cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A wide linear range low-voltage transconductor

This paper presents a wide linear range transconductor based on the differential pair with emitter/source degeneration. The proposed circuit can be implemented in both bipolar and CMOS technology. The transconductor exhibits high linearity that is achieved by forcing a constant current through the main transistors in the differential pair and collecting the output current by means of two additional transistors and two current mirrors. Simulation results are presented for a CMOS implementation operating at a 1.8 V supply voltage.
HIV Infection and Acute Stroke: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

Background. In the United States, ischemic stroke in HIV-infected patients has increased by 60%. However, unexpected cardiovascular events in relatively young patients have been observed. Clinical Vignette. A 31-year-old male who presented with a 5-hour history of sudden onset slurred speech and left hemiplegia. He has medical history of HIV infection for 2 years taking ARTs. On exam, a significant left hemiparesis was noticed. Brain MRI showed right anterior corona radiata and basal ganglia acute infarction. Discussion. Several mechanisms have been proposed for the relationship between HIV infection and cardiovascular risk. (i) HIV-associated dyslipidemia: HIV-infected patients tend to develop decrease in HDL-c and LDL-c levels. ART was associated with an increase in LDL-c but little change in HDL-c. (ii) Endothelial dysfunction: certain antiretroviral agents may independently contribute to endothelial damage. (iii) Hypertension: systolic blood pressure is higher in those using ART for greater than five years. (iv) Insulin resistance and diabetes have been noticed with ART. (v) Chronic inflammation. (vi) Hypercoagulability: decrease in proteins C and S was associated with HIV infection. Conclusion. Poorly controlled HIV infection and/or the introduction of ATR might be risk factors for cardiovascular events. More studies needed to address this medical dilemma.
Gastrointestinal Kaposi's Sarcoma Presenting as Ileocolic Intussusception.

Context: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common neoplasm in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement with KS commonly occurs in association with cutaneous lesions or lymph node involvement, with GI tract involvement alone occurring in only 3.5% of cases. There are several case reports described in the literature about asymptomatic intestinal KS with skin manifestations. Although GI KS is usually asymptomatic, hemorrhages from the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, and large bowel have been reported in this disease. Case Report: Our case is unique, in a way that the patient does not have skin manifestation, and also is that the first manifestation presented as acute intestinal intussusception and obstruction with nodular mass lesions of the stomach and GI tract due to GI KS. Conclusion: As a differential diagnosis of KS, nonHodgkin lymphomas frequently involve the gut in AIDS patients. Furthermore, tumors of the gut with spindle-shaped cells such as leiomyomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, high-grade pleomorphic sarcomas, or GI stromal tumors have to be considered in the differential diagnosis. Overall, the visceral involvement of the KS is usually associated with poor prognosis. Our case illustrates the importance of physicians to recognize GI KS as a differential diagnosis for HIV positive patients with recurrent abdominal pain. It is commonly occurs in association with cutaneous lesions or lymph node involvement and rarely presents with GI involvement alone, which is makes it a challenge to the physician.
Dose-dependent treatment of optic nerve crush by exogenous systemic mutant erythropoietin.

The goal of the present study was to determine the minimum concentration of systemic erythropoietin-R76E required for neuroprotection in the retina. Erythropoietin (EPO) exhibits neuroprotective effects in both in vitro and in vivo models of neuronal cell death although its classical function is the regulation of red blood cell production. It can cross the blood brain barrier and therefore can be delivered systemically to affect the retina. However, long-term treatment with exogenous erythropoietin causes polycythemia. To decrease this potentially lethal effect, we generated and tested a modified form that contains a single arginine to glutamate mutation at the 76th position (EPO-R76E). In previous studies, this mutant protected retinal neurons in mouse models of retinal degeneration and glaucoma with similar efficacy as wild-type EPO. However, EPO-R76E has attenuated erythropoietic activity, therefore, neuroprotection can be achieved without causing a significant rise in hematocrit. BALB/cByJ mice received a single intramuscular injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein, Epo, or Epo-R76E. To result in continuous production of four different doses of EPO-R76E, two doses of two different serotypes (2/5 and 2/8) were used. Mice were subjected to optic nerve crush and analysis was performed thirty days later. EPO-R76E showed dose-dependent protection of the retinal ganglion cell bodies, but was unable to prevent axonal degeneration. Furthermore, EPO-R76E induced a dose-dependent rise in the hematocrit that was still attenuated as compared to wild-type EPO.
Anoxic treatment of trifluralin-contaminated soil

