cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The identification and elimination of artificial stiffening errors in finite elements

The causes of shear locking and other discretization errors are analysed using a physically interpretable notation. This analysis provides insights that allow the errors due to shear locking to be removed either directly or indirectly. St. Venant's principle is incorporated into the stiffness matrix to directly eliminate shear locking from bending elements. Rules-of-thumb are suggested by the same analysis that will insure the absence of errors due to shear locking at the cost of additional degrees of freedom. It is also shown that aspect ratio stiffening in membrane elements is partially due to the same modelling error that produces shear locking. The source of parasitic shear is also identified and a direct procedure for eliminating it is given. A two node Timoshenko beam element and a four node membrane element are fully developed in symbolic form. The procedure is directly applicable to plate bending elements.
Patent Foramen Ovale: A Nonfunctional Embryological Remnant or a Potential Cause of Significant Pathology?

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an embryological remnant found in 27% of adults. It is a potential right-to-left intracardiac shunt. Shunting may be the result of reversal in the interatrial pressure gradient or abnormal streaming of blood in the right atrium. The pathologic consequences of right-to-left shunting include hypoxemia and paradoxical embolism. PFO may exacerbate preexisting hypoxemia or be its primary cause. Paradoxical embolism through a PFO is well documented. Its role in cryptogenic stroke remains controversial. A PFO may be detected by both invasive and noninvasive techniques. Contrast transesophageal echocardiography with provocative maneuvers is the diagnostic method of choice allowing visualization of the shunt. Patients with cryptogenic stroke should be screened for a PFO. If detected, noninvasive studies for deep vein thrombosis are recommended. Treatment must be tailored to the presentation. Surgical or transcatheter closure is recommended for hypoxemia. Prevention of venous embolism (air or thrombus) with or without closure of the PFO is recommended for paradoxical embolism.
Expansion of SU-8 application scope by PAG concentration modification

In recent year SU-8 has became the most attractive photoresist in both optical and x-ray lithography. In our early work we have optimized its exposure parameters to improve the patterning quality in UV lithography and concluded that the UV absorption in SU-8 is proportional to the concentration of photoacidgenerator (PAG) and limiting the applicable SU-8 thickness in UV lithography. Actually, the PAG concentration plays an important role in all aspects of SU-8 processing in both optical and x-ray lithography. The motivation of this work is to expand the applicable thickness and application scope and improve processing control of SU-8 by optimizing its PAG concentration. In this paper we present the most recent experimental results on lithographic performance of SU-8 with different PAG concentration (varying up to 2 orders of magnitude). It includes determining the minimum bottom dose and minimum effective energy density in x-ray and UV lithography of SU-8, respectively, observing the dimensional change of SU-8 microstructure at different post exposure bake (PEB) temperature and time and measuring UV absorption spectrum of SU-8 as the function of PAG concentration. The modified SU-8 resists have moderate sensitivities and lower absorption coefficients. The application of the modified SU-8 will be addressed and demonstrated.
Advocacy: “On the Cutting Edge...”

This study details the events and circumstances thatled to the passage of a revised policy on gifted and talented education in one of the largest suburban school districts in the nation. The policy, “All students who are capable of doing so will be provided accelerated and enriched instruction,” is on the cutting edge of refonn initiatives in both general and gifted education. High-end learning opportunities became available for all students who wanted to accept the challenge. This narrative yields insight into the factors that facilitated and impeded the advocacy efforts. The story reveals the importance of key individuals, commitment, tenacity, and the necessity of a system being in place for change to occur and for advocacy events to be successful. Participants wrestled with complex issues and questions that impact the field of gifted education. These issues are raised in the final section of the text.
Zirconium under pressure: phase transitions and thermodynamics

In this paper, the full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave (LAPW) method within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) was used to calculate the effect of hydrostatic pressure at zero temperature on the 4d transition metal zirconium. For the hexagonal close-packed (hcp), omega (ω), and body-centred cubic (bcc) structures the enthalpy, H = E+pV, was calculated as a function of pressure p. We obtained an ω to bcc transition pressure of 28.2 GPa. Temperature-dependent contributions were obtained from tight-binding calculations of the phonons in the quasiharmonic approximation and were used to calculate the Gibbs free energy as a function of both temperature T and pressure for these three structures. From the comparison of these free energies the phase boundaries were calculated in the T–p phase diagram, and compared to the experimentally determined boundaries. We discuss the importance of anharmonicity for understanding the material properties of zirconium, and limitations of quasiharmonic phonon theories for predicting phase transformations.
Synthesis and chemical reactivity of c-5 substituted 6,7-bis-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrrolizine biscarbamate tumor inhibitors †

A series of C-5 substituted pyrrolizine biscarbamate alkylating agents were synthesized and evaluated in an in vitro alkylation assay. Introduction of electron-withdrawing substituents at the C-5 position resulted in a dramatic decrease in chemical reactivity toward the model nucleophile 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine (NBP).
Gender Diversity and the Prospects for Progressive Prison Reform

