cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of Blood Pressure, Appetite, and Glucose by Leptin in Mice Lacking Leptin Receptors in Proopiomelanocortin Neurons

Although the central nervous system melanocortin system is an important regulator of energy balance, the role of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in mediating the chronic effects of leptin on appetite, blood pressure, and glucose regulation is unknown. Using Cre/loxP technology we tested whether leptin receptor deletion in POMC neurons (LepR(flox/flox)/POMC-Cre mice) attenuates the chronic effects of leptin to increase mean arterial pressure (MAP), enhance glucose use and oxygen consumption, and reduce appetite. LepR(flox/flox)/POMC-Cre, wild-type, LepR(flox/flox), and POMC-Cre mice were instrumented for MAP and heart rate measurement by telemetry and venous catheters for infusions. LepR(flox/flox)/POMC-Cre mice were heavier, hyperglycemic, hyperinsulinemic, and hyperleptinemic compared with wild-type, LepR(flox/flox), and POMC-Cre mice. Despite exhibiting features of metabolic syndrome, LepR(flox/flox)/POMC-Cre mice had normal MAP and heart rate compared with LepR(flox/flox) but lower MAP and heart rate compared with wild-type mice. After a 5-day control period, leptin was infused (2 μg/kg per minute, IV) for 7 days. In control mice, leptin increased MAP by ≈5 mm Hg despite decreasing food intake by ≈35%. In contrast, leptin infusion in LepR(flox/flox)/POMC-Cre mice reduced MAP by ≈3 mm Hg and food intake by ≈28%. Leptin significantly decreased insulin and glucose levels in control mice but not in LepR(flox/flox)/POMC-Cre mice. Leptin increased oxygen consumption in LepR(flox/flox)/POMC-Cre and wild-type mice. Activation of POMC neurons is necessary for the chronic effects of leptin to raise MAP and reduce insulin and glucose levels, whereas leptin receptors in other areas of the brain other than POMC neurons appear to play a key role in mediating the chronic effects of leptin on appetite and oxygen consumption.
ABUNDANCES OF SELECTED ELEMENTS IN FIVE OXYGEN-POOR STARS IN OMEGA CENTAURI

we have derived abundances or upper limits for Fe, O, Na, Al, Sc, and Eu in five oxygen-poor red giants in Omega Centauri, a globular cluster which displays a metallicity range of some 1.5 dex. All of the stars show large Al excesses and slight Sc excesses, and all but one reveal an excess of Na. We find either solar or slightly deficient Eu abundances in these stars, in agreement with other recent results. We have also used spectral synthesis to derive 12C/13C ratios which are similar to ratios obtianed for oxygen-rich stars in Omega Centauri and in other globular clusters.
Comparison of soil phosphorus extractants as affected by fertilizer phosphorus sources, lime recommendation and time among four Arkansas soils

Abstract Phosphorus (P) sources were evaluated for their usefulness as P fertilizers in four acid Arkansas soils. Soils were amended with acidulated rock phosphorous, Florida rock phosphate, liquid ammonium phosphate, North Carolina rock phosphate, and triple superphosphorous, at 50 mg P kg‐1. After application, the soils were incubated for two years at 33 kPa soil moisture potential, with samples taken periodically. At each sampling Mehlich III (M‐III) and Bray‐Kurtz PI (BK1) extractants were used to measure available P levels. Acidulated rock phosphate was consistently the best P source for all soils, although P levels were significantly raised above the check by all P sources. Mehlich III extracted significantly more P than did BK1 for all soils. Phosphorus release varied among amendments during the incubation period. Acidulated rock phosphate, liquid ammonium phosphate, and triple superphosphate exhibited rapid initial release. The Florida and North Carolina rock phosphates did not achieve their maxim...
IMPLEMENTING INITIATIVES ON QUALITY: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE ON TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT

In the early 1980s, companies around the world, learning from the Japanese experience, saw that they could address their severe competitive problems related to productivity and quality only by looking at the entire set of processes and organizational relationships in the context of the customer's needs. This approach was termed total quality management (TQM). As companies pursue quality-related initiatives, they must deal with a number of issues; some of these issues are addressed here: measurement of benefits, feedback and recognition, work-teams, teaching continuous improvement, and enhancing the effectiveness of statistical process control charts.
The nonstationary ideal on ℵ2

We construct a model in which the filter of ω-closed unbounded subsets of ℵ2 is precipitous and a model in which the filter of closed unbounded subsets of ℵ2 is precipitous. For the first model we need a measurable cardinal, and for the second a measurable cardinal of order 2. Both results are equiconsistent.
Examining the Factor Structure of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in a Multiethnic Sample of Adolescents

The psychometric properties of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were examined in a multiethnic sample of adolescents. Results from confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the original ...
The fluorocarbon-ozone theory—III. Fluorocarbon mixing and photolysis.—The effects of eddy diffusion and tropospheric lifetime on CCl3F and CCl2F2 tropospheric mixing ratios

