cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The renal hypertensive suspect with coexistent lesions

Abstract The records of 31 hypertensive patients with renal artery disease and various coexistent renal parenchymal disorders were examined to clarify certain problems that may arise in diagnosis and therapy. Selected case reports and a review of pertinent literature are included to emphasize the following points: (1) special attention should be given to renal artery stenosis as a potential cause of hypertension, as opposed to coexistent unilateral parenchymal lesions such as cysts, tumors, chronic nephritis, hydronephrosis, and hypoplasia; (2) one lesion usually has a predominant functional significance when surgically curable hypertension is present; (3) renal venous renin determinations are the most valuable test of functional significance in coexistent lesions, although supplementary functional tests may be desirable; and (4) both staged and combined procedures have their place in therapy when surgical intervention is indicated.
Relationship between lunasin's sequence and its inhibitory activity of histones H3 and H4 acetylation.

Scope: Dysfunction of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) or histone deacetylases (HDACs) involved in histones acetylation has been associated with cancer. Inhibitors of these enzymes are becoming potential targets for new therapies. Methods and Results: This study reports by Western-Blot analysis, that peptide lunasin is mainly an in vitro inhibitor of histone H4 acetylation by P300/cAMP-response element-binding protein (CBP)-associated factor (PCAF), with IC50 values dependent on the lysine position sensitive to be acetylated (0.83 μM (H4-Lys 8), 1.27 μM (H4-Lys 12) and 0.40 μM (H4-Lys 5, 8, 12, 16)). Lunasin is also capable of inhibiting H3 acetylation (IC50 of 5.91 μM (H3-Lys 9) and 7.81 μM (H3-Lys 9, 14)). Studies on structure-activity relationship establish that lunasin's sequence are essential for inhibiting H4 acetylation whereas poly-D sequence is the main active sequence responsible for H3 acetylation inhibition. Lunasin also inhibits H3 and H4 acetylation and cell proliferation (IC50 of 181μM) in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, this peptide decreases expression of cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases-4 and -6, implicated in cell cycle pathways. Conclusion: Results from this study demonstrates lunasin's role as modulator of histone acetylation and protein expression that might contribute on its chemopreventive properties against breast cancer.
The Influence of Dietary PCB on the PCB Content of Carcass Lipid in Broiler Chickens

Abstract Male broiler chickens were fed a practical corn-soy diet containing 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 or 10 p.p.m. PCB (Aroclor 1242) for a 58 day experimental period. There were no significant dietary effects on body weight, feed consumption and mortality. The PCB level of carcass lipid was determined after 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks of feeding the diets. The PCB levels in the carcass lipid after eight weeks of feeding the diets were 0.00, 0.13, 0.20, 0.54, 1.48 and 1.90 p.p.m. for the birds fed the diets containing 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 p.p.m. PCB, respectively.
Minor element content of Ontario diabase

Abstract The following elements (Ni, Co, V, Cr, Cu, Ag, Pb, Sc, Zr, La, Ga, Sr, Ba, Li, Rb and K) have been determined quantitatively in 59 specimens of Ontario diabase from representative areas and in 3 specimens of Duluth gabbro, using spectrochemical.procedures. The data are presented in the form of frequency distribution diagrams. Average abundances have been computed and are compared with other values for diabase and similar compositional types. Of the elements studied gallium shows by far the greatest uniformity of concentration in diabase, in contrast to chromium which shows the largest scatter. The largest discrepancy between a published abundance value and one given here is that of scandium, and our results indicate that earlier values are usually too low by a factor of about 3. In order to reduce systematic analytical error to a minimum, all results given here have been calibrated in terms of Standard diabase W-l (see U.S.G.S. Bulletin No. 980).
A study of 19Ne via 16O+τ reactions

Angular distributions and excitation functions have been measured for the 16O(τ,τ)16O and 16O(τ, α) 15O reactions from 3.2 to 7.0 MeV. Resonances have been observed in both channels. An optical-model-plus-resonance (OMPR) analysis of previously measured elastic data indicates a level with l = 1 around 3.65 MeV τ bombarding energy. A two-level analysis on the α-channel data indicates levels between 4.0 and 5.0 MeV with spins of 52 and 72 and like parities. An R-matrix analysis confirms this assignment and makes a strong case for a 32 level in the same region. These levels together with previously discovered states in this excitation region of 19Ne are in good agreement with the predictions of the α-particle core-excited threshold state model (APCETS).
Clitoral Epidermoid Cyst Presenting as Pseudoclitoromegaly of Pregnancy