For decades, scholars and policymakers have thought that changing the demographics of the prison officer workforce—in particular, including more female officers—might facilitate progressive prison reform. This article explores the assumption that female officers are more empathetic and pro-rehabilitation and less punitive than their male counterparts by analyzing the relationship between gender and prison officer attitudes toward inmates and the purpose of imprisonment. Drawing on data from more than 900 prison officers in Minnesota, our findings suggest that although female and male officers may import different attitudes toward punishment and rehabilitation, organizational and cultural factors affect the officers' perspectives more than dispositional characteristics. Because prison officers are chiefly responsible for implementing policy on the ground, prison reform efforts require isolating factors that shape these workers' orientations.
The influence of pH on the partial reactions of the fatty acid synthetase multienzyme: Modification of product specificity

Abstract 1. 1. The chain length of products synthesized by the fatty acid synthetase multienzyme complex decreases over the pH range 5.72-8.7. 2. 2. From an analysis of the pH/activity profiles of the 7 component reactions of the complex, we conclude that the effect of pH on product specificity is mediated through modification of the activity of the thioesterase component.
On the use of nicotinamide in assays for microsomal mixed-function oxidase activity

Abstract Nicotinamide, an additive to almost all media used to study oxidative metabolism of substrates of hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase, is shown to inhibit the metabolism of known substrates of this system. Inhibition of aminopyrine demethylation appears to be competitive, while inhibition of aniline hydroxylation appears to be a mixture of competitive and noncompetitive inhibition. It is shown that an accurate assay of substrate metabolism can be obtained in the absence of nicotinamide if the assay time is kept short, NADPH concentration is maintained at a high level, and the concentration of microsomes in the medium is kept low.
Failure characteristics and mechanisms of EB-PVD TBCs with Pt-modified NiAl bond coats

Abstract Microstructural evolution and failure characteristics/mechanisms were investigated for thermal barrier coatings that consist of electron beam physical vapor deposited ZrO2−8 wt% Y2O3 (YSZ) topcoat, Pt-modified nickel aluminide, (Ni,Pt)Al bond coat, and CMSX-4 superalloy substrate with furnace cycling at 1100 °C with 1-h dwell. Photo stimulated luminescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy equipped with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to examine the residual stress of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) and microstructural changes. For comparison, (Ni,Pt)Al bond coat on CMSX-4 without the YSZ topcoat was also characterized. The TGO grew faster for the YSZ-coated (Ni,Pt)Al bond coat than the (Ni,Pt)Al coating without the YSZ topcoat. Correspondingly, the β-to-γ′/martensite formation in the (Ni,Pt)Al bond coat occurred faster on the YSZ-coated (Ni,Pt)Al bond coat. However the rumpling occurred much faster and with larger amplitude on the (Ni,Pt)Al coating without the YSZ topcoat. Still, the rumpling at the TGO/bond coat interface caused crack initiation as early as 10 thermal cycles, decohesion at the YSZ/TGO interface, and eventual spallation failure primarily through the TGO/bond coat interface. The magnitude of compressive residual stress in the TGO showed an initial increase up to 3−4 GPa followed by a gradual decrease. The rate of stress relaxation was much quicker for the TGO scale without the YSZ topcoat with distinctive relief corresponding to the cracking at the top of geometrical ridges associated with the (Ni,Pt)Al bond coat. The maximum elastic energy for the TGO scale was estimated at 90 J/m2 at 50% of its lifetime (Nf=545 cycles). The YSZ presence/adhesion to the TGO scale is emphasized to minimize the undulation of the TGO/bond coat interface, i.e., decohesion at the YSZ/TGO scale accelerates the rumpling and crack-coalescence at the TGO/bond coat interface where the spallation fracture occurs.
Vibrational spectral/structural changes from the hydrolysis/polycondensation of methyl-modified silicates. IV. IR spectral comparisons from the tetramethoxysilane/ methyItrimethoxysilane / diethoxydimethyIsilane system

Abstract Comparisons were made for the structures of condensates from the ternary tetramethoxysilane (TMOS)/methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS)/diethoxydimethylsilane (DEDMS) system and the binary MTMS/DEDMS system upon hydrolysis/polycondensation using infrared spectra. Spectral data indicated that all generated condensates possessed four-membered (Si-O) 4 rings as structural units within their structures.
Left ventricular outflow obstruction resulting from insertion of mitral prostheses leaving the native leaflets intact: adverse clinical outcome in seven patients.

