cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overview of the NBBS architecture

Networking BroadBand Services (NBBS) architecture has been developed by IBM to meet the requirements of high-speed networking. These include addressing problems caused by emerging multimedia applications with extremely high bandwidth requirements and quality-of-service guarantees, as well as those of supporting a variety of existing protocols and interfaces. This paper offers an overview of NBBS and provides insight into the technology and structure of the architecture. Included is a synopsis of the driving forces behind the architecture and a summary of how the challenges of this new environment are addressed.
MY APPROACH to selecting cardiac computed tomography vs cardiac magnetic resonance imaging vs echocardiography.

For selecting echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), or cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in the management of cardiac conditions, important determining factors are what specific clinical questions need to be answered and what imaging technique is most appropriate to provide the answers, patient conditions that can lead to suboptimal imaging quality, contraindications to imaging, and healthcare costs of the imaging study.
Computed tomography in diagnosis of pelvic lipomatosis

Abstract Pelvic lipomatosis is a rare condition which may be associated with obstructive uropathy. The radiologic features may be simulated by pelvic malignancy and, in the past, surgery has often had to be performed for confirmation of the diagnosis. A case is described in which computed tomography (CT) provided definite proof that the pelvic organ displacement was due to excessive fat. It is considered that CT may obviate the need for further workup or surgery in these patients unless exploration is required for the relief of ureteric obstruction.
Rings Without Maximal Ideals

It is traditional in an abstract algebra class to prove, using Zorn's lemma, that a ring with unit must have maximal ideals. Without a unit element this is not true, and here we present some commutative counterexamples. First we consider rings with trivial multiplication, i.e., those for which any product is zero. Then an ideal is just an additive subgroup, and we are seeking abelian groups without maximal subgroups. Such groups are easily characterized using the notion of divisibility. If G is an abelian group, written additively, and m is a positive integer, then denote by mG the set {mglg c G}. Then G is said to be divisible if mG = G for every positive integer m. It is easy to verify that the additive group Q of rational numbers is divisible and that every direct sum of divisible groups is divisible.
Success and failure of audience response systems in the classroom

Williams College has been working with audience response systems or "clickers" for three years. Initial experiments with the clickers had mixed results in both performance and faculty enthusiasm for the technology. In the last two years, Williams moved from an infrared system to a radio system that was more portable. After some favorable demos, key faculty tried the technology in their classes. Clicker use spread and is now used in classes as small as 10 students and as large as 180 students.The primary functionality of the system is to collect and present live data collected in the classroom. In its simplest form, faculty could use the system to review student comprehension of content. At Williams though, faculty have used the system in a variety of interesting ways. The system has been used for psychology research, peer instruction, student presentation feedback, and in class discussion.The process of adapting audience response systems to the classroom and the support of faculty using these systems has evolved over time. While some challenges remain, this technology has changed the way some faculty teach at Williams College.
VITREOUS HUMOR ANALYSIS FOR SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS FROM CERVIDS IN IDAHO

Vitreous humor and liver samples were collected from hunter-harvested elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Idaho (USA). Concentrations of calcium, chloride, potassium, sodium, urea nitrogen and selenium were determined and evaluated according to species, age, gender, geographic location, and time elapsed following death. Vitreous humor analysis yielded reliable biochemical information for ≤96 hr subsequent to the death of the animal. Vitreous potassium concentration changes over time could be used to estimate the time that elapsed following death.
Detecting lamb waves with broadband acousto-ultrasonic signals in composite structures

Lamb waves can be produced and detected in ceramic matrix composites (CMC) and metal matrix composites (MMC) plates using the acousto-ultrasonic configuration employing broadband transducers. Experimental dispersion curves of lowest symmetric and lowest antisymmetric modes behave in a manner analogous to the graphite/polymer theoretical curves. In this study a basis has been established for analyzing Lamb wave velocities for characterizing composite plates. Lamb wave dispersion curves and group velocities were correlated with variations in axial stiffness and shear stiffness in MMC and CMC. For CMCs, interfacial shear strength was also correlated with the first antisymmetric Lamb mode.
THE RELIGIOUS DIMENSIONS OF THE BIOLOGICAL NARRATIVE

Abstract. A cell/molecular biologist challenges the thesis that science and religion are two ways of experiencing and interpreting the world and explores instead the possible ways that the modern biological worldview might serve as a resource for religious perspectives. Three concepts—meaning, valuation, and purpose—are argued to be central to the entire biological enterprise, and the continuation of this enterprise is regarded as a sacred religious trust.
Intracellular stimulation and recording from single cardiac cells.

