cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributions most nearly compatible with given families of conditional distributions

Consider a discrete bivariate random variable (X, Y) with possible values 1, 2, ...,I forX and 1, 2, ...J forY. Suppose that putative families of conditional distributions, forX given values ofY and ofY given values ofX, are available. After reviewing conditions for compatibiity of such conditional specifications of the distribution of (X, Y), attention is focussed on the incompatible case. The Kullback-Leibler information function is shown to provide a convenient measure of inconsistency. Using it, algorithms are provided for computing the joint distribution for (X, Y) that is least discrepant from the given inconsistent conditional specifications. Other discrepancy measures are briefly discussed.
Fuel-Matrix Chemical Interaction between U-7wt.%Mo Alloy and Mg

A solid-to-solid, U-7wt.%Mo vs. Mg diffusion couple was assembled and annealed at 550°C for 96 hours. Themicrostructurein the interdiffusion zone and the development of concentration profiles were examined via scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. A TEM specimen was prepared at the interface between U-7wt.%Mo andMgusing focused ion beam in-situ lift-out. The U-7wt.%Mo alloy was bonded well tothe Mg at the atomic scale, without any evidence of oxidation, cracks or pores.Despite the good bonding, very little or negligible interdiffusion was observed.This is consistent with the expectation based on negligible solubilities according to the equilibrium phase diagrams. Along with other desirableproperties, Mgis a potential inert matrix or barrier materialfor U-Mo fuel alloy systembeing developed forthe Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) program.
Creating model consumers: Producing ethnicity, race, and class in Asian American advertising

How does Asian American advertising contribute to the construction of race and ethnicity in the contemporary United States? In this article, I consider how executives write advertising copy and create original artwork for Asian American advertisements in ways that index brand identities. I introduce the analytic of “metaproduction,” a process of material and linguistic signification that uses metacultural and metalinguistic values to connect microlevel signification of language and culture with broader social meanings and values. Analysis of ethnographic data from New York City advertising agencies shows how racialization occurs through the transformation of Asian Americans from model minority producers into model minority consumers.
Molecular Hydrogen in Hot-Wire Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon

We have studied the elastic properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) prepared by hot wire chemical-vapor deposition (HWCVD). With 1 at.% H, this material has been found to be the only amorphous solid which has a low-temperature internal friction more than two orders of magnitude smaller than all other amorphous solids studied to date, as reported recently. As the hydrogen concentration increases above 1 at.%, a broad relaxation peak in internal friction around 5 K is observed. Even more striking is an extremely narrow peak in internal friction accompanied by a discontinuous change in the sound velocity at 13.8 K, which coincides with the triple point temperature of molecular hydrogen. Evidences are provided to show that this anomaly is caused by bulk molecular hydrogen which undergoes a liquid-solid phase transition. This is the first observation for the existence of bulk H 2 in HWCVD a-Si:H.
Rational Matrix Functions with Coisometric Values on the Imaginary Line

Abstract Given signature matrices J1 and J2, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for a rational matrix function W analytic at infinity to satisfy equation J1 = W(z)J2W(z)* on the imaginary axis. The condition is based on a Lyapunov equation involving matrices in an observable realization of W and generalizes the fact well known in the case where J1 = J2. If the condition is satisfied, for every observable realization (A, B, C, D) of W there exists a unique possibly singular hermitian matrix G such that G satisfies the Lyapunov equation and CG = −DJ2B*. We call G the hermitian matrix associated with the realization. The minimal factorizations W = W1W2, where W1 and W2 satisfy equations J1 = W1(z)J1W1(z)* and J1 = W2(z)J2W2(z)* for z on the imaginary line, can be characterized in terms of decompositions of the state-space into subspaces determined by a possibly indefinite inner product induced by G. As a corollary, we obtain a sufficient condition for existence of a minimal factorization W = W1W2 with W1 the multiplicative inverse of a Blaschke-Potapov factor.
Comparison of fix computation and filtering for autonomous acoustic navigation

Oceanographic data acquired by an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) must he correlated with accurate position information in order to he of value to scientists. Accurate navigation is therefore an essential requirement which can he fulfilled by use of acoustic long-baseline navigation systems and dead-reckoning sensors. Two approaches are presented in this paper. The fix computation approach consists of dead reckoning between fixes computed from a set of acoustic travel times. The filtering approach consists of correcting the vehicle dead-reckoned motion by taking into account the influence of the measured travel times. Fix computation is widely used for the positioning of manned submersibles and there seems to be some reluctance to switch to a filler-based approach, mainly because of the fear for divergence. After a detailed description of these two approaches, their advantages and drawbacks are compared by applying both algorithms to real data sets collected by the Odyssey II AUV developed at Massachu...
Severe psoriasis palmaris et plantaris associated with topical use of dorzolamide.

Dorzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. 1. Case Report Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme found in many tissues of the body, including the eye. It catalyses An 80-year-old male, generally healthy except the reversible reaction involving the hydration of for glaucoma, was admitted to the dermatology decarbon dioxide and the dehydration of carbonic acid. partment of the Staten Island University Hospital as In humans, carbonic anhydrase exists as a number of a result of developing severe psoriasis palmaris et isoenzymes, the most active of which is carbonic plantaris for the first time in his life. The psoriatic anhydrase II. Dorzolamide, used as an antiglaucoma plaques started to appear about 2 months after the agent, inhibits human carbonic anhydrase II.[1,2] patient was started on dorzolamide drops Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary (Trusopt®,1 Merck & Co. Westpoint, PA, USA) for processes of the eye decreases aqueous humour sehis glaucoma. He said he did not have hypertension, cretion,[1,3] presumably by slowing the formation of ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus or any bicarbonate ions, with subsequent reduction in sodiother chronic illness, including any drug allergy. He um and fluid transport. The result is a reduction in was not taking any medication except dorzolamide intraocular pressure. drops, and did not smoke. Dorzolamide is a more potent drug from the same His physical examination revealed diffuse group as acetazolamide, a well known carbonic ansubungual hyperkeratosis with pitting and erythemhydrase inhibitor given per os. Dorzolamide is abatous psoriatic plaques scattered over both his sorbed systemically when applied to the eye. In a palms, his soles and both feet with bilateral calcanestudy designed to simulate systemic absorption al hyperkeratosis. The psoriatic plaques are illustratduring long-term ophthalmic administration, steady ed in figure 1 and figure 2. state was reached within 8 weeks.[1] Vital signs were: systolic/diastolic blood presAcetazolamide, an older generation carbonic ansure 150/75mm Hg, respiratory rate 16 breaths/min, hydrase inhibitor given systemically, is known to heart rate 74 beats/min; regular heart sounds without precipitate psoriasis, as has been confirmed by murmurs; vesicular breathing sounds, good air enrechallenge tests.[4] trance over both lungs without wheezes or crackles;
Effect of chronic potassium depletion on digitalis-induced inotropy and arrhythmias

The arrhythmogenic and inotropic effects of digoxin were studied in normokalemic controls, chronically hypokalaemic, and potassium-repleted dogs instrumented to maintain heart rate, mean aortic pressure, mean left atrial pressure and autonomic tone constant. The duration of digoxin infusion needed to produce ventricular tachycardia (VT) was 56.7 ± 3.6 min in depleted dogs, 69.0 ± 2.7 min in controls (P < 0.005 compared with depleted dogs), and 60.5 ± 3.0 min in repleted dogs. Baseline left ventricular dP/dt (LV dP/dt) was similar in all groups. After digoxin, LV dP/dt increased more in controls and repleted dogs than in chronically hypokalaemic dogs; eg , after 45 min of digoxin infusion LV dP/dt increased 12.7 ± 4.4% in hypokalaemic dogs, 43.8 ± 3.3% in controls (P < 0.025) and 39.3 ± 8.5% in repleted dogs (P < 0.025). The inotropic response to iso-prenaline was also attenuated in the chronically hypokalaemic dogs. Plasma digoxin was similar in all groups. LV digoxin was also similar in control and depleted dogs. Although inhibition of Na +, K+−ATPase and the initial velocity of 3[H]-ouabain specific binding was less in depleted dogs at VT than in controls (P < 0.05), the magnitude of this difference was not sufficient to explain the attenuated inotropic response. No histological abnormalities were seen on light or electron microscopy in any of the groups. Therefore chronic hypokalemia has two deleterous effects. It increases sensitivity to the arrhythmogenic effects of digoxin and impairs the inotropic response to digoxin, and isoprenaline.
Prenatal cocaine exposure : increased striatal dopamine transporter binding in offspring at 3 and 6 months of age

Prior studies indicate that prenatal cocaine exposure can alter dopamine transporter binding in mature mice. To determine the persistence of these effects, pregnant mice were treated with cocaine, 10 mg/kg/d, during days 13 to 20 of gestation and dopamine transporter binding was evaluated in offspring at 3 and 6 months of age. In contrast to prior studies, binding in striatum was significantly increased at both time points in cocaine-exposed mice compared to controls.
Do sex hormones influence emotional modulation of pain and nociception in healthy women

Sex hormones may contribute to inter- and intra-individual differences in pain by influencing emotional modulation of pain and nociception. To study this, a well-validated picture-viewing paradigm was used to assess emotional modulation of pain and the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR; physiologic measure of nociception) during mid-follicular, ovulatory, and late-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in healthy normally cycling women (n=40). Salivary estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were assessed at each testing session. Emotional modulation of pain/NFR did not differ across menstrual phases, but low estradiol was associated with weaker emotional modulation of NFR (during all phases) and emotional modulation of pain (ovulatory and late-luteal phases). Given evidence that a failure to emotionally modulate pain might be a risk factor for chronic pain, low estradiol may promote chronic pain via this mechanism. However, future research is needed to extend these findings to women with disturbances of pain, emotion, and/or sex hormones.
Historical relationships among Neotropical lowland forest areas of endemism as determined by mitochondrial DNA sequence variation within the Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Aves: Dendrocolaptidae: Glyphorynchus spirurus).