Abstract Left ventricular (LV) outflow obstruction may result from retaining the anterior mitral leaflet when a mitral prosthesis is inserted in the mitral anulus. We retrospectively reviewed the chocardiograms (two-dimensional Doppler and Doppler color flow imaging, or transesophageal with color flow imaging) obtained in seven patients with preoperative mitral regurgitation who had a prosthesis implanted with the native mitral leaflets left intact. Systolic anterior motion of the native anterior mitral leaflet, as seen in dynamic LV outflow tract obstruction, was observed in six of seven patients. LV fractional shortening preoperatively was ≤0.25 in all (mean 0.20 ± 0.04) and did not significantly ( p = ns) Increase postoperatively (mean 0.27 ± 0.12). Color flow imaging revealed disturbed systolic flow in the LV outflow tract in five patients, and all had systolic anterior motion of the native anterior mitral leaflet. Continuous wave Doppler detected significant systolic LV outflow tract jets in five patients averaging 4.1 ± 0.9 m/sec. Mitral prosthetic function was normal (pressure half-time of 81 ± 25 msec and mean gradient of 7 ± 3 mm Hg ± SD) in five patients. Clinical follow-up revealed that all had died, six of them within 2 months of their operation. Thus systolic anterior motion of the native anterior mitral leaflet occurs commonly after prosthetic mitral valve insertion with the native leaflets left intact. Continuous wave Doppler often demonstrates increased systolic LV outflow tract velocities consistent with dynamic LV outflow obstruction. Therefore the presence of LV outflow obstruction in patients after prosthetic mitral valve insertion with retained native leaflets may result in an adverse postoperative course and requires close follow-up.
Cleavage between nsP1 and nsP2 initiates the processing pathway of Sindbis virus nonstructural polyprotein P123.

The cleavage between nsP1 and nsP2 and that between nsP2 and nsP3 in the Sindbis virus nonstructural polyproteins was studied with respect to order of processing and enzyme-substrate relationships, using site-specific mutants in which the cleavage sites had been altered. The penultimate Gly in nsP1 or nsP2 or both was substituted by Ala, Val, or Glu, and processing was studied in vitro. Substitution with Ala resulted in partial cleavage whereas substitution with Val or Glu totally abolished cleavage at the mutagenized site. Abolishment of cleavage at the nsP2/nsP3 site did not affect processing at the nsP1/nsP2 site in the precursor polyprotein P123, and nsP1 and P23 were produced. When cleavage at the nsP1/nsP2 site was abolished, however, processing at the nsP2/nsP3 site was also prevented and P123 accumulated. To investigate why cleavage at the nsP1/nsP2 site should be required for cleavage at the nsP2/nsP3 site, the mutagenized polypeptides were used as enzymes in trans-cleavage experiments. We found that P123 can cleave the nsP1/nsP2 site but not the nsP2/nsP3 site, whereas P23 can cleave the nsP2/nsP3 site very efficiently. Thus, cleavage at the nsP1/nsP2 site by P123 is required to produce an enzyme capable of cleaving the nsP2/nsP3 site. Release of nsP4 from Pi 234 appears to be independent of the other cleavages and occurs primarily immediately after translation. These mutations were also transferred into a full-length cDNA clone of Sindbis virus and virus was recovered. Mutants defective in the cleavage of the nsP2/nsP3 site were temperature sensitive, growing at a slightly reduced rate compared to wild-type virus at 30° but growing poorly at 40°. Mutants defective in the cleavage of both the nsP1/nsP2 site and the nsP2/nsP3 site were viable but grew poorly compared with wild-type at any temperature.
Oxytetracycline‐Induced Photosensitivity of Channel Catfish

Abstract Photosensitivity following injection with oxytetracycline was evaluated for channel catfish (Ictaturus punctatus). In a controlled experiment, only oxytetracycline-injected fish that were exposed to direct sunlight exhibited necrotic ocular and dorsal epidermal lesions. All of the affected fish died within 8 d. All of the fish from three control groups had no symptoms. Control groups were (1) saline-injected, exposed to sunlight; (2) saline-injected, exposed to indoor light, and (3) oxytetracycline-injected, exposed to indoor light. The saline-injected, sunlight-exposed controls (all of which remained asymptomatic) were held in the pond with the oxytetracycline-injected, sunlight-exposed experimentals (all of which developed characteristic photosensitivity lesions and subsequently died). The necrotic lesions are presumed to have been caused by photosensitivity reactions when tissues exposed to oxytetracycline were also exposed to ultraviolet light.
Observation of reform teaching in undergraduate level mathematics and science courses

This paper reports on initial results from an ongoing evaluation study of a National Science Foundation project to implement reform-oriented teaching practices in college science and mathematics courses. The purpose of this study was to determine what elements of reform teaching are being utilized by college faculty members teaching undergraduate science and mathematics courses, including a qualitative estimate of the frequency with which they are used. Participating instructors attended summer institutes that modeled reform-based practices and fostered reflection on current issues in science, mathematics, and technological literacy for K-16 teaching, with an explicit emphasis on the importance of creating the best possible learning experience for prospective K-12 science and mathematics teachers. Utilizing a unique classroom observation protocol (the Oregon-Teacher Observation Protocol) and interviews, the authors (a) conclude that some reform-oriented teaching strategies are evident in undergraduate mathematics and science instruction and (b) suggest areas in which additional support and feedback are needed in order for higher education faculty members to adopt reform-based instructional methodology.
Multiwell Microbatch Crystallization on a Thermal Gradient