Amending anoxic soils with stoichiometric amounts of sodium acetate led to the complete transformation of trifluralin within the 45 day treatment period. Under these conditions, a maximum trifluralin transformation rate of 4.9 mg kg−1 of soil per day was estimated, which corresponded to a chemical half life of 11.9 days. Regression analyses indicated that the zero order rate model provided the best fit to the experimental data, suggesting that the trifluralin transformation rate is independent of concentration during acetate addition. Using radiolabeled trifluralin, it was determined that the principal contaminant transformation mechanisms were degradation and bound residue formation (i.e., irreversible adsorption). Volatilization and mineralization of trifluralin were found to be negligible over the 45 day treatment period. Using poisoned controls, it was determined that trifluralin transformation under acetate-amended conditions was biologically mediated. Amending trifluralin contaminated soils with stoichiometric amounts of iron sulfide resulted in complete trifluralin transformation within 24 hours of treatment. A maximum trifluralin transformation rate of 380 mg kg−1 of soil per day was estimated for this system, which corresponded to a chemical half life of 4.4 h. The rates of trifluralin transformation followed the first-order kinetic model during iron sulfide addition. Using radiolabeled trifluralin, it was found that chemical degradation was the principal removal mechanism. Neither volatilization nor mineralization was found to be a significant contaminant removal mechanism during iron sulfide treatment. Poisoned controls indicated that trifluralin transformation was mediated primarily by an abiotic chemical reaction mechanism. Additional study is required to clarify the rate limiting steps so that full scale soil treatment systems may be properly designed.
My Favorite Tips for Engaging the Difficult Patient on Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Services

Disengagement is the main enemy for the consultation-liaison psychiatrist. The goal of the first interview is to transform the unwilling, uncooperative, and often difficult and hostile patient into an engaged interview participant. Otherwise, the interview is an unproductive interrogation and an unpleasant power struggle. Once the difficult patient is engaged, the more typical psychiatric interview can begin. The three interview-engagement tips or techniques described are among the author's favorite ways to overcome the impediments to engagement most often associated with difficult patients.
Identifying subtypes of women survivors of childhood sexual abuse: An MMPI‐2 cluster analysis

This paper investigated subtypes of women childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors through a cluster analysis of their Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) clinical and validity scales. Participants were 117 women in outpatient treatment for CSA aftereffects at a university-affiliated community mental health center. Three well-fitting MMPI-2 cluster solutions were evaluated with discriminant analyses and MANOVAs; a 5-cluster solution was deemed optimal. Follow-up analyses demonstrated significant between-cluster differences on the Impact of Event Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Dissociative Experiences Scale, and nearly all Symptom Checklist-90-Revised subscales. No differences emerged when comparing clusters on the Family Environment Scale and their CSA characteristics. Implications were considered for research and clinical practice, using the MMPI-2 with CSA survivors.
Myosin Binding Protein C Interaction with Actin CHARACTERIZATION AND MAPPING OF THE BINDING SITE

Myosin binding protein C (MyBPC) is a multidomain protein associated with the thick filaments of striated muscle. Although both structural and regulatory roles have been proposed for MyBPC, its interactions with other sarcomeric proteins remain obscure. The current study was designed to examine the actin-binding properties of MyBPC and to define MyBPC domain regions involved in actin interaction. Here, we have expressed full-length mouse cardiac MyBPC (cMyBPC) in a baculovirus system and shown that purified cMyBPC binds actin filaments with an affinity of 4.3 ± 1.1 μm and a 1:1 molar ratio with regard to an actin protomer. The actin binding by cMyBPC is independent of protein phosphorylation status and is not significantly affected by the presence of tropomyosin and troponin on the actin filament. In addition, cMyBPC-actin interaction is not modulated by calmodulin. To determine the region of cMyBPC that is responsible for its interaction with actin, we have expressed and characterized five recombinant proteins encoding fragments of the cMyBPC sequence. Recombinant N-terminal fragments such as C0–C1, C0–C4, and C0–C5 cosediment with actin in a linear, nonsaturable manner. At the same time, MyBPC fragments lacking either the C0–C1 or C0–C4 region bind F-actin with essentially the same properties as full-length protein. Together, our results indicate that cMyBPC interacts with actin via a single, moderate affinity site localized to the C-terminal region of the protein. In contrast, certain basic regions of the N-terminal domains of MyBPC may act as small polycations and therefore bind actin via nonspecific electrostatic interactions.
Electrical Power Failure: Reflections on Compatible Descriptions of Human and Physical Systems

Relations between highly complex human and physical systems are of increasing concern today. Many of these are exemplified by problems associated with the failure of electrical power transmission systems which are not being solved within the current paradigm. Traditional mathematical forms are unable to express the hierarchical relations characterizing the physical and human systems. It is suggested that Q-analysis provides a natural and unconstrained language for describing both the technical and the management structures, and that many traditional problems are easily translated into more appropriate statements rooted in real data sets.
A Deeper Look at How Teachers Say What They Say: A Quantitative Modality Analysis of Teacher-to-Teacher Talk.

Abstract Analysis of teacher-to-teacher talk provides researchers with useful information regarding the teaching profession and teachers’ perspectives. This article provides a description of a method, with accompanying example, examining teacher-to-teacher talk by incorporating semantic modality and examining trends of its usage in a quantitative manner. Analysis of the example presented showed a tendency for teachers to use normative and probability modality, signaling a prevalence of assertions concerned with normative ways of teaching. The example analysis provides a replicable framework for other researchers to apply and adapt the analysis method described. Specifications and discussion of this method are provided in detail.
Triamminemonoaquocobalt(III) complexes of pyrophosphate and adenosine diphosphate (ADP).