Abstract Expected CCl3F and CCl2F2 tropospheric concentrations are calculated using accurate production and release figures. A one-dimensional model of diffusion, photolysis, and removal is used to map fluorocarbon mixing ratios as a function of eddy diffusion coefficient and tropospheric lifetime. A table of factors included with these data allow extrapolation of the calculated tropospheric mixing ratios to future dates through 1986 assuming constant 1974 release. An important conclusion is that the factors are independent of the eddy diffusion model so that, unlike absolute concentrations, fluorocarbon trends are independent of the diffusion scheme. Recent fluorocarbon measurements are analysed on the basis of the calculations, and the criteria which will be necessary to determine whether there are significant tropospheric sinks are examined. Inconsistencies in estimates of latitudinal distributions of fluorocarbons are considered together with trends in fluorocarbon concentrations with time, and measurements of the ratios of CCl3F and CCl2F2. While a number of these aspects can be interpreted in terms of best estimates of tropospheric lifetimes in the 25 year range for CCl3F, it is concluded that the uncertainties are still too great to rule out lifetimes as long as infinity years, or as short as 10 years. p] Although fluorocarbon growth rate differences for different tropospheric lifetimes are small (
An MPI parallel level-set algorithm for propagating front curvature dependent detonation shock fronts in complex geometries

We present a parallel, two-dimensional, grid-based algorithm for solving a level-set function PDE that arises in Detonation Shock Dynamics (DSD). In the DSD limit, the detonation shock propagates at a speed that is a function of the curvature of the shock surface, subject to a set of boundary conditions applied along the boundaries of the detonating explosive. Our method solves for the full level-set function field, φ(x, y, t), that locates the detonation shock with a modified level-set function PDE that continuously renormalises the level-set function to a distance function based off of the locus of the shock surface, φ(x, y, t)=0. The boundary conditions are applied with ghost nodes that are sorted according to their connectivity to the interior explosive nodes. This allows the boundary conditions to be applied via a local, direct evaluation procedure. We give an extension of this boundary condition application method to three dimensions. Our parallel algorithm is based on a domain-decomposition model w...
Terabit/Second Modulation Format Independent Optical Transmitter and Receiver Using Optical Arbitrary Waveform Generation and Measurement

We investigate optical transmission systems using optical arbitrary waveform generation and measurement supporting any modulation format and scalable to >Tb/s. Experiments include 1.2 Tb/s packet generation and 3 b/s/Hz spectral efficiency and dispersion pre-compensated transmission.
Scalable fabrication of superhydrophobic hierarchical colloidal arrays.

Abstract Here we report a scalable bottom-up technology for assembling hierarchical colloidal arrays with superhydrophobic surface. Non-close-packed (NCP) colloidal multilayers, which facilitate the formation of more hydrophobic surface than close-packed arrays due to a higher fraction of entrapped air in between colloidal particles, are first fabricated by a simple spin-coating technology. Uniform silica nanoparticles are then assembled on the NCP microsphere arrays by a second spin-coating process. After surface functionalization of silica particles with fluorosilane, the resulting hierarchical colloidal arrays exhibit superhydrophobic surface with high apparent water contact angle (159°) and low contact angle hysteresis (4.7°). The experimental results on both the wettability and contact angle hysteresis can be qualitatively explained by adapting the Cassie’s model. This spin-coating-based colloidal self-assembly technology is compatible with standard microfabrication and enables large-scale production of superhydrophobic coatings that could find important technological applications ranging from self-cleaning diffractive optics to microfluidic devices.
Turbulent diffusion as a stochastic lagrangian process

The present status of stochastic Lagrangian models of turbulent diffusion is reviewed, beginning with a brief historical introduction. The mathematical and physical foundations of these models are described. The derivation of the model for the Lagrangian trajectory of a single particle is illustrated for one-dimensional inhomogeneous Gaussian turbulence. Single-particle models for non-Gaussian turbulence in the convective boundary layer are described. The mean concentration in fixed co-ordinates is calculated from the statistics of thousands of single-particle trajectories. Another class of stochastic Lagrangian models gives the relative dispersion of particle pairs and the concentration variance. A list of references is provided for further study.
The effects of axial heat conduction on the freezing or melting of cylinders

NOMENCLATURE heat-transfer coefficient [Btujh ftx”F] ; dimensionle~ heat-transfer coelllcient, = H~~/k~; thermal conductivity [Btu/hft”F] ; conductivity ratio, = krJk,; dimensionless heat flux, = Q/2nk,T,; radial and axial coordinates [ft] ; outer radius [ft] ; dimensionless radial and axial coordinates, = (r ri)/ri and z/ri; length of cylinder [ft] ; temperature E”F] ; time [hr] ; dimensionless time, = T,k,t/pLrf ; material property, = L/CT,; fusion front position [ft] (see Fig. 1) : dimensionless fusion front position =(t r,)/ri; fusion front slope, [rad.] (see Fig. 1); dimensionless temperature, (T T&T,.
Steroid influences upon the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish: direct effects upon discharge frequencies with indirect effects upon electroreceptor tuning