Objective Acquired clitoromegaly is rare and may result from hormonal and nonhormonal causes, and evaluation of the pregnant patient with clitoromegaly invokes a specific set of differential diagnoses. Methods Case report. Results We describe the case of a young woman with pregnancy-associated clitoral enlargement whose hormonal evaluation proved negative. Further investigation concluded that an epidermoid cyst was the culprit of her pseudoclitoromegaly. The patient underwent successful surgical resection and has had no recurrence at her subsequent pregnancy. Conclusion We review the differential diagnosis of clitoromegaly, including hormonal and nonhormonal causes, with focus on the evaluation of pregnancy-associated clitoromegaly.
Monolayer and multilayer growth of Cu on the Ru(0001) surface

Abstract The adsorption and growth of Cu films on the Ru(0001) surface were studied by work function measurements, low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and thermal programmed desorption (TPD). The results indicate that for submonolayer depositions at 100 K the Cu grows in a dispersed mode forming 2D islands pseudomorphic to the Ru(0001) substrate upon annealing to 300 K. This behavior is seen to continue to the 1 monolayer (ML) level. Additional Cu deposition to 2 ML shows a similar 2D island growth but with an epitaxial Cu(111) structure. Subsequent annealing in both these cases to 900 K enhances the 2D character of the films but does not affect the overall structure. AES and LEED results show that a 900 K anneal of Cu films in excess of 2 ML leads to three-dimensional Cu(111) island formation exposing areas of the surface covered by the original Cu bilayer — one pseudomorphic and one epitaxial. The effects of Cu on the chemisorptive properties of Ru(0001) toward CO were also studied by TPD. It was found that Cu attenuates the CO adsorption relative to the open Ru(0001) sites on approximately a one-to-one basis. In addition, at the 1 ML level the TPD spectrum shows features which are intermediate between those for the tightly bound CO/Ru system and the weakly bound CO/Cu case. A feature in the TPD spectra of CO on submonolayer Cu deposits is identified with mixed Cu/Ru sites, i.e. at the 2D Cu island edges, and allows an estimate of the 2D Cu island sizes to be made. The results and conclusions of this study differ markedly from previous single-crystal studies but are consistent with recent observations of Cu adsorbed onto an epitaxial Ru(0001) film grown on a Mo(110) surface.
John Freeman: entrepreneurship and innovation defined—a personal remembrance

This article is a personal remembrance by the authors, of John Freeman's transition from being a scholar on organization theory to an active contributor to entrepreneurship research, teaching and mentoring. The article reflects on Freeman's work on organizational ecology and entrepreneurship, as faculty director of the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley, as he turned the focus of the Center to new venture formation. The article narrates how Freeman came to regard new venture creation as a defined management process for the new class of business manager, the professional entrepreneur, and points out his extension of the entrepreneurial process beyond the individual to the team and even to the ecosystem. Copyright 2012 The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Associazione ICC. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.
The Möbius function of generalized factor order

Abstract We use discrete Morse theory to determine the Mobius function of generalized factor order. Ordinary factor order on the Kleene closure A ∗ of a set A is the partial order defined by letting u ≤ w if w contains u as a subsequence of consecutive letters. Generalized factor order takes into account a partial order P A on the alphabet A , that is, u ≤ w whenever w contains a subsequence w ( i + 1 ) ⋯ w ( i + | u | ) such that for each j , u ( j ) ≤ w ( i + j ) in A . Using Babson and Hersh’s application of Robin Forman’s discrete Morse theory to poset order complexes, we are able to give a recursive formula for the Mobius function in the case where each element of A covers a unique letter in P A .
Euclidean Commute Time Distance Embedding and its Application to Spectral Anomaly Detection

Spectral image analysis problems often begin by performing a preprocessing step composed of applying a transformation that generates an alternative representation of the spectral data. In this paper, a transformation based on a Markov-chain model of a random walk on a graph is introduced. More precisely, we quantify the random walk using a quantity known as the average commute time distance and find a nonlinear transformation that embeds the nodes of a graph in a Euclidean space where the separation between them is equal to the square root of this quantity. This has been referred to as the Commute Time Distance (CTD) transformation and it has the important characteristic of increasing when the number of paths between two nodes decreases and/or the lengths of those paths increase. Remarkably, a closed form solution exists for computing the average commute time distance that avoids running an iterative process and is found by simply performing an eigendecomposition on the graph Laplacian matrix. Contained in this paper is a discussion of the particular graph constructed on the spectral data for which the commute time distance is then calculated from, an introduction of some important properties of the graph Laplacian matrix, and a subspace projection that approximately preserves the maximal variance of the square root commute time distance. Finally, RX anomaly detection and Topological Anomaly Detection (TAD) algorithms will be applied to the CTD subspace followed by a discussion of their results.
Evidence-based medicine for the pediatrician.

