure new components. The financial analysis will also include commentary on risk mitigation based upon the hundreds of thousands of operating hours on these components have acquired while deployed at sea.© 2010 ASME
Transesophageal echocardiography-guided transvenous endomyocardial biopsy used to diagnose primary cardiac angiosarcoma

Primary cardiac tumors are rare clinical entities with the histologic diagnosis usually made from surgically obtained tissue or at postmortem examination. Transvenous endomyocardial biopsy has been used less frequently, under fluoroscopic or transthoracic echocardiographic guidance. In this case report, we utilized the transesophageal echocardiography to guide the endomyocardial biopsy from a right atrial tumor in a 35-year-old man.
Measurement of atmospheric NO2 by pulsed cavity ring-down spectroscopy

[1] We have constructed a pulsed cavity ring-down spectrometer (CARDS) for simultaneous measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the nitrate radical (NO3), and dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) in the atmosphere. In this paper, we describe the development of the instrument to measure NO2 via its absorption at 532 nm. The NO2 detection channel was calibrated against a NIST traceable calibration standard as well as a photolysis-chemiluminescence (P-CL) NO2 detector. The absorption cross section of NO2 at 532 nm was determined to be (1.45 ± 0.06) × 10−19 cm2. The NO2 detection limit (1σ) for 1 s data is 40 pptv, and the instrument response is accurate within ±4% (1σ) under laboratory conditions. The linear dynamic range of the instrument has been verified from the detection limit to above 200 ppbv (r2 > 99.99%). For field measurements it is necessary to correct the CARDS NO2 signal for absorption by ozone. Under ambient conditions we report 1 s NO2 CARDS data with total uncertainty ±(4%, 60 pptv + 0.4 × (pptv/ppbv) × O3) (1σ). The instrument was deployed in the field during the New England Air Quality Study–International Transport and Chemical Transformation on board the NOAA research vessel Ronald H. Brown in the summer of 2004 and in Boulder, Colorado, in the winter of 2005. In both campaigns, CARDS and P-CL NO2 measurements were highly correlated (r2 > 98%), indicating the absence of interfering gas phase absorbers at 532 nm other than ozone and the suitability of CARDS to measure NO2 in the troposphere.
Doubly asymptotic approximations for transient elastodynamics

Abstract A doubly asymptotic approximation (DAA) is an approximate temporal impedance relation at the boundary of a continuous medium: it approaches exactness at both early and late times, effecting a smooth transition between. Here, first- and second-order DAAs are derived for a uniform, isotropic, elastic medium of either infinite or semi-infinite extent. The derivations proceed from pertinent singly asymptotic approximations and employ the method of operator matching previously used for acoustic domains. A simple problem with spherical symmetry is considered that illustrates the characteristics of the singly and doubly asymptotic approximations.
Graph sketches: sparsification, spanners, and subgraphs

When processing massive data sets, a core task is to construct synopses of the data. To be useful, a synopsis data structure should be easy to construct while also yielding good approximations of the relevant properties of the data set. A particularly useful class of synopses are sketches, i.e., those based on linear projections of the data. These are applicable in many models including various parallel, stream, and compressed sensing settings. A rich body of analytic and empirical work exists for sketching numerical data such as the frequencies of a set of entities. Our work investigates graph sketching where the graphs of interest encode the relationships between these entities. The main challenge is to capture this richer structure and build the necessary synopses with only linear measurements.In this paper we consider properties of graphs including the size of the cuts, the distances between nodes, and the prevalence of dense sub-graphs. Our main result is a sketch-based sparsifier construction: we show that O(ne-2) random linear projections of a graph on n nodes suffice to (1+e) approximate all cut values. Similarly, we show that O(e-2) linear projections suffice for (additively) approximating the fraction of induced sub-graphs that match a given pattern such as a small clique. Finally, for distance estimation we present sketch-based spanner constructions. In this last result the sketches are adaptive, i.e., the linear projections are performed in a small number of batches where each projection may be chosen dependent on the outcome of earlier sketches. All of the above results immediately give rise to data stream algorithms that also apply to dynamic graph streams where edges are both inserted and deleted. The non-adaptive sketches, such as those for sparsification and subgraphs, give us single-pass algorithms for distributed data streams with insertion and deletions. The adaptive sketches can be used to analyze MapReduce algorithms that use a small number of rounds.
An inversion-ligation technique for incidental appendectomy

Abstract Inversion of the appendix does not guarantee that it will slough and a remnant has led to intussusception in two patients. Incidental elimination of the appendix by inversion plus ligation of the base and inversion of the stump appears to be safe, simple, and uncomplicated. This method eliminates the appendix without contamination of the operative field. Such appendectomies are now done in all age groups if the surgical exposure allows ready access to the appendix and cecum.
Solid-state power electronics in the U.S.A.