A versatile and inexpensive microbatch crystallization apparatus with an integrated thermal gradient is introduced. The device is designed to fit onto automated microscope stages for timed image acquisition. The thermal gradient is established through an aluminum plate machined to house commercially available microplates with a standard 96-well footprint. The novelty of the design includes online monitoring of crystal growth without interfering with the established thermal gradient. The temperature stability and unidirectional temperature gradient were demonstrated. Hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) was used as a model macromolecule to observe the effect of temperature variations on crystal habit and the number and size of crystals produced.
The impact of tacrolimus on the immunopathogenesis of staphylococcal enterotoxin-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome and pneumonia

Staphylococcal superantigens (SAg) are a family of potent exotoxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. They play an important role in the pathogenesis of staphylococcal shock and pneumonia by causing a robust activation of the immune system and eliciting a strong surge in systemic cytokine and chemokine levels. Given the biological functions of SAg, we evaluated the efficacy of tacrolimus, a potent immunosuppressive agent, in the prophylaxis and therapy of staphylococcal TSS and pneumonia using human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR3 transgenic mice. Tacrolimus significantly inhibited staphylococcal SAg induced T cell activation in vitro. In vivo, tacrolimus significantly suppressed the SAg-induced elevation in serum cytokine and chemokine levels when given prophylactically, when administered immediately or even 2 h following systemic SAg challenge. Paradoxically, neither the prophylactic nor post-exposure treatment with tacrolimus protected mice from lethal SAg-induced TSS. A closer examination revealed that tacrolimus failed to suppress SAg-induced T cell proliferation and systemic pathology, including gut dysfunction. Tacrolimus also failed to protect from lethal pneumonia induced by a SAg-producing S. aureus strain. Thus, our study showed that even though T cell activation by SAg plays a major role in the immunopathogenesis of TSS and pneumonia, tacrolimus alone has no beneficial effect.
Cancer Chemotherapy in Older Adults A Tolerability Perspective

The incidence of cancer increases with age. Since the geriatric population is growing, we will be confronted with an increasing number of patients with cancer who are >65 years of age. The purpose of this review is to address the use of cancer chemotherapy in older persons with respect to its tolerability. We performed a review of the literature using ‘Medline’ and the bibliographies of pertinent publications. Information about cancer treatment in older adults was extracted with particular attention to chemotherapy-related toxicity in patients aged >65 years. Comorbid disease, polypharmacy/drug interactions, psychosocial issues and age-related physiological changes are major issues in caring for older patients with cancer. Since older individuals may have a greater number of comorbid illnesses, treatment should be initiated on the basis of physiological rather than chronological age. Comparative studies show that chemotherapy-related toxicity is similar in older and younger patients, with the exception of haematological toxicity, which may be more severe in older patients, and cardiotoxicity, which is more frequent in the elderly. Other evidence suggests that gastrointestinal and neurotoxicities may also be more severe in older individuals. The dosages of chemotherapeutic agents that are primarily renally excreted may require adjustment in older patients. Haematological reserve is decreased in older individuals, and drugs that cause myelosuppression must be used with care. The use of haemopoietic growth factors in geriatric patients is currently being investigated.
The 1-D hindered rotor approximation

We offer an overview of the popular one- dimensional (1-D) hindered rotor model that is often used for quantum mechanical treatment of internal rotation. This model is put in context with other methods used for treating anharmonic motions. The 1-D hindered rotor scheme is general for tops of any symmetry and has been used to provide accurate treatment of hindered rotors in a wide range of systems. One obstacle preventing wider use of the model is its lack of incorporation into common electronic structure codes. We have developed an algorithm for consistently treating all tops in a molecule, and we present simple codes which interface with electronic structure codes to provide thermochemical properties (S, C p , H) of individual species and reactions that have been corrected for internal rotations. Finally, we use this approach to give sensible advice about how the model can be used best. We show that dramatic changes in the reduced moment of inertia do not necessarily cause comparable changes in the properties of individual hindered rotors. We demonstrate that the rotational hindrance potential can be accurately determined using relatively coarse step sizes. Finally, we show that internal rotation in transition states can be treated using a “frozen transition state” approximation at a significant computational savings. We also discuss the relationship between calculated properties of hindered rotors and the choice of method and basis set used.
Fault-tolerant FPGAs by online ECC verification and restoration