Studies of the distribution of South American taxa have identified several areas of endemism that may have contributed to the historical diversification of the region. We constructed a phylogeny of Glyphorynchus spirurus (Aves: Dendrocolaptidae) populations using mtDNA sequence data from portions of cytochrome b, NADH dehydrogenase subunit II (ND2), and complete NADH dehydrogenase subunit III (ND3). Using this phylogeny we evaluate five previous hypotheses of area-relationships, two based on phylogenetic studies of morphological characters in birds and three based on parsimony analysis of endemism in birds and primates. Maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses recovered two phylogenetic hypotheses that differed in the placement of one of the areas. Within each of the areas of endemism, the two analyses support the same clades. Neither of the phylogenetic hypotheses for Glyphorynchus exactly matches any of the five previous hypotheses of area-relationships, although ambiguous support exists for one of them. Five areas-Central America, Inambari, Napo, Para, and Rondonia-are supported as composites with component taxa having phylogenetic affinities with more than one area. Data reported here also indicate high levels of sequence divergence within Glyphorynchus. Genetic breaks within Glyphorynchus are only partially congruent with subspecific taxonomy. The regional sampling design used makes this study the largest scale genetic assay of a widespread Neotropical avian taxon published to date.
Optimum Design of Disease-modifying Trials on Alzheimer's Disease.

Randomized start and withdrawal designs have been recently proposed to test the disease-modifying agents on Alzheimer's disease (AD). This article provides methods to determine the optimum parameters for these designs. A general linear mixed-effects model is proposed. This model employs a piecewise linear growth pattern for those in the delayed treatment or early withdrawal arm and incorporates a potential correlation between the rates of change in efficacy outcome before and after the treatment switch. Based on this model, we formulate the disease-modifying hypothesis by comparing the rate of change in efficacy outcome between treatment arms with and without a treatment switch and develop a methodology to optimally determine the sample size allocations to different treatment arms as well as the time of treatment switch for subjects whose treatment is changed. We then propose an intersection-union test (IUT) to assess the disease-modifying efficacy and study the size and the power of the IUT. Finally, we ...
Accelerated conjugate direction methods for unconstrained optimization

A family of accelerated conjugate direction methods, corresponding to the Broyden family of quasi-Newton methods, is described. It is shown thatall members of the family generate the same sequence of points approximating the optimum and the same sequence of search directions, provided only that each direction vector is normalized before the stepsize to be taken in that direction is determined. With minimal restrictions on how the stepsize is determined (sufficient only for convergence), the accelerated methods applied to the optimization of a function ofn variables are shown to have an (n+1)-step quadratic rate of convergence. Furthermore, the information needed to generate an accelerating step can be stored in a singlen-vector, rather than the usualn×n symmetric matrix, without changing the theoretical order of convergence. The relationships between this family of methods and existing conjugate direction methods are discussed, and numerical experience with two members of the family is presented.
Automated Protein Subfamily Identification and Classification

Function prediction by homology is widely used to provide preliminary functional annotations for genes for which experimental evidence of function is unavailable or limited. This approach has been shown to be prone to systematic error, including percolation of annotation errors through sequence databases. Phylogenomic analysis avoids these errors in function prediction but has been difficult to automate for high-throughput application. To address this limitation, we present a computationally efficient pipeline for phylogenomic classification of proteins. This pipeline uses the SCI-PHY (Subfamily Classification in Phylogenomics) algorithm for automatic subfamily identification, followed by subfamily hidden Markov model (HMM) construction. A simple and computationally efficient scoring scheme using family and subfamily HMMs enables classification of novel sequences to protein families and subfamilies. Sequences representing entirely novel subfamilies are differentiated from those that can be classified to subfamilies in the input training set using logistic regression. Subfamily HMM parameters are estimated using an information-sharing protocol, enabling subfamilies containing even a single sequence to benefit from conservation patterns defining the family as a whole or in related subfamilies. SCI-PHY subfamilies correspond closely to functional subtypes defined by experts and to conserved clades found by phylogenetic analysis. Extensive comparisons of subfamily and family HMM performances show that subfamily HMMs dramatically improve the separation between homologous and non-homologous proteins in sequence database searches. Subfamily HMMs also provide extremely high specificity of classification and can be used to predict entirely novel subtypes. The SCI-PHY Web server at http://phylogenomics.berkeley.edu/SCI-PHY/ allows users to upload a multiple sequence alignment for subfamily identification and subfamily HMM construction. Biologists wishing to provide their own subfamily definitions can do so. Source code is available on the Web page. The Berkeley Phylogenomics Group PhyloFacts resource contains pre-calculated subfamily predictions and subfamily HMMs for more than 40,000 protein families and domains at http://phylogenomics.berkeley.edu/phylofacts/.
THE HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY AXIS : CO-DEVELOPMENT OF TWO ORGANS

