cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonuniform Fast Fourier Transform on Tpus

This work presents a parallel algorithm for implementing the nonuniform Fast Fourier transform (NUFFT) on Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). TPU is a hardware accelerator originally designed for deep learning applications. NUFFT is considered as the main computation bottleneck in magnetic resonance (MR) image reconstruction when k-space data are sampled on a nonuniform grid. The computation of NUFFT consists of three operations: an apodization, an FFT, and an interpolation, all being formulated as tensor operations in order to fully utilize TPU’s strength in matrix multiplications. The implementation is with TensorFlow. Numerical examples show $20\mathrm{x} \sim 80\mathrm{x}$ acceleration of NUFFT on a single-card TPU compared to CPU implementations. The strong scaling analysis shows a close-to-linear scaling of NUFFT on up to 64 TPU cores. The proposed implementation of NUFFT on TPUs is promising in accelerating MR image reconstruction and achieving practical runtime for clinical applications.
Serious illness conversations in pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension has evolved from a fatal disease with few treatment options to a chronic condition with improved survival. This improvement is possible through development of effect...
Economic Science Fictions: edited by William Davies, London, UK: Goldsmiths University Press, 2018, 400pp., £24.95 (hardcover), ISBN 9781906897680/2019, 400pp., £15.99 (paperback), ISBN 9781912685073

Even as the world we knew is crumbling, with deepening social and economic inequalities, ever-growing environmental crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic, we still seem to be stuck in the prosaic imagi...
Rheotaxis-based microfluidic device for selecting sperm from samples infected with a virus

Objective To investigate whether the presented rheotaxis-based microfluidic device could be used to separate spermatozoa from viruses (i.e., Zika) in the infected semen sample during the selection and washing process. Design Quantitative and experimental study of the sperm washing/selection process through the microfluidic platform exploiting the positive rheotaxis of sperm. Setting None. Patient(s) None. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Human sperm were purchased from a sperm bank. The raw semen sample was mixed with viruses and loaded into a microfluidic device. Experiments were performed with 2 different flow rates (0 and 25 μL/minute) to investigate the washing efficiency of the device in the sperm selection process. The sperm sample was collected after 45 minutes and analyzed to check whether the collected sample is free of any infections (viruses) after isolation. Result(s) Fluorescent microscopy and quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based analysis showed that the sperm selected with the presented rheotaxis-based microfluidic device at the optimal flow rate (25 μL/minute) was free of any viruses. Conclusion(s) We have developed a simple, cost-effective microfluidic device that mimics the conditions of the female genital tract while washing out the raw semen efficiently during the selection process for assisted reproductive technology.
Incidence of Meningeal Enhancement on Brain MRI Secondary to Prior Lumbar Puncture (P6.026)

Objective: To determine the incidence of unexplained meningeal enhancement after lumbar puncture (LP). Background: Concern for reactive meningeal enhancement after LP is a common reason for performing magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (MRI-B) prior to LP; however, we believe this phenomenon to be rare. Design/Methods: We retrospectively collected all contrasted MRI-B in patients admitted to adult neurology at a New York City hospital over a 3-year period. We used electronic medical records to determine who had had an LP within the 30 days prior to MRI-B. The remainder of cases that did not have an LP prior to the MRI-B formed the control group. The total cases of unexplained meningeal enhancement was compared between groups using a Fisher exact test, a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. We recorded variables such as number of LP attempts, gauge size, amount of fluid removed, days from LP to MRI and service performing LP. Results: From 2011 to 2013, there were 77 cases of LP prior to MRI-B, and 707 controls (n=784). Of the cases, three had meningeal enhancement, one (1.2[percnt]) of which was unexplained. Of the 707 controls, 36 had enhancement, and none were unexplained. The difference in unexplained enhancement between groups was not statistically significant (p=0.09). Conclusion: Unexplained meningeal enhancement after an LP is very rare and not more common than in cases with no prior LP. Other explanations should be sought before attributing the finding to the LP. Moreover, we do not recommend holding LP until MRI-B in cases where LP is necessary. Disclosure: Dr. Wesley has nothing to disclose. Dr. Garcia Santibanez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Liang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pyburn has nothing to disclose.
The Instruction Set

The instructions set for the 6812 are classified into seven parts: move instructions, arithmetic instructions, logic instructions, edit instructions, control instructions, input output instructions, and special instructions. Move instructions essentially move 1 or 2 bytes from memory to a register or between registers or memory locations. The computer, as the name implies, is used to compute numerical data or to keep books or control machinery. These operations need arithmetic instructions. Logic instructions are used to set and clear individual bits in A, B, and CCR. They are used by compilers, programs that translate high-level languages to machine code, to manipulate bits to generate machine code. Edit instructions rearrange the bits of data without generating new bits as an ADD does. Large machines have complex edit instructions, but microcomputers have simple ones. The control instructions are those that affect the program counter PC. Control instructions are divided into conditional branching instructions and other control instructions. The input-output (I/O) instruction is easy to describe. With the 6812, a byte is transferred between an accumulator and a register in an I/O device through a memory location chosen by hardware.
Chapter 15 Isolation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria for Mössbauer, EPR, and electronic absorption spectroscopic analyses.