Abstract A method was devised for stimulating and recording from single cardiac cells using a single intracellular microelectrode and bridge circuit. Purkinje fibers were found to have a much lower threshold but a greater latency of response than trabecular muscle fibers of the same dog heart. Threshold intensities for rectangular pulses of different duration were determined for muscle, and it was found that prolonging pulse duration beyond 10 milliseconds did not permit further lowering of intensity. Application of brief pulses of inward current flow during the terminal phases of trabecular muscle action potential revealed a period, shortly after the plateau phase, during which break of the current resulted in excitation. Earlier or later application of the pulse had no effect. A technic was used to determine the safety factor for conduction in cardiac tissue. The safety factor was found to have a value of approximately 2 in trabecular muscle and 4 in Purkinje fibers.
Current and future treatment modalities for Clostridium difficile-associated disease

Purpose. Current and future treatment modalities for Clostridium difficile -associated disease (CDAD) are reviewed. Summary. C. difficile, an anaerobic, spore-forming, gram-negative rod, is the enteric pathogen most frequently identified in patients with antibiotic-associated, nosocomially acquired diarrhea. Infection can lead to severe gastrointestinal illness which can develop into pseudomembranous colitis. Recent outbreaks in North America involved more virulent C. difficile strains, more severe infections, and more complicated treatment courses. Because of the potential for increased toxin-associated damage due to increased toxin exposure time, CDAD treatment often involves cessation of the inciting antibiotic, C. difficile -targeted antibiotic therapy, electrolyte normalization, fluid replacement, and antimotility agent avoidance. First-line therapy for CDAD is treatment with the antibiotic metronidazole. Vancomycin is often used in more severe cases and for treatment-resistant organisms. Treatment regimens may also include probiotics, bile-acid sequestrants, and, in limited cases, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Alternative treatments for refractory and persistent CDAD include intracolonic vancomycin, nitazoxanide, rifaximin, IVIG, and probiotics. Several target proteins have been proposed for C. difficile vaccine production, including the flagellar cap protein FliD, flagellin FLiC, a cell wall protein (Cwp) (comprising amino- and carboxyl-terminal domains), a protease Cwp 84, and toxins A and B. Rarely, pseudomembranous colitis, a severe complication of CDAD, must be treated through surgical intervention. Conclusion. CDAD is a major concern for health care systems and clinicians. New diagnostic tests with increased sensitivity for detecting CDAD with a short turnaround time are necessary for early treatment and prevention. Continued research for more effective treatments and vaccine development for CDAD is also needed.
Protein tagging and detection with engineered self-assembling fragments of green fluorescent protein

Existing protein tagging and detection methods are powerful but have drawbacks. Split protein tags can perturb protein solubility or may not work in living cells. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions can misfold or exhibit altered processing. Fluorogenic biarsenical FLaSH or ReASH substrates overcome many of these limitations but require a polycysteine tag motif, a reducing environment and cell transfection or permeabilization. An ideal protein tag would be genetically encoded, would work both in vivo and in vitro, would provide a sensitive analytical signal and would not require external chemical reagents or substrates. One way to accomplish this might be with a split GFP, but the GFP fragments reported thus far are large and fold poorly, require chemical ligation or fused interacting partners to force their association, or require coexpression or co-refolding to produce detectable folded and fluorescent GFP. We have engineered soluble, self-associating fragments of GFP that can be used to tag and detect either soluble or insoluble proteins in living cells or cell lysates. The split GFP system is simple and does not change fusion protein solubility.
Switching of capacitive current with vacuum interrupters

Standard vacuum circuit breakers are required to fulfil various needs, e.g. the interruption capability, breaking/making operations. More and more commercial vacuum circuit breakers have to switch capacitive currents in different networks. Further to line and cable charging circuits, single capacitor bank and back-to-back capacitor banks have to be switched with lowest frequency possible. Late breakdowns are potentially dangerous to the installation as they could lead to the build-up of high switching overvoltages that can be harmful to the equipments. IEC and IEEE standards define switching circuits with the main parameters of peak inrush current, inrush frequency and capacitive breaking currents. Real applications often deviate from these parameters. The paper presents the results obtained with a special designed vacuum interrupter designated for capacitive switching investigations. The test was performed at high power station. Various single-bank and back-to-back capacitor bank switching tests have been done with several inrush parameters and capacitor bank current values. The goal of the investigations was to make a statistical correlation between the late breakdowns and potential sources of failure.
A terrane of 1,350- to 1,400-m.y.-old silicic volcanic and plutonic rocks in the buried Proterozoic of the mid-continent and in the Wet Mountains, Colorado

