cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hall dynamics of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.

The nonlinear evolution of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in an inhomogeneous plasma is studied using a two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation code which includes the Hall term. This term is important when the thickness of the boundary layer is less than an ion inertial length. In comparison to the evolution of the instability based upon ideal MHD, the Hall term generates short wavelength turbulence which inhibits vortex formation, and introduces an asymmetry into the nonlinear evolution of the instability depending upon the sign of the vorticity.
On Hamiltonian cycles in Cayley graphs of wreath products

Abstract In this paper we will show that a Hamiltonian cycle exists in the undirected Cayley graph of the wreath product, Zm wr Zn, of two cyclic groups if m is even or equal to 3.
Applications of schur theory to reliability inference for k of n systems

The results of Hoeffding (1956), Pledger and Proschan (1971), Gleser (1975) and Boland and Proschan (1983) are used to obtain Buehler (1957) 1-α lower confidence limits for the reliability of k of n systems of independent components when the subsystem data have equal sample sizes and the observed failures satisfy certain conditions. To the best of our knowledge, for k ≠ 1 or n, this is the first time the exact optimal lower confidence limits for system reliability have been given. The observed failure vectors are a generalization of key test results for k of n systems, k ≠ n (Soms (1984) and Winterbottom (1974)). Two examples applying the above theory are also given.
Changing patterns of treatment for blunt splenic injuries: An 11-year experience in a rural state

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to perform a population-based study evaluating the trend in management of pediatric blunt splenic injuries in a rural state and assess differences in the management of those injuries at a level I pediatric trauma center (PTC) and regional hospitals (RH) from 1985 through 1995. Methods: ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure codes for children (age less than 19) discharged from all hospitals in a rural state with splenic injuries from 1985 through 1995 were reviewed. Hospital charges, age, and nonoperative management (NOM) rates were calculated for PTC and RH and compared using χ 2 and linear regression. ( P Results: The overall NOM rate increased from 21% (G1) to 64.2% (G2), P P =.003). There was no statistical difference in ages or ISS within the groups or between PTC and RH. NOM in RH rose from 7.7% in G1 to 56.9% in G2 ( P P P =.018). However, a higher percentage of children were treated at RH than PTC in G2 versus G1 (68.2% v 51.2%, P =.0541). Conclusions: Over the 10-year period studied, the NOM rate for splenic injuries significantly decreased. This trend was seen at both the PTC and RH, but the PTC maintained a higher rate of NOM. Unfortunately, more children were treated at RH in G2. Educational programs increased NOM in RH but not to a level equal to PTC. These programs had the negative effect of allowing more children to be treated at RH, actually increasing the splenic operation rate for this population. J Pediatr Surg 35:985-989. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
‘She’s very slim’: talking about body-size in all-female interactions

Abstract A feminist issue that still attracts a great deal of both academic and public debate is the topic of body-image, particularly in relation to women’s physical and emotional health. In today’s media-saturated world, women are constantly surrounded by images of young successful media presenters, actresses, and music-stars, who are presented as role models of women’s ‘post-feminist’ achievements, yet these ‘independent’ icons all represent a similar, media-generated, ‘idealized’ perspective of physical beauty. This paper examines extracts taken from interactions involving a group of British teenage girls and a group of British professional women. The aim of the research was to explore whether the need to aspire to a socially ‘acceptable’ body-size is evident in conversational topics relating to diet and exercise. The analysis of conversational moves considers the question of whether the women discursively orient to, or, resist, the socially sanctioned ideal of the ‘thin woman’ (Wetherell, 1992). Examples from the data suggest that, in discussions of body-size, an admission of the need to lose weight may expose a speaker to an interactionally situated face threat (Brown and Levinson, 1987). Further, the examples examined here show that discourse practices relating to body-size raise the issue of peer competition amongst women.
Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and initial management of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Purpose. The incidence and epidemiology, the pathogenesis, the clinical symptoms and diagnosis and the first-line therapies for the management of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are discussed. In addition, the recommendations of two expert panels for the management of ITP are summarized. Summary. The diagnosis and management of chronic ITP are a challenge to the clinician caring for patients with this disease. Because the pathophysiology of ITP is not completely understood, a variety of medical interventions have been utilized in the management of ITP. National guidelines have established that oral corticosteroids are considered to be first-line therapy for chronic ITP. In addition, the use of intravenous immune globulin has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of the disease. Intravenous methylprednisolone, anti-D immunoglobulin, and splenectomy have been utilized in recurrent or refractory cases. The use of other immunosuppressant medications and newer thrombopoietin stimulating agents may offer additional treatment options, as presented in the subsequent article. Conclusion. The initial management of chronic ITP should consist of the use of oral corticosteroids according to national guidelines. In the absence of a response to this first-line therapy, intravenous gamma globulin, intravenous methylprednisolone, anti-D immunoglobulin, or splenectomy may be considered. These treatments may also be utilized to manage recurrent cases of ITP, prior to consideration of second-line therapies.
Insulation Coordination of Distribution Transformers