Abstract Methods are presented to aid in the study of iron metabolism in isolated mitochondria. The “iron‐ome” of mitochondria, including the type and concentration of all Fe‐containing species in the organelle, is evaluated by integrating the results of four spectroscopic methods, including Mossbauer spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Although this systems biology approach only allows groups of Fe centers to be assessed, rather than individual species, it affords new and useful information. There are many considerations in executing this approach, and this chapter focuses on the practical methods that we have developed for this purpose. First, large quantities of mitochondria are required, and so published isolation methods must be scaled up. Second, mitochondria are isolated under strict anaerobic conditions to allow control of redox state and to protect O 2 ‐sensitive Fe‐containing proteins from degradation. Third, the importance of packing mitochondria for both spectroscopic and analytical characterizations is developed. By measuring the volume of packed samples and the percentage of mitochondria contained within that volume, absolute Fe and protein concentrations within the organelle can be obtained. Packing samples into spectroscopy holders also affords maximal signal intensities, which are critical for these studies. Custom inserts designed for this purpose are described. Also described are the designs of a 25‐L glass bioreactor, a mechanical cell homogenizer, a device for inserting short EPR tubes into the standard Oxford Instruments EPR cryostat, and a device for transferring samples from Mossbauer holders to EPR tubes while maintaining samples at liquid N 2 temperatures. A brief summary of what we have learned by use of these methods is included.
Cyclical dumping of steel products: Another look

Abstract This note replicates Takacs' nine tests with an appropriate measure of demand. It establishes that the difference between my 1979 paper and Takacs' are due to the selection of an inappropriate proxy for home steel demand rather than the type of test.
The ‘future’ republic of Macedonia: The last best hope

Macedonia is the last genuinely multi‐ethnic state in the Balkans. For some, this suggests the impossibility of its continued existence. As ethnic Albanian leader Arben Xhaferi would have it, however, Macedonia's incentive for success is compelled by the inevitable allure of the West. In retrospect, when the Badinter Commission of the European Union released its opinion regarding the status of former Yugoslav states on 15 January 1992, the commission found that only two former republics sufficiently met the established criteria for recognition by the European Community: Slovenia and Macedonia. Yet Macedonia, unlike Slovenia, is an ethnically diverse nation and the poorest of the former Yugoslav republics. A review of the various geographic and geopolitical influences reveals that conflicting and often competing political, economic, social, cultural, and historic forces constantly conflict in Macedonia. The absence of increased attention and support to integrate Macedonia within the fold of Europe suggests...
Treatment strategies and visual acuity outcomes in chronic postoperative Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis.

Abstract Purpose To report the treatment strategies and visual acuity outcomes of chronic postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes. Design Retrospective noncomparative case series. Participants All patients presenting 8 or more weeks after cataract surgery with intraocular inflammation caused by culture-proven P. acnes infection and treated at two institutions from 1974 through 1996 were included. Methods Patients underwent three different initial treatment strategies. The study did not have a defined treatment protocol, but all patients received intraocular antibiotics. Patients were not randomly assigned to the various treatment strategies. Main outcome measures Final visual acuity and effectiveness of various treatment procedures either as initial or follow-up therapy were assessed. Results Using the 3 initial strategies, 36 patients were treated: (1) intraocular antibiotic injection alone (IOAB; n=12); (2) pars plana vitrectomy and IOAB injection (PPV; n=10); and (3) PPV with subtotal capsulectomy and IOAB injection (PPV-PC; n=14). The number of patients with recurrent or persistent inflammation after one of the three initial treatment strategies were as follows: (1) IOAB alone, 12 (100%); (2) PPV, 5 (50%); and (3) PPV-PC, 2 (14%). None of the patients that underwent subsequent PPV, total capsular bag removal, IOAB injection, and either intraocular lens (IOL) exchange or removal had persistent or recurrent intraocular inflammation. Overall, final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 18 patients (50%), and a total of 28 patients (78%) retained 20/400 or better vision. The mean follow-up after the last treatment was 2.9 years. Conclusions In this series of chronic P. acnes endophthalmitis, initial treatment with IOAB injection alone or vitrectomy without capsulectomy was associated with high rates of recurrent or persistent intraocular inflammation. Pars plana vitrectomy, partial capsulectomy, and IOAB injection without IOL exchange was usually successful on long-term follow-up. In patients with recurrent intraocular inflammation, pars plana vitrectomy, total capsular bag removal, IOAB injection, and IOL exchange or removal was a uniformly successful strategy. In contrast to other types of postoperative endophthalmitis, IOL exchange can be considered in these patients after total capsular bag removal.
American Legal History Survey: Syllabus