1. Gary Onady, MD* 2. Marc A. Raslich, MD* 1. *Medicine-Pediatrics Program, Wright State University, Dayton, OH A 12-year-old boy presents with a 4-day history of a limp associated with a fever. Notable findings on the physical examination are a temperature of 102°F (38.5°C), minimal weight bearing, and localized tenderness on palpation of the lateral right thigh and hip. There are no signs of abrasion or soft-tissue infection. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and white blood cell count are significantly elevated. Pediatric review literature helps to guide the clinician through approaches to patients who present with a limp. With each unique case, several questions likely arise. How should the physician address different presentations of a child who has the same primary complaint? What is the next step to consider in proceeding from a medical review that introduces a perspective to the problem? When should reviews or guidelines be followed? What is the disease probability for disorders that present with a limp? How should tests be conducted to determine the most likely medical condition on a case-by-case basis? The purpose of this article is to introduce an effective approach toward answering the questions generated from our practice experiences. This approach centers on the concept of evidence-based medicine (EBM), which will be defined, demonstrated by using the previous clinical scenario, and introduced as a decision-making model. Finally, several common concerns about EBM will be addressed. The concept that “a new paradigm for medical practice is emerging” initially was introduced in the general medical literature in 1992 (1). This new paradigm, referred to as EBM, most recently was defined as the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values (2). This paradigm is entered each time a clinical question relating to an individual patient is asked. How often are these questions asked? Clinical questions are incorporated into the practice skills of internists and applied to 1 in every …
Implications of the ADA® environment for simulation studies

Ada packages to support event and process oriented simulation have been developed at Texas A&M University. These packages include standard Facilities such as queue handling, random number generation, automatic statistics collection and simulation control. This paper provides an overview of the system facilities followed by an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of Ada as an implementation language for simulation software. Based on our experience Ada has appeal as a general purpose language which can be integrated into larger systems. It is portable among various computer architectures, it provides a rich base of constructs in which to implement models, and offers promise in terms of execution on parallel architectures.
Retinal astrocytic hamartoma

Abstract Background Retinal astrocytic hamartomas are glial tumors of the retinal nerve fiber layer that arise from retinal astrocytes. Classically they appear as a cream-white, well-circumscribed, elevated lesion that may present as multiple or solitary sites. A lesion is commonly seen with a multilobulated, “mulberry” appearance, but can also appear flat and semitranslucent. It is most frequently associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS) but may also be found rarely in patients with neurofibromatosis. Although the finding may point toward a systemic association, it can also be found incidentally on retinal examination as an isolated presentation. Case Reports Two cases of solitary retinal astrocytic hamartomas without systemic complications discovered at routine examination are presented. Both patients were found to have a raised, multilobulated retinal lesion consistent with the appearance of a retinal astrocytic hamartoma. In both cases, the patients had no personal or family history of seizures or any signs of unusual dermatologic lesions. B-scan ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed as necessary. Conclusion A retinal astrocytic hamartoma is typically associated with TS but can also present as a spontaneous, idiopathic lesion. Prompt referral to rule out TS or other systemic associations, particularly in young children, is important. Neuroimaging, along with other diagnostic tests, may ensure the proper management and rule out need for further evaluation. Spontaneous lesions without systemic association can initially be monitored closely to rule out possible progression. Once stability has been established, annual follow-up with a primary care eye practitioner is appropriate.
A medication screening trial evaluation of reserpine, gabapentin and lamotrigine pharmacotherapy of cocaine dependence

Aims To conduct a preliminary evaluation of the safety and efficacy of reserpine, gabapentin or lamotrigine versus an unmatched placebo control as a treatment for cocaine dependence. Design A 10-week out-patient study using the Cocaine Rapid Efficacy and Safety Trial (CREST) study design. Setting The study was conducted at the Cincinnati Medication Development Research Unit (MDRU). Participants Participants met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM-IV) criteria for cocaine dependence. Sixty participants were enrolled, with 50 participants completing the final study measures. Intervention The targeted daily doses of medication were reserpine 0.5 mg, gabapentin 1800 mg and lamotrigine 150 mg. All participants received 1 hour of manualized individual cognitive behavioral therapy on a weekly basis. Measurements Primary outcome measures of efficacy included urine benzoylecgonine (BE) level, Cocaine Clinical Global Impression scale—observer and self-report of cocaine use. Safety measures included adverse events, electrocardiograms (ECGs), vital signs and laboratory tests. Findings Subjective measures of cocaine dependence indicated significant improvement for all study groups. Urine BE results indicated a significant improvement for the reserpine group (P < 0.05) and non-significant changes for the other study groups. No pattern of physical or laboratory abnormalities attributable to treatment with any of the medications was identified. There were three serious adverse events reported, none of which were related to study procedures. The medications appeared to be tolerated well. Conclusions The present findings suggest that reserpine may be worthy of further study as a cocaine dependence treatment.
Inhomogeneous broadening in solids : progress towards a microscopic understanding

Abstract Inhomogeneous broadening is often considered a nuisance in solid state spectroscopy, and the usual treatment of it is phenomenological. In fact, the inhomogeneous broadening of absorption spectra, coupled with a microscopic theory, can provide one with interesting information about the nature of disorder in different systems. More sophisticated experiments can provide more detailed information about disorder by probing certain correlations between energy levels. For example, flourescence line narrowing spectra of isolated impurities involve correlations among three different vibronic levels. Pressure effects on hole burning spectra probe correlations of impurity transition energies before and after the pressure change. For interacting impurity systems, photon echo experiments involve transition energy correlations between different impurities. Efforts to understand these effects within a microscopic framework are discussed.
Myocardial ultrastructure of young and senescent rats.

