cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unified parallel algorithm for grid adaptation on a multiple-instruction multiple-data architecture

A unified parallel algorithm for grid adaptation by local refinement/coarsening is presented. It is designed to be independent from the type of the grid. This is achieved by employing a generic data template that can be configured to capture the data structures for any computational grid regardless of structure and dimensionality. Furthermore, the algorithm itself is specified in terms of generic parallel primitives that are completely independent of the underlying parallel architecture. The unified parallel algorithm is employed for dynamic adaptation of three-dimensional unstructured tetrahedral grids on a partitioned memory multiple-instruction multiple-data architecture. Performance results are presented for the Intel iPSC/860.
A Moral Epistemology of Knowing Subjects: Theorizing a Relational Turn for Qualitative Research

This article is an analysis of “relation” in qualitative research. The analysis emerges from consideration of feminist philosophies of ethics and epistemologies, including Code's moral epistemology, and exemplars of qualitative research by Duneier and Lather and Smithies. The central argument of the article is that the quality of qualitative research reflects the quality of relation developed between the researcher and researched as “knowing subjects.” The article shows the implications of a turn to relation as following these themes: the commitment to knowing to care, engendering multiple relations, illusions of closeness, and representation of relational knowing.
Antithiamin Activity of Polyphenolic Antioxidants

Two flavonoids, quercetin and dihydroquercetin, and two cinnamic acid derivatives, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid, were selected as being representatives of plant phenolic antioxidants. Tests of antioxidant activity showed the two flavonoids were more effective than the two cinnamic acid derivatives. However, in thiamin degradation tests, cinnamic acid derivatives showed a greater degradation of thiamin than did the flavonoids. The effect of caffeic acid on thiamin degradation was found to be pH dependent. The influence of phenolic compounds at pH 5.5 was extremely slight; the degradation of thiamin was considerably more rapid at pH 7 than at pH 5.5. Spectral and thin-layer chromatographic analyses demonstrated that thiamin disulfide was the major product of thiamin degradation created by phenolic oxidation compounds.
Structural organization and expression patterns of the human and mouse genes for the type I procollagen COOH-terminal proteinase enhancer protein

The procollagen C-proteinase enhancer (PCPE) is a glycoprotein that potentiates enzymatic cleavage of the type I procollagen C-propeptide by bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1). The human PCPE gene (PCOLCE) was previously mapped to 7q22, an area frequently disrupted in uterine leiomyomata, while disruption of the rat PCPE gene leads to anchorage-independent growth and loss of contact inhibition in rat fibroblasts. Here we describe the entire intron/exon organizations of PCOLCE and the mouse PCPE gene (Pcolce) and analyze expression of PCOLCE RNA in various human adult and fetal tissues and of Pcolce RNA at various stages of mouse development. PCOLCE and Pcolce are shown to be small genes 6.0 and 6.5 kb, respectively, with a conserved intron/exon structure comprising 9 exons. A notable difference between the two genes derives from insertion of multiple Alu sequences immediately upstream and downstream and within PCOLCE. Temporal expression of PCPE mRNA is shown to differ from that of BMP-1 and type I procollagen during mouse development, consistent with possible additional functions for PCPE beyond enhancement of C-proteinase activity. Consistent with a possible role in leiomyomata, PCOLCE is shown to be expressed at relatively high levels in uterus.
Stand-by power for pole-mounted equipment

The application of a stand-by power system to pole-mounted equipment involves a great deal more design effort than the conventional telephone battery plant.
THE COLUTRON MARK II, A VELOCITY FILTER ISOTOPE SEPARATOR

Abstract The Colutron Mark II is a portable, low intensity isotope separator. The separator which uses a velocity filter as analyzing system has adjustable dispersion, small size and a simple vacuum system as main features. Operating experience and a brief technical description of the velocity filter will be given. A new beam scanning system and a high temperature ion source will also be described.
Importance of vitreous liquefaction in age-related cataract.

PURPOSE. Vitrectomy is associated with the rapid progression of nuclear cataracts. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that age-related liquefaction of the vitreous gel may also be associated with lens opacification. METHODS. Lenses from eye bank eyes were graded for nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular opacities, and the amount of liquid vitreous was measured. RESULTS. Nuclear sclerosis (NS) grade, percent liquefaction, and age all correlated highly (P 0.0001). After adjustment was made for age, the correlation between NS and percent liquefaction was 0.37 (P 0.0001), and the correlation between age and NS after adjustment for liquefaction was 0.57 (P 0.0001). After the eyes were stratified into age groups, the correlation between NS and percent liquefaction was found to be highest in eyes from donors aged 51 to 70. Cortical and posterior subcapsular opacities increased with age, but scores for these cataract types did not significantly correlate with vitreous liquefaction. CONCLUSIONS. Loss of vitreous gel during aging increases the risk of nuclear cataracts. Preservation or replacement of the vitreous gel may protect patients from nuclear cataract. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2004;45:77‐ 85) DOI:10.1167/iovs.030820
Defect-Tolerant Aligned Dipoles within Two-Dimensional Plastic Lattices