Abstract Cobalt(III)H 2 O(NH 3 ) 3 pyrophosphate has been shown by proton and 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to be a facial bidentate complex. Cobalt(III)H 2 O(NH 3 ) 3 adenosine diphosphate has been resolved into Λ and Δ isomers by chromatography on cycloheptaamylose. Both the Λ and Δ forms are a pair of isomers that are not separated by cycloheptaamylose, reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromotography (HPLC), or cation exchange chromatography. These isomers presumably represent syn - and anti - arrangement of coordinated water and adenosine.
Structural requirements for and consequences of an antiviral porphyrin binding to the V3 loop of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1) envelope glycoprotein gp120

Several porphyrin derivatives were reported to have anti-HIV-1 activity. Among them, meso-teta(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (MYCPP) and other carboxyphenyl derivatives were the most potent inhibitors (EC50 < 0.7 μM). MTCPP bound to the HIV-1 enveloope glycoprotein gp120 and to full-length V3 loop peptides corresponding to several HIV-1 isolates but not to other peptides from gp120+gp41. However, it remained possible that MTCPP bound to HIV-1 envelop glycoprotein gp120 and to full-length V3 loop peptides corresponding to several HIV-1 isolates but not to other peptides from gp120+gp41. However, it remained possible that MTCPP bound to regions on gp120 which cannot be mimicked by peptides. Further characterization of the binding domain for MTCPP is important for understanding the antiviral activity of porphyrins and for the design of anit-HIV-1 drugs interfering with functions of the virus envelope. Results presented here show that: (i) deletion of the V3 loop from the gp120 sequence resulted in drastically diminished MTCPP binding, suggesting that the V3 loop is the dominant if not the only target site on gp120; (ii) this site was only partially mimicked by full-length V3 loop peptides; (iii) MTCPP binding to the gp120 V3 loop elicited allosteric effects resulting in decreased accessibility of the CD4 receptor binding site; (iv) the binding site for MTCPP lies within the central portion of the V3 loop (KSIHIGPGRAFY for the HIV-1 subtype B consensus sequence) and does not involve directly the GPG apex of the loop. These results may help in designing antiviral compounds with improved activity.
Strong laboratory double layers in the presence of a magnetic field

Abstract Using a triple plasma device, strong double layers (Δϕ ∼ 20 Te/e) have been produced in an axial magnetic field of 50 G. Numerical results indicate that suppression of plasma generation in the region of a double layer is necessary for its existence.
A bactericidal activity of microsomal preparations.

Abstract Exposure of suspension of Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA1535, TA1537 and TA98 to mouse hepatic post-mitochondrial supernatants (S9) resulted in appreciable loss of bacterial viability. This lethal activity was destroyed by heating at 56°C for 30 min. The toxic component of the S9 has not been identified.
Female homosexuals' need for dominance and endurance.

An analysis of whether differing sex-object choice by 46 heterosexual and 46 homosexual females (21 to 50 yr. old) is associated with significant differences in scores on the Edwards Personal Prefe...
4.2.3 Systems Engineering Professional Development & Certification

In the mid-1990s, the Federal Government pursued “Acquisition Reform,” which resulted in significantly reduced government technical oversight of contractors. This caused less technical personnel to be hired in the government program offices for the last ten years. Recent investigations of space problems have recognized the need to revitalize the systems engineering workforce within the government program offices. Two years ago, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) embarked on the development of a professional development and certification program for space systems engineering. The NRO workforce is heterogeneous; it is comprised of military and civilian members of all DoD services as well as several intelligence community agencies. Our objective was to develop a program that maximized the synergy with parent-agency programs and avoided any redundant training requirements. A three-level certification program was established that required technical education, systems engineering experience, and systems engineering training. The training selected is a combination of existing NRO courses, off-the-shelf academic courses, commercial training classes, newly developed classes and INCOSE CSEP certification. After the first year, over 375 employees have attended at least one training class and we are certifying systems engineers at the rate of 10–12 per month. The success of this program has led to potential expansion into other areas of the government.
Will Debt Relief Really Help

Debt relief is only a short‐term palliative. The attendant causes of underdevelopment still need to be addressed. Estonia, Chile, Singapore, and Taiwan, to name a few, hold lessons from which others, even in Africa, can learn.
A classification of C 3 geometries

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to classify the class of Tits geometries of type C 3 in which any line is incident with precisely two planes. We show that any such geometry is either a building or a quotient of a building by a group of automorphisms of order 2. Our knowledge of buildings of this type enables us to list explicitly all possibilities.
The Neglected Mandate: Teaching Science as Part of Our Culture