Myocardial ultrastructure was compared in specimens from rats aged 3–6 months (young) and 27–28 months (senescent). Retrograde aortic aldehyde perfusion produced uniform preservation. Characteristic effects were observed with variations in buffer systems, fixative concentration, and osmolality. Myocardial cells of senescent rats are characterized by increased lipofuscin pigment containing material of varying density; the granules are often associated with smaller lysosomelike structures. Golgi structures are numerous. Foci of small densely accumulated mitochondria, and dilated vesicles in the intercalated disc region are frequent. Irregular myofibers, numerous surface vesicles, and increased numbers of connective tissue cells are common. These findings suggest that aging of the myocardium includes structural alterations which are not altogether consistent with various pathological conditions.
The analytic group: A multifaceted approach to the treatment of adolescents

During adolescence the peer group plays a major role in facilitating developmental processes, since it not only serves as a replacement for childhood love-objects and attachments, but offers the adolescent allies in the struggle to separate and become emancipated from parents. For those adolescents who, because of interpersonal and intrapsychic difficulties, have no peer group or have chosen an inappropriate peer group, providing a therapeutic group can make it possible for development to proceed. This paper presents not only a theoretical basis for the utilization of groups of peers in the treatment of adolescents, but also an elaboration on the dynamic processes which make possible improvement of ego-functioning and resolution of core conflicts related to the past, as well as to this particular developmental phase.
Dehydration kinetics of D-glucose monohydrate studied using THz time-domain spectroscopy

We report the first use of THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to probe the dehydration process of a polycrystalline hydrate. Anhydrous and monohydrated D-glucose exhibit different THz absorption features, presumably due to their different intermolecular vibrational modes. The absorption peaks of anhydrous D-glucose were used to quantify the dehydration. The dehydration kinetics was found to obey the contracting area equation of the solid-state reaction. The dehydration rate constants at different temperatures were obtained and the activation energy was extracted from the Arrhenius plot. Our investigation demonstrates that THz-TDS is an effective new tool to characterize the dehydration kinetics of polycrystalline hydrates.
Acetaldehyde, a major constituent of tobacco smoke, enhances behavioral, endocrine, and neuronal responses to nicotine in adolescent and adult rats.

We have previously shown that acetaldehyde, a constituent of tobacco smoke, increases nicotine self-administration in adolescent, but not adult, rats. The aim of this study was to determine whether acetaldehyde influences other behavioral, endocrine, or neuronal responses to nicotine at either age. Juvenile (postnatal day (P) 27) and adult (P90) male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with saline, acetaldehyde (16 μg/kg/injection × 2, i.v.), nicotine (30 μg/kg/injection × 2, i.v.) or a combination of acetaldehyde and nicotine. Locomotion and center time were evaluated for 30 min in a novel open field, before measurement of plasma corticosterone levels and brain c-fos mRNA. Nicotine increased locomotor activity in juveniles but decreased it in adults; in contrast, center time was increased at both ages. Acetaldehyde potentiated nicotine's locomotor effects, but not center time. Nicotine induced c-fos expression in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), nucleus accumbens, and the superior colliculus (SC) at both ages, whereas it activated the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and consequent corticosterone secretion only in adults. Acetaldehyde potentiated nicotine-induced c-fos in CeA and SC, and activation of PVN c-fos expression/plasma corticosterone release; however, this drug interaction was only observed in behaviorally tested animals, not those that were minimally stressed. Thus, acetaldehyde may modulate the interaction of nicotine and stress. Although pharmacokinetic studies showed that acetaldehyde did not change nicotine levels in either brain or serum, nicotine penetration into the brain was slower in juveniles as compared to adults.
Surgical treatment of aseptictibial nonunion

Tibial shaft nonunions continue to be a complication of tibial fracture care despite modern advances. This article outlines the surgical treatment of aseptic tibial shaft nonunions.
Morphological Diversification and Taxonomy Among the Varieties of Pedicularis bracteosa Benth. (Orobanchaceae)