In this study of insulation coordination of distribution transformers, the operating conditions are reviewed and the requirements of transformers to be operated without protection are outlined. Test results on transformers designed to meet these requirements are given, showing that by the use of shields for the high-voltage windings and thyrite resistors for the low-voltage windings, transformers can be made in which the internal insulation will be protected by flashover of the bushings. The level of insulation chosen and the amount of system protection desired by the use of lightning arresters will determine the economic value of such transformers.
The Paradox of Plebiscitary Democracy in Presidential Nomination Campaigns

how fair it can be. In this article, the presidential nomination campaign is subjected to an analysis using basic tools of social choice theory. The objective is to find out whether the nomination campaign can be made democratically fairer, while maintaining the qualities it has that make it a workable majoritarian method of public choice. Ultimately we will consider whether the commitment to plebiscitary democracy can be justified in view of the endemic fairness problems. that are problematical from a public choice perspective, two of which are central and related. First, these campaigns often have more than two candidates competing. It is literally impossible to guarantee social transitivity from transitive individual preferences in an electoral procedure when there are more than two alternatives, as Kenneth Arrow (1963) demonstrated. Second, because of the majority requirement in these campaigns, it is possible that no candidate will achieve the necessary number of delegates to secure the nomination on the basis of plebiscitary events. There are other complications related to the structural peculiarities of presidential nomination campaigns, especially the fact that electoral events occur in a series and that the field of candidates usually changes during the course of the campaign. These are covered later. In this section, the focus is on defining democratic fairness and explain
Family Relationships and Adolescent Pregnancy Risk: A Research Synthesis

Abstract This article summarizes two decades of research about family, and especially parental, influences on the risk of adolescents becoming pregnant or causing a pregnancy. Research findings are most consistent that parent/child closeness or connectedness, parental supervision or regulation of children's activities, and parents' values against teen intercourse (or unprotected intercourse) decrease the risk of adolescent pregnancy. Largely because of methodological complexities, research results about parent/child sexual communication and adolescent pregnancy risk are very inconsistent. Residing in disorganized/dangerous neighborhoods and in a lower SES family, living with a single parent, having older sexually active siblings or pregnant/parenting teenage sisters, and being a victim of sexual abuse all place teens at elevated risk of adolescent pregnancy. Several biological factors (timing of pubertal development, hormone levels, and genes) also are related to adolescent pregnancy risk because of their association with adolescent sexual intercourse.
Cortical atrophy and white matter density in the brains of schizophrenics and clinical response to neuroleptics.

— The relationship between clinical response to neuroleptics and brain morphology as revealed by CT scans was evaluated in a sample of 39 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychosis. Four measures of brain morphology previously shown to differ between schizophrenics and patients with headaches - white matter density, asymmetry in brain white matter density, sulcal width and global cortical atrophy - did not correlate with clinical improvement after 3 weeks treatment with constant doses of neuroleptics. These brain morphology measures also did not correlate with baseline psychopathology scores. The same results were found with scales or subscales reflecting primarily positive symptoms of schizophrenia as well as those reflecting primarily social withdrawal.
Skin pigmentation in relation to adrenal cortical function.

PIGMENTATION of the skin and mucous membranes constituted one of the cardinal features originally described by Thomas Addison in adrenal cortical disease (1). The pigment responsible has been shown histolcgically and chemically to be melanin (2), and many theories have been offered to explain the mechanism of the melanosis. An inability to utilize epinephrine precursors due to the loss of adrenal medullary function, with resulting conversion of these materials to excess melanin, was an early theory (3). The adrenal was also suggested as a necessary link in the sympathetic control of neural crest melanoblasts, disease of the adrenal thus resulting in skin melanosis (4). Absence of adrenal steroidal hormones has been thought to cause pigmentation by interfering with storage of vitamin C, or to result in loss of reduced ascorbic acid secondary to the lowered sodium level (5). These theories have been discussed by Jeghers (2, 6), Sodeman (7) and Lerner and Fitzpatrick (8). Recently Calkins (9), Johnsson and H...
Revising the Personality Disorder Diagnostic Criteria for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V): Consider the Later Life Context

The categorical measurement approach implemented by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) personality disorder (PD) diagnostic system is theoretically and pragmatically limited. As a result, many prominent psychologists now advocate for a shift away from this approach in favor of more conceptually sound dimensional measurement. This shift is expected to improve the psychometric properties of the personality disorder (PD) diagnostic system and make it more useful for clinicians and researchers. The current article suggests that despite the probable benefits of such a change, several limitations will remain if the new diagnostic system does not closely consider the context of later life. A failure to address the unique challenges associated with the assessment of personality in older adults likely will result in the continued limited validity, reliability, and utility of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) system for this growing population. This article discusses these limitations and their possible implications.
Studies on the Melanotropic Activity of Human Plasma and Tissues