This syllabus provides an overview of American Legal History, focusing on the manner in which law has been used to organize American society. Several themes will be traced through the semester, including law’s role in encouraging innovation and regulating social relations, in part through the elaboration of legal disciplines like property, tort, contract, criminal law, tax, business associations, administrative law, environmental law, securities regulation, commercial law, immigration, and health law. Emphasis will also be placed on the origins and evolution of constitutional law, from the founding to the present.
The Fundamental Operations

Godel proved the relative consistency of the AC and the GCH by showing that a certain class L is a model of ZF + AC + GCH. This class L he defined initially as the union of a sequence of sets A α , α ∈ On which were so defined that x ∈ A α + 1 iff there exists a wff φ(x 0, x 1, ..., x n ) having no free variables other than x 0, x 1, ... , x n and there exist a 1 , ..., a n ∈ A α such that \( x = \left\{ {y\left| {{A_\alpha }} \right| = \varphi \left( {y,{\kern 1pt} {a_1},{\kern 1pt} \ldots ,{\kern 1pt} {a_n}} \right)} \right\} \).
Roles of Rapsyn and Agrin in Interaction of Postsynaptic Proteins with Acetylcholine Receptors

At the neuromuscular junction, aggregates of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are anchored in the muscle membrane by association with rapsyn and other postsynaptic proteins. We have investigated the interactions between the AChR and these proteins in cultured C2 myotubes before and after treatment with agrin, a nerve-derived protein that induces AChRs to cluster. When AChRs were isolated from detergent extracts of untreated C2 myotubes, they were associated with rapsyn and, to a lesser degree, with utrophin, beta-dystroglycan, MuSK, and src-related kinases, but not with syntrophin. Treatment with agrin increased the association of AChRs with MuSK, a receptor tyrosine kinase that forms part of the agrin receptor complex, without affecting other interactions. Analysis of rapsyn-deficient myotubes, which do not form protein clusters in response to agrin, revealed that rapsyn is required for association of the AChR with utrophin and beta-dystroglycan, and for the agrin-induced increase in association with MuSK, but not for constitutive interactions with MuSK and src-related kinases. In rapsyn -/- myotubes, agrin caused normal tyrosine phosphorylation of AChR-associated and total MuSK, whereas phosphorylation of the AChR beta subunit, both constitutive and agrin-induced, was strongly reduced. These results show first that aneural myotubes contain preassembled AChR protein complexes that may function in the assembly of the postsynaptic apparatus, and second that rapsyn, in addition to its role in AChR phosphorylation, mediates selected protein interactions with the AChR and serves as a link between the AChR and the dystrophin/utrophin glycoprotein complex.
Myths of Dental-Induced Endocarditis

Although the latest (1990) American Heart Association recommendations for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis are by far the simplest yet, many physicians and dentists still do not comply with them. One of the reasons for this low compliance is that many clinicians rely on "myths" of dental-induced endocarditis prevention. To educate clinicians on endocarditis and its prevention, the myths of dental-induced endocarditis prevention are analyzed.Myth 1:For the most part, physicians and dentists are aware of and comply with American Heart Association guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of infective endocarditis.Myth 2:Most cases of bacterial endocarditis of oral origin are caused by dental procedures.Myth 3:American Heart Association antibiotic regimens give almost total protection against endocarditis after dental procedures.Myth 4:Antibiotics should be administered for any dental procedure that causes bleeding.Myth 5:If a patient was receiving recent antibiotic therapy before the dental procedure, there is no need to change the dose or the antibiotic before the dental procedure.Myth 6:The risk of endocarditis is almost always greater than the risk of antibiotic toxic effects.Myth 7:Parenteral antibiotics before dental procedures are preferable for most patients with high-risk conditions (eg, prosthetic heart valves and previous history of endocarditis).Myth 8:All patients with mitral valve prolapse should routinely receive antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures.Myth 9:Clinicians should err on the positive side of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent lawsuits. (Arch Intern Med. 1994;154:137-144)
Positioning of the mitotic spindle by a cortical-microtubule capture mechanism

Correct positioning of the mitotic spindle is critical for cell division and development. Spindle positioning involves a search-and-capture mechanism whereby dynamic microtubules find and then interact with specific sites on the submembrane cortex. Genetic, biochemical, and imaging experiments suggest a mechanism for cortical-microtubule capture. Bim1p, located at microtubule distal ends, bound Kar9p, a protein associated with the daughter cell cortex. Bim1p is the yeast ortholog of human EB1, a binding partner for the adenomatous polyposis coli tumor suppressor. EB1 family proteins may have a general role in linking the microtubule cytoskeleton to cortical polarity determinants.
Measurement of Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Foams

A number of carbon foam products are being developed for use as insulation, heat spreaders, and compact heat exchanger cores. The application of carbon foams in aerospace applications is advantageous due to the high thermal conductivity and low density of the graphitic foam. However, the measurement of thermal conductivity has been difficult due the problems of interface contact and lower strength of the foam. The flash diffusivity method has been used to find thermal conductivity of a wide range of materials. Because of the porous nature of the foam, errors may be introduced with the flash diffusivity method. An analytical and experimental study has been carried out to determine the validity of the flash diffusivity method for foam specimen.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Buckling of circular cylindrical shells in axial compression