This article focuses on the conversion and control of large blocks of electric energy by solid-state power devices such as silicon rectifier diodes and thyristors. Power conversion fulfills the important requirement of delivering a desired type of electric energy when the available form is unsuitable. Examples include the energization of dc machines, dc fields, and batteries when the available source is single-phase or polyphase alternating current. Another example relates to variable-speed drives for Induction and synchronous motors when the power source is either dc or fixed-frequency ac. Power control is concerned with varying the level of power delivered to a load, as in on-off switching, or varying the output voltage of a rectifier.
Quantization conditions for the periodic Toda chain: Inadequacy of Bethe-ansatz methods.

Gutzwiller has developed a scheme for determining the energy levels of a finite quantum Toda lattice. We present a numerical analysis using his method and calculate low-lying energy levels for some small lattices. We check the completeness of his quantization conditions in the harmonic (low-energy) and the semiclassical (high-energy) limits. Our main finding is that the Bethe-ansatz spectrum equations, known to be exact for an infinite Toda lattice in the classical limit, are incorrect for finite and quantum lattices.
Coronary angioplasty outcomes in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, 1993-1994.

Abstract It is estimated that >400,000 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures are performed in the Unites States annually. This study reports patient characteristics and outcomes for 163,527 PTCAs performed in 214 hospitals in 17 states from 1993 to 1994. These hospitals were a 20% random sample of hospitals in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, which was designed to reflect hospitalization in the United States, generally. Cases with International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification procedure codes 36.01, 36.02, and 36.05 were defined as PTCA and were categorized as to whether acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was the principal discharge diagnosis. The average age of 44,270 AMI discharges (27%) was 62 ± 12 years and that of 119,257 no-AMI cases (73%) was 64 ± 11 years; 1/3 of both groups were women, 88% were white, and almost 90% had Medicare or private insurance as the primary payer. The states contributing the most cases were Florida (26%), California (12%), and Wisconsin (10%). Hospital mortality was 1.7% overall and was 3.8% for AMI and 0.8% for no-AMI cases. Bypass surgery performed during the same admission was 3.4% overall and was 4.5% and 3.0% for AMI and no-AMI cases, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that advanced age, diabetes, female gender, and Medicaid payer status were associated with increased risk of mortality. National estimates from this 20% sample indicate that >850,000 PTCAs were performed in the 2 years, with 452,319 cases estimated for 1994. In 1994 there were an estimated 2,789 deaths and 9,903 bypass surgeries in the no-AMI subset of 327,856 procedures. For the AMI group of 124,463 procedures, there were 4,486 deaths and 5,799 bypass surgeries in 1994. This study of PTCA outcomes contains the largest number of cases as well as the most representative sample reported to date.
Heritability of inflorescence and floret traits in gerbera

Heritability, repeatability, and components of variance were estimated for 68 morphological characters describing the inflorescence, scape, and florets of Gerbera hybrida. The heritability estimates were generally moderate to high for simple dimension characters and characters which were the mean of several measurements, low to moderate for ratio and composite characters, and low for enumeration characters and characters describing the intraplant variation of traits. The repeatability estimates were generally low for intraplant variation characters, moderate for simple ratio characters, and largest for composite and mean characters. For most of the characters, the variance among inflorescences from the same plant was the largest portion of the total phenotypic variance.
Void nucleation, growth, and coalescence in irradiated metals