Multivariate and univariate analyses were used to investigate patterns of floral and foliar morphological diversification among the eight taxonomic varieties of Pedicularis bracteosa (Orobanchaceae). Canonical discriminant analysis supported six varieties but not without considerable morphological overlap. Discrimination was most strongly based upon three floral characters: galea shape, throat length, and calyx tip length; and secondarily on three foliar characters: subtending bract width, longest leaflet width, and longest leaflet length. Analysis of variance on the ratio between calyx length and the length of the connate portion of the calyx did not corroborate a taxonomic difference among all varieties. Because galea shape is associated with specific pollination syndromes that promote reproductive isolation in other Pedicularis species, selection by the different pollinating behaviors of queens versus worker castes of the same species of bumblebees may be driving the diversification of floral morphology. While the taxa are largely allopatric and supported by several strong morphological discriminators, the high degree of morphological overlap among them does not justify their re-ranking above variety. Lack of discrimination between varieties siifolia and canbyi argues for their merger into a single taxon. A revised key to the varieties reflecting the results of this study is presented.
On the implications of design process views for the development of computational design support tools

The empirical evidence indicates that the computational evaluation tools are not sufficiently and consistently used in the architectural design process. Various contributing factors have been suggested, most of which deal with tool deficiencies in terms of user communication features, stand-alone character, and informational complexity. Without questioning the potential impact of these factors, we suggest that circumstances pertaining to the representation and understanding of the design process must be taken into consideration, if a more in-depth understanding of the problem of tool deployment is to be achieved. Toward this end, we explore the possible impact of alternative design process views on the development of computational design evaluation tools. In particular, we describe how a nonconventional view of the design process can inform implementation efforts that lead to the emergence of new tools for active convergence support in design.
European Immigration Policies in Comparative Perspective: Issue Salience, Partisanship and Immigrant Rights

This paper examines the impact of issue salience and political partisanship on the restrictiveness of immigration laws in France, Germany, and the UK, from 1990 to 2002. Our first hypothesis is that immigration policymaking in liberal states is normally dominated by client politics, which minimizes restrictiveness towards immigrant rights, but under conditions of high issue salience and prominent media coverage, policy becomes more restrictive. Our second hypothesis is that Left and Right parties are equally restrictive vis-a-vis policies to control immigration, but Right parties are more restrictive vis-a-vis policies to integrate already-resident immigrants into society. We statistically test both of these hypotheses in Western Europe, while controlling for the impact of unemployment, GDP growth, and numbers of immigrants and refugees. Our analysis confirms that issue salience is a predictor of the restrictiveness of national immigration laws and that partisanship plays a role in policies towards the integration of already-resident immigrants, but not towards controlling the inflow of new immigrants.
A Simplified Method for Sealing Tungsten Electrodes into Quartz

The study of spectrochemical excitation sources is frequently aided if electrical measurements, such as electron density, can be obtained. This report will present a new, simple method for sealing tungsten electrodes into a quartz tube. Other research on the nature of the microwave plasma incorporated relatively complex methods to seal probes into quartz or have used Pyrex plasma tubes so that canary-glass seals could be used. The seals reported here are sturdy and perform well at elevated temperature and in high vacuum. The assembly described has been used successfully in the study of a microwave-excited argon plasma.
Machine learning characterization of a two-seam coal deposit

In this research, geostatistical modeling and simulation algorithms are employed to characterize the coal deposit. The results of such modeling are then fed to a machine learning algorithm — the generalized regression neural network. The resulting intelligent model can then be employed to predict values in real time. This will ensure operational flexibility and enhance the mining and blending of coal to meet power plant or contract requirements.
Reduced iliac cancellous osteocyte density in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

Iliac cancellous osteocyte density declines with age, but its relationship to vertebral fracture pathogenesis is unknown. We performed iliac bone biopsy in 44 women with clinical vertebral fracture and 56 healthy women. The fracture patients had 34% fewer osteocytes but no reduction in percent occupied lacunae. Some patients destined to sustain vertebral fracture make cancellous bone with fewer osteocytes. Introduction: Patient's with vertebral fracture have less bone than appropriate healthy controls, but other factors may contribute to bone fragility. Iliac cancellous osteocyte density declines with age in healthy women; we asked whether this variable differed between fracture patients and healthy controls. Methods: Two groups of women were assembled. Forty-four (mean age, 66.2 years) had unequivocal evidence of bone fragility manifested as painful nontraumatic vertebral fracture, and 56 (mean age, 62.2 years) were skeletally healthy. All subjects underwent iliac bone biopsy. From archival embedded biopsy cores, new sections were stained with Goldner's trichrome, in which we enumerated osteocyte-occupied lacunae (stained), empty lacunae (unstained), and total lacunae per bone area. Results: Cancellous osteocyte density was 34% lower in the fracture group than in the controls (p 90% for osteocyte density and 45 μm from the surface) were affected. In contrast, the age-related deficit is accompanied by an increase in empty lacunae and fall in percent osteocyte-occupied lacunae and occurs only in deep bone, but not in superficial bone. Conclusions: In some patients destined to sustain spontaneous vertebral compression fracture, iliac cancellous bone is made with fewer osteocytes than normal; the mechanism of osteocyte incorporation into bone needs more detailed study. Osteocyte deficiency could contribute to bone fragility, either by impairing the detection of fatigue microdamage or by reducing canalicular fluid flow. Current practices of defining vertebral fracture based on morphometry alone regardless of symptoms, and diagnosing osteoporosis based on bone densitometry alone regardless of fracture history, should be reexamined.
“THE WOOD AGE” – PART OF OUR PAST, BUT SHOULD WE WISH FOR IT AS OUR FUTURE?