Abstract The buckling stress of axially compressed thin-walled circular cylindrical shells of finite length is derived from the classical small-deflection equations for nine possible combinations of edge support conditions. It turns out that the effect upon the critical stress of the length-to-diameter ratio of the shell is small except in some cases when the shell is very short. On the other hand, changes in the details of the edge support can lead to reduction factors of 1 2 or less to be applied to the classical value σcl of the critical stress. The reduction factors ϱ = σ x0 σ cl , where σx0 is the axial stress that causes buckling under the edge conditions specified, are plotted in a number of diagrams against the reduced length 2L∗ √(ah) of the cylinder, where 2L∗ is the length, a the radius of the middle surface, and h the wall thickness. In addition, figures showing the various buckled shapes are presented.
The Steiner number of a graph

Abstract For a connected graph G of order n⩾3 and a set W⊆V(G) , a tree T contained in G is a Steiner tree with respect to W if T is a tree of minimum order with W⊆V(T) . The set S(W) consists of all vertices in G that lie on some Steiner tree with respect to W . The set W is a Steiner set for G if S(W)=V(G) . The minimum cardinality among the Steiner sets of G is the Steiner number s(G) . Connected graphs of order n with Steiner number n , n−1 , or 2 are characterized. It is shown that every pair k,n of integers with 2⩽k⩽n is realizable as the Steiner number and order of some connected graph. For positive integers r,d, and k⩾2 with r⩽d⩽2r , there exists a connected graph of radius r , diameter d , and Steiner number k . Also, for integers n,d, and k with 2⩽d , 2⩽k , and n−d−k+1⩾0 , there exists a graph G of order n , diameter d , and Steiner number k . For two vertices u and v of a connected graph G , the set I[u,v] consists of all vertices lying on some u – v geodesic in G . For U⊆V(G) , the set I[U] is the union of all sets I[u,v] for u,v∈U . A set U is a geodetic set if I[U]=V(G) . The cardinality of a minimum geodetic set is the geodetic number g(G) . It is shown that g(G)⩽s(G) and that for every two integers a and b such that 3⩽a⩽b , there exists a graph G of radius r and diameter d such that d=r+1 , g(G)=a , and s(G)=b .
73 Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata: Metabolic Studies in Isolated Peroxisomes

The Rhizomelic form of chondrodysplasia puntata (RCDP) is a fatal autosomal recessive peroxisomal disorders. Clinically, it is characterized by abnormal calcification of extremities, dwarfism, cataracts, skin charges and severe mental retardation. The biochemical findings were abnormal activities dihydroxyacetonephosphata acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) oxidation of phytanic acid whereas oxidation of lignoceric acid was normal. Peroxisomes isolated from two cell lines of RCDP and control each were compared for biochemical studies. The RCDP peroxisomes had the same density (1.178 gm/ml) as control peroxisomes. The residual activity (0.5% of control) of DHAP-AT was observed only in the peroxiscmes from RCDP and no such activity was observed in any other region of the gradient. The rates of activation and, oxidation of lignoceric acid was normal in peroxisomes from RCDP. The peroxisomes from RCDP contained 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase in the unprocessed form (44 KDa) whereas peroxisomes from normal peroxisomes contained both unprocessed (44KDa) and mature (41 KDa) forms. These results suggest that processing of 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase takes place in peroxisomes and recognition signals for its transport into peroxisomes were normal in RCDP.
Pressure experiment determination of the direct-indirect transition in the quarternary In1−xGaxP1−zAsz☆

Abstract Spontaneous and laser emission from In1-xGaxP1-zAsz double heterojunction diodes near the direct-indirect crossover (EΓ = EX, x ≡ xc, z ≡ zc) are studied at 77°K as a function of hydrostatic pressure up to 6 kbar. The pressure coefficients of the spontaneous emission peaks and of the laser modes are ∼- 10.5 × 10-6 eV/bar which is characteristics of the Γ band edge in III–V semiconductors. Laser threshold current is found to rise rapidly as pressure is applied owing to the decreasing Γ-X separation and the resultant carrier transfer to the X minima. Experimental lower limits for the direct-indirect crossover at three points in the In1-xGaxP1-zAsz quaternary system are determined. These three points and the established crossover in GaAs1-yPy (yc ≈ 0.46, 77°K) give for the quaternary crossover (77°K) xc − 0.52zc = 0.72. and the value xc ≈ 0.72 for the limiting case of In1-xGaxP. Band edge bowing effects along the direct-indirect crossover in the In1-xGaxP1-zAsz system are discussed. The highest energy laser (77°K) for this quaternary system is estimated from pressure measurements to be ∼ 2.155 eV (5752 A).
Analysis of birefringence decay profiles for nucleic acid helices possessing bends: the tau-ratio approach.