Assays of melanotropic and adrenocorticotropic activities were performed on Amberlite CG-50 extracts of plasma obtained from 3 patients with untreated Addison's disease, 9 patients who had developed hyperpigmentation following bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome, and 1 patient who had developed hyperpigmentation and Cushing's syndrome in association with a carcinoma of the pancreas. In addition, glacial acetic acid extracts of 3 human pituitary glands and of 15 tumors associated with the “ectopic adrenocorticotropin syndrome” were similarly studied. In every instance the quantity of melanotropic activity was far greater than one would expect if the sole melanotropic substance of plasma were αh-ACTH. Furthermore, using SE-Sephadex, it was possible to separate the major melanotropic component from the major adrenocorticotropin of plasma. This separate melanotropic component of plasma was chemically different from another melanotropin which appeared in the plasma following the intravenous infusion...
Exploring the Nature of Race‐Related Guilt

In a hermeneutic phenomenology study, the main purpose of which was to explore how White graduate students made meaning of being White, race-related guilt was found to be a prominent emotion. This article explores race-related guilt and suggests liberation therapy as a counseling tool to transform guilt to positive action. En un estudio interpretativo y fenomenologico que tuvo por proposito estudiar como estudiantes graduados crearon significado de ser Blancos, se encontro que la culpa racial fue una emocion prominente. Este articulo explora la culpa racial y sugiere a la terapia de liberacion como una herramienta para transformar la culpa a la action positiva.
Scalable, high-performance 3D imaging software platform: System architecture and application to virtual colonoscopy

One of the key challenges in three-dimensional (3D) medical imaging is to enable the fast turn-around time, which is often required for interactive or real-time response. This inevitably requires not only high computational power but also high memory bandwidth due to the massive amount of data that need to be processed. In this work, we have developed a software platform that is designed to support high-performance 3D medical image processing for a wide range of applications using increasingly available and affordable commodity computing systems: multi-core, clusters, and cloud computing systems. To achieve scalable, high-performance computing, our platform (1) employs size-adaptive, distributable block volumes as a core data structure for efficient parallelization of a wide range of 3D image processing algorithms; (2) supports task scheduling for efficient load distribution and balancing; and (3) consists of a layered parallel software libraries that allow a wide range of medical applications to share the same functionalities. We evaluated the performance of our platform by applying it to an electronic cleansing system in virtual colonoscopy, with initial experimental results showing a 10 times performance improvement on an 8-core workstation over the original sequential implementation of the system.
Oxygen-radical/nitric oxide mediate calcium­ dependent hormone action on cyclic GMP system: A novel concept in signal transduction mechanisms

The broad objective of these studies was to understand the nature of cyclic GMP system and the mechanism(s) whereby hormone, autacoids and drugs alter this signal in various physiological systems. Studies were undertaken on the modulation of guanylate cyclase activity by oxygen-radicals/nitric oxide and the mechanism(s) of generation of nitric oxide by receptor-selective hormones. We observed that cytosolic guanylate cyclase undergoes significant stimulation in the presence of oxygen-radicals/nitric oxide. This activation by nitric oxide can be reversed by hemeproteins, thus, enabling guanylate cyclase system to cycle between activated and deactivated state. The evidence is presented that oxygen-radicals are required for the synthesis of nitric oxide by NO synthase as demonstrated by inhibition of NO formation by oxygen-radical scavengers. And finally, the data is presented that acetylcholine-induced elevations of intracellular levels of cyclic GMP can be attenuated by muscarinic antagonist, atropine and Superoxide anion scavenger, nitroblue tetrazolium. These observations establish a novel concept that activation of hormone receptors on the cell surface, triggers generation of oxygen radicals and hydrogen peroxide which participates in the catalytic conversion of L-arginine to nitric oxide by nitric oxide synthase in the presence of calcium ion. The oxygen-radicals/NO, thus formed, oxidatively activate guanylate cyclase and transduce the message of calcium-dependent hormones.
Alkoxide Doping of GaAs During Organometallic Vapor Phase Epitaxy

Doping of GaAs with dimethylaluminum methoxide and its effects have been studied during metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Oxygen concentration decreases exponentially with increasing growth temperature and the activation energy equal to 1.8 eV.Increase of oxygen content with decrease of V/III ratio indicates that oxygen most likely occupies arsenic site. Photoluminescence intensity was observed to decrease with increasing oxygen contentand three new deep level luminescence peaks appeared at 75, 96, and 160 meV below the band gap. This, together with the fact that as-grown layers are fully depleted, indicates that oxygen is electrically active in OMVPE GaAs and forms deep non-radiative recombinationcenters.
Moving Target Tracking Using Symbolic Registration

This correspondence describes a moving target tracking (MTT) algorithm that performs image registration and motion analysis between pairs of images from a passive sensor. Unlike previously reported moving target indicators that operate at the signal level, the registration and motion analysis in the MTT is totally performed at a symbolic level. The operation of the MTT is demonstrated by simulation results obtained from applications of the algorithm to infrared images.
Can users remember their pictorial passwords six years later