In this paper, an new approach is introduced for FPGAs to perform online verification and restoration. The whole FPGA is considered as a static memory whose content is the configuration data. Hamming codes - an error correcting code, are used to detect and correct the configuration data written to FPGA. The extra Hamming parity data are stored in the Block Memory of the FPGA when configuring the device. A configuration controller that consumes a small portion of the FPGA resources is specifically used to implement the operations of readback, verification, correcting the configuration data and partial re-configuration. The FPGA itself continuously performs the self-checking and restoration after the initial configuration is completed. There is no extra memory or controlling device required outside the FPGA.
Agency problems and hotel appraisal accuracy An exploratory study

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine agency problems in the hotel appraisal process. The results support the notion that information asymmetry and moral hazard had significant effects on appraised hotel values. The paper examines the differences between appraised hotel values and their sales prices and finds that agency problems help explain the differences. T-tests are used to show that appraised values are significantly less than sales prices during a period of significant information asymmetry surrounding the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Conversely, appraised values are significantly greater than the sales prices during the late 1980s, a period encompassing moral hazard problems for commercial lenders. Three ordinary least-squares regression models are used with time period and lender type as independent variables to explain these differences. Both variables are found to be highly significant in the full regression model.
Adolescent Condom Use, the Health Belief Model, and the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Disease

Objective: To review factors associated with adolescent condom use for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Data sources: Thirty-six references on adolescent development, STDs, STD risk factors, and factors influencing condom use among heterosexual adolescents. Study selection: Twenty-two research articles addressing issues influencing condom use by heterosexual adolescents. Data synthesis: This review identifies unique risk factors related to adolescents and their risk for STDs, barriers to and facilitators of condom use, and suggestions for health care providers to increase condom use among adolescents. Conclusions: Although research on condom use among adolescents has inherent difficulties, current findings, along with reported high rates of STDs in this population, indicate infrequent and inconsistent condom use. Many factors contribute to the motivation for condom use and should be assessed individually. Using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework, health care providers can guide the adolescent to make realistic risk assessments and identify positive ways of incorporating condoms into their sexual lives. Further research then must be conducted to test the effectiveness of this approach.
Abstract A120: Agricultural pesticide use and pancreatic cancer risk in the agricultural health study cohort

A120 Pancreatic cancer is a rapidly fatal disease that has been linked with pesticide use. Previous studies have reported excess risks of pancreatic cancer with organochlorines such as DDT, however, many other commonly used pesticides have not been examined. To further examine the potential associations between the use of a number of pesticides and pancreatic cancer, we conducted a case-control analysis in the Agricultural Health Study, one of the largest prospective cohorts with over 89,000 participants including pesticide applicators and their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina. This analysis included 93 incident pancreatic cancer cases (64 applicators, 29 spouses) and 82,503 cancer-free controls who completed an enrollment questionnaire providing detailed pesticide use, demographic and lifestyle information.Ever use of 24 pesticides and intensity-weighted lifetime days [(lifetime exposure days) x (exposure intensity score)] of 13 pesticides was assessed. Risk estimates were calculated using unconditional logistic regression controlling for age, smoking, and diabetes. Among pesticide applicators, two herbicides (EPTC and pendimethalin) of the 13 pesticides examined for intensity-weighted lifetime use showed a statistically significant exposure-response association with pancreatic cancer. Applicators in the top half of lifetime pendimethalin use had a 3.0-fold (95% CI 1.3-7.2, p-trend=0.01) risk compared to never users, and those in the top half of lifetime EPTC use had a 2.56-fold (95% CI=1.1-5.4, p-trend=0.01) risk compared to never users. Organochlorines were not associated with an excess risk of pancreatic cancer in this study. These findings suggest that herbicides, particularly pendimethalin and EPTC, may be associated with pancreatic cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):A120.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 stimulates proliferation of human cancer cells by inhibiting a metalloproteinase.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 stimulates proliferation of human cancer cells by inhibiting a metalloproteinase
The effect of vacancies on the environmental yield strength dependence of boron-free and boron-doped Fe-40Al

Abstract The effect of environment on the yield strength of boron-free and boron-doped Fe-40Al was considered. Special attention was given to the role of excess thermal vacancies. It was found that samples given a vacancy-relieving heat treatment had a 12% lower yield strength when tested in air than when tested in vacuum. This was attributed to an environmental softening effect. However, samples with a large amount of quenched-in vacancies exhibited no environmental yield strength dependence. These observations were found in both the boron-free and boron-doped alloys.
Medical ethics in the 21st century: Respect for autonomy in care of the elderly patient

Abstract In the 21st century, health professionals will serve an increasing number of elderly female patients. Critical care and other fields will face formidable challenges in developing the medical skill and knowledge to care for the changing patient population. At the same time, new ethical challenges will accompany demographic changes. This review critically evaluates the ethical principle of autonomy in the context of geriatric patient care. We show how the issues discussed and the theoretic perspectives adopted shift in this context. Special attention is paid to the issues of advance directives, mental health and competence, gender bias, drug therapy, and the residential settings from which elderly patients come and to which they return. Toward the end of the review, we note that autonomy occurs in the context of other medical ethical values. The task ahead is to balance these values and to fine-tune various medical ethical principles to suit the growing elderly population.
Disseminated primary coccidioidomycosis of the chest wall.