Abstract A novel computational treatment of dense, stiff, coupled reaction rate equations is introduced to study the nucleation, growth, and possible coalescence of cavities during neutron irradiation of metals. Radiation damage is modeled by the creation of Frenkel pair defects and helium impurity atoms. A multi-dimensional cluster size distribution function allows independent evolution of the vacancy and helium content of cavities, distinguishing voids and bubbles. A model with sessile cavities and no cluster–cluster coalescence can result in a bimodal final cavity size distribution with coexistence of small, high-pressure bubbles and large, low-pressure voids. A model that includes unhindered cavity diffusion and coalescence ultimately removes the small helium bubbles from the system, leaving only large voids. The terminal void density is also reduced and the incubation period and terminal swelling rate can be greatly altered by cavity coalescence. Temperature-dependent trapping of voids/bubbles by precipitates and alterations in void surface diffusion from adsorbed impurities and internal gas pressure may give rise to intermediate swelling behavior through their effects on cavity mobility and coalescence.
Sexual Dimorphism in Insulin Sensitivity in Adolescents with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Sex-related differences in insulin sensitivity were evaluated in male and female adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). They were matched for age, pubertal staging, body mass index, and glycohemoglobin levels. During a 1.7 mU/kg·min hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, the insulin-mediated glucose disposal rate was lower (26.9 ± 2.1 vs. 47.1 ± 3.7 μmol/kg·min; P < 0.001), and GH levels were higher (6.5 ± 1.2 vs. 2.9 ± 0.8 μg/L; P = 0.03) in females than in males. Plasma glucagon, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels during the clamp were similar in the two sexes, except for pancreatic polypeptide, which showed a tendency to be higher in females (19 ± 4 vs. 11 ± 1 pmol/L; P = 0.07). During insulin-induced hypoglycemia, the rate of drop in plasma glucose was faster (0.16 ± 0.01 vs. 0.11 ± 0.01 mmol/L·min; P = 0.001), and the rate of glucose recovery was slower in males than in females (0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.06 ± 0.01 mmol/L·min; P = 0.05). Plasma glucose concentrations were lower...
Interactive Effects of Nitrogen Deposition and Grazing on Plant Species Composition in a Serpentine Grassland

The interaction of resource availability and disturbance can strongly affect plant species richness and the spread of exotic plants. Several ecological theories posit that disturbance mediates the richness-reducing effects of increased competition as resource levels rise. In the low-nutrient serpentine grasslands of the San Francisco Bay Area, the fertilizing effects of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition may threaten native species by promoting nitrophilic exotic grasses. Attempts to mitigate these N deposition effects have focused on cattle grazing as a strategy to reduce exotic grass cover. We simulated realistic N deposition increases with low-level fertilization, manipulated grazing with fencing, and monitored grazing intensity using camera traps in a 4 yr factorial experiment to assess the effects of grazing and N deposition on several measures of native and exotic species dynamics in California's largest serpentine grassland. Our results suggest that native species diversity may increase slightly under low-level N deposition with moderate grazing in this system. However, grazing may not be effective at limiting exotic cover as N accumulates in the future. Examination of treatment trajectories using principal response curves indicated that responses to grazing might be determined more by functional group (forb or grass) than origin (native or exotic). Grazing intensity varied dramatically within the single stocking rate used to manage this ecosystem. Given this variation and the contrasting effects of grazing on different functional groups, more targeted management may be required to improve conservation outcomes.
Vacancy trapping on lattices with different coordination numbers

Abstract The kinetics of disorder→order transformations in alloys have been studied by Monte Carlo simulations. These simulations employed a vacancy diffusion mechanism, and were set on lattices having different coordination numbers, z. At low temperatures, the vacancy mobility is dominated by processes in which the vacancy becomes confined to local atomic arrangements that serve as vacancy traps. The scaling with z of the ordering kinetics can be interpreted in terms of the strengths and probabilities of vacancy traps on the different lattices.
Use of tumor-specific resonances for more efficient microwave hyperthermia of breast cancer