Previous research had shown that pictorial passwords, where users recognize their target images among distractors, have potential for improving the usability of authentication systems. A method using personal photos provided by the users as their targets, shown among highly similar distractors, showed the most promise for both accuracy and security. But the longest time period that had been tested between successive login attempts was only about one month. We wanted to see what happens when six years have elapsed. We recruited some of the same participants from the previous study and tested their ability to select their target photos six years later. We found that 12 of 13 participants successfully authenticated themselves. The overall accuracy rate was 95.6%, demonstrating that most users can remember these pictorial passwords even over long periods of time.
Patterns of inquiry in computer literacy help sessions for the elderly

The worldwide demographic shift toward an aging population in developed countries highlights the need for more technology-based assistance for the elderly. The success of any assistive technology system depends on motivated, literate users; hence it is important to study how elder users learn and what their motivations for learning technology are. Our volunteer computer literacy sessions at the local library are a rich source of communication, providing insights into the learning process for elders. Using a small sample of these conversations, we apply a communication pattern language to qualitatively analyze the communication strategies and tactics that tutors and learners use. We are able to shed light on the patterns of learning technology use for elder users, to be able employ those principles in system design
Cloud-Tracked Winds from Pioneer Venus OCPP Images

Abstract Analysis of ultraviolet image sequences, obtained from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter Cloud Photopolarimeter and covering five 80-day periods from 1979–1985, provides the first climatological description of the cloud top circulation on Venus. The average zonal winds can be characterized as a 5-day retrograde rotation of the whole cloud-level atmosphere with weak “jets” at middle to high latitudes. Both the midlatitude and equatorial zonal winds vary by about 5–8 m s−1 over time spans of 1–6 years. The average meridional circulation is poleward in both hemispheres up to at least 60° latitude, consistent with the presence of a thermally direct Hadley circulation associated with the clouds. The strength of the Hadley circulation also varies with time. Four wave modes are clearly identified: a diurnal solar tide, a semi-diurnal solar tide, a “4-day equatorial” wave, and a “5-day midlatitude” wave. The semidiurnal tide appears to have an amplitude of about 5 m s−1 and to be approximately constant with time...
THE WATER, DEUTERIUM, GAS AND URANIUM CONTENT OF TEKTITES

The water content, deuterium concentration of the water, total gas and uranium contents were determined on tektite samples andother glass samples from Texas, Australia, Philippine Islands, Java, French Indo-China, Czechoslovakia, Libyan Desert, Billiton Island, Thailand, French West Africa, Peru, and New Mexico. The water content ranges from 0.24 per cert for the Peru tektite, to 0.0002 per cent for a moldavite. The majority of the tektites have less than 0.05 per cent water, and average 0.005 per cent H/sub 2/0 by weight. No other gases were detected, the lower detection limit being about I p.p.m. by weight. The deuterium content of the water in tektites is in the same range as that in terrestrial waters, and varies from 0.010 mole per cent to 0.0166 mole per cert deuteranium The uranium content is about from 1 to 3 p.p.m. The possible origin of tektites is discussed. The experimental data presented favor their being originally terrestrial, but produced by some catastrophic event. An extra- terrestrial source is not ruled out. (auth)
Correlation between intimal thickness and fluid shear in human arteries

A realistic pulsatile flow was passed through a cast of the aortic bifurcation of a 63-year-old male with mild atherosclerosis, and a laser Doppler anemometer was used to measure fluid velocities in the cast at 15 selected sites near the lateral and medial walls. Intimal, medial and adventitial thickness were measured, and sudanophilia was scored, at corresponding sites in the vessel from which the cast had been made. A negative correlation was found between intimal thickness (IT) and wall shear rate (i.e., the velocity gradient at the blood-artery interface). The strongest negative correlation (P < 0.005) was between IT and “pulse shear rate” (PSR), defined by analogy with pulse pressure. Sudanophilia also correlated negatively with PSR (P < 0.01). These results suggest that large excursions of interfacial shear, at levels too low to cause damage, may inhibit intimal thickening.
Social tags in text and image search

This research-in-progress investigates the use of tags during the search process, for both image searches and text searches, through a user study. The use of tags for query reformulation, predictive judgment, and evaluative judgment of relevance is examined through transaction log data and post-search interviews. For both text and image searches, tags are most frequently used for query reformulation, but rarely used for evaluative judgment. Tag use occurs most frequently from the search results page, as the tags displayed in the search results page are used for query reformulation as well as predictive judgment. Results suggest that tags should be visible to users across all stages of the search process.
Discussion of the formation of major positive and negative ions up to the 50 km level