Much of the Precambrian basement of the mid-continent region of the United States is underlain by silicic volcanic rocks and related silicic epizonal granite bodies. In the St. Francois Mountains of southeastern Missouri and in the buried basement of Illinois, Indiana, and eastern Ohio, these rocks mainly yield ages of 1,450 to 1,480 m.y. Previously published U-Pb ages from zircons showed that rhyolite and granite in the subsurface of southwestern Missouri, southern Kansas, and parts of Oklahoma were formed 1,350 to 1,400 m.y. ago. New U-Pb age data from zircons presented here show that this terrane makes up much of the basement of eastern and central Oklahoma, where it includes both rhyolite and granite, and extends into the Texas Panhandle, where the Panhandle Rhyolite Terrane, which was thought to be ∼1,200 m.y. old, yields zircon U-Pb ages of 1,350 to 1,400 m.y. Zircons from the San Isabel batholith of the southern Wet Mountains, Colorado, also yield U-Pb ages of 1,360 m.y. and are thus coeval with the granite and rhyolite of the southern mid-continent region. The San Isabel batholith intruded crust formed at least 1,700 m.y. ago. A possible model is that the granite and rhyolite of the mid-continent are essentially a veneer emplaced upon and within an older, possibly 1,700-m.y.-old crust; the mesozonal San Isabel batholith is a body formed during this igneous activity that is exposed in contact with older crust because of later uplift in the southern Rocky Mountains. The tectonic setting of the emplacement of these rocks is obscure but appears to be continent-marginal, because only younger rocks are known to the south.
Effect in the rhesus monkey of salicylate on centrally-induced endotoxin fevers.

Fever was induced in the rhesus monkey by micro-injecting Escherichia coli into the rostral hypothalamus. A similar dose of this bacterial pyrogen given intravenously failed to increase body temperature. Sodium salicylate, given intragastrically during the plateau phase of the pyrexic response, reduced or abolished the experimentally-induced fever but had no effect on the body temperature of the afebrile monkey. These data suggest that the antipyretic activity of the salicylate was mediated by an antagonism to the action of the pyrogen within the CNS.
One-Pot Synthesis of Pyrimidine-5-Carboxaldehyde and Ethyl Pyrimidine-5-Carboxylate by Utilizing Pyrimidin-5-yl-Lithium

Abstract Pyrimidine-5-carboxaldehyde was prepared in a one-pot reaction from 5-bromo-pyrimidine via metal halogen exchange. Pyrimidin-5-yl-lithium reacted with formate ester and ethyl cyanoformate, forming respectively the aldehyde and carboxy ethyl ester.
Systemic lupus erythematosus in a multiethnic US cohort (LUMINA) XXVII : factors predictive of a decline to low levels of disease activity

The objective of this study was to examine factors predictive of a decline to low levels of disease activity in a cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Patients with SLE of Hispanic (from Texas or Puerto Rico), African-American or Caucasian ethnicity from a multiethnic cohort were included. A decline to low levels of disease activity was defined as a score ≤ 5 as per the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure-Revised (SLAM-R) at any annual study visit if preceded by a SLAM-R ≥8. Using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE), socioeconomic-demographic, behavioral, function, psychological, laboratory and clinical data [disease manifestations, number of ACR criteria accrued at diagnosis and damage accrual as per the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Damage Index (SDI)] from the visit preceding that meeting the definition were examined as predictors of decline to low levels of disease activity. Two-hundred and eighty-seven patients (67 Hispanics from Texas, 32 Hispanics form Puerto Rico, 120 African-Americans and 68 Caucasians), accounting for 632 visits were analyzed. In the GEE multivariable analysis, higher degrees of social support (OR = 1.208, 95% CI 1.059-1.379; P = 0.005) were predictive of a decline to low levels of disease activity, while the number of ACR criteria accrued at diagnosis (OR = 0.765, 95% CI 0.631-0.927; P = 0.006) and damage (OR = 0.850, 95% CI 0.743-0.972, P = 0.018) were negatively associated. These data suggest that a decline to low levels of disease activity in lupus patients seems to be multifactorial; this study also underscores the importance of social support for lupus patients.
Intermittent clonazepam treatment prevents anticonvulsant tolerance in mice