Development of the anterior pituitary gland ultimately leads to the appearance of five distinct cell types that are defined by the trophic hormones which they produce, providing an instructive model system for elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie the determination of distinct cell phenotypes within an organ from a common precursor lineage. The recent identification of several homeodomain transcription factors expressed specifically in the anterior pituitary gland has revealed a transcriptional cascade orchestrating a developmental program that leads to the determination of the five mature cell types. Recent data from gene-targeting experiments in mice further imply that the execution of this program is dependent on inductive signals originating in the floor of the diencephalon.
Rational experiment design for sequencing-based RNA structure mapping

Structure mapping is a classic experimental approach for determining nucleic acid structure that has gained renewed interest in recent years following advances in chemistry, genomics, and informatics. The approach encompasses numerous techniques that use different means to introduce nucleotide-level modifications in a structure-dependent manner. Modifications are assayed via cDNA fragment analysis, using electrophoresis or next-generation sequencing (NGS). The recent advent of NGS has dramatically increased the throughput, multiplexing capacity, and scope of RNA structure mapping assays, thereby opening new possibilities for genome-scale, de novo, and in vivo studies. From an informatics standpoint, NGS is more informative than prior technologies by virtue of delivering direct molecular measurements in the form of digital sequence counts. Motivated by these new capabilities, we introduce a novel model-based in silico approach for quantitative design of large-scale multiplexed NGS structure mapping assays, which takes advantage of the direct and digital nature of NGS readouts. We use it to characterize the relationship between controllable experimental parameters and the precision of mapping measurements. Our results highlight the complexity of these dependencies and shed light on relevant tradeoffs and pitfalls, which can be difficult to discern by intuition alone. We demonstrate our approach by quantitatively assessing the robustness of SHAPE-Seq measurements, obtained by multiplexing SHAPE (selective 2′-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension) chemistry in conjunction with NGS. We then utilize it to elucidate design considerations in advanced genome-wide approaches for probing the transcriptome, which recently obtained in vivo information using dimethyl sulfate (DMS) chemistry.
SKEW PRODUCT ACTIONS OF SEMI-DIRECT PRODUCT GROUPS

Introduction Let f be a homomorphism from a second countable locally compact group G into the continuous automorphisms of a second countable compact group K. Let g ∗ k = f(g)(k) and suppose further the mapping given by (g, k) → g ∗ k is continuous from G × K into K, g ∈ G, k ∈ K. Then the cartesian product K × G becomes a group with multiplication given by (k1, g1)(k2, g2) = (k1(g1 ∗ k2), g1g2), where (ki, gi) ∈ K × G, i = 1, 2. We denote this semi-direct product group by K ×s G. Let (S, μ), a standard Borel space, be an ergodic Borel K ×s G-space with a probability invariant measure μ. In this paper we state necessary and sufficient conditions so the quotient Borel K ×s G-mapping from S into the space of K-orbits in S has relative discrete spectrum. These conditions are in terms of the stabilizers and the natural action of G on the dual K of K. (We remind the reader K is the set of unitary equivalence classes of irreducible unitary representations of K). Choose a Borel subset S of S that meets each K-orbit in S exactly once. Let p : (S, μ) → (S, μ) be a mapping given by p(s) = s where s is the unique point in S that meets the K-orbit s · K of s and μ = μ ◦ p−1.
Sports stadia and urban development: a tale of three cities.

Pressure by civic leaders and sports entrepreneurs led St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Houston to build new sports stadia in the 1960s. The use of public money for private profit-making ventures generated controversy at the time but won acceptance with promises of widely dispersed benefits. This article argues that two long range trends, the Warner Model of urban development and the accumula tion of capital for private enterprise by the state, determined the nature of stadium building in these three cities and that those long range trends illumine the causes of current urban problems.
Surface phonon dispersion along ΓX on Pd(100)

Abstract High resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy was used to measure the dispersion of the Rayleigh wave along the 〈110〉 direction on the Pd(100) surface. It was found that the phonon frequency (2.7 THz) at zone boundary was lower than that calculated by the slab method using bulk force constants (3.0 THz). The result is anomalous from that investigated at X on other fcc transition metal surfaces. The experimental data can be fit by a considerable softening (40%) of the surface interlayer force constant. The phonon softening is qualitatively in agreement with the LEED analysis which revealed a surface expansion by 3% instead of the inward relaxation found on most fcc (100) transition metal surfaces.
The contribution of relative activation levels between populations of cells to network activity in a large-scale biologically realistic model of the hippocampus