The use of tumor-specific resonances is investigated for more efficient microwave hyperthermia of breast cancer. This concept is based on the idea that an increased power coupling (or absorption) would take place at the resonance. For hyperthermia treatment, higher power absorption means faster temperature rise to a desired therapeutic level. The natural resonances would vary depending on the tumor size, shape, and breast tissue configuration. Therefore, by adaptively tuning the source frequency of an applicator corresponding to the tumor-specific natural resonance, it could improve the overall efficiency of hyperthermia treatment. In this article, we demonstrate this concept by applying the singularity-expansion method to estimate the natural resonances (poles) and using the frequency of the dominant pole as the tumor-specific frequency. The performance is evaluated via the power absorption density in the breast. Results from numerical simulations and a simple experiment shows that the optimal power absorption in the tumor takes place at the tumor-specific resonance frequency in comparison to other frequencies. Using a multielement array setup for focused microwave, we also demonstrate that the relative phase shift between the residues (of the poles) obtained at different array elements can be used for phasing the array to create a focus at the tumor. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:2659–2665, 2013
Convective and Rainfall Properties of Tropical Cyclone Inner Cores and Rainbands from 11 Years of TRMM Data

AbstractConvective and rainfall properties of tropical cyclones (TCs) are statistically quantified by using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data from December 1997 to December 2008. A semimanual method is used to divide the TC raining area into inner core (IC), inner rainband (IB), and outer rainband (OB) regions. Precipitation features (PFs) within these regions are compared for their convective vigor and rainfall characteristics based on passive microwave, infrared, radar, and lightning properties. Strong convective signatures are generally found more often in precipitation features in the IC region, less often in the IB region, and least often in the OB region when examining features with sizes greater than 1000 km2. However, at the very strong end of the convective spectrum, the magnitude of ice scattering signatures in OB features tends to be comparable and even stronger than that in IC features. The flash density when normalized by the raining area is about 2–3 times higher in IC features...
Three-Dimensional Frictional Rigid-Body Impact

We present an analysis of the rigid-body model for frictional three-dimensional impacts, which was originally studied by Routh. Using Coulomb's law for friction, a set of differential equations describing the progress and outcome of the impact process for general bodies can be obtained. The differential equations induce a flow in the tangent velocity space for which the trajectories cannot be solved for in a closed form, and a numerical integration scheme is required. At the point of sticking, the numerical problem becomes ill-conditioned and we have to analyze the flow at the singularity to determine the rest of the process. A local analysis at the point of sticking provides enough information about the global nature of the flow to let us enumerate all the possible dynamic scenarios for the sliding behavior during impact. The friction coefficient, and the mass parameters at the point of contact, determine the particular sliding behavior that would occur for a given problem. Once the initial conditions are specified, the possible outcome of the impact can then be easily determined.
Effects of pangamic acid (B-15) ingestion on metabolic response to exercise.

Abstract The effects of Pangamic acid (B-15) ingestion was examined during acute submaximal exercise on eight volunteer subjects. During the experimental condition subjects orally ingested 0.40-g tablets, six per day, of an equal molar mixture of calcium gluconate and N,N-dimethylglycine for 12 weeks. When compared to a control condition there were no differences in oxygen kinetics during exercise or recovery, exercise heart rates, and resting or exercise blood lactates. It was concluded that a 2-week ingestion of Pangamic acid does not result in any metabolic or circulatory advantages for human subjects during short-term submaximal exercise.
Estrogen-induced G1/S transition of G0-arrested estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells is regulated by mitochondrial oxidant signaling

We previously reported that 17-beta-estradiol (E2)-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) act as signaling molecules. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of E2-induced mtROS on cell cycle progression. E2-induced cell growth was reduced by antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), catalase, and the glutathione peroxidase mimic ebselen. Flow cytometry showed that mitochondrial blockers of protein synthesis (chloramphenicol), transcription and replication (ethidium bromide), and function (rotenone, rhodamine 6G) blocked E2-induced G1 to S transition. Reduction of E2-induced DNA synthesis in the presence of mitochondrial blockers occurred without influencing the level of ATP. Additionally, the mitochondrial blockers inhibited the E2-induced expression of early cell cycle genes such as cyclins D1, D3, E1, E2, and B2. NAC or rotenone reduced E2-induced cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, E2-induced binding of AP-1 and CREB to the TRE and CRE response sequences, respectively, in the promoter of cyclin D1 was inhibited by NAC or rotenone. In addition, E2-induced expression of PCNA, PRC1, and bcl-2 were inhibited by mitochondrial blockers. These data indicate that E2-induced mtROS are involved in the regulation of early G1-phase progression. Since neither antioxidants nor mitochondrial blockers used in this study are reported to bind the estrogen receptor (ER), our findings suggest that E2-induced mtROS modulates G1 to S transition and some of the early G1 genes through a nongenomic, ER-independent signaling pathway. Thus, our results suggest (1) a new paradigm that estrogen-induced mitochondrial oxidants control the early stage of cell cycle progression and (2) provide the basis for the discovery of novel antioxidant-based drugs or antioxidant gene therapies for the prevention and treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer.
Reduction in ATP Levels Triggers Immunoproteasome Activation by the 11S (PA28) Regulator during Early Antiviral Response Mediated by IFNβ in Mouse Pancreatic β-Cells