Carboranethiol molecules self-assemble into upright molecular monolayers on Au{111} with aligned dipoles in two dimensions. The positions and offsets of each molecule's geometric apex and local dipole moment are measured and correlated with sub-Angstrom precision. Juxtaposing simultaneously acquired images, we observe monodirectional offsets between the molecular apexes and dipole extrema. We determine dipole orientations using efficient new image analysis techniques and find aligned dipoles to be highly defect tolerant, crossing molecular domain boundaries and substrate step edges. The alignment observed, consistent with Monte Carlo simulations, forms through favorable intermolecular dipole-dipole interactions.
Objective analysis and classification of oceanographic data

A new approach to the analysis and classification of oceanographic data is presented. The technique is an empirical one, based on the singular decomposition theorem, for characterizing temperature-salinity-depth profiles as in water-mass analysis. Complementary to the profiles are station or cast-dependent coefficients, which show similarities and differences according to the space-time distributions of the individual stations in the data set. These coefficients are used for classifying the individual stations into groups having similar profiles. Results of applying the new method to a set of data from ocean stations off the coast of Oregon are given. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1977.tb00767.x
Spike Rate and Spike Timing Contributions to Coding Taste Quality Information in Rat Periphery

There is emerging evidence that individual sensory neurons in the rodent brain rely on temporal features of the discharge pattern to code differences in taste quality information. In contrast, investigations of individual sensory neurons in the periphery have focused on analysis of spike rate and mostly disregarded spike timing as a taste quality coding mechanism. The purpose of this work was to determine the contribution of spike timing to taste quality coding by rat geniculate ganglion neurons using computational methods that have been applied successfully in other systems. We recorded the discharge patterns of narrowly tuned and broadly tuned neurons in the rat geniculate ganglion to representatives of the five basic taste qualities. We used mutual information to determine significant responses and the van Rossum metric to characterize their temporal features. While our findings show that spike timing contributes a significant part of the message, spike rate contributes the largest portion of the message relayed by afferent neurons from rat fungiform taste buds to the brain. Thus, spike rate and spike timing together are more effective than spike rate alone in coding stimulus quality information to a single basic taste in the periphery for both narrowly tuned specialist and broadly tuned generalist neurons.
RB Loss Promotes Aberrant Ploidy by Deregulating Levels and Activity of DNA Replication Factors

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (RB) is functionally inactivated in many human cancers. Classically, RB functions to repress E2F-mediated transcription and inhibit cell cycle progression. Consequently, RB ablation leads to loss of cell cycle control and aberrant expression of E2F target genes. Emerging evidence indicates a role for RB in maintenance of genomic stability. Here, mouse adult fibroblasts were utilized to demonstrate that aberrant DNA content in RB-deficient cells occurs concomitantly with an increase in levels and chromatin association of DNA replication factors. Furthermore, following exposure to nocodazole, RB-proficient cells arrest with 4 n DNA content, whereas RB-deficient cells bypass the mitotic block, continue DNA synthesis, and accumulate cells with higher ploidy and micronuclei. Under this condition, RB-deficient cells also retain high levels of tethered replication factors, MCM7 and PCNA, indicating that DNA replication occurs in these cells under nonpermissive conditions. Exogenous expression of replication factors Cdc6 or Cdt1 in RB-proficient cells does not recapitulate the RB-deficient cell phenotype. However, ectopic E2F expression in RB-proficient cells elevated ploidy and bypassed the response to nocodazole-induced cessation of DNA replication in a manner analogous to RB loss. Collectively, these results demonstrate that deregulated S phase control is a key mechanism by which RB-deficient cells acquire elevated ploidy.
Kinetics of Excitation Migration and Trapping in the Photosynthetic Unit of Purple Bacteria

Purple bacteria have developed an efficient apparatus to harvest sunlight. The apparatus consists of up to four types of pigment−protein complexes: (i) the photosynthetic reaction center surrounded by (ii) the light-harvesting complex LH1, (iii) antenna complexes LH2, which are replaced under low-light conditions by (iv) antenna complexes LH3 with a higher absorption maximum. Following absorption of light anywhere in the apparatus, electronic excitation is transferred between the pigment−protein complexes until it is used for the primary photoreaction in the reaction center. We calculate, using Forster theory, all rates for the inter-complex excitation transfer processes on the basis of the atomic level structures of the pigment−protein complexes and of an effective Hamiltonian, established previously, for intracomplex excitations. The kinetics of excitation migration in the photosynthetic apparatus is described through a master equation which connects the calculated transfer rates to the overall archite...
Nutritional problems of the aged

Abstract A few biologic processes have been identified in relation to the nutritional status of geriatric patients. Despite the limited number of examples selected, it is apparent that management of the geriatric patient must be multidisciplinary in nature. It is equally apparent that further investigation of the elderly as a distinct cohort is required.
Population Responses of Potato Leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) to Insecticide in Glandular-Haired and Non-glandular-Haired Alfalfa Cultivars