In previously published work, we showed the progress we've made towards creating a large-scale, biologically realistic model of the rat hippocampus, starting with the projection from entorhinal cortex (EC) to the dentate gyrus (DG). We created the model to help us study how the common components of neurobiological systems in mammals - large numbers of neurons with intricate, branching morphologies; active, non-linear membrane properties; nonuniform distributions throughout membrane surface of these non-linear conductances; non-uniform and topographic connectivity between pre- and post-synaptic neurons; and activity-dependent changes in synaptic function - combine and contribute to give a particular brain region its “neural processing” properties. In this work, we report on the results of a series of simulations we ran to test the role of feed-forward and feedback inhibition in the dentate gyrus. We find that a) the system shows rhythmic bands of activity only in the presence of feedback inhibition, b) that the frequency of rhythmicity increases with increasing amounts of feed-forward inhibition, c) that it decreases with increasing amounts of feedback inhibition, and d) that strong excitatory inputs appear to enhance and prolong the amount of rhythmicity in the system.
Is there a second ontological argument

Anselm, it is said, gave us not one but two ontological arguments in his Proslogium and Responsio. The first of these, starting from the definition of God as "the being, than which nothing greater can be conceived," reasons to the conclusion that God exists, while the second reasons from the same definition to the conclusion that God's existence is necessary. The distinction between the two arguments is of some importance. The first argument has been in disrepute at least since the time of Kant, and finds few defenders today. The "second ontological argument," on the other hand, has a small but articulate band of supporters (including Hartshorne, Malcolm, and Plantinga1) who assert that it constitutes a valid and sound proof of God's existence. Anselm perhaps never clearly realized that he was dealing with two distinct arguments, but this is not decisive with regard to the philosophical significance of the arguments. For it is conceivable that Anselm was both less and more successful than he thought: less successful, in that the argument of Proslogium 2 is hopelessly flawed, but more successful in that along with it he also, without clearly realizing it, presented another, independent argument which succeeds where the original argument fails. This is conceivable, but is it the case? Is the second ontological argument sound? Indeed, what precisely is the second ontological argument? The present paper might possibly be summarized in the claim that there just is no second ontological argument; the thing does not exist. But that would be putting it too harshly. What I do want to claim, however, is that everything which has been said under the heading of the second ontological argument is completely and fairly summarized in the following statement:
The 10 Micron Silicate Feature of Comet C/1996 Q1 (Tabur)

We present 7.6–13.2 μm infrared spectrophotometry (R 120) of the inner coma of comet C/1996 Q1 (Tabur), obtained 1996 October 8–10 UT. At this epoch, the comet was at a heliocentric distance of rh = 0.96 AU. The local 10 μm continuum is fitted with a 300 ± 10 K blackbody, revealing a weak silicate feature. Our analysis suggests that comet Tabur most likely contains large grains of radii a ≈ 1–3 μm. Synthetic spectra derived from laboratory measurements of amorphous pyroxene and amorphous and crystalline olivine of grain sizes (radii) between 1 and 5 μm are fitted to Tabur's silicate emission feature. A mixture of crystalline olivine (1 μm radii) and amorphous pyroxene (3 μm radii) grains provides the best model fit to the observed 10 μm spectrum. We also compare the spectra of Tabur with the mid-IR spectra of C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) and other comets with and without silicate features. In particular, we discuss the mid-IR spectrum of comet C/1998 K5 (LINEAR) obtained on 1998 June 28–30 UT with the same instrument and spectral resolution. In contrast to comet Tabur, the spectrum of comet K5 LINEAR does not exhibit 10 μm silicate emission in excess of a featureless continuum characterized by a 310 ± 10 K blackbody.
Display of Cell Surface Sites for Fibronectin Assembly Is Modulated by Cell Adherence to 1F3 and C-Terminal Modules of Fibronectin

Background Fibronectin-null cells assemble soluble fibronectin shortly after adherence to a substrate coated with intact fibronectin but not when adherent to the cell-binding domain of fibronectin (modules (7)F3-(10)F3). Interactions of adherent cells with regions of adsorbed fibronectin other than modules (7)F3-(10)F3, therefore, are required for early display of the cell surface sites that initiate and direct fibronectin assembly. Methodology/principal findings To identify these regions, coatings of proteolytically derived or recombinant pieces of fibronectin containing modules in addition to (7)F3-(10)F3 were tested for effects on fibronectin assembly by adherent fibronectin-null fibroblasts. Pieces as large as one comprising modules (2)F3-(14)F3, which include the heparin-binding and cell adhesion domains, were not effective in supporting fibronectin assembly. Addition of module (1)F3 or the C-terminal modules to modules (2)F3-(14)F3 resulted in some activity, and addition of both (1)F3 and the C-terminal modules resulted in a construct, (1)F3-C, that best mimicked the activity of a coating of intact fibronectin. Constructs (1)F3-C V0, (1)F3-C V64, and (1)F3-C Delta(V(15)F3(10)F1) were all able to support fibronectin assembly, suggesting that (1)F3 through (11)F1 and/or (12)F1 were important for activity. Coatings in which the active parts of (1)F3-C were present in different proteins were much less active than intact (1)F3-C. Conclusions These results suggest that (1)F3 acts together with C-terminal modules to induce display of fibronectin assembly sites on adherent cells.
Primary prevascular and retropsoas hernias: incidence of rare abdominal wall hernias