Autoimmune destruction of insulin producing pancreatic β-cells is the hallmark of type I diabetes. One of the key molecules implicated in the disease onset is the immunoproteasome, a protease with multiple proteolytic sites that collaborates with the constitutive 19S and the inducible 11S (PA28) activators to produce immunogenic peptides for presentation by MHC class I molecules. Despite its importance, little is known about the function and regulation of the immunoproteasome in pancreatic β-cells. Of special interest to immunoproteasome activation in β-cells are the effects of IFNβ, a type I IFN secreted by virus-infected cells and implicated in type I diabetes onset, compared to IFNγ, the classic immunoproteasome inducer secreted by cells of the immune system. By qPCR analysis, we show that mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells and mouse islets accumulate the immune proteolytic β1(i), β2(i) and β5(i), and 11S mRNAs upon exposure to IFNβ or IFNγ. Higher concentrations of IFNβ than IFNγ are needed for similar expression, but in each case the expression is transient, with maximal mRNA accumulation in 12 hours, and depends primarily on Interferon Regulatory Factor 1. IFNs do not alter expression of regular proteasome genes, and in the time frame of IFNβ-mediated response, the immune and regular proteolytic subunits co-exist in the 20S particles. In cell extracts with ATP, these particles have normal peptidase activities and degrade polyubiquitinated proteins with rates typical of the regular proteasome, implicating normal regulation by the 19S activator. However, ATP depletion rapidly stimulates the catalytic rates in a manner consistent with levels of the 11S activator. These findings suggest that stochastic combination of regular and immune proteolytic subunits may increase the probability with which unique immunogenic peptides are produced in pancreatic β-cells exposed to IFNβ, but primarily in cells with reduced ATP levels that stimulate the 11S participation in immunoproteasome function.
The relevance aura of bibliographic records

Relevance assessments of topical descriptors for bibliographic records were gathered for two dimensions: a vertical conceptual hierarchy of broad to narrow descriptors, and a horizontal linkage of related-terms spanning three descriptors. The data were analyzed for a semantic distance and semantic direction effect as postulated by the Semantic Distance Model (SDM). The vertical conceptual hierarchy exhibited a strong SDM effect. The horizontal linkages of related terms exhibited an attenuated semantic distance effect. Results showed that the horizontal semantic distance to nonrelevance is greater for semantically narrow records than for semantically broad records. This difference was explained by introducing the construct of the stride length of conceptual semantic steps. Horizontal semantic steps at the bottom of conceptual hierarchies are postulated to have smaller and more uniform stride lengths than horizontal semantic steps at the top of the conceptual hierarchies. Relevance assessments in both dimensions were combined to visualize the relevance aura of bibliographic records. The aura for semantically narrow bibliographic records was found to be larger than the aura for semantically broad records.
The inverse Galois problem and rational points on moduli spaces

We reduce the regular version of the Inverse Galois Problem for any finite group G to finding one rational point on an infinite sequence of algebraic varieties. As a consequence, any finite group G is the Galois group of an extension L/P (x) with L regular over any PAC field P of characteristic zero. A special case of this implies that G is a Galois group over Fp(x) for almost all primes p.
Facile and predictable means of separating the enantiomers of 5-arylhydantoins

Abstract The enantiomers of each member of a series of fifty-four 5-arylhydantoins of systematically varied structure are readily separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on CSP 1 (commercially available as the Whelk-O 1) and elute in a consistent order. The separation factors for these enantiomers of the hydantoins typically exceed two, thus rendering preparative scale separations facile. When used with subcritical carbon dioxide containing 10% methanol, enantioselectivity is reduced but resolution, Rs, increases. A chiral recognition mechanism accounting for these separations is presented.
TWO MECHANISMS OF CELL-MEDIATED CYTOTOXICITY: Ca++ TRANSPORT MODULATION BY LYMPHOTOXIN AND TRANSMEMBRANE CHANNEL FORMATION BY ANTIBODY AND NONADHERENT SPLEEN CELLS*