I have been asked to introduce for your consideration a matter which is as urgent as the time given to me here is brief. I do so gladly, chiefly for two reasons: One is that by experiment on a national and international scale it has been proven that teaching science with the inclusion of a measure of history and philosophy can be done, with success, even though with much labor. The other reason is that this way of improving science teaching is urgently needed just now. For let us be frank here: While we all know exemplary cases of fine science teaching, the results on average in this country are abysmal, by national and international comparisons. You all know the facts. For our profession as educators, this is a deeply sobering matter. Moreover, it is coming just at the time in history when, on many measures, the U.S. lags far behind those of many of our ambitious and well-organized foreign opponents— regarding the knowledge of science by students and the wider public, even regarding the respect for scientific reasoning and evidence-based facts. On this front, one may still say that ours is ‘‘A Nation at Risk’’. Thus I earnestly believe that there is an urgent need to upgrade the teaching of science now. For the nation faces a challenge not very different from that, many decades ago, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik. At that time we woke up, realizing how we had failed in many crucial ways, and seriously experimented with greatly improved science teaching. Many at this conference will have had some experience with those efforts. I feel sure that from the results of the experiments which succeeded then there are valuable lessons for our own situation today. I have been invited to speak about one of them, in which I was and still am involved. In a nutshell, it started with an approach to me from the National Science Foundation. The Foundation had supported a large-scale introductory physics course (Physical Science Study Committee) developed by distinguished physicists at MIT. It was imaginative and successful; but the Foundation was concerned that despite its excellence it was reaching a
The vibrational spectra of magnesium pyrophosphate polymorphs

Abstract The Raman spectra were measured and analyzed for both α- and β-Mg2P2O7. The IR and Raman spectra were interpreted for both phases using factor group analyses. The spectral features predicted with factor groups arising from the X-ray crystallographic space groups P2 1 c − c52h and C2 m − C32h for α-Mg2P2O7 and β-Mg2P2O7, respectively, fit the observed results. Bands observed in the Raman spectrum for β-Mg2P2O7 are consistent with a linear bond angle while those for α-Mg2P2O7 are consistent with a bent P-O-P bond angle. No soft modes were observed in the Raman spectra indicating that the phase transition between the two phases is not a second order process.
Fever and antipyresis in the bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus.

1. 1. Bluegills develop a behavioral fever (increase in preferred temperature) of about 3°C when injected with killed gram-negative bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila. 2. 2. The antipyretic drug acetaminophen, when dissolved in the ambient water, counteracts the febrile response to bacterial pyrogen. 3. 3. Injection of sterile pyrogen-free saline, or dissolution of acetaminophen in the ambient water of afebrile thermoregulating bluegills, does not significantly affect their preferred temperature.
Energy levels of 133Cs and 141Pr from the (n, n′γ) reaction

Abstract The energy levels of 133 Cs and 141 Pr were studied by high-resolution measurements of γ-rays following neutron inelastic scattering for incident neutrons in the range 0.2–2.2 MeV. The observed γ-rays were assigned to transitions from levels up to an excitation of 1175 keV in 133 Cs and 2104 keV in 141 Pr. Ten new levels in 133 Cs above 437 keV are proposed. The level scheme of 141 Pr is compared with previous work and a number of discrepancies resolved. Differential γ-ray production cross sections at 95° are presented.
A microwave-assisted method for the rapid removal of K from phlogopite

The ability to remove K rapidly with a solution containing sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) from the interlayers of naturally-occurring phlogopite using a microwave-assisted technique has been examined. Samples were equilibrated with a 1.0 N sodium chloride (NaCl) – 0.2 N NaTPB – 0.01 M disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution at 60, 80 and 100°C under both conventional and microwave-assisted heating methods and for periods of time ranging from 1 to 3 h. The samples also underwent treatments of either continuous time periods or for successive treatments of 1 h with a washing step between each treatment. Following sample treatment, the expansion of the c -axis value ( d 001) from 10.0 to 12.2 A indicated the presence of hydrated Na ions in the phlogopite structure. Under most treatment conditions the 10.0 A peak remained even after treatment due to incomplete K removal. Chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that samples heated using microwave radiation exchanged their interlayer K for Na much more rapidly than under conventional heating for all treatment times and temperatures. The successive treatments also degraded the mica more rapidly than the continuous treatments. The greatest amount of K (95%) was removed when the mica was treated three times for 1 h at 60°C. The results suggest that successive treatments of phlogopite mica heated under microwave radiation will rapidly remove K from the mica. Decreasing the amount of time required to prepare K-depleted phlogopite micas will make these materials more appealing as ion exchangers for separation of Cs from nuclear wastes.
Mu, Delta, and Kappa Opioid Receptor mRNA Expression in the Rat CNS: An In Situ Hybridization Study

The mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors are the three main types of opioid receptors found in the central nervous system (CNS) and periphery. These receptors and the peptides with which they interact are important in a number of physiological functions, including analgesia, respiration, and hormonal regulation. This study examines the expression of mu, delta, and kappa receptor mRNAs in the rat brain and spinal cord using in situ hybridization techniques. Tissue sections were hybridized with 35S-labeled cRNA probes to the rat mu (744-1,064 b), delta (304-1,287 b), and kappa (1,351-2,124 b) receptors. Each mRNA demonstrates a distinct anatomical distribution that corresponds well to known receptor binding distributions. Cells expressing mu receptor mRNA are localized in such regions as the olfactory bulb, caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, lateral and medial septum, diagonal band of Broca, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, most thalamic nuclei, hippocampus, amygdala, medial preoptic area, superior and inferior colliculi, central gray, dorsal and median raphe, raphe magnus, locus coeruleus, parabrachial nucleus, pontine and medullary reticular nuclei, nucleus ambiguus, nucleus of the solitary tract, nucleus gracilis and cuneatus, dorsal motor nucleus of vagus, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia. Cellular localization of delta receptor mRNA varied from mu or kappa, with expression in such regions as the olfactory bulb, allo- and neocortex, caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, ventromedial hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, red nucleus, pontine nuclei, reticulotegmental nucleus, motor and spinal trigeminal, linear nucleus of the medulla, lateral reticular nucleus, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia. Cells expressing kappa receptor mRNA demonstrate a third pattern of expression, with cells localized in regions such as the claustrum, endopiriform nucleus, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, medial preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, amygdala, most hypothalamic nuclei, median eminence, infundibulum, substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, raphe nuclei, paratrigeminal and spinal trigeminal, nucleus of the solitary tract, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia. These findings are discussed in relation to the physiological functions associated with the opioid receptors.
Comparison of a novel surface laser scanning anthropometric technique to traditional methods for facial parameter measurements.

This study was designed to determine if three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning techniques could be used to collect accurate anthropometric measurements, compared with traditional methods. The use of an alternative 3D method would allow for quick collection of data that could be used to change the parameters used for facepiece design, improving fit and protection for a wider variety of faces. In our study, 10 facial dimensions were collected using both the traditional calipers and tape method and a Konica-Minolta Vivid9i laser scanner. Scans were combined using RapidForm XOR software to create a single complete facial geometry of the subject as a triangulated surface with an associated texture image from which to obtain measurements. A paired t-test was performed on subject means in each measurement by method. Nine subjects were used in this study: five males (one African-American and four Caucasian females) and four females displaying a range of facial dimensions. Five measurements showed significant diffe...
Relaxation effects in random sequential adsorption: application to chemisorption systems

Abstract We consider the effect of slow relaxation processes in two models for irreversible chemisorption which incorporate superlattice ordering of the adsorbed layer on a square lattice of adsorption sites. The first model involves adsorption of monomers onto single empty sites, and we the second involves dissociative adsorption of dimers onto diagonally adjacent empty sites, where adsorption in both models occurs subject to the constraint that no adjacent pairs of occupied sites can be created. These adsorption processes produce adlayers comprised of disordered ‘checkerboard’ or c(2×2) domains, adsorption continuing until a non-equilibrium ‘jammed’ state is reached where no further space is available for adsorption. We focus on characterizing the evolution from this jammed state as a result of slow surface diffusion, or slow desorption (or reaction) processes. These relaxation processes open up further adsorption sites which are immediately filled in the presence of continued adsorption. In all cases, evolution involves Lifshitz–Cahn–Allen-type coarsening of the c(2×2) domains.
Sensitivity of the PBL and Precipitation in 12-Day Simulations of Warm-Season Convection Using Different Land Surface Models and Soil Wetness Conditions

Abstract A coupled land surface–atmospheric model that permits grid-resolved deep convection is used to examine linkages between land surface conditions, the planetary boundary layer (PBL), and precipitation during a 12-day warm-season period over the central United States. The period of study (9–21 June 2002) coincided with an extensive dry soil moisture anomaly over the western United States and adjacent high plains and wetter-than-normal soil conditions over parts of the Midwest. A range of possible atmospheric responses to soil wetness is diagnosed from a set of simulations that use land surface models (LSMs) of varying sophistication and initial land surface conditions of varying resolution and specificity to the period of study. Results suggest that the choice of LSM [Noah or the less sophisticated simple slab soil model (SLAB)] significantly influences the diurnal cycle of near-surface potential temperature and water vapor mixing ratio. The initial soil wetness also has a major impact on these ther...
Thermal Model Calibration for Minor Planets Observed with Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer/NEOWISE