Objective To describe the incidence and treatment of prevascular and retropsoas hernias in a large-volume general surgery practice.
Refraction-diffraction model for weakly nonlinear water waves

A model equation is derived for calculating transformation and propagation of Stokes waves. With the assumption that the water depth is slowly varying, the model equation, which is a nonlinear Schrodinger equation with variable coefficients, describes the forward-scattering wavefield. The model equation is used to investigate the wave convergence over a semicircular shoal. Numerical results are compared with experimental data (Whalin 1971). Nonlinear effects, which generate higher-harmonic wave components, are definitely important in the focusing zone. Mean free-surface set-downs over the shoal are also computed.
Apoptotic signaling in multiple myeloma: therapeutic implications.

Fifteen thousand new cases of multiple myeloma (MM) will occur in the United States in 2003, and the disease remains incurable. Diverse classes of chemotherapeutic agents induce cell death or apoptosis in MM cells; however, prolonged drug exposures ultimately induce chemoresistance.The mechanisms whereby MM cells resist drugs include alterations in intracellular signaling as well as adherence and cytokines in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. Novel agents that target the MM cell in its BM microenvironment are needed to both enhance anti-MM activity and prevent development of drug resistance. Delineation of cellular growth and apoptotic signaling pathways in MM cells may identify molecules that serve as novel therapeutic targets on the basis of interruption of MM cell growth or triggering of MM cell death.
Pharmacological concentrations of irisin increase cell proliferation without influencing markers of neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis in mouse H19-7 hippocampal cell lines

Aims/Hypothesis Irisin is a novel, myocyte secreted, hormone that has been proposed to mediate the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolism. Irisin is expressed, at lower levels, in human brains and knock-down of the precursor of irisin, FNDC5, decreases neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. No previous studies have evaluated whether irisin may directly regulate hippocampal neurogenesis in mouse hippocampal neuronal (HN) cells.
Helping behavior as a function of pictorially induced moods.

Summary Two experiments investigated the effect of pictorially induced moods on helping behavior. After a mood-arousing experience (positive, negative, control), Ss were provided with an opportunity to help a graduate student by volunteering to participate in an experiment. Results indicated that while positive mood did not influence helping, negative mood tended to facilitate such behavior. On the basis of subjective report data, the latter increase was interpreted in terms of expiation of guilt.
Hopscotch: An algorithm for the numerical solution of electrochemical problems

Abstract An attractive alternative to the conventional explicit technique for the numerical solution of electrochemical problems is described and implemented. This algorithm, called hopscotch, is fully explicit and yet is unconditionally stable (i.e. the size of the time step is unrestricted). It is simple to program, requires less storage space, is more accurate and can be faster than the usual explicit technique. Illustrative applications are presented for the Cottrell problem, in the presence and absence of a unimolecular chemical reaction, and for the chronoamperometric current at a finite disk electrode.
A new unified explicit architecture of thermal/structural dynamic algorithms: Applications to coupled thermoelasticity

Abstract The philosophy and rationale of the present research encompasses interdisciplinary engineering modeling/analysis via ‘the use of a common numerical methodology employing a common algorithmic architecture for applicability to a common mainframe (computer) environment’. In particular, a new unified architecture of thermal/structural dynamic algorithms is presented. Finite elements are employed as the modeling/analysis tool, and the applicability of the proposed unified architecture is demonstrated for coupled thermoelasticity. The formulations, however, are geared towards providing a generalized methodology for transient interdisciplinary thermal/structural models to include several added inherent advantages. To sharpen the focus of the present study, an explicit unified architecture is presented to validate the applicability to interdisciplinary coupled thermoelastic models. The proposed unified architecture preserves second-order accuracy and possesses attractive computational features.
Acoustic emission in bonded elastomer discs subjected to compression. I

The apparent initial stiffness, M, of a rubber disc subjected to compression was experimentally determined. It was found that the experimental value of M is different than the value theoretically predicted according to Gent's equation. The aim of this study is to prove that this difference in the apparent modulus is due to the existence of microcavities within the testing rubber discs. The microvolds are formed along the curing process of the samples. A new nondestructive experimental technique, the Acoustic Emission (AE) technique, was used for the analysis of microcavitation within rubber discs subjected to compression. The count, event average count rate, amplitude, duration time, and rise time distributions of the received acoustic emission signals from the buckling of voids in the deformed solid, give more insight about the phenomenon of microcavitation.
Comments on Airport Remediation Following a Chemical Terrorist Attack Articles