FIGURE 1. High-powered micrograph of Coccidioides species spherule in skeletal muscle tissue (circle). Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, or valley fever, is a diagnosis with increasing incidence in the western United States. Although coccidioidomycosis is an infectious disease classically described to be endemic to the southwestern United States, the first cases were indentified in central California. One defined population that has been especially subject to this disease is residents of the greater Sacramento counties in California, with 0.1 to 5.0 cases per 100,000 population from 2001 to 2008. Coccidioidomycosis spreads through inhalation of aerosolized mold or arthroconidia. Although pulmonary (acute pneumonia, chronic progressive pneumonia, and pulmonary nodules) and certain extrapulmonary (nonmeningeal and meningitis) manifestations of coccidioidomycosis infection are well described, treatment of disseminated coccidioidomycosis presenting as chest wall disease is not. In this report we present 2 cases that illustrate the clinical presentation and treatment strategy of disseminated coccidioidomycosis infection of the chest wall.
STEROLS OF PORPHYRIDIUM(RHODOPHYTA)1,2

SUMMARY Species of the unicellular Porphyridium have been examined for their sterol content. Clones of 4 species maintained in axenic, chemically-defined culture were analyzed—these included P. sordidum Geitler, P. purpureum (Bory) Ross, P. aerugineum Geitler and P. violaceum Kormnann(P. griseum Geitler was not available to use for examination). The major sterol was 22-dehydrocholesterol in all except P. aerugineum in which there was a mixture of this sterol, cholesterol and higher sterols. Traces of C28 and C29 sterols were detected in most instances as well.
Happiness and Toska: An Essay in the History of Emotions in Pre‐war Soviet Russia

This article examines the question of what can be gained from an investigation of people's emotions in Stalin's Russia. Such an investigation is inevitably limited by the type of sources available. However, the available sources on Soviet subjectivity provide some evidence of both “official” Soviet emotions (such as enthusiasm and righteous anger against enemies) and less officially prescribed, but widespread, emotions, such as fear, melancholy (toska), malice (zlost') and personal happiness. This article focusses on accounts of happiness (schast'e) and the yearning sadness known as toska, a frequently encountered counterpart of the former. The civic obligation to express public, collective happiness impinged on the capacity to express private happiness: grief and melancholy could be expressed, as long as they were not connected to complaints about the regime.
Near-real-time connectivity estimation for multivariate neural data

Optical imaging in vivo is an important tool for allowing researchers to understand neural ensemble interactions during awake behavior, sleep, anesthesia and during seizure activity. A major bottleneck in the overall efficiency of neural imaging experiments is the need for post-hoc analysis of imaging data. Computational capabilities are now at the point where real- or near-real-time multivariate analysis of imaging data is possible as data is acquired. In this paper we address the feasibility of performing real-time data analysis with a desktop computer, MATLAB, and a graphics processing unit (GPU). Important components of any real-time functional imaging analysis system are 1) dimensional reduction of the data, 2) visualization of the reduced vector space and 3) rapid calculation of functional connectivities. The ability to assess sources of variability in the data, and connectivity estimates on the fly, are potentially transformative for the way imaging laboratories perform their work. Here, we present benchmarks for analysis of functional imaging data using dimensional reduction methods and estimation of functional connectivities using least-squares and ridge regression methods.
Physical mapping of herpes simplex virus type 1 ts mutants by marker rescue: correlation of the physical and genetic maps.

Abstract Five temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), strain KOS, have been mapped by marker rescue. A specific wild-type viral DNA fragment corrected the ts defect for four of the five mutants tested. These four mutants map within the unique sequences in the L region of the genome. The fifth mutant was rescued by fragments containing the reiterated sequences which bound the unique sequences in the S region of the genome. A good correlation was demonstrated between the order of mutations and the distances between markers on the physical and genetic maps in the L region of the genome. The order of mutants on the published KOS genetic map is consistent with only one or two arrangements of HSV DNA.
Using mouse forward genetics to define novel target space

Abstract Rapid advances in genomics technologies have identified a wealth of new therapeutic targets, but typically these targets are weakly validated with only circumstantial evidence to link them to human disease. The next challenge is testing gene-to-disease connections in a relevant animal model, a time-consuming and uncertain process using conventional reverse-genetic approaches such as knockout and transgenic mice. By contrast, forward genetics proceeds by measuring a physiological process that is relevant to disease, then identifying the gene products that impinge on this process. This ‘phenotype-first’ approach solves the bottleneck of target validation by using clinically relevant assays in a mammalian whole-animal system as a discovery platform. As an unbiased approach to gene discovery and validation, forward genetics will identify novel drug targets and increase the success rate of drug development.
Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. I. Frequency, patterns, and prediction