Previous studies indicated that gonadal steroids can induce changes in both motor and sensory aspects of the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish: androgens decrease the electric organ discharge frequencies and electroreceptor best frequencies of the South American gymnotoidSternopygus. The relationship between these two effects, however, was not known. In the present study, electric organ discharges (EODs) ofSternopygus dariensis were eliminated by means of spinal cord transections. This was done in order to allow an independent assessment of the influences of gonadal steroids upon electroreceptor tuning and those structures in the CNS responsible for establishing the discharge frequency. Transection alone affected neither the rhythmic discharges of the pacemaker nucleus that normally controls the discharge frequency, nor the best frequencies of electroreceptors. Similarly, administration of the androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to transected animals also had no significant effect upon electroreceptor tuning. DHT did, however, cause significant decreases in the discharge rates of the pacemaker nucleus. Thus, the effects of gonadal steroids upon discharge frequencies in intact animals are a direct consequence of CNS influences, while effects upon electroreceptor tuning likely arise as a secondary consequence of the changed discharges of hormone-treated animals.
A novel approach to design of user re-authentication systems

In the internet age, security is a major concern as identity thefts often cause detrimental effects. Masquerading is an important factor for identity theft and current authentication systems using traditional methods woefully lack mechanisms to detect and prevent it. This paper presents an application independent, continual, non-intrusive, fast and easily deployable user re-authentication system based on behavioral biometrics. These behavioral attributes are extracted from the keyboard and mouse operations of the user. They are used to identify and non-intrusively authenticate the user periodically. To extract suitable user attributes, we propose a novel heuristic that uses the percentage of mouse-to-keyboard interaction ratio and interaction quotient (IQ). In the re-authentication process, every time, the current behavior of the user is compared with the stored “expected” behavior. All deviations are noted and after a certain deviation threshold is reached, the system logs the user out of the current session. The underlying heuristic prevents imposters from misusing the system. Experimental results show that the proposed heuristic can greatly improve the accuracy of application-based and application independent systems to 96.4% and 82.2% respectively.
Wavefront geometry in excitable media

Abstract In a certain kind of continuous medium, an isolated fragment of wavefront behaves peculiarly: its edge (a closed ring) remains stationary while the fragment's interior continues its forward propagation, curling into a scroll-like shape along the edge: a scroll ring. The edge (the axis of the scroll ring) is a 1-dimensional singularity in the resulting periodic wave field. From numerical simulations in 2-dimensional continua, and from laboratory experiments in 3-dimensional continua, this seems to be typical behavior for so-called “excitable” media. The implications include a bestiary of “organizing centers”, each composed of a topologically distinct arrangement of linked and knotted scroll rings. Two examples are given. Exact description of these organizing centers awaits formulation of a tractable equation that embodies the essential features of an excitable medium.
Alzheimer's disease and dementing disorders: Practices and experiences of rural physicians

This paper presents information on rural primary care physicians' diagnoses, the procedures used, treatment recommendations, as well as reported advantages and disadvantages ofpracticing in a rural...
First-principles analysis of ZrN/ScN metal/semiconductor superlattices for thermoelectric energy conversion

We present a first-principles density functional theory-based analysis of the electronic structure, vibrational spectra, and transport properties of ZrN/ScN metal/semiconductor superlattices aiming to understand its potential and suitability for thermoelectric applications. We demonstrate (a) the presence of Schottky barriers of 0.34 eV at the metal/semiconductor interface and (b) a large asymmetry in the electronic densities of states and flattening of electronic bands along the cross-plane directions near the Fermi energy of these superlattices, desirable for high Seebeck coefficient. The vibrational spectra of these superlattices show softening of transverse acoustic phonon modes along the growth direction and localization of ScN phonons in the vibrational energy gap between metal and semiconductor layers. Boltzmann transport theory-based analysis suggests a reduction of lattice thermal conductivity by an order of magnitude compared to its individual bulk components, which makes these materials suitable for thermoelectric applications.
Methodist Personality Transformation in Context: A Response to Haartman

Haartman's analysis of ecstatic experience in early Methodism is contextualized within a brief review of the history of the movement and the theological assertions that underlay these religious behaviors. Wesley emphasized individual, as opposed to institutional religion and affrmed inductive as contrasted with deductive theology. "Sanctification," Wesley's term for personality transformation, is seen as positive ego development rather than regressive splitting of the ego. Maslow's "peak experience" is affrmed as a valid model for analyzing ecstatic behaviors. Methodism no longer emphasizes such forms of religious expression.
A Unicast Stable Path Routing Protocol for Mobile Ad hoc Networks based on the Inverse of Link Expiration Time