For nucleic acid helices in the 100–200-bp range, a central bend or point of flexibility increases the rate of rotational diffusion. In a transient electric birefringence (TEB) experiment, this increase is manifest as a reduction in the terminal (slowest) birefringence decay time. Previous experimental and theoretical work has demonstrated that the ratio of the decay times for a bent/flexible molecule and its fully duplex (linear) counterpart represents a sensitive, quantifiable measure of the apparent bend angle (tau-ratio approach). In the current work, we have examined the influence of helix parameters (e.g., persistence length, helix rise, diameter) on the tau-ratio for a given bend. The tau-ratio is found to be remarkably insensitive to variations and/or uncertainties in the helix parameters, provided that one employs bent and control molecules with the same sequence and length (apart from the bend itself). Although a single tau-ratio determination normally does not enable one to distinguish between fixed and flexible bends, such a distinction can be made from a set of tau-ratios for molecules possessing two variably phased bends. A number of additional uncertainties are examined, including errors in the estimation of the dimensions of nonhelix elements that are responsible for bends; such errors can, in principle, be estimated by performing a series of measurements for molecules of varying length.
Effects of temperature and viscosity on R67 dihydrofolate reductase catalysis.

R67 dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is a novel homotetrameric protein that possesses 222 symmetry and a single, voluminous active site pore. This symmetry poses numerous limitations on catalysis; for example, two dihydrofolate (DHF) molecules or two NADPH molecules, or one substrate plus one cofactor can bind. Only the latter combination leads to catalysis. To garner additional information on how this enzyme facilitates transition-state formation, the temperature dependence of binding and catalysis was monitored. The binding of NADPH and DHF is enthalpy-driven. Previous primary isotope effect studies indicate hydride transfer is at least partially rate-determining. Accordingly, the activation energy associated with transition-state formation was measured and is found to be 6.9 kcal/mol (ΔH⧧25 = 6.3 kcal/mol). A large entropic component is also found associated with catalysis, TΔS⧧25 = −11.3 kcal/mol. The poor substrate, dihydropteroate, binds more weakly than dihydrofolate (ΔΔG = 1.4 kcal/mol) and displays...
A multi-objective approach to resource allocation in single machine scheduling

Abstract Most shop scheduling research has treated job processing times as fixed parameters. However, schedulers typically exercise processing time control through the application of limited resources, e.g., overtime or the dedication of additional manpower or equipment. An effect of the judicious assignment of resource is to improve specified measures of system performance over the level attainable prior to resource allocation. This paper presents two extensions to the joint sequencing/resource allocation scheduling model for single-stage production initially proposed by Van Wassenhove and Baker. First, the impact of specified limits on individual job tardiness on optimal sequencing and single resource allocation is discussed. Next, the existence of multiple resources available for processing time control is considered. Constructive procedures are developed to identify the job sequence and resource distribution that minimize the total amount of available resource required to satisfy imposed limits on maximum and individual job tardiness. The value of T max is then varied parametrically to highlight the trade-off between the total amount of available resource and T max . The managerial significance of the resulting trade-off curve is that it provides the complete set of possibly optimal schedules for any objective function that involves only these schedule attributes.
Mathematical modeling of interfacial gel polymerization

Frontal Polymerization (FP) is a process in which a spatially localized reaction zone propagates into a monomer converting it into a polymer. Two types of frontal polymerization processes have been observed experimentally. One is exothermic FP, which occurs due to diffusion of heat released in the polymerization reactions and which we have previously studied. The other is an isothermal FP process, also referred to as interfacial gel polymerization, which is due to mass diffusion of the species coupled with the gel effect. We propose and study a model of interfacial gel polymerization. We determine, both numerically and analytically, important characteristics of the process including the time-dependent propagation velocity of the reaction zone, the structure of the wave, and the distance traveled by the front before it breaks down due to reactions ahead of the front.
The control of development in Acetabularia crenulata by light

1. The elongation of Acetabularia crenulata cells ceases abruptly at morphogenesis; all further growth normally takes the form of cap (gametangium) expansion. Cell volume, however, increases without inflection during the phases of stalk elongation and cap expansion until the cap reaches a terminal size. At this time growth stops altogether. 2. The following developmental parameters are sensitive in various ways to both photoperiod and light intensity; a) time from the start of an experiment to morphogenesis, b) cell length at morphogenesis, c) cumulative amount of incident irradiation needed to produce morphogenesis, and d) proportion of cells reaching maturity. 3. The effects of short days on morphogenesis, but not on elongation or chlorophyll content, can be largely replaced by high intensity illumination. At low intensities parallel effects were observed in 8-, 16- and 24-hour light regimes and are correlated with concurrent effects on growth. 4. The experiments do not support the developmental scheme proposed earlier by Beth. Another scheme is presented which is based on a steadily increasing irradiation requirement throughout development. This scheme is compatible with all the evidence available at present.
Pragmatism and the Philosophy of Sport