I am pleased that the two articles on Airport Remediation following a Chemical Terrorist Attack are being published in the Journal of Human and Ecological Risk Assessment since that will make them ...
Cancer and Leukemia Group B Studies with Hematopoietic Growth Factors in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) has evaluated the use of hematopoietic growth factors in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using a number of different strategies. CALGB protocol 8923 was a prospectively randomized, double-blind trial in patients with de novo AML > than 60 years of age receiving initial induction chemotherapy. There was no benefit in terms of improvement in complete remission (CR) rate, survival, or infectious morbidity from granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) begun the day after completion of chemotherapy and administered until neutrophil recovery. CALGB protocol 9022 was a pilot study evaluating the feasibility of administering sequential courses of intensive consolidation treatment to patients with AML than 60 years of age were randomized to receive either granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (Schering Corporation 5 µg/kg per day administered intravenously over 6 h) or a placebo infusion [1]. The GM-CSF/placebo was begun the day after completion of a standard regimen of daunorubicin (3 days) and ARA-C (7 days). A total of 379 evaluable patients were randomized; pretreatment demographic characteristics were the same in both groups with an overall median age of 68 years. There were no clinically important differences between the GM-CSF and placebo recipients in complete response (CR) rate [52% vs 54%, respectively], duration of neutropenia < than 500/µl (15 vs 17 days, p = 0.2), duration of hospitalization (27 days vs 30 days, p = .06), overall survival or CR duration. Approximately one third of patients in both arms did not complete the scheduled duration of infusion, almost always because of the perception by the treating physician that toxicities were due to the study infusion. There was no difference between the GM-CSF and placebo recipients when only the subgroup of patients who completed the scheduled infusion as per protocol were considered. Only 2% of patients were removed from study because of the concern that the infusion may have stimulated leukemic cell growth; the incidence of treatment failure due to apparent chemotherapy-resistant leukemia was the same in both arms. Lastly, an identical fraction of patients in both arms were able to go on to receive post-remission consolidation therapy.
Ontogeny of Apoptosis during Lung Development

Apoptosis has been shown to be involved in several processes during embryogenesis, but the ontogeny of apoptosis during lung development has not been studied. The goals of the current study were to determine if apoptosis occurs during lung development, and to determine the ontogeny of the changes in apoptosis that occur. We studied the ontogeny of apoptosis in vivo using lungs from 14-18-d gestation fetal rats, newborn rats, and 1-d-, 2-d-, 5-d-, and 10-d-old rat pups. Apoptosis was assessed by electron microscopy and the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling assay. We compared the in vivo results with explants of 14-d gestation fetal rat lung placed in culture for 1-4 d because the biochemical development of the lung in organ culture has been shown to closely parallel the development of the lung in vivo. We found apoptosis of mesenchymal cells at the periphery of distal lung buds in early fetal lung(14-16-d gestation). Apoptosis of both mesenchyme and epithelium was present in later fetal lung (18-d gestation). There were no qualitative differences in apoptosis between in vivo fetal lung and explant cultures of fetal lung. There was a 14-fold increase in apoptosis at birth and in the first postnatal day of life (9-12% of cells) compared with fetal lung (0.6-1% of cells). This was followed by a rapid decline in the percentage of apoptotic cells to fetal levels at postnatal d 2-10. We conclude that apoptosis occurs in a spatially, temporally, and cell-specific manner during lung development. The number of cells undergoing apoptosis increases dramatically in the first day after birth.
Activity, selectivity and attrition characteristics of supported iron Fischer–Tropsch catalysts

Abstract The CO conversion rate and the product selectivities for the conversion of syngas typical of one derived from coal (H 2 /CO = 0.7) or natural gas (H 2 /CO = 1.7) are very similar over the range of 30–90% CO conversion levels. For CO conversions up to about 50%, the iron catalyst is as or more productive than a similar mass of supported cobalt catalyst. A supported iron catalyst may exhibit about two-thirds the productivity, on a gram Fe basis, as an unsupported catalyst. Furthermore, whereas the unsupported iron catalyst disintegrates within 24 h of synthesis, the supported catalyst retains its integrity during hundreds of hours of slurry phase operation. Silica based catalysts exhibited less disintegration in the CSTR than alumina based catalysts.
Research of Relation Design Based on Solid Assembly

A bottleneck problem in mechanical productions design is presented in this paper. The fundamental conceptions and problems of relation design should be resolved at present. A method of relation design, which using mate relation constraint and align relation constraint and dimensions equation relation constraint, is putted forward. This way is implemented to mechanical productions relation design.
A SENSITIVE METHOD OF HIGH SPECIFICITY FOR DETERMINATION OF URINARY ESTROGENS.