A new book by Radkau, Wood. A History, provides telling insight into the cleverness and also into the short-sightedness of humans in their almost uninterrupted dependence on forest resources. This essay touches upon the earliest evidence of prehistoric wood-based technologies – showing examples where humans have tended, in many generations, to exhaust their readily available resources. Beginning in the Industrial Revolution a greatly expanded usage of first coal and the petroleum have tended to take some of the pressure off of the use of wood as a fuel source. But there are early signs that the situation may be changing soon. Large wood-to-liquid-fuel facilities are being talked about. Though the usage of wood for fuel has the potential to be a sustainable enterprise, human history suggests we should exercise caution.
Failure to isolate Brucella from prostatic tissue of individuals living in an endemic area.

Summary1. Prostatic tissue obtained surgically from 100 consecutive males, who had lived for many years in an endemic area of brucellosis in Minnesota, were cultured for brucella and in no instance were brucella isolated. 2. On the basis of historical evidence, as well as positive intradermal tests and the presence of brucella agglutinins, many of the individuals had been exposed to brucellosis.
Effects of inhomogeneities in polyacrylamide gels on thermodynamic and transport properties

Abstract The difference in swelling of polyacrylamide gels of various polymer concentrations and the nuclear magnetic resonance self-diffusion measurements of water in these gels suggest that inherent inhomogeneities in dilute gels play an important role in the thermodynamic and transport properties of these gels.
Testing the mediating role of cognitive responses in the elaboration likelihood model

Cognitive response theories such as the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) have been criticized for lacking appropriate and rigorous empirical testing. As a result, the ELM in particular has little support for the proposed causal mechanism, cognitive responses, as a mediating variable between messages and attitude change. Using argument quality and source credibility manipulations, this investigation examines several causal models to assess the role of cognitive responses in the ELM. In general, the data supported the ELM's prediction that high quality arguments produce more favorable thoughts and subsequently more attitude change for high involvement receivers. Although a structural equation model supports the mediating role of cognitive responses in the ELM, the data are more consistent with a model derived from Information Processing Theory.
Transfer of spatial information in electromagnetic optics

We incorporate information theoretic concepts into the theory of electromagnetic degrees of freedom between three-dimensional domains. As a consequence we show how to evaluate the capacity of three-dimensional electromagnetic channels.
Age-dependent NOC/oFQ contribution to impaired hypotensive cerebral hemodynamics after brain injury.

Previous studies have observed that the newly described opioid, nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOC/oFQ), contributed to age dependent reductions in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and pial artery diameter after fluid percussion brain injury (FPI). Unrelated studies have noted a similar age dependency in impaired hypotensive cerebral autoregulation after FPI. This study was designed to compare the role of NOC/oFQ in impaired hypotensive cerebral autoregulation after FPI in newborn and juvenile pigs equipped with a closed cranial window. Ten minutes of hemorrhagic hypotension (10-15 mL blood/kg) decreased mean arterial blood pressure uniformly in both groups (≈44%). In the newborn, hypotensive pial artery dilation was blunted within 1 h of FPI but partially protected by pretreatment with the NOC/oFQ antagonist, [F/G] NOC/oFQ (1-13) NH2 (1 mg/kg, i.v.) (34 ± 1 vs. 8 ± 1 vs. 20 ± 2% for sham control, FPI, and FPI-[F/G] NOC/oFQ (1-13) NH2, respectively). CBF was reduced during normotension by FPI, further reduced by hypote...
RNA Expression Analysis of Passive Transfer Myasthenia Supports Extraocular Muscle as a Unique Immunological Environment

PURPOSE Myasthenia gravis demonstrates a distinct predilection for involvement of the extraocular muscles (EOM), and we have hypothesized that this may be due to a unique immunological environment. To assess this hypothesis, we took an unbiased approach to analyze RNA expression profiles in EOM, diaphragm, and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in rats with experimentally acquired myasthenia gravis (EAMG). METHODS Experimentally acquired myasthenia gravis was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of antibody directed against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), whereas control rats received antibody known to bind the AChR but not induce disease. After 48 hours, animals were killed and muscles analyzed by RNA expression profiling. Profiling results were validated using qPCR and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS Sixty-two genes common among all muscle groups were increased in expression. These fell into four major categories: 12.8% stress response, 10.5% immune response, 10.5% metabolism, and 9.0% transcription factors. EOM expressed 212 genes at higher levels, not shared by the other two muscles, and a preponderance of EOM gene changes fell into the immune response category. EOM had the most uniquely reduced genes (126) compared with diaphragm (26) and EDL (50). Only 18 downregulated genes were shared by the three muscles. Histological evaluation and disease load index (sum of fold changes for all genes) demonstrated that EOM had the greatest degree of pathology. CONCLUSIONS Our studies demonstrated that consistent with human myasthenia gravis, EOM demonstrates a distinct RNA expression signature from EDL and diaphragm, which is based on differences in the degree of muscle injury and inflammatory response.
Wave slope measurement using imaging polarimetry