Until quite recently, philosophy has often had trouble with the body and the things bodies do. The tradition of American pragmatism, however, stands as a notable exception to this characterization....
Involvement of prostate specific antigen in the stimulation of LNCaP cell growth

Since its identification in 1979, prostatic specific antigen (PSA) has been used extensively as a serum marker for diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer. In addition, PSA is an immunohistochemical marker for the identification of prostatic tissues and cells in histological specimens. PSA is found in normal prostate, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) tissue, in cancer of the prostate, and its metastases as well as in other hormone dependent cancers, such as breast and ovarian carcinoma. However, the importance of PSA as a regulator of cell growth generally has not been appreciated. The role of PSA in the development of prostate or other hormone-dependent cancers has remained unclear. We therefore examined the role of PSA in the control of cell growth using both the PSA positive cell line, LNCaP cells and the PSA negative cell line PC-3 and DU145. LNCaP cell growth was stimulated by the conditioned medium (CM) from LNCaP cells, but not by CM from PC-3 or DU145 cells. No such stimulation was observed when PC-3 or DU145 cells were exposed to CM from LNCaP cells nor from CM produced by their own lines. The stimulation of LNCaP cell growth by its own CM could not be attributed to the high level of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) present in the CM since even higher level of IGFBP-2 was also found to be present in CM from both PC-3 and DU145 CMs. High level of PSA and 66 kDa epidermal growth factor (EGF) were present in LNCaP CM as measured by Western blotting. The stimulation of LNCaP cell growth by its own CM was eliminated partially by PSA or EGF antibody. Stimulation of DNA biosynthesis in LNCaP cells by LNCaP CM or pure PSA was also observed. These data indicate that PSA and EGF are involved in the growth regulation of PSA positive LNCaP cell line.
Coreceptors--Implications for HIV Pathogenesis and Therapy

Last year, the second of the two receptors that HIV uses to enter and infect human cells was identified. In his Perspective, Moore discusses the resulting revolution in thought about how these coreceptor molecules can influence the progress of AIDS and what their existence means for future therapies.
Homeownership and neighborhood stability

Abstract A major objective of many neighborhood revitalization programs is to increase homeownership. Conventional wisdom holds that this is one of the best ways to stabilize areas in decline. This article questions convention by presenting a conceptual model of how homeownership rates might affect various indicators of neighborhood stability and by determining whether there is support for this model in the literature. The article also presents an original analysis of the relationship between homeownership rates and two measures of neighborhood stability. The literature review finds considerable support for an association between homeownership and both improved property maintenance and longer lengths of tenure. The analysis of census data similarly indicates less residential mobility and greater property value appreciation in areas with greater home‐ownership. Although initial values and citywide value changes appear to have much stronger effects on changes in property values than the tract home‐ownership...
Test section window sidewall effects and their elimination in particle field holography

Abstract Narrow test sections are often encountered in particle field holography. When divergent laser beams are passed through these test sections, the unwanted light due to reflections and scattering by the side walls can be a problem. The role of an aperture opening at the first window surface in the beam path to eliminate or reduce the unwanted light is described in detail. The aperture size is analytically determined in terms of physical parameters of the system. Particular cases discussed are circular tunnel test sections, test cells and cavities.
Cr photomask etch

Theoretical and experimental Cr photomask etch studies are carried out using different resists [ZEP, chemically amplified resists (CAR), and optical resists] and different brand etch tools. The effects of chrome loading are analyzed, and theoretical equations are developed for etch time calculations and endpoint determinations of extremely low Cr load photomasks. It was found that these equations agreed well with experimental data. Etch critical dimension (CD) movement data are analyzed and calculated, showing agreement with experimental data. Metrology measurement and characterization tools include a profilometer, an optical film measurement system, and SEM and optical CD measurement systems. Significant etch performance differences are noted across etch tools, irrespective of the resist type used. An etch property number method is proposed, which is found to accurately describe the etch process analysis and the extent to which etch performance can be expected to be improved. Etch properties are focused on etch CD movement, isolated/dense etch CD bias, radial CD etch contribution, and Cr load effects.
Left ventricular geometry: does shape matter?

Left ventricular (LV) geometry has been classified into 4 categories based on whether LV mass is normal or increased and whether LV relative wall thickness (RWT, the ratio of wall thickness to chamber diameter) is normal or increased. The resulting 4 geometric patterns (Figure 1) are termed: normal, concentric remodeling (normal LV mass with increased RWT), eccentric hypertrophy (increased LV mass with normal RWT), and concentric hypertrophy (increased LV mass and increased RWT). In the present issue of the American Heart Journal, Fox et al describe the spectrum of echocardiographic LV geometric patterns from the Jackson cohort of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. There are 3 notable findings, each worthy of discussion. First, in this cohort of middle-aged African Americans, concentric remodeling and concentric hypertrophy were extremely common (36% and 29% of the cohort, respectively), more so than either eccentric hypertrophy (11%) or a normal pattern (24%). Second, concentric remodeling was not related to either systolic or diastolic dysfunction, data questioning the importance of this phenotype. Third, the type of LV hypertrophy was associated with the type of ventricular dysfunction. Specifically, eccentric hypertrophy was associated with reduced systolic function as measured by reduced LV ejection fraction, whereas concentric hypertrophy was associated with diastolic dysfunction as measured by transmitral inflow.
The making of potato chips in relation to some chemical properties of potatoes