Tremendous progress has been made in recent years in understanding positive ion formation in the D-region. The results of direct measurements (Narcisi, 1969) of D-region ion composition can now be understood on the basis of a reaction model calculated with measured reaction rate constants (Fehsenfeld and Ferguson, 1969; Ferguson and Fehsenfeld, 1969). Similar progress has been made on explaining the D-region negative ion chemistry, and some very successful results have been obtained in recent months (Ferguson, private communication).
Analysis of Analgesic Tablets by Quantitative High-Performance Reversed Phase TLC

Abstract Aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine in two commercial analgesic tablets were determined by scanning of fluorescence-quenched zones after separation on high performance TLC plates. Assays for the components ranged from 100 to 88% of label values, and agreement between duplicate samples was better than 5%. Use of phenacetin as an internal standard for determination of aspirin and caffeine was not advantageous. The analysis serves well as an introduction to quantitative TLC in undergraduate laboratory courses.
Stokes parameters and partial polarization of far-field radiation emitted by hot bodies

The polarization properties of far-field thermal radiation emitted by hot bodies at uniform temperature is explored. Some novel results are obtained for the Stokes parameters for emission from large, smooth, opaque bodies of convex shape and also for small particles in the Rayleigh region. For the case of large, smooth, opaque bodies, the results may be readily extended to include nonuniform temperature distributions that vary slowly on the scale of a wavelength. The formulas obtained are particularly simple and straightforward to apply, and examples of their application to emission from a large smooth cylinder and from a small ellipsoidal particle are described.
The Theoretical and Methodological Utility of Space and Spatial Statistics for Historical Studies: The Nazi Party in Geographic Context

Abstract The geographic perspective on human behavior emphasizes the notion of context. Context suggests that human behavior is partly determined by the place in which individuals and groups act, and in turn these actions re-create places. It follows that an element of history is the contextual setting of activity. Spatial statistics are introduced as a tool for modeling context in historical studies. Spatial dependence serves to operationalize the specificity of place and the diffusion of processes between places. Spatial heterogeneity serves to operationalize the idea that behavior is regionally specific rather than uniform across space. Both spatial dependence and spatial heterogeneity are included in spatial regression models. A spatial statistical analysis of the Nazi Party vote in Bavaria between 1928 and 1932 is adopted to illustrate the argument.
The SDF-1-CXCR4 signaling pathway: a molecular hub modulating neo-angiogenesis.

Pro-angiogenic bone marrow (BM) cells include subsets of hematopoietic cells that provide vascular support and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which under certain permissive conditions could differentiate into functional vascular cells. Recent evidence demonstrates that the chemokine stromal-cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1, also known as CXCL12) has a major role in the recruitment and retention of CXCR4+ BM cells to the neo-angiogenic niches supporting revascularization of ischemic tissue and tumor growth. However, the precise mechanism by which activation of CXCR4 modulates neo-angiogenesis is not clear. SDF-1 not only promotes revascularization by engaging with CXCR4 expressed on the vascular cells but also supports mobilization of pro-angiogenic CXCR4+VEGFR1+ hematopoietic cells, thereby accelerating revascularization of ischemic organs. Here, we attempt to define the multiple functions of the SDF-1–CXCR4 signaling pathway in the regulation of neo-vascularization during acute ischemia and tumor growth. In particular, we introduce the concept that, by modulating plasma SDF-1 levels, the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 acutely promotes, while chronic AMD3100 treatment inhibits, mobilization of pro-angiogenic cells. We will also discuss strategies to modulate the mobilization of essential subsets of BM cells that participate in neo-angiogenesis, setting up the stage for enhancing revascularization or targeting tumor vessels by exploiting CXCR4 agonists and antagonists, respectively.
Grand mal seizures temporally related to cocaine use: clinical and diagnostic features.

Study objectives: To determine the appropriate diagnostic workup of the emergency department patient with an uncomplicated cocaine-related grand mal seizure. Design setting: Retrospective analysis. A city and county ED with 45,000 selected visits per year. Type of participants: Thirty-seven patients with acute grand mal seizure after cocaine exposure were studied. All had historical or laboratory evidence of cocaine use and no history of prior seizure disorder. Interventions: The diagnostic workup varied among patients. Most received computed head tomography (35), whereas fewer received ECG (18), EEG (16), and lumbar puncture (six). Measurements and main results: Thirty-three patients with an uncomplicated cocaine-related seizure had an unremarkable series of diagnostic tests. The four patients with remarkable neurologic manifestations were compared with the remainder of patients who were without neurologic abnormalities. Comparison of groups by route of cocaine intake revealed no significant difference in the time interval to seizure ( P = .761). Conclusion: Diagnostic workup probably is not indicated for the patient experiencing a cocaine-related generalized seizure who will recover promptly and have a normal postictal examination.
The gamma subunit of transducin is farnesylated.