Imaging polarimetry can be used to accurately measure wave slopes of ocean waves in real time. An imaging polarimeter measures the polarization ellipse, and hence the degree of polarization and its orientation, by acquiring a number of images each of which analyzes a different polarization state. By knowing the geometry of the camera and its relationship to the sea surface and the measured polarization quantities, the wave slope can be extracted. We have developed and tested such an instrument with good results. For this talk, the four camera imaging polarimeter operating in the visible at 60 frames per second will be presented. The polarimeter design, calibration procedures, and the data from several data acquisition programs using the instrument will be presented.
Functional equations associated with triangle geometry

Triangle geometry is treated in the context of functional equations of three variablesa, b, c which may be regarded as the sidelengths of a variable triangle. Trianglecenters (e.g., incenter, circumcenter, centroid), andcentral lines (e.g., the Euler line) are defined and partitioned into classes:0-centers, 1-centers, 2-centers and0-lines, 1-lines, and 2-lines. Criteria for parallelism, perpendicularity, and other geometric relations are proved in terms of these classes. The Euler line and central lines parallel or perpendicular to the Euler line serve as examples.
Locoregional prostate cancer treatment pattern variation in independent cancer centers: policy effect, patient preference, or physician incentive?

Surveillance, Epidemiologic, and End Results (SEER) registry data abstracted from a priority 2 or higher reporting source from 2006 to 2008 were used to compare treatment patterns in 45–64-year old men diagnosed with locoregional prostate cancer (LRPC) across states with or without radiation therapy-directed certificate of need (CON) laws and across independent cancer centers (ICCs) compared to large multi-specialty groups (LMSGs). Adjusted treatment percentages for the five most common LRPC treatments (surgery, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), combination brachytherapy with EBRT, brachytherapy, and observation) were compared using cross-sectional logistic regression between CON-unregulated and -regulated states and between LMSGs and ICCs. LRPC EBRT rates were no different across CON regions, but are increased in ICCs compared to LMSGs (37.00% vs. 13.23%, P < 0.001). Variation in LRPC treatment patterns by reporting source merits further scrutiny under the Affordable Care Act of 2010, considering the intent of incentivized accountable care organizations (ACOs) established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) and the implications of early descriptions of these new healthcare provider organizations on prostate cancer treatment patterns.
Carbon dioxide on planetary bodies: Theoretical and experimental studies of molecular complexes

Abstract An absorption band at ∼ 4.26 μm wavelength attributed to the asymmetric stretching mode of C O in CO2 has been found on two satellites of Jupiter and several satellites of Saturn. The wavelength of pure CO2 ice determined in the laboratory is 4.2675 μm, indicating that the CO2 on the satellites occurs either trapped in a host material, or in a chemical or physical complex with other materials, resulting in a blue shift of the wavelength of the band. In frequency units, the shifts in the satellite spectra range from 3.7 to 11.3 cm−1. We have performed ab initio quantum chemical calculations of CO2 molecules chemically complexed with one, two, and more H2O molecules and molecules of CH3OH to explore the possibility that the blue shift of the band is caused by chemical complexing of CO2 with other volatile materials. Our computations of the harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies using high levels of theory show a frequency shift to the blue by 5 cm−1 from pure CO2 to CO–H2O, and an additional 5 cm−1 from CO2–H2O to CO2–2H2O. Complexing with more than two H2O molecules does not increase the blue shift. Complexes of CO2 with one molecule of CH3OH and with one CH3OH plus one H2O molecule produce smaller shifts than the CO2–2H2O complex. Laboratory studies of CO2:H2O in a solid N2 matrix also show a blue shift of the asymmetric stretching mode.
A dc-bus voltage regulation for parallel wind-based synchronous generators