With the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), we have observed over 157,000 minor planets. Included in these are a number of near-Earth objects, main-belt asteroids, and irregular satellites which have well measured physical properties (via radar studies and in situ imaging) such as diameters. We have used these objects to validate models of thermal emission and reflected sunlight using the WISE measurements, as well as the color corrections derived in Wright et al. for the four WISE bandpasses as a function of effective temperature. We have used 50 objects with diameters measured by radar or in situ imaging to characterize the systematic errors implicit in using the WISE data with a faceted spherical near-Earth asteroid thermal model (NEATM) to compute diameters and albedos. By using the previously measured diameters and H magnitudes with a spherical NEATM model, we compute the predicted fluxes (after applying the color corrections given in Wright et al.) in each of the four WISE bands and compare them to the measured magnitudes. We find minimum systematic flux errors of 5%-10%, and hence minimum relative diameter and albedo errors of ~10% and ~20%, respectively. Additionally, visible albedos for the objects are computed and compared to the albedos at 3.4 μm and 4.6 μm, which contain a combination of reflected sunlight and thermal emission for most minor planets observed by WISE. Finally, we derive a linear relationship between subsolar temperature and effective temperature, which allows the color corrections given in Wright et al. to be used for minor planets by computing only subsolar temperature instead of a faceted thermophysical model. The thermal models derived in this paper are not intended to supplant previous measurements made using radar or spacecraft imaging; rather, we have used them to characterize the errors that should be expected when computing diameters and albedos of minor planets observed by WISE using a spherical NEATM model.
Moral dilemmas and ethical controversies

In his guest editorial, Stuart Kirsch revisits the controversy surrounding Jared Diamond's NEW YORKER essay on vengeance and the state, drawing attention to how anthropologists discuss the ethical responsibilities of ethnographers.
Influenza vaccination: a collaborative effort to improve the health of the community.

Background: The need to improve influenza vaccination delivery in our community became painfully clear during the winter of 1997–1998 when high rates of respiratory illness led to congestion in the emergency department and a critical shortage of hospital beds. In response, the local hospital and the Department of Health launched a collaborative program to increase influenza vaccine coverage in the community. Methods: The partnership was designed to increase the number of citizens receiving influenza vaccine and to moderate the severity of lower respiratory tract illness during the winter season. A variety of methods were used to increase public awareness, enhance vaccine delivery, and create a relatively seamless service for the community. Results: During three seasons, influenza vaccination rates increased by a relative 150%. This represented immunization of 16% of the entire community and more than 75% of residents older than 65 years. Hospital employee vaccination rates also rose from 34% to 58%. When compared with other hospitals in the county, the campaign reduced the average number of annual visits to the emergency department for all respiratory diagnoses by 34% and exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 46%. Conclusions: This influenza vaccination program illustrates the potential for synergy that exists between local departments of health and community hospitals in successfully increasing vaccine delivery to the community. Furthermore, it also suggests that such efforts can be successful in reducing use of the emergency department, resulting in a positive impact on the health of the community.
Long-and short-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists. Effects on airway function in patients with asthma.

Inhaled β-adrenergic agonist bronchodilators are integral components of effective asthma treatment. However, the risk of asthma morbidity and mortality associated with the regular use of certain inhaledβ-agonists was first noted in the United Kingdom during the 1960s and in New Zealand during the 1970s. There are also concerns that long-term use of both long-acting and short-acting inhaled β-agonists may cause a loss of asthma control in some patients. These experiences have caused some investigators to question the safety of inhaled β-agonists in patients with asthma. This review attempts to address these issues, which are of concern to both physicians and patients alike, and aims to increase the clinician's understanding and awareness of the problems and treatment options. Arch Intern Med. 1996;156:1514-1520
Emerging tandem-mass-spectrometry techniques for the rapid identification of proteins

State-of-the-art techniques such as liquid-chromatography-electrospray-ionisation tandem mass spectrometry have, in conjunction with database-searching computer algorithms, revolutionised the analysis of biochemical species from complex biological mixtures. With these techniques, it is now possible to perform high-throughput protein identification at picomolar to subpicomolar levels from protein mixtures. This article provides an overview of the techniques and methodologies available for the structural elucidation and identification of proteins and peptides from complex biological samples.
The detection and elimination of useless misses in multiprocessors

In this paper we introduce a new classification of misses in shared-memory multiprocessors based on interprocessor communication. We identify the set of essential misses, i.e., the smallest set of misses necessary for correct execution. Essential misses include cold misses and true sharing misses. All other misses are useless misses and can be ignored without affecting the correctness of program execution. Based on the new classification we compare the effectiveness of five different protocols which delay and combine invalidations leading to useless misses. In cache-based systems the protocols are very effective and have miss rates close to the essential miss rate. In virtual shared memory systems the techniques are also effective but leave room for improvements.
An effect of ornithine on degradation of chlorophyll and protein in excised leaf tissue