Abstract Protein prenylation with farnesyl or geranylgeranyl moieties is an important posttranslational modification that affects the activity of such diverse proteins as the nuclear lamins, the yeast mating factor mata, and the ras oncogene products. In this article, we show that whole retinal cultures incorporate radioactive mevalonic acid into proteins of 23-26 kDa and one of 8 kDa. The former proteins are probably the "small" guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) and the 8-kDa protein is the gamma subunit of the well-studied retinal heterotrimeric G protein (transducin). After deprenylating purified transducin and its subunits with Raney nickel or methyl iodide/base, the adducted prenyl group can be identified as an all-trans-farnesyl moiety covalently linked to a cysteine residue. Thus far, prenylation reactions have been found to occur at cysteine in a carboxyl-terminal consensus CAAX sequence, where C is the cysteine, A is an aliphatic amino acid, and X is undefined. Both the alpha and gamma subunits of transducin have this consensus sequence, but only the gamma subunit is prenylated. Therefore, the CAAX motif is not necessary and sufficient to direct prenylation. Finally, since transducin is the best understood G protein, both structurally and mechanistically, the discovery that it is farnesylated should allow for a quantitative understanding of this post-translational modification.
POLICE REPORTS AND VICTIMIZATION SURVEY RESULTS An Empirical Study

To test the assumption that police reports cannot be used as a representative sample of all criminal events, a research study was undertaken comparing the characteristics of robberies and robbery victims derived from police offense reports in San Jose, California, to those derived from a victimization survey in the same area The result of the comparison of these two data sources disclosed that: (1) for commercial robberies there were no differences between police offense reports and victimization survey data for the characteristics which were compared; (2) for personal robberies, there were no differences for the characteristics of victim's sex and age, number of victims, victim/offender relationship, and number of offenders. The differences observed for victim's race and time of occurrence can be attributed to classification problems and methodological differences It is highly probable that the police robbery offense reports and the Victimization survey data are representative of the same population of robberies Results suggest that further evaluation of the assumption that police offense reports do not reflect the “true” nature of all (i.e., reported and unreported) crime is warranted.
Outcomes of breast-conservation therapy for invasive lobular carcinoma are equivalent to those for invasive ductal carcinoma

Abstract Background Breast-conservation therapy (BCT), including wide local excision and postoperative irradiation, is considered standard treatment for early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). The use of BCT in patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) has been questioned because of concerns regarding ipsilateral breast recurrence and risk of bilateral breast cancer. We evaluated our institutional experience with BCT and compared treatment outcomes for ILC with those for IDC. Methods A review of our BCT database revealed 84 patients with ILC and 1,126 with IDC with stage I or II disease treated with BCT and radiation between 1976 and 1999. We evaluated local-regional recurrence, disease-specific survival, and contralateral breast cancer rates in both groups. Results The 5- and 10-year local-regional recurrence rates for the ILC group were 1% and 7%, respectively, and 4% and 9%, respectively, for the IDC group ( P = .70). There were no significant differences in the 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival rates between the groups. Contralateral breast cancer occurred in 11.3% of patients with IDC and 11.9% of patients with ILC. Conclusions BCT achieves similar local-regional control and survival outcomes in selected patients with ILC or IDC. Breast-conservation therapy is an appropriate treatment strategy for patients with early-stage invasive lobular carcinoma.
Vascular Immunotargeting to Endothelial Determinant ICAM-1 Enables Optimal Partnering of Recombinant scFv-Thrombomodulin Fusion with Endogenous Cofactor

The use of targeted therapeutics to replenish pathologically deficient proteins on the luminal endothelial membrane has the potential to revolutionize emergency and cardiovascular medicine. Untargeted recombinant proteins, like activated protein C (APC) and thrombomodulin (TM), have demonstrated beneficial effects in acute vascular disorders, but have failed to have a major impact on clinical care. We recently reported that TM fused with an scFv antibody fragment to platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) exerts therapeutic effects superior to untargeted TM. PECAM-1 is localized to cell-cell junctions, however, whereas the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), the key co-factor of TM/APC, is exposed in the apical membrane. Here we tested whether anchoring TM to the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) favors scFv/TM collaboration with EPCR. Indeed: i) endothelial targeting scFv/TM to ICAM-1 provides ~15-fold greater activation of protein C than its PECAM-targeted counterpart; ii) blocking EPCR reduces protein C activation by scFv/TM anchored to endothelial ICAM-1, but not PECAM-1; and iii) anti-ICAM scFv/TM fusion provides more profound anti-inflammatory effects than anti-PECAM scFv/TM in a mouse model of acute lung injury. These findings, obtained using new translational constructs, emphasize the importance of targeting protein therapeutics to the proper surface determinant, in order to optimize their microenvironment and beneficial effects.
Application of Electrochemical Detection for the Quantitation of 1, 4-Dihydroxy-5, 8-Bis-[2-(2-Hydroxyethyl) Aminoethylamino]-9,10-Anthracenedione Following Liquid Chromatography