The influence of intermittent benzodiazepine treatment on anticonvulsant tolerance was studied by comparing mice treated either daily or on alternate days with clonazepam, 0.25 mg/kg, i.p., administered twice a day. Tolerance was assessed by the ability of clonazepam to prevent pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced clonic convulsions. In mice treated daily with clonazepam, significant tolerance was evident after 5 days of treatment but did not increase further after 10 or 20 days of treatment. However, mice treated with clonazepam only on alternate days for 10 or 20 days showed no tolerance. Our data indicate that intermittent treatment may prevent development of tolerance to the anticonvulsant action of benzodiazepines.
Natural convection in a horizontal porous annulus with mixed type of radial baffles

Abstract The feasibility of using different combinations of inner and outer partial baffles to improve the effectiveness of pipe insulation is numerically investigated in this paper. Calculations have covered a range of Rayleigh numbers of practical interest, i.e., 50 ≤ Ra ≤ 500 . For each baffle configuration, the relation between the heat loss and baffle orientation angle is also carefully examined. The results confirm the effectiveness of radial baffles in the supression of natural convection which may arise in a pipe insulation. Among the three cases studied, inner partial baffles give the best performance.
Permeation sampling of halogenated ether priority pollutants

Abstract A method for the determination of five halogenated ether priority pollutants using time‐weighted‐average concentrations is described. These compounds permeate through a silicone polycarbonate membrane and are trapped onto a Tenax TA™ adsorbent. Compounds of interest are solvent desorbed by acetone, followed by separation and quantitation by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). A linear relationship was found between the amount of halogenated ether trapped onto the Tenax adsorbent and the product of the concentration of ether in solution and the exposure time. Concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 7.2 mg/L for a twenty‐four hour exposure. The temperature of solution was found to alter the pollutant permeation rate. This sampler offers the advantages of providing time‐weighted‐average concentrations with a relatively simple sampling method.
Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Is It Time for the Internist to Take the Reins?

Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection has entered a new era in which the cure of individual patients is eminently feasible and community-wide eradication is conceivable. This commentary evaluate...
Oscillatory shearing of a class of elastic-plastic materials

For a special class of elastic-plastic materials, it is shown that infinitesimal oscillatory shearing motions can be sustained without the application of body forces. Hardening, softening and perfectly plastic responses are considered.
Anomalous development of the cuticle of mosquitoes induced by griseofulvin.

Griseofulvin is an antibiotic that purportedly interferes with the biosynthesis of cell-walls of fungi which contain chitin. The rearing of larvae of Aedes atropalpus , Coquillett in a medium containing griscofulvin resulted in (a) the occurrence of gross anatomical changes in the cuticle, (b) the detachment of somatic muscles from the integument, and (c) a prolongation of the molting cycle. With the exception of the last-mentioned effect, all modifications became apparent during an instar subsequent to the one initially exposed to the compound. The detachment of muscles from the integument apparently is caused by the anomalous development of the cuticle and not that of the muscles. The effect of griseofulvin on the development of A. alropalpus was shown to be related directly to the molting cycle. The critical period for inducing given anomalies during a molting cycle was determined. The mode of action of griseofulvin is unique in comparison to those of conventional insecticides.
A comparison of the moderating effects of personal coping resources on the impact of exposure to stress in two groups

There has been considerable interest in recent years in identifying coping resources which moderate the effects of stress. The evidence to date has not adequately supported the notion that social support is the primary contingency one must consider in understanding differential vulnerability to stress. Following the suggestions of Kohn (1972, 1977), an alternative approach to the so-called “stress-buffering” issue is to investigate the role of personal coping resources. Two such related resources are considered here: (the relative absence of) fatalism and inflexibility. In this paper I compare the relative efficacy of fatalism and inflexibility in changing the impact of stress on depression in two groups: Anglos and Mexican-Americans in southwestern Texas. The question is whether the impact of personal resources depends on the relative predominance of those resources in different cultural groups. The findings here suggest that lower fatalism and less inflexibility have the same moderating impact on stress among Mexican-Americans as they do among Anglos. However, Mexican-Americans are less vulnerable overall to the impact of chronic stressors. These findings are interpreted in terms of two themes. First, the reason that personal resources are effective has less to do with their culturally defined appropriateness as personal characteristics than with the fact that they have consequences for the willingness to expend effort, as well as the range of strategies used, in coping situations. Second, the decreased vulnerability of Mexican-Americans to chronic stress may be due to the higher relevance of social support in ameliorating chronic stress.
Remote sensing of wireless devices

Remote detection and characterization of wireless devices in an environment is a topic of growing importance. Characterization of a wireless device is useful in many applications. An example of this is in the testing of FCC Part 15 devices. These devices must adhere to strict guidelines in regards to RF interference. Compliance can be verified by using forensic techniques to classify and characterize the returned signal. We present a framework for remote detection and forensic characterization of RF devices using specially designed probe signals. This framework can be applied to a broad range of devices and models. Probe signals, device models, feature selection, classifier design are described. For the device model we introduce a method for simulating a non-linearity in the RF system based on a known diode model. Experimental results are given to verify our approach.
Determining abnormal latencies of multifocal visual evoked potentials: a monocular analysis.