The high-level contribution of this paper is the design and development of a unicast stable path routing protocol (referred to as SILET) that determines long-living routes based on the Inverse of the Link Expiration Times (LET) for Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs). From a graph theoretical perspective, we model SILET as a minimization problem to discover stable routes with the lowest value for the sum of the link weights; the weight of a link defined as 1 plus the inverse of the LETs. The inclusion of ‘1’ in the link weights helps to reduce the number of constituent links of the paths (i.e. the hop count). Performance comparison of SILET with FORP, DSR and ABR routing protocols in ns-2 illustrate that SILET discovers routes whose lifetimes are significantly longer compared to that of DSR and ABR and at most 20-40% lower than that of FORP; the hop counts of SILET routes are at most 4% larger than the minimum hop count; and the end-to-end delay per data packet for SILET routes is the lowest among all the routing protocols simulated – an indication that SILET effectively minimizes the stability-hop count tradeoff observed with the currently available MANET unicast routing protocols.
Partitioning resistance to overland flow on rough mobile beds

For overland flows transporting predominantly bed load over rough mobile beds without rainfall, resistance to flow f may be divided into four components: surface resistance fs, form resistance ff, wave resistance fw, and bed-mobility resistance fm. In this study it is assumed that f = fs + ff + fw + fm, and an equation is developed for each component. The equations for fs and ff are borrowed from the literature, while those for fw and fm are developed from two series of flume experiments in which the beds are covered with various concentrations of large-scale roughness elements. The first series consists of 65 experiments on fixed beds, while the second series contains 194 experiments on mobile beds. All experiments were performed on the same slope (S = 0·114) and with the same size of sediment (D = 0·00074 m). The equations for fw and fm are derived by a combination of dimensional analysis and regression analysis. The analyses reveal that the major controls of fw and fm are the Froude number F and the concentration of the roughness elements Cr. When the equations for fw and fm are summed, the Cr terms cancel out, leaving fw+m = 0·63F−2. An equation is developed that predicts total f, and the contributions of fs, ff, fw and fm to f are computed from the series 1 and 2 experiments. An analysis of the first series reveals that in clear-water flows over fixed beds, fw accounts for 52 per cent of f. A similar analysis of the second series indicates that in sediment-laden flows over mobile beds fw comprises 37 per cent and fm 32 per cent of f, so that together fw and fm account for almost 70 per cent of f. Finally, regression analyses indicate that where F > 0·5, fw and fm each vary with F−2 and fw/fm = 1·18. The equation developed here for predicting total f applies only to the range of hydraulic, sediment, and bed roughness conditions represented by the experimental data. With additional data from a broader range of conditions the same methodology as employed here could be used to develop a more general equation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NMR Relaxation in Heterogeneous Systems

THERE has recently been some discussion1,2 of the difficulties of interpreting nuclear magnetic resonance line broadening in complex heterogeneous suspensions. The discussion has been concerned with hindered rotation of solvent species, and it has been confined to proton magnetic relaxation. We report here a study of the relaxation phenomenon in a well defined physicochemical system and contrast the results for proton and deuteron relaxation.
South Asian Students' Beliefs about and Attitude toward Advertising

Abstract This study's factor analysis of beliefs about advertising among students in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka did not perfectly replicate the theoretical or empirical structure of a U.S. study (the South Asian data provided a clearer differentiation among belief dimensions), but was considerably similar. For all five countries together, seven of the eight factors found in the study predicted attitude towards advertising. Respondents' beliefs about advertising's pleasurable and information aspects were the most favorable, followed by their beliefs about its economic benefits. Their views about advertising's social effects were the least favorable.
Wavelets-based estimation of multivariate evolutionary spectra and its application to nonstationary downburst winds

Abstract This paper presents a wavelets-based approach for estimating evolutionary power spectral density (EPSD) functions of vector-valued nonstationary processes. This approach is based on the presumption that the time-varying rate of the modulation function of the process is slow as compared to the localized wavelet functions. This assumption leads to the relationships between wavelet coefficients and EPSDs, which are used for estimating EPSDs through wavelet coefficients calculated from time history samples. A parametric study is implemented to examine the efficacy of the approach for a host of evolutionary processes. Special emphases are placed on the influence of the wavelet functions, the number of time history samples and the wavelet scales on the accuracy of the estimations. The results of this study illustrate that this approach offers accurate EPSD estimation provided that sufficient numbers of time history samples are available and that the changes in the modulation functions with time are relatively slow as compared to the wavelets. Compared with the time–frequency spectra directly defined in terms of wavelet coefficients reported in literature, the EPSDs calculated from the wavelet coefficients using the proposed approach shed more physical insights to the processes. Finally, the proposed approach is used to analyze downburst measurement data, leading to an improved understanding of the time-varying frequency characteristics of nonstationary winds.
An Anchor-box dredge for deep-sea sampling

Abstract The Anchor-Box Dredge, a modified Sanders Deep-Sea Anchor Dredge, has been developed for studying benthic fauna of the deep ocean floor. The dredge is capable of obtaining large samples of the top 10 cm of sediment from an area up to 1·3 m 2 . A throat valve, frontal planning surface, and towing bale enable it to collect unwashed samples cut at a constant depth with a minimum of cable. The Anchor-Box Dredge has operated successfully in a variety of bottom environments in depths of 50 m–2800 m.
RECOGNIZABLE COLORINGS OF GRAPHS