Previous frequency estimates of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis have ranged from 54 to 65 percent. These studies may overestimate the frequency in the general MS population, since the patients in these studies were recruited from clinic populations. In the present study, we administered a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery to 100 community‐based MS patients and 100 demographically matched healthy controls. Of 31 cognitive test indices examined, 48 MS patients and five controls were impaired on four or more test indices, yielding an overall frequency rate of 43% for the MS group. The pattern of cognitive decline was not uniform: MS patients were more frequently impaired on measures of recent memory, sustained attention, verbal fluency, conceptual reasoning, and visuospatial perception, and less frequently impaired on measures of language and immediate and remote memory. We developed a brief (20‐minute) screening battery empirically by selecting the four most sensitive test indices from the comprehensive battery. The brief battery yielded a sensitivity value of 71% and a specificity value of 94% in discriminating cognitively intact from impaired MS patients, as defined by the comprehensive battery. Cognitive impairment was not significantly associated with illness duration, depression, disease course, or medication usage, but was significantly (albeit weakly) correlated with physical disability. NEUROLOGY 1991;41:685‐691
Anti-proliferative Effect of a Putative Endocannabinoid, 2-Arachidonylglyceryl Ether in Prostate Carcinoma Cells

Endocannabinoids (ECs), anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), inhibit proliferation of carcinoma cells. Several enzymes hydrolyze ECs to reduce endogenous EC concentrations and produce eicosanoids that promote cell growth. In this study, we determined the effects of EC hydrolysis inhibitors and a putative EC, 2-arachidonylglyceryl ether (noladin ether, NE) on proliferation of prostate carcinoma (PC-3, DU-145, and LNCaP) cells. PC-3 cells had the least specific hydrolysis activity for AEA and administration of AEA effectively inhibited cell proliferation. The proliferation inhibition was blocked by SR141716A (a selective CB1R antagonist) but not SR144528 (a selective CB2R antagonist), suggesting a CB1R-mediated inhibition mechanism. On the other hand, specific hydrolysis activity for 2-AG was high and 2-AG inhibited proliferation only in the presence of EC hydrolysis inhibitors. NE inhibited proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner; however, SR141716A, SR144528 and pertussis toxin did not block the NE-inhibited proliferation, suggesting a CBR-independent mechanism of NE. A peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) antagonist GW9662 did not block the NE-inhibited proliferation, suggesting that PPARγ was not involved. NE also induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase in PC-3 cells. NE inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB p65) and down-regulated the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E in PC-3 cells, suggesting the NF-κB/cyclin D and cyclin E pathways are involved in the arrest of G1 cell cycle and inhibition of cell growth. These results indicate therapeutic potentials of EC hydrolysis inhibitors and the enzymatically stable NE in prostate cancer.
Confuting Darwinism's Enemies—and False Friends Too

© 2007 by American Institute of Biological Sciences. Posted by permission of the publisher. BioScience (2007) 57 (5): 446-448. doi: 10.1641/B570510. Comments Copying and permissions notice: Authorization to copy this content beyond fair use (as specified in Sections 107 and 108 of the U. S. Copyright Law) for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by the Regents of the University of California on behalf of the American Institute of Biological Sciences for libraries and other users, provided that they are registered with and pay the specified fee via Rightslink® on [ JSTOR (http://www.jstor.org/r/ucal)] or directly with the Copyright Clearance Center, http://www.copyright.com.
Binary controls for error control

The model of a communication channel used in the study of binary codes, its relation to real data transmission channels, and assumptions about noise, will be reviewed briefly. Several error-correcting codes will be listed with a brief description of their error-correcting capabilities and feasibility of their implementation.
Impact of bladder neck preservationduring radical prostatectomy on continence and cancer control

Abstract Objectives. To assess the effect of preservation of the bladder neck and other factors on the rate of postoperative urinary continence and cancer control after radical prostatectomy. Methods. Prospective analysis of clinical and pathologic findings in 206 consecutive patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with a surgical technique that emphasizes preservation of periurethral supporting tissue, urethral length, incorporation of the posterior periurethral fascia into the vesicourethral anastomosis, and preservation of the bladder neck. Results. Uni- and multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that patient age(p = 0.033) and vesical neck contracture (p = 0.047) were predictive of incomplete return of urinary control. Preservation of the vesical neck had no impact on return of continence, but was associated with a trend to a lower incidence of vesical neck contractures. A positive bladder neck margin occurred in 6.8% of surgical specimens and was associated with a higher grade, more advanced local stage, and other positive margins in all cases. The rate of local recurrence or prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-only failure was similarly independent of whether the vesical neck was preserved or resected and reconstructed. Conclusions. Age greater than 65 and occurrence of a vesical neck contracture are adversepredictors for return of urinary continence after radical prostatectomy. Preservation of the bladder neck does not have an impact on return of urinary control but may be associated with a lower risk of vesical neck contracture. Preservation of the bladder neck does not compromise cancer control as assessed by local or PSA-only failure rates.
Compile-Time Cache Performance Prediction and Its Application to Tiling