Purpose: To describe a methodology for measuring abnormal timing of monocular multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEP). Methods: The mfVEPs from 100 individuals with normal visual fields and normal fundus exams were analyzed. The stimulus was a 60 sector, pattern-reversing dartboard display. For each of the 60 locations of the dartboard and each channel and each eye, a template was derived based upon the average of the responses from the 100 normal individuals. In deriving this template, care was taken to exclude those responses reversed in polarity as compared to the average response. The best array of responses for each individual was compared to these templates. The relative latency of each response was measured as the temporal shift producing the best cross-correlation value. Results: The 95% confidence interval (CI) decreased as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the mfVEP responses increased. For example, the 95% CI decreased from over 17 ms to under 9 ms as the SNR increased. Grouping and summing the responses also lead to an increase in SNR and a decrease in CI. Because the number of points exceeding the CI is not randomly distributed among normal individuals, a cluster criterion (e.g. two or more contiguous points within a hemisphere exceeding a given confidence interval) can be helpful. For example, while 18% of the eyes had 5 or more points exceeding the 5% confidence interval, only 6.5% of the eyes had a cluster of 5 of these points. The correlation between relative latency and age was relatively low (r=0.46). Conclusion: For detecting abnormalities in the timing of monocular, mfVEP responses, a template method provides a reasonable approach. In devising a particular test for abnormal timing, the CI should be based upon the SNR of the response. In addition, grouping and summing responses to increase SNR or employing a cluster test may also prove useful.
First-class patterns for lcon

Abstract The Icon programming language lacks the pattern data type of its predecessor SNOBOL4. While many aspects of SNOBOL4 patterns can be emulated with Icon matching expressions and procedures, these are static entities and procedure syntax is bulky. The semantics of Icon Co-expressions, which are dynamically created entities, has been changed to make them suitable for simulating SNOBOL4 patterns. These modified co-expressions are much more flexible than SNOBOL4 patterns. Any Icon operation or control structure can be used in a co-expression. In addition to use in string pattern matching, co-expressions can be used to store some kinds of information in executable form; these modifications also extend the usefulness of co-expressions in this area.
The Atrial Electrogram During Clinical Electrophysiologic Studies: Onset versus the Local/Intrinsic Deflection

The Local Atrial Deflection.Introduction: As a wave front passes unfiltered bipolar recording electrodes, the point of local depolarization is marked by a maximal change in voltage, i.e., the intrinsic deflection. However, during electrophysiologic studies, the depolarization (A) on the lead recording the His-bundle potential traditionally has been measured at the first rapid reproducible deflection on a filtered electrogram. This methodology permits considerable latitude for subjective interpretation. The purpose of this study was to assess the timing of the atrial electrogram using the intrinsic deflection of relatively unfiltered electrograms (0.1-4.0 to 1,250 Hz) or the equivalent on filtered recordings. Methods and Results: To do this we studied 70 patients without evidence of atrial or atrioventricular (AV) nodal disease, documenting the difference in timing between the A wave as traditionally measured and as measured at its peak local deflection (AL) determined from simultaneously recorded filtered and relatively unfiltered electrograms. New ranges based on the AL were established for timing of intra-atrial and AV nodal conduction intervals. The P-A (41 ± 11 msec) was significantly shorter than the P-AL (55 ± 12) and the A-H (80 ± 20) was longer than the AL-H (66 ± 21 msec), both P <0.001. Interobserver differences in measurements were smaller when using the local (AL) rather than traditional criteria. Conclusions: Conventional measurement of the A deflection provides only a rough estimate of local depolarization of the atrium near the AV node. The criteria proposed in the present article may (1) provide a better estimate of the timing of local depolarization; (2) have application in computerized timing of intervals; and (3) decrease technical problems and subjective error.
Problems in space-time kriging of geohydrological data

Spatiotemporal variables constitute a large class of geohydrological phenomena. Estimation of these variables requires the extension of geostatistical tools into the space-time domain. Before applying these techniques to space-time data, a number of important problems must be addressed. These problems can be grouped into four general categories: (1) fundamental differences with respect to spatial problems, (2) data characteristics, (3) structural analysis including valid models, and (4) space-time kriging. Adequate consideration of these problems leads to more appropriate estimation techniques for spatiotemporal data.
Use of mammalian DNA repair-deficient mutants to assess the effects of toxic metal compounds on DNA