Lymphotoxin is a protein with a MW of 45,000 daltons derived from activated lymphocytes that kills target cells nonspecifically. Kinetic studies indicate that there is a lag period of about 4 hours before cytotoxicity becomes apparent, even at high concentrations of lymphotoxin. Therefore, the role of lymphotoxin in cell-mediated cytotoxicity would be restricted to situations in which more rapid mechanisms are not operative. It has found that lymphotoxin increases the rate of 45Ca++ uptake by the mouse L-cells used as targets. This effect and the cytotoxicity are abrogated by ouabain. A lymphotoxin-resistent L-cell mutant did not display the 45Ca++ uptake effect. It is not known whether the Ca++ effect is primary or secondary. Neutralization experiments with anti-lymphotoxin have indicated that there are at least two distinct pathways by which immune lymphocytes can destroy target cells in vitro--one that involves secretion of a nonspecific soluble factor, i.e., lymphotoxin, and another that probably requires intimate contact between the plasma membranes of the target and killer cells. This "membrane contact" mechanism may involve formation of channels in the target cell membranes. The transmembrane channel concept is a working hypothesis that is based on experiments by Henkart and Blumenthal in which it was found that antibody and lymphocytes jointly produce ion-conducting channels in planar bilayers of "oxidized cholesterol." In order to supplement and extend this approach we have made an exploratory study of 86Rb+ and 51Cr marker release from lecithin/cholesterol/dicetyl phosphate liposomes by antibody and nonadherent mouse spleen cells. Evidence is presented indicating that the antibody and cells cause direct synergistic marker release from liposomes into the fluid medium. This indicates that they have the capacity to damage phospholipid bilayers. Hence, it seems worthwhile to conduct further studies of the liposome model in order to uncover the mechanism of membrane damage and to assess its relevance to cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Memory-Based Strategies for Antiretroviral Medication Management: An Evaluation of Clinical Predictors, Adherence Behavior Awareness, and Effectiveness

“Forgetting” is the most commonly endorsed reason for missing an antiretroviral therapy (ART) dose, yet little is known about the prevalence, predictors, and effectiveness of the mnemonic strategies to support ART adherence. The current study assessed 28 self-reported memory-based medication strategies in 233 HIV-infected individuals with 30-day ART adherence measured via the medication event monitoring system. Participants endorsed using multiple (8.7 ± 5.6) strategies with the most common being internally-driven. More frequent strategy use was uniquely associated with affective distress, dependent daily functioning, higher non-ART pill burden, and poorer ART adherence. Individuals who used strategies frequently, but perceived them as minimally effective, had more affective, physical, and functional distress. More frequent strategy use was associated with worse ART adherence and was unrelated to perceived effectiveness. Primary reliance on internally-based mnemonic strategies may reflect a lack of awareness of adherence behaviors and may be insufficient to support optimal ART adherence in vulnerable populations.
Can teleological behaviorism account for the effects of instructions on self-control without invoking cognition?

In its commitment to eschewing internal causes, the teleological behavioristic analysis endeavors to explain self-control through the temporal patterning of behavior, but it leaves unanswered the most challenging questions. It fails to account convincingly for experimental findings in which self-control behavior was predictably changed by verbal instructions to think about and imagine the rewards in different ways.
Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder resembling a chronic orocutaneous infection in an immunosuppressed patient.

5. Martelli A, Hoyt WF, Newton TH: Enophthalmos and orbital expansion from chronic sinusitis. J Clin Neuro-ophthalmol 4:167, 1984 6. Cline RA, Rootman J: Enophthalmos: A clinical review. Ophthalmology 91:229, 1984 7. Modic MT, Weinstein MA, Berlin AJ, et al: Maxillary sinus hypoplasia visualized with computed tomography. Radiology 135:383, 1980 8. Avery G, Tang RA, Close LG: Ophthalmic manifestations of mucoceles. Ann Ophthalmol 15:734, 1983 9. Kaltreider SA, Dortzbach RK: Destructive cysts of the maxillary sinus affecting the orbit. Arch Ophthalmol 106:1398, 1988 0. Bierny JP, Dryden R: Orbital enlargement secondary to paranasal sinus hypoplasia. AJR Am J Roentgenol 128:850, 1977 1. Perugini S, Pasquini U, Menichelli F, et al: Mucocele in the paranasal sinuses involving the orbit: CT signs in 43 cases. Neuoradiology 23:133, 1982
A Lagrangian relaxation approach to solving the integrated pick-up/drop-off point and AGV flowpath design problem