Abstract A combined fluorescent and radioactive method for the quantitation of urinary estrone, estradiol-17β, and estriol is described. The method involves acid hydrolysis, extraction, and purification of the phenolic fraction, paper chromatography of the free estrogens, and alumina chromatography of the acetylated estrogens. Sulfuric acid fluorescence is used for quantitation, with specificity being achieved by the addition of authentic tritiated estrone, estradiol-17β, and estriol to each urine hydrolyzate. The radioactive tracers enable one to demonstrate constant specific activity through the estrogen peaks as an index of specificity in each determination. The radioactive tracers also function as internal corrections for purification losses. Using 1 10 - day urinary samples, the sensitivity of the method permits accurate measurements with high specificity for estrone, estradiol-17β, and estriol in amounts of 0.5 μg 24 hr . Minimal sensitivity is approximately 0.2 μg 24 hr for each of the three estrogens. The advantages of the method are its sensitivity and specificity, which are achieved with relative convenience.
A 12-bit 10-MHz BiCMOS comparator

The design of a self-calibrating BiCMOS comparator is presented. The circuit uses a preamplifier followed by two regenerative states to achieve an input offset of 200 mu V at a conversion rate of 10 MHz. The comparator has an input range of 3 V and dissipates 1.7 mW from a 5-V supply. The comparator was designed for use in 12-b half-flash analog-to-digital converter systems and performs offset cancellation during overdrive recovery in every cycle, thereby eliminating flicker noise. >
The Use of Gadolinium for Arterial Interventions

Background Gadolinium (Gd) has been traditionally used as a non-nephrotoxic alternative to iodinated contrast for digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. However, its use has been questioned on the basis of reports of nephrotoxicity and its recent association with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a potentially lethal complication. Recently available data are conflicting with respect to the true safety profile of intra-arterial Gd. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk of contrast nephropathy and NSF after Gd exposure in a large population of azotemic patients undergoing DSA. Methods A comprehensive database encompassing data on all patients who underwent DSA between June 2003 and December 2007 at the New York Presbyterian Hospital was retrospectively reviewed. Patients receiving Gd either alone or in combination with iodinated contrast during DSA were identified and further analyzed. Acute renal failure (ARF) was defined as an elevation in serum creatinine (Cr) by >0.5 mg/dL within 48 hours of exposure. Clinical follow-up was conducted through chart reviewing as well as telephonic interviews with patients and their primary care physicians. Results A total of 153 patients underwent 179 exposures to Gd either alone (33%) or in combination (67%) with iodinated contrast. Mean follow-up duration was 27.1 months. The mean Cr level was 1.94 ± 0.78 mg/dL and 1.96 ± 1.1 mg/dL before and after DSA, respectively. There were 20 (11.2%) instances of ARF. The mean Cr level before DSA was higher in patients who developed ARF versus those in the non-ARF group (2.7 ± 1.1 mg/dL vs. 1.9 ± 0.7 mg/dL, p = 0.004). In the ARF group, 12 patients had a return to baseline renal function, four experienced irreversible renal deterioration, and four needed dialysis (4.5% incidence of irreversible renal failure). There were 19 deaths at the time of this study (12.4%). The highest risk for the development of ARF after Gd exposure occurred in patients with Cr levels of >3.0 mg/dL before DSA and in those receiving >0.4 mmol/kg of Gd. For patients who received iodinated contrast in combination with Gd, there was a trend toward a higher risk for developing ARF as compared with those receiving only Gd. Finally, there were no instances of NSF identified in any of the patients who received intra-arterial Gd. Conclusions Although Gd has the potential to cause kidney injury similar to iodinated contrast, the risk of irreversible renal failure and the requirement for dialysis is low. Life- or limb-threatening interventions should not be avoided in this patient cohort because of preexisting elevations in Cr. These data should help guide the use of Gd in patients with chronic renal insufficiency.
RNA Editing by Adenosine Deaminases That Act on RNA

▪ Abstract ADARs are RNA editing enzymes that target double-stranded regions of nuclear-encoded RNA and viral RNA. These enzymes are particularly abundant in the nervous system, where they diversify the information encoded in the genome, for example, by altering codons in mRNAs. The functions of ADARs in known substrates suggest that the enzymes serve to fine-tune and optimize many biological pathways, in ways that we are only starting to imagine. ADARs are also interesting in regard to the remarkable double-stranded structures of their substrates and how enzyme specificity is achieved with little regard to sequence. This review summarizes ongoing investigations of the enzyme family and their substrates, focusing on biological function as well as biochemical mechanism.
ON THE APPROPRIATE MODEL FOR ANALYZING INVESTMENT IN HUMAN CAPITAL WHERE THE CAPITAL MARKET IS IMPERFECT

This paper suggests a modification of the Becker–Chiswick model for analyzing investment in human capital where the capital market is imperfect. The modification essentially involves the addition of a consumption function to the model. As a result it is possible to include the effects of human capital investment on a student's income expectations, on consumption, and thereby on the availability of funds for the student to finance investment in human capital.
Synthesis tools help teach systems concepts in VLSI design

The VLSI project class at Princeton University has been redesigned, using modern logic and layout synthesis tools, to emphasize system design issues. The design methodology taught in the class allows students to build larger designs; it also allows them to learn, by redesign, how to trade off layout, circuit, logic, and architectural design problems. Two synthesis tools were developed (based on the Oct tool set from UC Berkeley) to generate standard cell layouts: one which takes as input finite-state machine transition tables; and one which generates netlists using C programs. The author describes; what is important for students to learn in a VLSI design class; the design methodology developed to teach this curriculum through a design project; and the CAD tools used to support this design methodology. >