Abstract Electrochemical monitoring of 1, 4-dihydroxy-5, 8-bis-[2-(2-hydroxyethy1) aminoethy amino]-9, 10-anthracenedione was employed for the quantitation of this cancer chemotherapy drug following high performance liquid chromatography. Detection was performed by oxidation of the compound at a glassy carbon electrode at +0.80 V vs. SCE. A rapid and convenient sample treatment procedure was developed which is suitable for determination involving physiological samples. A detection limit of 2 ng injected was obtained for urine samples.
Coefficients of half-integral weight modular forms

Abstract In this paper, we study the distribution of the coefficients a ( n ) of half-integral weight modular forms modulo odd integers M . As a consequence, we obtain improvements of indivisibility results for the central critical values of quadratic twists of L -functions associated with integral weight newforms established in Ono and Skinner (Fourier coefficients of half-integral weight modular forms modulo l, Ann. of Math. 147 (1998) 453–470). Moreover, we find a simple criterion for proving cases of Newman's conjecture for the partition function.
The Curvature Induction of Surface-Bound Antimicrobial Peptides Piscidin 1 and Piscidin 3 Varies with Lipid Chain Length

The initial steps of membrane disruption by antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) involve binding to bacterial membranes in a surface-bound (S) orientation. To evaluate the effects of lipid composition on the S state, molecular dynamics simulations of the AMPs piscidin 1 (p1) and piscidin 3 (p3) were carried out in four different bilayers: 3:1 DMPC/DMPG, 3:1 POPC/POPG, 1:1 POPE/POPG, and 4:1 POPC/cholesterol. In all cases, the addition of 1:40 piscidin caused thinning of the bilayer, though thinning was least for DMPC/DMPG. The peptides also insert most deeply into DMPC/DMPG, spanning the region from the bilayer midplane to the headgroups, and thereby only mildly disrupting the acyl chains. In contrast, the peptides insert less deeply in the palmitoyl-oleoyl containing membranes, do not reach the midplane, and substantially disrupt the chains, i.e., the neighboring acyl chains bend under the peptide, forming a basket-like conformation. Curvature free energy derivatives calculated from the simulation pressure profiles reveal that the peptides generate positive curvature in membranes with palmitoyl and oleoyl chains but negative curvature in those with myristoyl chains. Curvature inductions predicted with a continuum elastic model follow the same trends, though the effect is weaker, and a small negative curvature induction is obtained in POPC/POPG. These results do not directly speak to the relative stability of the inserted (I) states or ease of pore formation, which requires the free energy pathway between the S and I states. Nevertheless, they do highlight the importance of lipid composition and acyl chain packing.
Noninvasive assessment of normal carotid bifurcation hemodynamics with color-flow ultrasound imaging

The combination of a B-mode imaging system and a single range-gate pulsed Doppler flow velocity detector (duplex scanner) has become the standard noninvasive method for assessing the extracranial carotid artery. However, a significant limitation of this approach is the small area of vessel lumen that can be evaluated at any one time. This report describes a new duplex instrument that displays blood flow as colors superimposed on a real-time B-mode image. Returning echoes from a linear array of transducers are continuously processed for amplitude and phase. Changes in phase are produced by tissue motion and are used to calculate Doppler shift frequency. This results in a color assignment: red and blue indicate direction of flow with respect to the ultrasound beam, and lighter shades represent higher velocities. The carotid bifurcations of 10 normal subjects were studied. Changes in flow velocities across the arterial lumen were clearly visualized as varying shades of red or blue during the cardiac cycle. A region of flow separation was observed in all proximal internal carotids as a blue area located along the outer wall of the bulb. Thus, it is possible to detect the localized flow patterns that characterize normal carotid arteries. Other advantages of color-flow imaging include the ability to rapidly identify the carotid bifurcation branches and any associated anatomic variations.
Conditional fading statistics of scintillation

The level-crossing theory for Gaussian stochastic processes is used to predict the behavior of an optical channel in the turbulent atmosphere. The log-irradiance is assumed to be Gaussian with a known correlation function and the conditional probability that it be below a “fade” at time τ in the future given that it currently exceeds a threshold level is derived. The probability density, two-point conditional density, and the correlation function of the log-irradiance as determined from experimental data collected under weak, moderate, and strong turbulence conditions are presented. The Gaussian assumption is justified on the basis on the measured probability densities but the correlation functions show that the process is not Markov. The measured correlation functions are used to generate the probability of fading as a function of the time delay τ and a measure of the effectiveness of a channel-monitoring system is defined and calculated.
Immediate increases in quadriceps corticomotor excitability during an electromyography biofeedback intervention