Let G be a connected graph and let c : V (G) ! f1; 2; : : : ; kg be a coloring of the vertices of G for some positive integer k (where adjacent vertices may be colored the same). The color code of a vertex v of G (with respect to c) is the ordered (k+1)-tuple code(v) = (a0; a1; : : : ; ak) where a0 is the color assigned to v and for 1 i k, ai is the number of vertices adjacent to v that are colored i. The coloring c is called recognizable if distinct vertices have distinct color codes and the recognition number rn(G) of G is the minimum positive integer k for which G has
Accelerated healing of skin burns by anti-Gal/α-gal liposomes interaction

Topical application of alpha-gal liposomes on burns results in rapid local recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages. Recruited macrophages are pivotal for healing of burns because they secrete cytokines/growth factors that induce epidermis regeneration and tissue repair. alpha-Gal liposomes have glycolipids with alpha-gal epitopes (Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc-R) which bind anti-Gal, the most abundant natural antibody in humans constituting approximately 1% of immunoglobulins. Interaction of alpha-gal liposomes with anti-Gal within the fluid film formed on burns, activates complement and generates chemotactic complement cleavage peptides which effectively recruit neutrophils and macrophages. Anti-Gal IgG coating alpha-gal liposomes further binds to Fcgamma receptors on macrophages and activates them to secrete cytokines/growth factors. Efficacy of alpha-gal liposomes treatment in accelerating burn healing is demonstrated in the experimental model of alpha1,3galactosyltransferase knockout mice. These mice are the only available nonprimate mammals that can produce anti-Gal in titers similar to those in humans. Pairs of burns in mice were covered either with a spot bandage coated with 10mg alpha-gal liposomes, or with a control spot bandage coated with saline. On Day 3 post-treatment, the alpha-gal liposomes treated burns contained approximately 5-fold as many neutrophils as control burns, whereas macrophages were found only in alpha-gal liposomes treated burns. On Day 6, 50-100% of the surface area of alpha-gal liposomes treated burns were covered with regenerating epidermis (re-epithelialization), whereas almost no epidermis was found in control burns. The extensive recruitment of macrophages by anti-Gal/alpha-gal liposomes interaction was further demonstrated in vivo with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge discs containing alpha-gal liposomes, implanted subcutaneously. Since anti-Gal is abundant in all humans, it is suggested that treatment with alpha-gal liposomes will be effective also in patients with burns and other skin wounds.
Effect of Water Vapor on Initial Sintering of Magnesia

The effects of water vapor on the initial sintering of magnesia powder compacts were studied from 800° to 1107°C. The magnesia was obtained by thermal decomposition of magnesium oxalate. Water vapor partial pressures from 8 × 10 –4 to 658 mm were used. Initial sintering occurred by a grain-boundary vacancy-diffusion mechanism with magnesium assumed to be the slow moving species. Increasing water vapor partial pressure increased sintering rates. A model based on the solubility of the hydroxide ion in MgO relates this increase to the increase in the cation vacancy concentration. The grain-boundary diffusion coefficient, DG, varied with PH2O. For partial pressures up to about 5 mm, n was approximately ½ and for partial pressures above 5 mm it was between 1.0 and 1.5. The activation energy for densification was 80 kcal/mole for partial pressures up to about 5 mm and 48 kcal/mole above this partial pressure.
The observation of reactive thrombocytosis in New Zealand white rabbits in response to experimental Pasteurella multocida infection

Abstract ABSTRACT: Reactive thrombocytosis is an increase in the circulating thrombocyte count secondary to a physiologic process within the body, often an infection. Reactive thrombocytosis is different than primary or essential thrombocytosis which is usually related to myeloproliferative neoplasia. Essential thrombocytosis is most common in adults, whereas reactive thrombocytosis is most frequently observed in children. Reactive thrombocytosis has been occasionally reported in cats, dogs and horses but has not been previously reported in the rabbit. Rabbits were challenged with virulent Pasteurella multocida. Hematologic, clinical, and culture assessments were performed prior to challenge, enabling each animal to serve as its own control. The questions asked were whether reactive thrombocytosis was a consistent phenomena and whether its presence and/or intensity was related to disease severity. All challenged rabbits demonstrated some degree of thrombocytosis in response to the infection, but individual rabbits were varied in their pattern of thrombocytosis. Elevations varied from intense to mild to undulating with durations of 1 to 11 days above 500x109/L and 0 to 5 days above 650x109/L. Correlation analysis was unable to demonstrate significant association between thrombocytosis, body temperature, leukocyte count, or the granulocyte lymphocyte ratio (all r
Prioritization of driver mutations in pancreatic cancer using cancer-specific high-throughput annotation of somatic mutations (CHASM)

Over 20,000 genes were recently sequenced in a series of 24 pancreatic cancers. We applied CHASM (Cancer-specific High-throughput Annotation of Somatic Mutations) to 963 of the missense somatic missense mutations discovered in these 24 cancers. CHASM identified putative driver mutations (false discovery rate ≤0.3) in three known pancreatic cancer driver genes (P53, SMAD4, CDKN2A). An additional 15 genes with putative driver mutations include genes coding for kinases (PIK3CG, DGKA, STK33, TTK and PRKCG), for cell cycle related proteins (NEK8), and for proteins involved in cell adhesion (CMAS, PCDHB2). These and other mutations identified by CHASM point to potential "driver genes" in pancreatic cancer that should be prioritized for additional follow-up.
The future of dengue vaccines.