1. Minnesota-grown Chippewa, Russet Burbank, and Warba potatoes were used in this study. 2. The quality of the chips, expressed in terms of color, texture, and flavor seemed to have no relation to the ash and nitrogen in the potato. 3. The frying temperature is the most important external factor in making good chips, and is conditioned upon the quantity of reducing sugar in the soaked slices. 4. The best frying temperature varied with the variety and the condition of the potato. 5. As the sugar content indicated by the picric acid-sodium carbonate test increased, the range of frying temperature for each variety became narrower, and both the immersion and frying temperatures had to be decreased. 6. The “fat/slice ratio” is defined as the ratio of mass of fat to mass of slices and is shown to be a significant factor in the initial temperature of the frying fat. 7. In all varieties the weight of chips increased with the percentage increase in dry matter of the slices. 8. The most obvious effect of storage was the increase in sugar in all varieties with the concomitant need for a lowered frying temperature to produce good chips. 9. As the storage period progressed, soaking potato slices tended to cause less loss of dry matter and nitrogen and to increase the fat requirement, with a resultant tendency toward increase in chip weight.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome masquerading as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in rituximab treated neuromyelitis optica

Both progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) have been reported as complications of rituximab therapy. These disorders may appear indistinguishable on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We report on a 42 year old woman with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) of 10 years duration who developed extensive white matter disease affecting chiefly both parietal lobes 6 months after her first and only dose of rituximab. The MRI findings suggested the diagnosis of PML, but her history was more consistent with PRES. Ultimately, a brain biopsy was performed which was consistent with the diagnosis of PRES. PRES and PML may have overlapping symptomatology and be indistinguishable on MRI. An approach to distinguishing between these two disorders is addressed.
Boron Nitride Nanotubes Are Noncytotoxic and Can Be Functionalized for Interaction with Proteins and Cells

We report the discovery that boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), isosteres of CNTs with unique physical properties, are inherently noncytotoxic. Furthermore, we developed a biomemetic coating strategy to interface BNNTs with proteins and cells. Finally, we showed that BNNTs can deliver DNA oligomers to the interior of cells with no apparent toxicity. This work suggests that BNNTs may be superior to CNTs for use as biological probes and in biomaterials.
Numerical inversion of two-dimensional Laplace transforms—Fourier series representation

Abstract In this paper an algorithm to numerically invert two-dimensional Laplace transforms is presented. This two-dimensional inverse Laplace transforms technique is an extension of the one-dimensional methods based on the representation of the inverse function in terms of Fourier series. In particular, it extends the one-dimensional methods of Dubner and Abate [3] and Crump [1].
Systemic nucleoside antiviral agents may be effective in prevention of recurrent herpes labialis

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Medline and Embase databases were searched together with the reference lists of primary studies, commentaries and reviews. Grey literature resources including the System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe, the Scopus Web and Patent searches, Proquest Dissertations and Theses Fulltext, the Index to Scientific and Technical Proceedings and the clinical trials registry ( http://clinicaltrials.gov ) were also searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving nucleoside antiviral agents for the prevention of recurrent oral herpes in healthy immunocompetent subjects ≥12 years old were included. No language restrictions were applied. Study quality was assessed following Cochrane guidelines. Data were abstracted using a standardised data extraction form and analysed with meta-analysis carried out only with studies that reported the same outcome measure. Ten studies were included, only one study was considered to have a low risk of bias, five an unclear risk and four a high risk of bias. Oral acyclovir (800-1,600 mg daily) and valacyclovir (500 mg daily for four months) were shown to be effective in the prevention of RHL when taken prior to the appearance of any symptoms or exposure to triggers. This review found support for the use of systemic acyclovir and valacyclovir for the prevention of RHL. However, the findings from this review should be interpreted with caution, because the methodologic assessment of the quality of the included studies showed an unclear risk of bias in five out of the ten included papers, and a high risk of bias in four studies.
Generation of antigen-presenting cells from tumor-infiltrated CD11b myeloid cells with DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine

Tumor-recruited CD11b myeloid cells, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells, play a significant role in tumor progression, as these cells are involved in tumor-induced immune suppression and tumor neovasculogenesis. On the other hand, the tumor-infiltrated CD11b myeloid cells could potentially be a source of immunostimulatory antigen-presenting cells (APCs), since most of these cells represent common precursors of both dendritic cells and macrophages. Here, we investigated the possibility of generating mature APCs from tumor-infiltrated CD11b myeloid cells. We demonstrate that in vitro exposure of freshly excised mouse tumors to DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine, AZA) results in selective elimination of tumor cells, but, surprisingly it also enriches CD45(+) tumor-infiltrated cells. The majority of "post-AZA" surviving CD45(+) tumor-infiltrated cells were represented by CD11b myeloid cells. A culture of isolated tumor-infiltrated CD11b cells in the presence of AZA and GM-CSF promoted their differentiation into mature F4/80/CD11c/MHC class II-positive APCs. These tumor-derived myeloid APCs produced substantially reduced amounts of immunosuppressive (IL-13, IL-10, PGE(2)), pro-angiogenic (VEGF, MMP-9) and pro-inflammatory (IL-1beta, IL-6, MIP-2) mediators than their precursors, freshly isolated tumor-infiltrated CD11b cells. Vaccinating naive mice with ex vivo generated tumor-derived APCs resulted in the protection of 70% mice from tumor outgrowth. Importantly, no loading of tumor-derived APC with exogenous antigen was needed to stimulate T cell response and induce the anti-tumor effect. Collectively, our results for the first time demonstrate that tumor-infiltrated CD11b myeloid cells can be enriched and differentiated in the presence of DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine into mature tumor-derived APCs, which could be used for cancer immunotherapy.
Cell-free protein synthesis directed by coliphage MS2 RNA: synthesis of intact viral coat protein and other products.

Coliphage MS2 RNA directs the synthesis in Escherichia coli extracts of a protein product the tryptic peptides of which correspond to the peptides of the phage coat protein. Fingerprint analysis of the synthetic protein labeled with various [ 14 C]amino aeids indicated that in each case only those coat protein peptides which contain a particular amino acid were labeled. The formation of whole coat protein molecules as the predominant product was shown by co-chromatography on Sephadex with authentic phage coat subunit. Sequential synthesis of coat protein ending at the carboxyl end was observed by pulse-labeling with radioactive amino acid and by analysis of the peptides formed in the presence of puromycin. In addition to phage coat protein, MS2 RNA directed the synthesis of other proteins. These could be preferentially labeled with histidine, an amino acid lacking in the coat protein, and partially separated on Sephadex.
Hepatitis B-specific DNA polymerase activity during post-transfusion hepatitis.

HEPATITIS B antigen (HBAg, Australia antigen) has been associated definitively with long incubation human hepatitis1–4. It appears before the onset of acute illness3,4 and decreases during convalescence, with the concomitant development of anti-HBAg5. In addition to this classical course of the disease, the discovery of HBAg has revealed subclinical infections, as demonstrated by seroconversion to HBAg (ref. 6), and the carrier state, where antigen is present in blood for long periods with either chronic hepatitis or no apparent disease7. Levels of HBAg in blood seem unrelated to the severity of disease, for carriers who generally have high titres of circulating antigen, in most cases, show slight if any liver damage8,9.
Design of conformationally constrained angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Summary Modification of alanyl proline by introduction of both zinc coordinating and S1 subsite binding interactions affords potent new carboxy- and mercapto- acyl dipeptide angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Design of these inhibitors was guided by an extension of the hypothetical ACE active site model originally used to derive captopril. Significant increases in ACE inhibitory activity were observed by introduction of conformational constraint into acyclic acyl dipeptides, thus further defining the three dimensional structure of the ACE active site.
Growth of Sn on Si(001) at room temperature

Abstract The room-temperature growth of Sn on Si(001) is studied from the initial stages of metal adatom adsorption all the way to the formation of three-dimensional clusters. Overall, Sn grows in the Stranski–Krastanov mode. The first atomic layer is an array of Sn adatom dimers showing local 2×2 periodicity. After the completion of this first layer, the nature of the transition between two-dimensional and three-dimensional growth is very complex. Three complete and distinct two-dimensional layers of Sn grow, each with a different surface structure, before there is significant three-dimensional growth of clusters. It is not possible to assign an atomic structure for the second or third atomic layers strictly on the basis of these STM data. The three two-dimensional layers taken together form a three-dimensional structure that has an anomalously low bulk density of atoms; in essence, an “atomic sponge”.
Expansion of a dusty plasma into a vacuum

Abstract The non-linear expansion of a quasineutral dusty plasma into a vacuum region is investigated using the model recently proposed by Rao et al. (1990, Planet. Space Sci. 38 , 543). It is shown that the expansion can be described with a self-similar solution.
Ab initio studies of molecular anions stabilized in point-charge lattices: Excited electronic states of OH−

Abstract Potential curves and spectroscopic constants for the ground and low-lying excited electronic states of OH and OH − are computed at the MCSCF level, in vacuo and in fcc point-charge lattices. Vibrationally bound 1 Π and 3 Π states are found 3-4 eV above the ground state of the anion and are probably responsible for the known UV luminescence spectrum of OH − in alkali halides. The excited states display OH − character, and their properties depend strongly on orientation in the lattice.