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of EMG-BF on vastus lateralis corticomotor excitability, measured via motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes elicited using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). We also determined the effect of EMG-BF on isometric knee extensor strength. Fifteen healthy participants volunteered for this crossover study with two sessions held one-week apart. Participants were randomly assigned to condition order, during which five intervention MVICs were performed with or without EMG-BF. MEP amplitudes were collected with TMS during five knee extension contractions (5% of MVIC) at baseline and again during intervention MVICs within each session. During the control condition, participants were instructed to perform the same number of MVICs without any EMG-BF. Percent change scores were used to calculate the change in peak-to-peak MEP amplitudes that occurred during EMG-BF and Control MVICs compared to the baseline MEPs. Peak knee extension torque was recorded during MVICs prior to TMS for each condition. EMG-BF produced significantly increased MEP change scores and significantly greater torque than the control condition. The results of the current study suggest that EMG-BF may be a viable clinical method for targeting corticomotor excitability.
A Surface Analytical Study of the Effects of Water and Oxygen on Tribological Behavior of DLC Films

In this study, we explored the effects of water and oxygen molecules on friction and wear of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films. Specifically, using Raman and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopies we attempted to analyze the near surface chemistry and microstructure of sliding contact surfaces and correlated these findings with changes in friction and wear of DLC films. Tribological tests were run in a ball-on-disk machine under 2 to 5 N loads and in dry and moist nitrogen and oxygen environments. Based on the tribological and surface analytical findings, a mechanistic explanation is provided for the high friction and wear of DLC in dry and humid oxygen environments.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Oxidation of Infused Acetate to Body Pool CO2

SummaryThe rates of oxidation of acetate to C02 were estimated by using 1-C14 and 2-C14 labeled acetate and measuring both blood and expired C1402. Following 1-C14 labeled acetate infusion, the half life of blood and expired C1402 was about 76 minutes indicating a mean turnover time of acetate carboxyl to pool C02 of about 110 minutes.The half lives of 2-C14 labeled acetate were 135 minutes and 195 minutes respectively. The half life of the pool acetate was 1.2 minutes; turnover time 1.7 minutes; turnover rate 3.4 meq per hour and pool size 6.0 meq per sheep.
Induced Phytoextraction of Lead Through Chemical Manipulation of Switchgrass and Corn; Role of Iron Supplement.

The effects of combined chemical application of benomyl, ethylenedianinetetraacetate (EDTA), and iron (Fe) (foliar and root) on lead (Pb) phytoextraction by switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and corn (Zea mays) was examined. Switchgrass was grown in Pb-contaminated urban topsoil with the following treatments: (C) Control, (B) benomyl, (E) EDTA, (F) foliar-Fe, (BE) benomyl + EDTA, (BF) benomyl + foliar-Fe, (FE) foliar-Fe + EDTA, (BFE) benomyl + foliar-Fe + EDTA. Corn was grown in sand-culture supplemented with Pb (500 mg kg−1) with the following treatments: (C) control, (B) benomyl, (E) EDTA, (F) root-Fe, (BE) benomyl + EDTA, (BF) benomyl + root-Fe, (FE) root-iron + EDTA, and, (BFE) benomyl + root-Fe + EDTA. All treatments were replicated three times and pots were arranged in a completely randomized design. Plants were analyzed for element concentration (Fe, Zn, P, and Pb) using either inductively coupled plasma (argon) atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer....
The echocardiographer's role during the placement of patent foramen ovale closure devices

This article discusses the echocardiographer, sonographer, and interventional cardiologist can interact as a team using multiple imaging modalities during the placement of the patent foramen ovale closure device. Intracardiac echo and fluoroscopy both play a pivotal role during the procedure and in some instances transesophageal echocardiography can be used as well.
A Remote Surface Pressure Measurement Technique for Rotating Elements

This technical note describes a photoluminescent paint technique developed to measure the steady-state surface pressure distributions on rotating elements. The application of pressure-sensitive paints (PSPs) as a means of measuring surface pressure has emerged in recent years as a viable alternative to conventional transducers, yielding accurate quantitative results (Morris et al., 1993; McLachlan et al., 1993; Morris, 1995). Burns and Sullivan (1995) describe a lifetime-based technique to measure pressure on rotating machinery with tip speeds exceeding 200 m/s. Their method measures the phase shift that occurs between a modulated excitation source and the corresponding emission response of the paint. The technique performed in this paper uses an unmodulated light source and measures the actual intensity decay with respect to time. The corresponding lifetimes of decay are then calibrated with the steady-state pressure.
Resonance Topology of Fluoranthenoid/Fluorenoid Hydrocarbons and Related Systems

Various subclasses of fluoranthenoid/fluorenoid hydrocarbons are studied where fluoranthenes is a special subclass. The unique connection between Pauling's first-excited valence-bond resonance structures and fluoranthene bistability is demonstrated. Bistable fluoranthene hydrocarbons have nearly degenerate singlet-triplet electronic states, and candidate bistable fluoranthenes are identified. An algorithm for determining the number of Kekule resonance structures in fluoranthenoids with centrally located pentagonal rings is given and illustrated. New numerical results are reported for the number of Kekule resonance structures in fluoranthenoid/fluorenoid hydrocarbons and related circulenes.
The Islamic interest-free banking system: some empirical evidence

(1988). The Islamic interest-free banking system: some empirical evidence. Applied Economics: Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 417-425.