Every year there are several hundred thousand acres of dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) resulting in thousands of deaths. The only method currently available to prevent dengue infections is the control of Aedes aegypti the mosquito vector. This approach has proved expensive and mostly unworkable. Serial infection occurs in most areas of the world where multiple dengue viruses circulate. A small percentage of second dengue infections result in DHF/DSS. Dengue vaccines must provide solid and long-lasting protection against all four dengue viruses or in dengue-endemic countries there is the risk of sensitizing recipients to severe disease. Many candidate dengue vaccines are moving towards clinical trials in human beings. These vaccines include several based on the formation of live-attenuated chimeric viruses. Yellow fever (YF) Japanese encephalitis (JE) and the four dengue viruses are all small single-strand positive-sense ribonucleic acid flaviviruses with similar genetic organization and replication strategies. Evidence that dengue vaccines should succeed comes from encouraging experience with attenuated vaccines against related viruses such as YF and JE and from a recent successful phase 1 trial of a chimera of these two viruses. This progress is timely because global dengue morbidity achieved an all time high during 2001-02. Thomas Monath and colleagues developed a live-attenuated chimeric vaccine against JE virus by replacing the premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) genes of the YF 17D vaccine with the corresponding genes from SA 14-14-2 an attenuated JE virus strain to produce YF-JE chimera. No unusual side-effects were seen in the phase 1 study and high titers of neutralizing antibodies to JE virus were found 3-4 weeks after inoculation of doses of 100000 and 1000. plaque-forming units. Similar methodology has been used to make chimera vaccines with YF virus for all four dengue viruses. Hence to ensure the introduction of safe and effective dengue vaccines for the worlds children ways must be found to accelerate phase 3 trials of tetravalent dengue vaccines in suitable people. Only testing in man can answer questions of safety and efficacy. A parallel effort is needed to understand protective mechanisms in dengue-infections especially those mediated by antibodies. The largest constraint to the solution of these problems is adequate funding which is now being addressed by a new international consortium. (authors)
3D Target Scale Estimation for Size Preserving in PTZ Video Tracking

In size preserving video tracking, the camera's focal length (zoom) is adjusted automatically to compensate for the changes in the target's image size caused by the relative motion between the camera and the target. The accurate estimation of these changes is paramount to the system performance. Structure from motion (SFM) based on the weak perspective projection model has been applied to real time target scale estimation (B. Tordoff, et al., 2004). In this paper we design target scale estimation algorithms with linear solutions based on more advanced projection models: paraperspective and perspective. The performances of the algorithms using three projection models are examined and compared. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm based on the paraperspective projection model produces the best performance with respect to accuracy, complexity, and robustness.
The pluralist constellation.

I work at a research institute where the staff spends its time thinking about ethical issues that arise with progress in medicine, the life sciences, and technology. After such thinking, we make public policy recommendations. We pride ourselves in the diversity of our staff: there is a doctor, a lawyer, a linguistic anthropologist, a political scientist, a theologian, some philosophers, and so on. Both men and women do research and we are religiously diverse: Catholics, Jews, Protestants, and atheists
Flux-flow and phase-slip resistivity in two-phase polycrystalline Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr1.7Ca2Cu3Ox

Using a contact-less microwave technique, with an applied magnetic field varying to a maximum of 1.9 T, flux-flow and phase-slip resistivity are observed in a microsyntactically intergrown two-phase superconductting sample of nominal composition Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr1.7Ca2 Cu3Ox. “Stretched exponential” response with β = 1/3 is observed in the phase-slip resistivity. The onset temperature for the hightemperature phase is 106.5 K, while the lower-temperature phase manifests itself at 71 K. Flux-flow is observed superimposed on an isotropic background phase-slip resistivity, and is locally maximal several degrees below each transition temperature. Flux-flow resistivity, a consequence of the Lorentz force on a fluxoid, varies as sin2 (Ψ), where Ψ is the angle between the applied magnetic field and the r.f. current.
Thermodynamic activities in Zircaloy-4 by mass spectrometry

Abstract Thermodynamic activity of tin in Zircaloy-4 has been determined over a temperature range from 1062 to 2315 K. At the lower end of the temperatures, the activities were determined from equilibria between the Zircaloy-4 and tellurium vapor. At the high temperature end, activities were determined by direct vaporization. Chromium and iron activities were determined at two temperatures. Activity coefficients were computed for tin and also the iron and chromium. Activity coefficients for chromium and iron are of the order of unity (2 and 3, respectively), indicative of near ideal behavior in the Zircaloy-4. The activity coefficient of tin, however, is of the order of 10 −2 which is indicative of strong attractive forces between the zirconium and tin in Zircaloy-4.
52Cr spinor condensate: a biaxial or uniaxial spin nematic.