Conflicting results have been reported on the ability of glandular-haired alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars to reduce potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae Harris, population abundance in field environments. We measured potato leafhopper adult and nymph abundance and yield responses in a cultivar selected for high potato leafhopper resistance ('54H91') and in a non-glandular-haired susceptible cultivar ('54V54') with and without insecticide treatment across 3 yr. Treatments included no insecticide and insecticide applied either early or late in each summer growth cycle. Date × cultivar × treatment interactions were found for potato leafhopper population abundance. In the absence of insecticides, total potato leafhopper abundance (adults + nymphs per sweep) was lower in 54H91 than in 54V54 on 85% of sampling dates; cultivar differences were especially evident as potato leafhopper abundance peaked. Insecticide treatment reduced potato leafhopper populations in both cultivars, but populations recovered and often exceeded the normal action threshold in both cultivars within 2-3 wk of insecticide application. Yield gain from early insecticide treatment of 54V54 was >400 kg/ha in 11 of 14 summer harvests, whereas in 54H91 the yield gain was <250 kg/ha in 10 of 14 summer harvests. We conclude that glandular-haired alfalfa cultivars with high levels of potato leafhopper resistance significantly suppress potato leafhopper adult and nymph abundance, reduce yield losses in the absence of insecticides, and have potential within an integrated pest management strategy to reduce insecticide use in alfalfa production systems.
Intimations of Immortality: From Anthropological Fieldnotes, from an Anthropological Life History, and from the Resources of Ethnography

The most common experience of a spirit is that of the dead—a parent, lover, relative, friend, or mentor. Many people in my countries of fieldwork who have been bereaved have described how the dead came back to help or comfort them as they struggled with their grief. The sense of the presence of a spirit is far from rare. I myself have had that experience five times. In all these cases, the people themselves do not cause the visitation. It is as if a door was quietly opened and there the visitors were—unexpectedly. This article gathers together some of the characteristics of spirit events as a preliminary to getting a sense of the workings of the spirits, that is, their effective interweavings with what we call “the ordinary level of consciousness”; also where one can put one's finger on the interweavings, the question of when they are present and when they are not, and one's evaluation of them as part of one's existence. For this purpose, the best way to gather characteristics is to recount the stories in-depth, take them seriously, and listen to what they are trying to tell us.
Simple eigenvalue formula for the Coulomb-plus-linear potential

The eigenvalues ${E}_{\mathrm{nl}}(\ensuremath{\lambda})$ of the Hamiltonian $H=\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{r}+\ensuremath{\lambda}r$ are analyzed with the help of potential envelopes and kinetic potentials. The result is the following simple approximate eigenvalue formula: $\ensuremath{\lambda}=\frac{{2{(\ensuremath{\nu}E)}^{3}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\nu}{E}^{2}[{(1+3{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{2}E)}^{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{-}1]}}{\ensuremath{\mu}{[{(1+3{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{2}E)}^{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{-}1]}^{3}}$, where $E\ensuremath{\ge}\frac{\ensuremath{-}1}{4{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{2}}$ is a lower bound to ${E}_{\mathrm{nl}}(\ensuremath{\lambda})$ if $\ensuremath{\nu}=\ensuremath{\mu}=(n+l)$, an upper bound if $\ensuremath{\nu}=\ensuremath{\mu}=(2n+l\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2})$, and a good approximation when $\ensuremath{\nu}=(n+l)$ and $\ensuremath{\mu}=(1.794n+l\ensuremath{-}0.418)$.
Effect of particulate silicon carbide on cyclic strain resistance and fracture behavior of X2080 aluminum alloy metal matrix composites

Abstract A study has been made to understand the low-cycle fatigue properties and fracture behavior of aluminum alloy X2080 discontinuously-reinforced with varying amounts of silicon carbide particulates. The X2080/SiCp composite specimens were cyclically deformed over a range of cyclic-strain amplitudes, using tension-compression loading under total strain amplitude control, giving fatigue failure lives of less than 104 cycles. The X2080/SiCp composites exhibited hardening at all cyclic plastic strain amplitudes and for the different volume fractions of the discontinuous reinforcement in the ductile metal matrix. The degree of cyclic hardening was observed to be greater at the higher cyclic strain amplitudes than at corresponding lower strain amplitudes. Micromechanisms controlling the hardening response during cyclic straining are highlighted and rationale for the observed hardening behavior is discussed. The plastic strain-fatigue life response was found to degrade with an increase in carbide particle content in the aluminum alloy matrix. The cyclic fracture behavior of the composite is discussed in light of composite microstructural effects, cyclic plastic strain amplitude and concomitant response stress.
Joining the complex: Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitory proteins and the cell cycle