Wild-type and repair-deficient cell lines ( EM9 ) of Chinese Hamster Ovary cells were utilized to assess cytotoxic responses towards metals that produce lesions in DNA. Alkaline elution studies indicated that both CaCrO4 and HgCl2 induced single-strand breaks in the DNA. CaCrO4 and HgCl2 treatments of intact Chinese hamster ovary cells also caused the induction of DNA cross links. The mutant cells, which are thought to have a defect in the repair polymerase enzyme and therefore exhibit greater sensitivity towards a variety of agents that produce lesions in the DNA such as X-rays and ultraviolet-light, also displayed a greater sensitivity, compared to wild-type cells, towards the cytotoxic response of HgCl2 and CaCrO4 . For example, the IC50 (concentration producing a 50% growth inhibition) following exposure for 6-hr to CaCrO4 or 1 hr to HgCl2 was 3.4-fold or 1.8- to 3.9-fold greater in wild-type cells compared to repair-deficient cells respectively. Mutant cells compared to wild-type cells were not more sensitive to growth inhibition by agents whose primary site of action was not at the DNA level (i.e. amphotericin B, trifluoroperazine and cycloheximide). The DNA crosslinks induced by exposure to 10 microM CaCrO4 for 6 hr were almost completely repaired in wild-type cells within 24 hr, whereas in similarly exposed mutant cells this lesion was initially more pronounced and was only partially repaired following a 24-hr recovery period in the absence of CaCrO4 . The repair of single-strand breaks induced by CaCrO4 was more rapid and similar in both wild-type and mutant cells. Since Hg(II) inhibits repair of single-strand breaks, we could not study repair of this lesion induced by this agent; however, at very low concentrations (1 microM) binding of 203Hg(II) to DNA was greater in the mutant cells compared to the wild-type cells. Following removal of 203Hg(II) from the media, mutant cells generally retained more 203Hg bound to DNA relative to the total 203Hg(II) present in the cell. These results demonstrate that an important toxic action of CaCrO4 and HgCl2 involves injury to DNA since the concentrations of these metals causing measurable DNA damage were consistent with their respective cytotoxic concentrations and DNA repair-deficient mutants displayed both enhanced cytotoxicity and decreased repair of metal-induced lesions.
Prediction of Disease and Phenotype Associations from Genome-Wide Association Studies

Background Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have proven useful as a method for identifying genetic variations associated with diseases. In this study, we analyzed GWAS data for 61 diseases and phenotypes to elucidate common associations based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). The study was an expansion on a previous study on identifying disease associations via data from a single GWAS on seven diseases. Methodology/Principal Findings Adjustments to the originally reported study included expansion of the SNP dataset using Linkage Disequilibrium (LD) and refinement of the four levels of analysis to encompass SNP, SNP block, gene, and pathway level comparisons. A pair-wise comparison between diseases and phenotypes was performed at each level and the Jaccard similarity index was used to measure the degree of association between two diseases/phenotypes. Disease relatedness networks (DRNs) were used to visualize our results. We saw predominant relatedness between Multiple Sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis for the first three levels of analysis. Expected relatedness was also seen between lipid- and blood-related traits. Conclusions/Significance The predominant associations between Multiple Sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis can be validated by clinical studies. The diseases have been proposed to share a systemic inflammation phenotype that can result in progression of additional diseases in patients with one of these three diseases. We also noticed unexpected relationships between metabolic and neurological diseases at the pathway comparison level. The less significant relationships found between diseases require a more detailed literature review to determine validity of the predictions. The results from this study serve as a first step towards a better understanding of seemingly unrelated diseases and phenotypes with similar symptoms or modes of treatment.
Neuropeptide modification of chloride secretion in guinea pig distal colon.