Tiling has been used by parallelizing compilers to define fine-grain parallel tasks and to optimize cache performance. In this paper we present a novel compile-time technique, called miss-driven cache simulation, for determining loop tile sizes that achieve the highest cache hit-rate. The widening disparity between a processor's peak instruction rate and main memory access time in modern computer systems makes this kind of optimization increasingly important for overall program efficiency. Our simulation technique generates only those references of a loop nest that may generate a cache memory miss and processes them on an architecturally accurate cache model at compile-time. Processing only a small portion of the memory reference trace of a program yields simulation speeds in the millions of memory references per second on workstations, with statistics of misses per reference and inter-reference interference counts gathered at the same time. These simulation speeds and statistics allow for the accurate analysis of the impact of cache optimizations at compile-time. We discuss the results of applying this method to guide loop tiling for such commonly used computational kernels as matrix multiplication and Jacobi iteration for various cache parameters.
A Comparison of the Pulmonary Defenses against Streptococcal Infection in Rats and Mice Following O3 Exposure: Differences in Disease Susceptibility and Neutrophil Recruitment

Ozone (O3) exposure reduces alveolar macrophage (AM) phagocytosis in mice and increases their susceptibility to Streptococcus zooepidemicus. O3 exposure also decreases AM phagocytosis in rats but does not result in mortality to infection. To investigate the mechanism of disease protection in rats, antibacterial defenses of two strains of mice and F344 rats were compared. O3 exposure (3 hr, 0.4 or 0.8 ppm) and infection with S. zooepidemicus resulted in a dose-dependent proliferation of bacteria in the lungs of mice and high mortality. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were observed in severely affected individuals 2 or more days postinfection and did not alter the fatal infection. In contrast, microbial inactivation was only impaired in O3-exposed rat lungs during the first 48 hr after infection. In these animals PMNs could be isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid between 6 and 48 hr postinfection with the peak response occurring at 24 hr. Pretreatment with anti-PMN serum eliminated the neutrophil influx and impaired further the bactericidal activity in ozone-exposed rats. The results suggest that inhaled streptococci are cleared normally from the mouse lung by AMs. Following exposure to O3, AM phagocytosis is reduced and the mice develop a fatal infection. The persistence of bacteria in the lungs of O3-exposed rats triggers a transient influx of PMNs whose appearance corresponds with elimination of the bacteria. Differences in antimicrobial defenses between various experimental species and humans need to be better understood in order to predict effects of air pollutants on susceptibility to infection in man.
A particle picture of “tunneling” and the nature of “photon”-matter interaction

Brownian motion is employed as a model to formulate a probabilistic statement of the Heisenberg uncertainty relationship. By means of the latter, a tunneling formula identical to that obtained from the WBK method is derived from the particle picture. The nature of photon-matter interaction is discussed in the light of the quantal Brownian motion.
BIOLUMINESCENCE FROM THE REACTION OF FMN, H2O2 AND LONG CHAIN ALDEHYDE WITH BACTERIAL LUCIFERASE

Abstract— The bioluminescent oxidation of reduced flavin mononucleotide by bacterial luciferase involves a long-lived flavoenzyme intermediate whose chromophore has been postulated to be the 4a-sub-stituted peroxy anion of reduced flavin. Reaction of long chain aldehyde with this intermediate results in light emission and formation of the corresponding acid. These experiments show that the typical aldehyde-dependent, luciferase-catalyzed bioluminescence can also be obtained starting with FMN and H2O2 instead of FMNH2 and O2. We postulate that the 4a-peroxy anion intermediate is formed directly by attack of H2O2 on FMN. The latter may be bound to luciferase. An enzyme bound intermediate is formed which by kinetic analysis, flavin specificity for luminescence, aldehyde dependence, and bioluminescent emission spectrum appears to be identical with the species generated by reaction of FMNH, and O2 with luciferase. The quantum yield of the H2O2-- and FMN-initiated biolumlnescence is low but can be enhanced by certain metal ions, which also stimulate a chemiluminescent reaction of oxidized flavin with H2O2. The peak of this chemiluminescence. however, appears to be at a shorter wavelength than that (490 nm) of the bioluminescence.
The power spectrum of partnering

Unequal Partnerships: Beyond the Rhetoric of Philanthropic Collaboration, by Ira Silver. New York: Routledge, 2006. 160 pp., $70.00 cloth.