Matthias Peter and Ira Herskowitz Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, California 94143-0448 Progression of eukaryotic cells through major cell cycle transitions is mediated by sequential assembly and activa- tion of key regulators, the cyclindependent kinases (CDKs) (Nasmyth, 1993). Checkpoint controls are super- imposed and ensure correct cell cycle transitions by moni- toring the execution of specific events (such as DNA repli- cation or spindle assembly) and coupling them to further progression. This intrinsic cell. cycle machinery is con- trolled by external signals such as growth factors and anti- mitogens to integrate cell division with environmental and developmental stimuli. Elucidating the regulation of CDKs is not only important for studying the cell cycle but may also contribute to understanding cancer. Active CDKs are comprised of a catalytic subunit, typi- cally of 34 kDa, and a regulatory subunit called a cyclin (Figure 1A). In budding and fission yeasts, single catalytic subunits are sufficient to drive the cell cycle, whereas in multicellular eukatyotes several structurally related but distinct catalytic subunits are involved. Different cyclin subunits are required at different phases in the cell cycle: Gl cyclins for the GllS transition, S phase cyclins for progression through S phase, and G2 or mitotic cyclins for entry into mitosis (Nasmyth, 1993). Recent studies have converged to identify an additional regulatory subunit for the CDKs, a protein that binds to the CDK-cyclin complex and inhibits its activity. These proteins are termed CDK inhibitory proteins (CKls). Most known CKls are involved in putting a brake on the cetl cycle: some play a role in response to extracellular signals, whereas others appear to function in intrinsic steps of the cell cycle. The purpose of this minireview is to describe CKls and place their function into the context of cell cycle regulation. Regulation of CDKs Activation of a CDK requires association of a cyclin and a catalytic subunit that is both phosphorylated on a con- served Thr residue and dephosphorylated on aTyr residue (Figure 1A; Nasmyth, 1993). The activated CDK can be inactivated in several different ways: cyclin levels can be reduced by turning down their transcription or by degrada- tion of the protein itself, the catalytic subunit can be de- phosphorylated at the activating Thr residue, or the cata- lytic subunit can be inhibited by phosphorylation of the Tyr residue. In contrast with these mechanisms, CKls function in a distinct manner (Figure 1 B) and satisfy the following crite- ria. First, aCKl associates in vivo with the catalytic subunit, the cyclin, or the CDK complex. Second, a CKI binds to a CDK complex in vitro and inhibits its activity toward exog- enous substrates, interferes with activation of the CDK, or both. Third, a CKI does not covalently modify either the cyclin or catalytic subunit.
Basic results in the development of sensitivity and stability analysis in nonlinear programming

Abstract For large classes of mathematical programming problems, a detailed technical survey is given of key developments in sensitivity and stability analysis results, i.e. results characterizing the relationship between the optimal value function or a solution set and problem perturbations. The emphasis is on finite dimensional nonlinear problems with deterministic parametric perturbations. Precise assumptions and conclusions of key results are given in the more than 30 theorems that are stated. Some effort has been made to unify the notation and terminology and to place the results in perspective. Directions of future research and applications are indicated. Finally, an extensive bibliography is included. The paper is motivated by a desire to unify into one body of theory the many penetrating results that are now known in this crucially important area.
Two studies of psychiatric morbidity among motor vehicle accident survivors 1 year after the crash

We assessed the psychiatric co-morbidity associated with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (1-2 years) secondary to personal injury motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in two studies. In Study 1, we compared the results of SCID assessments for 75 treatment-seeking MVA survivors (51 with PTSD and 24 with symptoms but no PTSD). In Study 2, we compared similar results among 132 MVA survivors who had been followed prospectively for 12+ months after their accidents (19 with PTSD, 32 who had PTSD but who had remitted, and 81 who never met criteria for PTSD). We found comparable levels of current co-morbid major depression (53%), any mood disorder (62-68%), generalized anxiety disorder (26%) and any anxiety disorder (42%) for both groups of participants with chronic PTSD. These rates of co-morbidity were higher than those found in non-PTSD comparison groups with similar MVA histories.
Face recognition using a hybrid model

This paper introduces a hybrid face recognition model that combines biologically inspired features and Local Binary Features. The structure of the model is mainly based on the human visual ventral pathway. Previously, object-centered models focus on extracting global view-invariant representation of faces (I. Biederman, 1987) while feed-forward view-based models (HMAX model by Riesenhuber and Poggio, 1999) extract local features of faces by simulating responses of neurons in the human visual system. In this paper we first review the current main face recognition algorithms: Local Binary Pattern model and R&P model. This is followed by a detailed description of their implementation and advantages in overcoming intra-class variance. Results from our model are compared to the original Riesenhuber and Poggio model and Local Binary Pattern model (T. Ahonen et al, 2005). Then the paper will focus on our hybrid biological model which takes advantages of both structural information and biological features. Our model shows improved recognition rates and increased tolerance to intra-personal view differences.
Thermodynamic Optimization of Recuperated S-CO2 Brayton Cycles for Solar Tower Applications

Supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) Brayton cycle represents significant advantages in solar tower application. Various configurations of S-CO2 Brayton cycle employing recuperation, recompression, intercooling and reheating have been investigated. The thermodynamic performance of each cycle configuration is optimized by using Genetic Algorithm in which the maximum cycle efficiency is defined as the objective function. The optimization process is comprehensive, i.e., the decision variables such as temperature and pressure of turbines, compressors, re-heaters, inter-coolers, and the pinch point temperature difference are optimized simultaneously. The recompression inlet temperature and mass flow fraction are also optimized along with other decision variables where that is the case. The main limiting factors in the optimization process are maximum cycle temperature, minimum heat rejection temperature, and pinch point temperature difference. The maximum cycle pressure is also a limiting factor in all studied cases except the simple recuperated cycle. The optimized cycle efficiency can vary from 55.77% to 62.02% where the highest value is obtained for the recompression recuperated cycle with reheating and intercooling. The optimization is based on thermodynamic analysis only, even though decision making for practical systems should be based on thermo-economic optimization.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Anal cancer prevention in HIV-positive men and women

Purpose of review The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anal cancer is unacceptably high among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) and possibly in HIV-positive women. Unlike most other malignancies occurring in the HIV-positive population, anal cancer is potentially preventable, using methods similar to those used to prevent cervical cancer in women. This review discusses the issues around screening to prevent anal cancer.
Surface films and metallurgy related to lubrication and wear

The nature of the tribological surface is identified and characterized with respect to adhesion, friction, wear, and lubricating properties. Surface analysis is used to identify the role of environmental constituents on tribological behavior. The effect of solid to solid interactions for metals in contact with metals, ceramics, semiconductors, carbons, and polymers is discussed. The data presented indicate that the tribological surface is markedly different than an ideal solid surface. The environment is shown to affect strongly the behavior of two solids in contact. Results also show that small amounts of alloying elements in base metals can alter markedly adhesion, friction, and wear by segregating to the solid surface.
Reading Reading Research: A Multivocal Review

Book reviewed in this article: Handbook of Reading Research, Volume III. Edited by Michael Kamil, Peter B. Mosenthal, P. David Pearson, and Rebecca Barr. 2000.
Population, development, and human natures

At the dawn of this new millennium, the human enterprise is quickly becoming a globally unified one. Yet numerous obstacles and pitfalls remain in the path of a full and fair unification. A substantial fraction of the world’s population is well-off and increasingly connected through trade and communications systems. But an even larger fraction is struggling to make ends meet and is only sketchily connected to the globalizing economy. And a significant portion are barely surviving, with virtually no connection to the rest of the world. The majority of human beings live in regions where development still falls far short of even modest aspirations, while the already affluent minority strives for even more affluence. The critical challenge of the decades ahead will be to incorporate the lagging four-fifths of the world’s still-expanding population into the global economy while preserving the life support systems that make our planet habitable. In this paper we want to make three basic points about this dilemma. First, the problems of development are intertwined with human population size, population growth rates, and patterns of consumption, including the technologies used to provide that consumption. Second, progress in development will be negatively affected by those variables, primarily through their impacts on humanity’s natural capital—the ecosystems that supply civilization with a flow of indispensable goods and services. And, third, the failure of human cultural evolution in the areas of sociopolitical organization and ethics to keep pace with the evolution of technological capability constitutes a major impediment to the achievement of a sustainable civilization. While these are major obstacles to successful development, they also offer significant keys to finding answers. Taking a global view, it is clear that the ‘population‐consumption problem’ can adversely affect all people, and especially those in developing countries. This is perhaps most obvious in the area of climate change (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 1996). There is a high positive correlation between both the numbers of people and their consumption levels and the fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, although there is substantial variation in consumption levels and GHG fluxes among societies (Yang and Schneider, 1997‐1998; Hoffert et al. 1998). Furthermore, expansion of population and consumption is
Vascular basis for the treatment of myocardial ischemia study: trial design and baseline characteristics

Abstract Background Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized LDL cholesterol levels adversely affect endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Statin drugs are efficacious in primary and secondary prevention of clinical CAD events, but they have not been extensively studied as a treatment for ischemia during routine daily activities or during exercise, indicators of high-risk in patients with stable CAD. The purpose of the Vascular Basis for the Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia study is to determine whether aggressive lowering of LDL cholesterol level with atorvastatin, with or without supplemental antioxidant vitamins C and E, can improve endothelial function and ischemia during ambulatory electrocardiogram (AECG) monitoring and exercise treadmill testing (ETT). Methods Patients are eligible when they have ischemia during an ETT and AECG monitoring and when their fasting total cholesterol level is ≤250 mg/dL. Eligible patients are randomized to receive 1 of 3 treatments: intensive atorvastatin to reduce LDL cholesterol level to ≤80 mg/dL, intensive atorvastatin to reduce LDL cholesterol level to ≤80 mg/dL plus antioxidant vitamins C and E, and control of diet and low-dose lovastatin, when needed, to reduce LDL cholesterol level ≤ to 130 mg/dL. Patients undergo endothelial function testing, 48-hour AECG monitoring, and ETT at randomization and at 6 and 12 months. Results A total of 300 patients have been randomized: 101 to receive atorvastatin alone, 103 to receive atorvastatin plus antioxidant vitamins, and 96 to receive placebo. Baseline characteristics are similar across treatment groups. Conclusions The Vascular Basis study will provide important insight on the effects of aggressive management of dyslipidemia with statin drugs and antioxidant vitamins in patients with stable but high-risk CAD.
Hypermutability and error catastrophe due to defects in ribonucleotide reductase