In this paper, a performance analysis of a dc-bus voltage regulation technique for parallel wind-based synchronous generators is presented. This technique is developed based on the voltage oriented control (VOC) algorithm for PWM converters. The proposed technique provides economic utilization of the wind generator by insuring unity power factor operation under different possible conditions. This is achieved using a PWM-based controlled rectifier (converter). Furthermore, this gives the ability to interconnect multi wind converter units sharing one dc-bus and the ability to compensate voltage disturbance due to loading effect on the dc-bus. Simulation results for different disturbance conditions are carried out to validate this proposed control algorithm. The developed technique is also implemented in a laboratory setup which includes two synchronous generators (250 W, 2.2 kW), each driven by a variable speed prime mover (VSPM) to emulate a wind turbine behavior, two 3-phase PWM based converters, three-phase line inductors connected between wind generators and converters, variable resistive DC-load, and a digital signal processor (DSP TMS320F240). The experimental results confirm the validity of the presented technique.
US Retirement Migration to Mexico: Understanding Issues of Adaptation, Networking, and Social Integration

This paper describes the cultural adaptation of American retirees living in two traditional retirement destinations in Mexico (Lake Chapala, state of Jalisco and San Miguel de Allende, state of Guanajuato). Based on 375 surveys and follow-up interviews, the authors discuss issues of adaptation, identity, and networking with the American and local community. Findings present a complex picture of adaptation and integration to the Mexican community as well as networking with other US residents. The comparative case study allows researcher to see the different social and economic dynamics taking place in the two destinations. This study contributes to understand a largely ignored migration flow that is directly related to the aging of the baby boomers generation.
Molten salt considerations for accelerator-driven subcritical fission to close the nuclear fuel cycle

The host salt selection, molecular modeling, physical chemistry, and processing chemistry are presented here for an accelerator-driven subcritical fission in a molten salt core (ADSMS). The core is fueled solely with the transuranics (TRU) and long-lived fission products (LFP) from used nuclear fuel. The neutronics and salt composition are optimized to destroy the transuranics by fission and the long-lived fission products by transmutation. The cores are driven by proton beams from a strong-focusing cyclotron stack. One such ADSMS system can destroy the transuranics in the used nuclear fuel produced by a 1GWe conventional reactor. It uniquely provides a method to close the nuclear fuel cycle for green nuclear energy.
A theoretical approach towards the identification of cleavage-determining amino acid motifs of the 20 S proteasome.

Hitherto the mechanisms controlling the selective cleavage of peptide bonds by the 20 S proteasome have been poorly understood. The observation that peptide bond cleavage may eventually occur at the carboxyl site of either amino acid residue rules out a simple control of cleavage preferences by the P1 residue alone. Here, we follow the rationale that the presence of specific cleavage-determining amino acids motifs (CDAAMs) around the scissile peptide bond are required for the attainment of substrate conformations susceptible to cleavage. We present an exploratory search for these putative motifs based on empirical regression functions relating the cleavage probability for a given peptide bond to some selected side-chain properties of the flanking amino acid residues. Identification of the sequence locations of cleavage-determining residues relative to the scissile bond and of their optimal side-chain properties was carried out by fitting the cleavage probability to (binary) experimental observations on peptide bond cleavage gathered among a set of seven different peptide substrates with known patterns of proteolytic degradation products. In this analysis, all peptide bonds containing the same residue in the P1 position were assumed to be cleaved by the same active sites of the proteasome, and thus to be under control of the same CDAAMs. We arrived at a final set of ten different CDAAMs, accounting for the cleavage of one to five different groups of peptide bonds with an overall predictive correctness of 93 %. The CDAAM is composed of two to four "anchor" positions preferentially located between P5 and P5' around the scissile bond. This implies a length constraint for the usage of cleavage sites, which could considerably suppress the excision of shorter fragments and thus partially explain for the observed preponderance of medium-size cleavage products.
Building blocks for graphical belief models

The graphical belief model is a versatile tool for modeling complex systems. The graphical structure and its implicit probabilistic and logical independence conditions define the relationships between many of the variables of the problem. The graphical model is composed of a collection of local models:models of both interactions between the variables sharing a common hyperedge and information about single variables. These local models can be constructed with either probability distributions or belief functions. This paper takes the latter approach and describes simple models for univariate and multivariate belief functions. The examples are taken from both reliability and knowledge representation problems.
A correction for replicated error in correlation coefficients

A solution is presented to the problem of determining a proper correction for spuriousness in correlation coefficients. The general case developed is the estimate of correlation betweenu andv, both being linear functions of the same set of variables. Special formulae relate to overlapping scales correlations, part-whole correlations, and item-total test correlations.
Band structure, Fermi surface, Compton profile, and optical conductivity of paramagnetic chromium

A self-consistent linear-combination-of-Gaussian-orbitals band-structure calculation for paramagnetic chromium employing a local exchange approximation has been performed. The density of states, Fermi surface, and x-ray form factors have been obtained and compared with available experimental data. New interpretations of some of the neutron scattering data are made, with good agreement in general for all the data. The Compton profiles and the optical conductivity have also been obtained using the full matrix element $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ dependence in Brillouin-zone integrations. Comparison with experiment is made for both, and correlation with experiment is good if appropriate angular averages or lifetime effects are included.