Abstract This study examined the effects of electrically stimulating submucosal neurons in the guinea pig isolated distal colonic mucosa and determined the effects of several peptides that are present in these neurons. Electrical field stimulation of muscle-stripped segments of guinea pig distal colonic mucosa, set up in Ussing flux chambers, evoked an increase in short-circuit current ( I sc ), of 371 ± 31 μ A · cm −2 . The response to electrical stimulation was abolished by tetrodotoxin and significantly reduced by serosal furosemide. Atropine reduced, but did not abolish, the neurally evoked response. Addition of neuropeptide Y and galanin to the serosal bath had no effect on baseline I sc , but both evoked a concentration-dependent decrease in the neurally evoked secretory response. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide evoked a concentration-dependent increase in basal (unstimulated) I sc that was reduced by furosemide and unaltered by tetrodotoxin. Neuropeptide Y, but not galanin, significantly reduced the secretory responses to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and bethanechol. Somatostatin 201–995 and human calcitonin gene-related peptide had no effect on basal I sc nor did either alter the neurally evoked response. These results suggest that acetylcholine and non-cholinergic neurotransmitter(s) stimulate chloride secretion in the guinea pig distal colonic mucosa. This neurosecretory response may be modulated by neuropeptide Y and galanin that are found within submucosal neurons.
Tumor Detection by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Spin echo nuclear magnetic resonance measurements may be used as a method for discriminating between malignant tumors and normal tissue. Measurements of spin-lattice (T 1 ) and spin-spin (T 2 ) magnetic relaxation times were made in six normal tissues in the rat (muscle, kidney, stomach, intestine, brain, and liver) and in two malignant solid tumors, Walker sarcoma and Novikoff hepatoma. Relaxation times for the two malignant tumors were distinctly outside the range of values for the normal tissues studied, an indication that the malignant tissues were characterized by an increase in the motional freedom of tissue water molecules. The possibility of using magnetic relaxation methods for rapid discrimination between benign and malignant surgical specimens has also been considered. Spin-lattice relaxation times for two benign fibroadenomas were distinct from those for both malignant tissues and were the same as those of muscle.
Performance assessment of compressive sensing imaging

Compressive sensing (CS) can potentially form an image of equivalent quality to a large format, megapixel array, using a smaller number of individual measurements. This has the potential to provide smaller, cheaper, and lower bandwidth imaging systems. To properly assess the value of such systems, it is necessary to fully characterize the image quality, including artifacts, sensitivity to noise, and CS limitations. Full resolution imagery of an eight tracked vehicle target set at range was used as an input for simulated single-pixel CS camera measurements. The CS algorithm then reconstructs images from the simulated single-pixel CS camera for various levels of compression and noise. For comparison, a traditional camera was also simulated setting the number of pixels equal to the number of CS measurements in each case. Human perception experiments were performed to determine the identification performance within the trade space. The performance of the nonlinear CS camera was modeled with the Night Vision Integrated Performance Model (NVIPM) by mapping the nonlinear degradations to an equivalent linear shift invariant model. Finally, the limitations of compressive sensing modeling will be discussed.
Quantum evaporation of4He: Angular dependence and efficiency

Abstract Investigations of quantum evaporation from the surface of superfluid4He at 20mK have been carried out using both an electrical heater and a 5.5MeV α source as generators of quasiparticles. The angular dependence of the evaporation signals for these two sources is found to be similar. The angular dependence and the total efficiency of the process are discussed in terms of models of quantum evaporation.
Proteomic profiling of endothelial invasion revealed receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) complexed with vimentin to regulate focal adhesion kinase (FAK).

Angiogenesis is critical for many physiological and pathological processes. To identify molecules relevant to angiogenesis, we performed a proteomic screen comparing invading versus non-invading endothelial cells in three-dimensional collagen matrices. We found up-regulated levels of receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) and the intermediate filament protein vimentin that correlated with increased endothelial cell invasion. Because both RACK1 and vimentin have been linked to focal adhesion kinase (FAK), we investigated whether this pathway regulated invasion. RACK1 depletion reduced invasion responses, and this was associated with attenuated activation of FAK. Knockdown of vimentin significantly decreased levels of phosphorylated and total FAK. Treatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of FAK dose-dependently reduced invasion, indicating a crucial role for FAK activity during invasion. Because RACK1 and vimentin were both up-regulated with sphingosine 1-phosphate treatment, required for invasion, and regulated FAK, we tested whether they complexed together. RACK1 complexed with vimentin, and growth factors enhanced this interaction. In addition, RACK1, vimentin, and FAK formed an intermolecular complex in invading endothelial cultures in three dimensions in response to stimulation by sphingosine 1-phosphate and growth factors. Moreover, depletion of RACK1 decreased the association of vimentin and FAK, suggesting that RACK1 was required for stabilizing vimentin-FAK interactions during sprouting. Silencing of vimentin and RACK1 decreased cell adhesion and focal contact formation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that proangiogenic signals converge to enhance expression and association of RACK1 and vimentin, which regulated FAK, resulting in successful endothelial sprout formation in three-dimensional collagen matrices. Background: Endothelial cells respond to proangiogenic cues during angiogenesis. Results: Receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) and vimentin are up-regulated and complex with focal adhesion kinase (FAK). RACK1 and vimentin also regulate FAK expression and activation during sprouting. Conclusion: RACK1 and vimentin complex with and regulate FAK. Significance: These data uncover a new intermolecular complex that regulates sprouting angiogenesis by modulating focal adhesions.
Gender, kinship and caregiver burden: the case of community‐dwelling memory impaired seniors