Abstract The enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) plays a critical role in the production of deoxynucleoside-5′-triphosphates (dNTPs), the building blocks for DNA synthesis and replication. The levels of the cellular dNTPs are tightly controlled, in large part through allosteric control of RNR. One important reason for controlling the dNTPs relates to their ability to affect the fidelity of DNA replication and, hence, the cellular mutation rate. We have previously isolated a set of mutants of Escherichia coli RNR that are characterized by altered dNTP pools and increased mutation rates (mutator mutants). Here, we show that one particular set of RNR mutants, carrying alterations at the enzyme's allosteric specificity site, is characterized by relatively modest dNTP pool deviations but exceptionally strong mutator phenotypes, when measured in a mutational forward assay (>1,000-fold increases). We provide evidence indicating that this high mutability is due to a saturation of the DNA mismatch repair system, leading to hypermutability and error catastrophe. The results indicate that, surprisingly, even modest deviations of the cellular dNTP pools, particularly when the pool deviations promote particular types of replication errors, can have dramatic consequences for mutation rates.
Pressure and Isotope Effects in the Manganese-Oxide Perovskites

Measurements of the temperature dependence of the resistivity {rho}(T) and thermoelectric power {alpha}(T) under several hydrostatic pressures on {sup 18}O/{sup 16}O isotope-exchanged (La{sub 1{minus}x}Nd{sub x}){sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} polycrystalline samples spanning the structural O{prime}-O orthorhombic transition have demonstrated that the perovskite tolerance factor t increases with pressure, signaling an unusually compressible Mn-O bond. They have also indicated a change at the O{prime}-O transition from static to dynamic cooperative Jahn-Teller deformations, from a second-order to a first-order magnetic transition, from Mn(IV) to two-Mn polarons in the paramagnetic region, from Mn(IV) polarons to a vibronic state below {Tc}, and a phase segregation in the O phase above {Tc} that traps out mobile polarons into ferromagnetic Mn(IV)-rich clusters within a Mn(IV)-poor matrix. Specific heat data show a transfer of spin entropy to configurational entropy on cooling through {Tc} in the O phase, and a single-crystal study of La{sub 1{minus}x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub 3}, x = 0.12 and 0.15, has demonstrated a transition from polaronic to itinerant e electrons below {Tc} within the O phase. Magnetic-susceptibility measurements in low fields confirm the phase segregation above {Tc} and the existence of a ferromagnetic glass below {Tc} in the O phase. The intrinsic colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) is attributedmore » to the growth to their percolation threshold of the ferromagnetic clusters existing above {Tc}, and the dramatic rise in {Tc} with increasing tolerance factor t in the O-orthorhombic phase to an increase in the density, and also the mobility, of the untrapped polarons above {Tc}.« less
Case Report: Adder bite in an 11-month-old Labrador Retriever

An 11-month-old male Labrador Retriever was presented having been bitten by an adder on the left hind foot whilst out on a walk. The limb had become oedematous quickly, leading to marked pitting oedema of the medial aspect of the leg. This progressed over the following 12 hours along the ventral abdomen and became bruised, with areas of petechial haemorrhage. Haematology revealed a moderate anaemia, with spherocytosis and a marked thrombocytopenia. Treatment over the following 48 hours, with fluid therapy, antibiotics, steroids, analgesia, antihistamines and viper antivenom, led to a full recovery.
Electronic Spectroscopy of Gold(I) Pseudomonasaeruginosa Azurin Derivatives.

The trigonal (His_2Cys) coordination of blue copper sites in proteins favors Cu(I) over Cu(II), as reflected in the relatively high Cu^(II/I) reduction potentials; and the rigid polypeptide environment minimizes Cu^(II/I) nuclear reorganization, thereby facilitating long-range electron-transfer reactions with donor and acceptor molecules. Although blue Cu(II) sites exhibit rich spectroscopic and magnetic properties, the corresponding Cu(I) proteins do not; indeed, the methods that can be employed to investigate d^(10) metal sites are very limited. Because recent work has shown that Au(I) has geometry-sensitive d-p absorptions and emissions, we are using this 5d^(10) ion to probe ligand interactions in the Cu(I) sites of proteins. Here we report the electronic spectroscopy of Au(I)-substituted wild-type (WT) Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin as well as the Au(I) derivative of a mutant in which the methionine at position 121 has been replaced with glycine (Met121Gly).
Fermi-level dependence of the charge state of diffusing hydrogen in amorphous silicon