Summary The effect of amino acids and of inhibitors of protein synthesis on the enzymic degradation of chlorophyll and net decrease of protein in darkness in segments of excised mature leaf of Avena sativa was examined. These catabolic processes were slightly retarded by several protein amino acids, but not more than by nitrate plus sucrose. However, the basic amino acids L-ornithine, L-lysine and L-2,4-diamino-n-butyric acid drastically inhibited the catabolism. The more basic amino acid arginine was less effective, and meta-bolically-related citrulline nearly inactive. The L-isomer of each active amino acid was much more effective than the D-form. The inhibitors actinomycin-D and 5-fluorouracil did not influence the degradation, and chloramphenicol and lincomycin retarded it only slightly, but cycloheximide nearly terminated the loss of both chlorophyll and protein. Concomitant with this regulation, ornithine or cycloheximide altered net uptake and retention of labeled amino acids, and greatly reduced incorporation into protein. Proteolytic activity extracted from ornithine-treated tissue was less than that from controls, but ornithine, when included in the reaction mixture, did not directly influence the activity of similar extracts. The obvious implication is that these regulating compounds restrict the loss of protein by inhibiting the cytoplasmic synthesis of proteolytic enzymes and, in doing so, protect chlorophyll against the normal degradation in darkness. It is suggested, however, that alternate mechanisms are equally plausible.
Polyaniline: Kinetics of electrochemical doping studied by time resolved absorption spectroscopy

Abstract Kinetics of electrochemical doping of polyaniline was studied by time resolved absorption spectroscopy. We found a substantial substrate effect on the rate of electrochemical doping of polyaniline. The considerably faster switching speed of polyaniline coated on gold surface compared to that on tin oxide surface correlated with the difference in polymer morphology at the polymer/electrode interface. The kinetics of the 0.9 ev (7, 000 cm −1 ) and the 1.5 ev (125, 000 cm −1 ) absorption bands were found to be different. This implies that these two polaron bands do not share a common lower energy level of transition.
The Pathology of Scleroderma Vascular Disease

Systemic sclerosis is characterized by three distinct pathologic processes: fibrosis, cellular/humoral autoimmunity, and specific vascular changes. Although a mild vasculitis may sometimes be present, the vascular pathology of scleroderma is not necessarily inflammatory and is best characterized as a vasculopathy. In this article, the authors propose that SSc vasculopathy is the result of an early event involving vascular injury that eventuates in a vicious cycle mediated in part by the immune process. The subsequent vascular malformation and rarefaction may be a function of systemic angiogenic dysregulation, with over expression of vascular endothelial growth factor but a lack of proper interactions with smooth muscle cells needed to stabilize and organize blood vessels.
Fetal esophageal ligation induces expression of vascular endothelial growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid in fetal membranes

Abstract Objective: Obstruction of the fetal esophagus does not always produce the expected polyhydramnios. This is because of increased intramembranous absorption of amniotic fluid into the fetal circulation. A possible mediator for this increased absorption is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The present objective was to explore whether VEGF gene expression and action would be induced in fetal membranes and placentas of ovine fetuses after esophageal ligation. Study Design: Five late-gestation fetal sheep underwent esophageal ligation and 5 served as control animals. On postoperative day 9, amnion, chorion, and placenta were collected for cellular localization and quantitation of VEGF messenger ribonucleic acid by in situ hybridization and Northern blot analysis. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the VEGF molecular forms. Immunostaining with Ki-67 antibody was used to determine the proliferation of vascular endothelium in the fetal membranes and placentas. Results: VEGF messenger ribonucleic acid was localized in amniotic epithelium, chorionic cytotrophoblast, and cytotrophoblast of the placenta. VEGF 164 was the major transcript expressed in these tissues. The abundance of VEGF messenger ribonucleic acid in the amnion and chorion, but not in the placenta, was significantly increased in the ligated fetuses in comparison with the control fetuses. The proliferation of the intramembranous blood vessel endothelium was greater in the ligated fetuses than in the control fetuses. Conclusion: The levels of VEGF messenger ribonucleic acid and the proliferation of vascular endothelium in the amnion and chorion increased after fetal esophageal ligation. This provides a possible mechanism for the enhanced intramembranous absorption of amniotic fluid through increased vascularity and permeability of the fetal membranes, thus ameliorating the development of polyhydramnios. We speculate that the signal(s) that mediate the increase in VEGF expression is present in either the fetal urine or the fetal lung secretions, or both. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:175-84.)
Yarrowia lipolytica SRP receptor α‐subunit

The Yarrowia lipolytica SRP101 homologue encoding the signal recognition particle (SRP) receptor α-subunit (SRαp) was cloned using degenerate primers designed for conserved GTP-binding domains. Sequencing of 2814 nucleotides revealed an open reading frame of 1671 base pairs encoding a putative protein of 557 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 61 kDa. Like other SRP101 homologues, Y. lipolyticaSRP101 contains a highly conserved C-terminal GTP binding site. It has 44%, 34% and 22% sequence identity with S. cerevisiae, mammalian and Escherichia coli homologues, respectively. As found for SRP protein subunits of Y. lipolytica, SRP101 is important but not essential for cell growth. A conditional mutation in SRP101 affected synthesis/translocation of alkaline extracellular protease and Kar2p consistent with Srp101p functioning as an SRP receptor subunit. The SRP101 sequence has been deposited in GenBank under Accession No. AF132597. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Half-Million Strong at Least