Abstract This paper tackles the problem of simultaneously locating the pick-up/drop-off (p/d) points along the periphery of a cell and determining the flowpath for an AGV based material handling system. A mathematical model to determine the p/d points as well as flowpath for a bi-directional AGV is presented. The model is solved using the Lagrangian relaxation technique. It incorporates features such as user-defined unloaded travel and separate loaded and unloaded flowpaths so as to aid in efficient operation of the material handling system.
Ethical issues in considering 'religious impairment' in diagnosis

There are several ethical implications of clinician assessment of clinically significant religious impairment (CSRI). This paper draws upon the American Psychological Association's (APA's) Code of Ethics (1992) to review relevant ethical principles and standards. It then presents a continuum of responses to the relationship between psychology and religion: (1) religion as harmful, (2) benign neglect of religion, (3) formal: problem-focused, (4) formal: domain-focused, and (5) religion as paradigmatic alternative. This continuum is followed by a discussion of three clinical vignettes and an examination of the potential ethical tensions for each model. The conclusions drawn from this review are that the formal: domain-focused model presents a rationale for inclusion of CSRI in assessment and is the most promising among alternative models for avoiding professional obsolescence, expanding alternatives for clients and clinicians, and enhancing ethical practice and professionalism.
Grain-boundary precipitation in an Al4.0Cu0.5Mg0.5Ag alloy

Transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction were used to study grain-boundary precipitation in an Al-4.0Cu-0.5Mg-0.5Ag (wt%) alloy. Low-angle grain-boundaries were found to nucleate Ω precipitates on the {111}α planes even when the {100}α habit planes of the competinng θ′ metastable phase were closer to the grain-boundary plane. High-angle grain-boundaries, which were random in nature and had relatively large energy, nucleated Ω precipitates predominantly. A few S precipitates and a θ precipitate (G IV/V orientation) were found to co-exist with Ω in these boundaries. The proximity of the grain-boundary plane to the {111}α plane on which grain-boundary Ω nucleated was found to be particularly important in both low and high-angle grain-boundaries, similar to results for the θ′ phase in AlCu alloys.
The runt test for multimodality

Single linkage clusters on a set of points are the maximal connected sets in a graph constructed by connecting all points closer than a given threshold distance. The complete set of single linkage clusters is obtained from all the graphs constructed using different threshold distances. The set of clusters forms a hierarchical tree, in which each non-singleton cluster divides into two or more subclusters; the runt size for each single linkage cluster is the number of points in its smallest subcluster. The maximum runt size over all single linkage clusters is our proposed test statistic for assessing multimodality. We give significance levels of the test for two null hypotheses, and consider its power against some bimodal alternatives.
Quasi-Steady Acceleration Direction Indicator in Three Dimensions

Many materials processing and fluids physics experiments conducted in a microgravity environment require knowledge of the orientation of the low-frequency acceleration vector. This need becomes especially acute for space experiments such as directional solidification of a molten semiconductor, which is extremely sensitive to orientation and may involve tens of hours of operations of a materials furnace. These low-frequency acceleration data have been measured for many Shuttle missions with the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment. Previous attempts at using fluid chambers for acceleration measurements have met with limited success due to pointing and vehicle attitude complications. An acceleration direction indicator is described, which is comprised of two orthogonal short cylinders of fluid, each with a small bubble. The motion and the position of the bubble within the chamber will indicate the direction of the acceleration experienced at the sensor location. The direction of the acceleration vector may then be calculated from these data. The frequency response of such an instrument may be tailored for particular experiments with the proper selection of fluid and gas parameters, surface type, and geometry. A three-dimensional system for sensing and displaying the low-frequency acceleration direction via an innovative technique described in this paper has advantages in terms of size, mass, and power compared with electronic instrumentation systems.