Abstract We observe that the charge state of diffusing hydrogen depends upon the electronic Fermi level ( E f ) in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). We incorporate a thin layer of deuterium ( 2 H) at various positions between the n- and p-layers of i–n–i–p–i structures on crystalline silicon substrates. The electric field ( F ) is above 6×10 4 V/cm at each 2 H layer. After annealing, marked asymmetries in the secondary ion mass spectrometry profiles of diffused deuterium are observed. With the 2 H layer placed near the p-layer ( E f near the valence band), diffusion is into the p-layer, indicating H + moving with F . With the 2 H layer near the n-layer ( E f near the conduction band), most diffusion is into the n-layer, indicating H − moving against F . Because the Si–H bond is neutral, the charged diffusing species must be emitted mobile H. We estimate an effective correlation energy of 0.4±0.1 eV for the mobile H.
Smallpox Research Activities: U.S. Interagency Collaboration, 2001

For the past 2 years, a team of investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has collaborated with scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Defense (DOD), academic centers, and international partners to undertake a research agenda on variola virus, the etiologic agent of smallpox. Objectives of the program derive from a 1999 Institute of Medicine report that addressed the scientific needs for live variola virus (1). Progress in addressing these objectives has been peer reviewed annually by both a select committee organized by CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) Advisory Committee on Variola Virus Research (2,3). A summary of accomplishments from the first year’s efforts was published in 2001 (4). The events of September 11, 2001, coupled with the use of Bacillus anthracis as a bioterrorist weapon of mass destruction, have substantially increased concerns that variola virus may be similarly used and have added a sense of urgency to production of a new smallpox vaccine and to carrying out the smallpox research agenda. This report provides an update on progress during 2001.
Multiple dimensional outreach activities attract students to the electro-optics program

This paper discusses the basic formats of various outreach activities used to promote an engineering program in Electro-Optics (EO). These implemented outreach activities include school visits/classroom presentations, the on-campus EO Experience, EO Summer Camps, and Teacher & Guidance Counselor Workshops. The effectiveness of these outreach activities were evaluated.
Promoting advance care planning through the National Healthcare Decisions Day initiative.

National Healthcare Decisions Day is a nationwide campaign aimed at increasing advance care planning among adults throughout the country. This broad-scale initiative simultaneously seeks to encourage Americans to express their wishes regarding future healthcare decision making, rally a national media campaign to promote the importance of planning in advance for care, and mobilize national, state, and community organizations to develop a wide range of educational activities. The movement culminates in an annual day of multiple events throughout the country designed to inundate the public about advance care planning. The national event originated from the successful statewide Virginia Advance Directives Day's inaugural event, conducted on April 18, 2006. Social workers are encouraged to participate in this growing initiative through a variety of activities and roles. A description of a successful event conducted in a suburban Southeastern community is provided to illustrate the activities and roles performe...
Galanin neurons in the medial preoptic area govern parental behaviour

Mice display robust, stereotyped behaviours towards pups: virgin males typically attack pups, whereas virgin females and sexually experienced males and females display parental care. Here we show that virgin males genetically impaired in vomeronasal sensing do not attack pups and are parental. Furthermore, we uncover a subset of galanin-expressing neurons in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) that are specifically activated during male and female parenting, and a different subpopulation that is activated during mating. Genetic ablation of MPOA galanin neurons results in marked impairment of parental responses in males and females and affects male mating. Optogenetic activation of these neurons in virgin males suppresses inter-male and pup-directed aggression and induces pup grooming. Thus, MPOA galanin neurons emerge as an essential regulatory node of male and female parenting behaviour and other social responses. These results provide an entry point to a circuit-level dissection of parental behaviour and its modulation by social experience.
Ultrasonic echogenicity of developing corpora lutea in pony mares

Abstract Luteal development during the first 5 days postovulation was studied in 12 pony mares by transrectal ultrasonography. The beginning of luteal development was defined (time 0) by any one of the following three criteria: (1) the time when no ultrasonically detectable fluid remained within the ovulating follicle, (2) the time when detectable fluid appeared to decrease to a level less than 5% of the preovulatory area, or (3) the time subsequent to which no additional fluid decreases were detected during 5 min of continuous examination. The ovaries were examined at 2, 5, 8 and 12 h after the onset of luteal development, and thereafter at 12-h intervals for 5 days. Corpora lutea were classified, retrospectively, as fluid-filled and non-fluid-filled corpora lutea based on the detection and persistence of nonechogenic central areas (fluid or clots) within the luteal tissue. The cross-sectional sizes of luteal tissue and the central fluid pockets and the intensity of luteal echogenicity were estimated for both types of luteal glands. Luteal echogenicity was determined by two approaches: (1) a subjective technique that scored echogenicity from 1 to 8 (black to white), and (2) an objective computerized digital image analysis capable of measuring 256 shades of gray. In each of the 12 luteal glands, a small central fluid area was detected during the first 24 h of luteal development. In five glands, the fluid disappeared by 36 h (non-fluid-filled corpora lutea). The remaining seven glands (fluid-filled corpora lutea) had detectable nonechogenic areas until 120 h (one gland) or throughout the 132-h experimental period (six glands). The nonechogenic areas in these seven glands attained a maximum average size of 2.4 ± 0.8 cm 2 (equivalent to a diameter of 17 mm) at an average 72 ± 9.9 h. Despite the size and persistence of the fluid areas, there were no differences between fluid-filled corpora lutea and non-fluid-filled corpora lutea in the size of luteal area or intensity of luteal echogenicity. The pixel analysis approach provided an objective, quantitative measure of luteal echogenicity.
Regional mapping of the gene for human lysosomal acid phosphatase (ACP2) using a hybrid clone panel containing segments of human chromosome 11