The embedded computing application space is growing and continues to do so for quite some time as we figure out better ways to design new microprocessors and better ways to design embedded software. Furthermore, all those systems that use embedded software require maintenance. As the application platforms change - automobiles, airplanes, factory equipment, and soon - we must change the software accordingly. And as the digital platforms become obsolete, we need to redesign the embedded software for the new platform
Depolarization Properties of the Normal Human Fovea Measured by the GDx-MM

A custom imaging Mueller matrix retinal polarimeter (the GDx-MM) is built. Mueller matrix images of normal human fovea were acquired with the GDx-MM over a 9° field at 780nm and have been analyzed for depolarization index and the variation of degree of polarization with incident polarization state. The degree of polarization (DoP) was often above 50% and varied in complex ways as a function of the incident polarization states. The depolarization properties around the macula loosely correlated with the retardance image. High spatial frequency depolarizing structures were evident throughout the fovea.
Proton capture in Be7

Abstract Cross sections for proton capture by Be 7 measured at bombarding energies of 800 keV and 1400 keV are 0.48±0.18 and 0.50±0.20 μ b, respectively, from which the corresponding cross section factors are S = 0.027±0.010 and 0.017±0.007 keV·b. The reaction is therefore important in stellar energy production only in stars operating on the proton-proton chain at temperatures greater than about 2×10 7 degrees Kelvin.
States of Nature

Philosophers who find the concept of a state of nature to be useful for thinking about moral and political issues have generally assumed that such a state can be understood in either a Hobbesian or a Lockean way, but not both. Hobbesian and Lockean states of nature are thought to be mutually incompatible in the sense that the empirical generalizations and normative claims associated with the constructs differ, and cannot simultaneously be true. This belief about mutual incompatibility is mistaken, if not as a matter of textual exegesis, then as an interpretation of the normative concepts philosophers have inherited from the works of Hobbes and Locke. We do not need to reach any new insights about what either Hobbes or Locke really meant to see the mistake. However Hobbes or Locke understood the meaning and significance of a state of nature within their more comprehensive accounts, the broadly Lockean and Hobbesian concepts of a state of nature continue to be enormously influential on contemporary moral and political philosophy. Recognizing the mutual compatibility of these two concepts has important normative implications for both subjects. If the states of nature are not mutually exclusive, then some persons could be in a Hobbesian state of nature while other persons are in a Lockean state of nature. Furthermore, a person could be in a Hobbesian state of nature in relation to some
Very low doses of GM-CSF administered alone or with erythropoietin in a plastic anemia

Abstract purpose and rationale: There has been no previously published experience with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) at doses less than 15 μg/m 2 /d in patients with aplastic anemia, and most observations have been made at doses of 100 to 500 μg/m 2 /d (2.5 to 12.5 μg/kg/d). The benefits of using considerably lower doses, if effective, should include a decrease in cost and in side effects. We have therefore used very low doses of GM-CSF to treat a group of patients with aplastic anemia. Additionally, since severe anemia is often a problem in these patients, we recently started administering erythropoietin along with the GM-CSF. Herein we report the results of verylow-dose GM-CSF therapy in patients with aplastic anemia and our preliminary findings in those individuals who received combination therapy. patients and methods: We administered recombinant human GM-CSF subcutaneously at doses of 5 to 20 μg/m 2 /d "very-low-dose GMCSF") to 12 patients with aplastic anemia. In addition, a 13th patient received erythropoietin together with the GM-CSF regimen, and three of the 12 individuals who initially received 1 or more months of GM-CSF alone were later also given erythropoietin (4,000 U/d subcutaneously). results: In five of 12 patients (42%) treated with very-low-dose GM-CSF, an increase in neutrophil counts (2.0- to 6.7-fold) was noted, and one of these subjects attained a bilineage response (neutrophil counts, 0.3 to 1.75 × 10 9 /L; platelet counts, 8 to 169 × 10 9 /L). Moreover, a sixth patient showed a rise in platelet counts (19 to 80 × 10 9 /L) without a concomitant increase in neutrophils. Constitutional side effects were minimal. Combining erythropoietin and verylow-dose GM-CSF produced a bilineage response (neutrophils, 1.0 to 3.0 × 10 9 /L; hemoglobin, 7.4 to 9.4 g/dL) in the one patient who received erythropoietin together with the GMCSF from the time that GM-CSF was initiated. In one of the other patients who were given combination therapy, the addition of erythropoietin appeared to enhance the response; this patient demonstrated a neutrophil response to GM-CSF alone and a trilineage response (neutrophils, 0.8 to 3.75 × 10 9 /L; hemoglobin, 7.0 to 13.1 g/dL; and platelets, 10 to 34 × 10 9 /L) to the combination. No toxicity was associated with the addition of erythropoietin. conclusions: Our observations suggest that (1) very low doses of GM-CSF (5 to 20 μg/m 2 /d subcutaneously) may be used initially in neutropenic patients with aplastic anemia, and the dose subsequently increased only in patients who do not respond; and (2) the administration of erythropoietin together with GM-CSF is well tolerated, can augment responsiveness in some patients, and deserves further study.