We show that the newly discovered $^{52}\mathrm{Cr}$ Bose condensate in zero magnetic field can be a spin nematic of the following kind: a ``maximum'' polar state, a ``colinear'' polar state, or a biaxial nematic ferromagnetic state. We also present the phase diagram with a magnetic field in the interaction subspace containing the chromium condensate. It contains many uniaxial and biaxial spin nematic phases, which often but not always break time reversal symmetry, and can exist with or without spontaneous magnetization.
Surfactant Interactions with Zein Protein

Interactions of a model surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), with a water-insoluble model protein, zein, were investigated to gain an understanding of the effects, such as skin irritation and ...
Mercury and methylmercury transport through an urban watershed

Samples for mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (MMHg) were collected during both base flow and storm flow over the period of a year in the two branches of the Anacostia River, an urban, impacted river within greater Washington, D.C. The concentrations in each branch were correlated for comparable samples suggesting that similar processes are contributing Hg and MMHg to each branch. Concentrations of total Hg during base flow were less than 10 ng/l but were 3–5 times higher during storm flow, mainly as a result of the high particulate loading (up to 800 mg/l). Storm flows are therefore the major vector for Hg transport in this river. Total Hg concentrations generally increased as SPM and POC increased. However, the Kd decreased with increasing SPM for both Hg and MMHg, and the magnitude of the Kd was a function of the %POC, suggesting that the strength of particulate binding was a function of the organic content of the particles. Reactive Hg was a small fraction of the total and there was little relationship between dissolved Hg and DOC. Equilibrium calculations suggest that all the dissolved Hg is bound to DOC even at the lowest DOC concentrations encountered. Watershed yield calculations suggest that the flux from these rivers is a relatively large fraction of the atmospheric input, in contrast to what has been found in other systems.
Resident selection: are we putting the cart before the horse?

The selection of orthopaedic residents is a formidable task. We must put the horse, namely, the consideration of certain societal goals and responsibilities, before the cart, namely, the selection criteria and processes themselves. The recommendation is that the outcomes of our training programs pro
Factors useful in predicting the success of oocyte donation: a 3-year retrospective analysis

Objective: To establish prognostic relevance of parameters assessed in oocyte donation cycles. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Large university-based donor oocyte program. Patient(s): All oocyte recipient cycles achieving embryo transfer from September 1995 to October 1998. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy. Result(s): Recipient age and reproductive status, day 9 and 12 serum estradiol (E2) levels and a progesterone (P) level obtained 2 days after initiation of hormonal therapy did not correlate with pregnancy. Endometrial thickness, but not endometrial pattern, was useful in predicting pregnancy outcome. The clinical pregnancy and live-birth rate in cycles where the endometrial thickness was less than 8 mm was significantly lower when compared to cycles with an endometrial thickness ≥9 mm. Cycles where optimal quality embryos were transferred had the highest implantation (36%), clinical pregnancy (63%) and live birth (54%) rates and these rates were significantly higher than those of cycles where only poor quality embryos were available for transfer (10% implantation, 17% clinical pregnancy, and 8% live birth rates, respectively; P<.05). Conclusion(s): The most reliable predictive factors for pregnancy in oocyte donation cycles are the quality of the embryos transferred and the recipient’s mid-cycle endometrial thickness. Recipient monitoring should minimally include ultrasound assessment of endometrial thickness.
Net Clustering Based Constructive and Iterative Improvement Approaches for Macro-Cell Placement

We propose a net clustering based RT-level macro-cell placement approaches. Static timing analysis identifies critical nets and critical primary input/output paths. Net clustering (based on shared macro-cells and net criticality) yields clusters wherein each cluster has strongly interdependent nets. The circuit is modeled as a graph in which each vertex v represents a net and each edge (v,u) a shared cell between nets v and u. The net clusters are obtained by applying a clique partitioning algorithm on the circuit graph. Two approaches to generate placements at RTL are proposed: constructive (cluster growth) approach and iterative improvement (simulated annealing) based approach. In the constructive approach, a cluster-level floorplanning is performed and a cluster ordering is obtained. The cluster ordering is used by a constructive procedure to generate the physical placement. In the case of iterative improvement based approach, a good ordering of clusters is obtained using simulated annealing. We report experimental results for five RTL datapaths implemented in 0.35 μm technology to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approaches. We compared the layouts produced by our approaches with those produced by Flint, an automatic floor planner in Lager IV Silicon Compiler [1]. For constructive placement approach, we obtained an average decrease of 43.4% in longest wirelength and 32.4% in total wirelength. The average area reduction is 7.3%. On the other hand, for the SA-based approach, we obtained an average decrease of 57.6% in longest wirelength and 42.2% in total wirelength. The average reduction in the bounding-box area is 12.3%. As expected, the SA-based approach yielded better optimization results, due to its ability to climb out of local minima.
Comparison of sulfur and selenium as surface modifiers: Effect on the CO/Pt(111) system