A clone panel containing various segments of human chromosome 11 has been selected and used for regional assignment of the gene for human lysosomal acid phosphatase (ACP2) to the short arm of chromosome 11, in the region 11p11 → 11p12. Further evidence has also been presented to update the regional assignment of the gene for lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) to 11p12 → 11p13, and to support a previous assignment of the genes for the two components of the human cell-surface antigens of the SA11 (previously designated AL) group, SA11-1 and SA11-3 (previously designated AL-a1 and AL-a3), to 11pter → 11p13. This regional clone panel will be useful for rapid regional mapping of other genes assigned to chromosome 11.
Managing the Border, Smartly

Whatever the future holds in terms of new regulations and processes, the trend will be to record and secure border crossings for an increasing share of eligible passengers. In order for this trend to be derived into effective and efficient execution as well as for passengers to experience a fluent journey despite this increase of security requirements, performing an identification of passengers through a unique identifier, providing facilitated and automated checks and being capable to identify and then trace persons of interest will be needed and very valuable tracks to follow in order to achieve these objectives. The extent and pace to which these tracks will be followed and soundly articulated together will define how smartly the borders will be managed in the future.
Propofol and isoflurane enhancement of tonic gamma-aminobutyric acid type a current in cardiac vagal neurons in the nucleus ambiguus.

BACKGROUND:General anesthesia with propofol and isoflurane induces alterations of the cardiovascular system, including hypotension and changes in heart rate. The preganglionic cardiac vagal neurons (CVNs) are one of the major central components controlling heart rate and autonomic regulation. In thi
A 10 Gb/s optical receiver in 0.25 μm silicon-on-sapphire CMOS

An optical receiver designed and fabricated in 0.25 mum ultra-thin silicon (UTSi) on sapphire technology is flip-chip integrated with p-i-n photodiodes. The receiver includes a transimpedance amplifier (TIA), limiting amplifiers (LA), and an output buffer. The power consumption of the TIA and limiting amplifiers is 67.3 mW. The receiver is shown operating with a gain of 57 dBOmega at a bit rate of 10 Gb/s. The measured sensitivity is -1.7 dBm for a bit error rate of 10-9. This is the first 0.25 mum CMOS TIA and LA codesign that operates optically at 10 Gb/s.
Identifying risk factors for medical injury

Objective. To examine multiple risk factors for medical injury using administrative data. Design. This cross-sectional study used logistic regression models to examine associations among patient characteristics such as age, sex, and insurance payer status and hospital characteristics such as ownership, teaching status and trauma level, and comorbidities and presence of a medical injury diagnosis. Data were from the Bureau of Health Information: Wisconsin hospital in-patient discharge records and hospital characteristics for the year 2001. Setting. All Wisconsin non-federal, acute-care hospitals. Participants. A total of 556 899 patients discharged from 132 Wisconsin hospitals, excluding newborns, participated. Intervention. None. Main outcome measure. Medical injury, defined as untoward harm to a patient as a result of a medical intervention, was determined using discharge diagnosis criteria. Results. Medical injuries were found in 13.3% of 556 899 hospital discharge records. Covariates associated with increased risk of a recorded medical injury code included age 45–84 years, female sex, comorbidities, non-profit religious order ownership, proportion of cardiac intensive care in-patient days to total in-patient days, percent of board-certified medical staff, and community trauma center or regional trauma resource. Conclusion. This article describes an innovative analysis of risk factors for medical injury that controlled for numerous potential confounding factors, including hospital coding characteristics. The associations we found, such as increased risk of medical injury in women, can be used to generate hypotheses for further testing through other methods and suggest intervention points for patient safety efforts.
Between a rock and a hard place? Locus of control, religious problem-solving and psychological help-seeking

Drawing on a college and community sample, this study utilised hierarchical multiple regression to examine the relative contributions of demographic variables, psychological treatment experience, religious service attendance, locus of control, and religious problem-solving style in predicting attitudes towards psychological help-seeking. Women, those holding a graduate degree, and those with treatment experience held more positive attitudes towards psychological help-seeking. While neither the locus of control nor religious problem-solving scales alone were related to help-seeking, several significant interaction effects were observed. God-centred locus of control was a positive predictor of psychological help-seeking, but only for older participants. Chance locus of control was a negative predictor, but only for graduate degree holders. Last, self-directing religious problem-solving style was a negative predictor, especially for individuals also endorsing a deferring religious problem-solving style. Perh...
ASPEN Revisited: The Challenge of Nuclear Propulsion for ETO

37th AIAA/ ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit Salt Lake City, UT, July 8-11, 2001.