CO adsorption on Pt(111) modified with a p(2 × 2)Se overlayer has been studied at two adsorption temperatures, 90 K, and 220 K, and compared with the results for the CO/p(2 × 2)S-Pt(111) system. The effect of the two modifier overlayers on the CO adsorption kinetics, desorption energetics, surface ordering and CO vibrational amplitudes has been studied by TPD, LEED and digital ESDIAD. The presence of a p(2 × 2) chalcogen modifier overlayer always causes a reduction of (i) the CO adsorption rate, (ii) the CO maximum coverage, (iii) the CO adsorption binding energy, (iv) the range of polar angles of the ESDIAD patterns of all CO ESD products, and (v) an increase of the ESD products' desorption cross section by a factor of ~ 1.5. At an adsorption temperature of 220 K, CO coadsorption induces a rearrangement of the p(2 × 2)Se overlayer and as a result a new (√7 × √7) R19.1° ordered structure is formed. Under identical starting conditions this CO induced phase transformation is not observed for a S overlayer on Pt(111). Detailed LEED, ESDIAD, and TPD studies at different CO coverages and annealing temperatures have shown that the CO induced phase transformation in the p(2 × 2)Se overlayer occurs at temperatures higher than 130 K, and is stabilized in the CO coverage range 0.04 ML < θco < 0.16 ML. The driving force for the observed overlayer rearrangement and the differences in the CO adsorption state in the Se p(2 × 2) and the Se(√7 × √7) R19.1° overlayer are explained considering the repulsive interactions between the coadsorbates. The absence of a CO-induced phase transformation in the p(2 × 2)S overlayer is attributed to the smaller size of the S adatom which ensures a larger CO-S effective separation in the p(2 × 2)S overlayer compared with the p(2 × 2)Se overlayer.
Understanding the structure of power law networks

The degree distribution of scale-free networks follow power laws. There continues to be disagreement, however, as to what additional properties these networks share. A wide range of techniques useful as aids in understanding common structure as well as in differentiating between elements of this class of networks are explored. First, the utility of a polar coordinate plot for power law distributions is explained. Second, computational experience with two procedures to uncover shortest paths in scale-free networks based solely on locally available data is provided. Next, a tabu search is developed to find high quality solutions for two bi-objective models. For specific objective weights, networks whose degree distributions follow a power law are shown to arise. Lastly, links between the clustering coefficient distribution and modularity are described. Computational experiments supporting the connection between the first nontrivial eigenvalue of a Laplacian matrix and network synchrony are conducted.
Stability and change in role innovation and life plans

Trends in women's labor force participation between 1967 and 1981 are noted as background to this 14-year longitudinal study of 117 women who graduated from college in 1967 and were studied in 1967, 1970, and 1981. The women represent a stratified random sample of the graduating class of 1967 from one large midwestern university. The three strata are role-innovators (women in male-dominated occupations, traditionals (women in female-dominated occupations), and moderates (women in occupations having 30 to 50% women). Samplewide changes are consistent with national trends: increased employment, increased role-innovation, greater educational achievement, and later and smaller families than expected in 1967. There was also a dramatic increase in perceived conflict between marriage and career. Within these trends, however, large parts of the sample showed strong consistency: 81% of the original role innovators and 69% of the original traditionals were still role-innovators and traditionals, respectively, in 1981. This longer term consistency overrode a great deal of temporary change in the traditional direction between 1967 and 1970, particularly for the role innovators and moderates. Much of this temporary shift was associated with early child rearing. Factors associated with increased role innovation and increased traditionality were the importance women gave to having a career, the relative priorities they placed on career vs family, their expectations of marriage-career conflict, and their expections of husband's acceptance of their career. Increased role innovation was also associated with attaining more education, not marrying, and having fewer children.
A model cell line to study regulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene 1 expression by insulin and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract Insulin and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) regulate the expression of SCD1 gene in mouse liver. Accordingly, we examined the insulin and PUFA regulation of SCD1 gene expression in H2.35 cells. The levels of SCD1 mRNA in H2.35 cells increased at the restrictive temperature of 39°C, when the glucose-containing medium was supplemented with insulin. The insulin-stimulated expression of SCD1 mRNA was significantly blunted when the induction medium was supplemented with linolenic acid (18:2n-3) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6). Stearic acid (18:0n-9) and oleic acid (18:1n-9) were without dramatic effects. The effect of insulin and PUFAs on a transfected SCD1 fusion gene (SCD1.CAT4.3) was also examined in H2.35 cells. Whereas insulin stimulated SCD1.CAT4.3 expression, arachidonic acid significantly decreased SCD1 CAT4.3 activity. These studies suggest that insulin and PUFAs regulate SCD1 gene transcription via regulatory DNA sequences flanking the 5′ end of the gene.