Background This study examined whether there were gender and kinship (spouse, child, more distant relative) differences in caregiver burden. It further examined the constellation of gender and kinship by examining whether adult daughter caregivers experienced greater burden compared to wives, husbands, sons, and other more distant relatives. Methods The sample consisted of 305 family caregivers of memory-impaired individuals who were age 70 years or older and resided in non-institutional settings in Arkansas. A cross-sectional design was employed using validated measures to assess both the memory-impaired elders' and family caregivers' self-reported physical and memory status. Results After controlling for the age and health status characteristics of the memory-impaired elder, sociodemographic and health status characteristics of the family caregiver, and the caregiver coping response (measured by the sense of coherence), multiple regression analyses found kinship, but not gender differences in caregiver burden. Adult children experienced more caregiver burden than more distant relatives. There were no significant differences in caregiver burden between adult children and spouses. Adult daughters had greater caregiver burden scores compared to more distant relatives, but had comparable scores to wives, sons, and husbands. Other significant correlates of burden included caregiver personal characteristics (age and ethnicity) and the sense of coherence. Conclusions The study discusses the practice implications of adult children and adult daughters' propensity to suffer burden when caring for their memory-impaired parents living in the community. It also discusses the relevance of caregiver personal characteristics and the sense of coherence as correlates of burden. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
True aneurysm on the posterior meningeal artery associated with a dural arteriovenous fistula: case report.

BACKGROUND: We report an unusual case of a true dural aneurysm arising from the posterior meningeal artery that fed a symptomatic dural arteriovenous fistula located at the right transverse-sigmoid sinus junction. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old right-handed white woman presented with aneurysmal dilatation of hypertrophied posterior meningeal artery feeding a partially treated dural arteriovenous fistula. INTERVENTION: The aneurysm, which measured approximately 3 mm in width and 5 mm in length, was located in the intracranial space with a thin-walled dome projecting toward the cerebellum. Its afferent and efferent vessels were identified, secured, and the lesion was excised en bloc. CONCLUSION: A thorough evaluation of all diagnostic studies should be performed for patients with vascular malformations to help identify these or other unusual lesions that may aid in the risk stratification process and management plan.
Tumor of the liver (hepatocellular and high grade neuroendocrine carcinoma): a case report and review of the literature

We describe a rare hepatic collision tumor composed of a hepatocellular carcinoma and a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma. The patient, a 50-year-old man, underwent a partial hepatectomy because of a 5.0-cm mass. The tumor had two distinctive patterns. The majority of the tumor was a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma with features of a small cell carcinoma that was positive for chromogranin, synaptophysin, and cytokeratin 19 and negative for hepatocellular antigen and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The second component was a moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma that was positive for hepatocellular antigen and AFP and negative for neuroendocrine markers. The two tumors were separated by fibrous bands. In areas where they collided, there was no transition or intermingling of cells between the two components, thus, it is different from the combined type of tumors. After removal of the tumor, the patient had intrahepatic and mesenteric recurrences within a follow-up period of 16 months.
Comparison of posttonsillectomy pain using the ultrasonic scalpel, coblator, and electrocautery.

OBJECTIVES: To compare postoperative tonsillectomy pain between 3 commonly used surgical devices: the Harmonic Ultrasonic Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH), the Coblator (ArthroCare Co...
Agent of global markets or agent of the poor? The World Bank’s education sector strategy paper

This article contrasts the official, largely silent, role of the World Bank as an agent of global markets with its professed role as agent of the poor. The failure to make explicit its role as global market advocate creates a policy environment that can be destructive of both global markets and the long-term survival of the world’s poor. The article examines the World Bank’s Education Sector Strategy in this light. The article begins by outlining the institutional, policy and education frameworks that emerge from the conflicts of the World Bank’s dual role in markets and poverty. It then shows that the implementation and outcome analyses in The Strategy grow out of these frameworks and are, therefore, limited in scope and effectiveness. An approach that explicitly acknowledges the market roles of the World Bank would have led to a more effective policy document.  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Organizational Revival From Within: Explaining Revivalism and Reform in the Roman Catholic Church

The most enduring theoretical model for explaining the rise and fall of religious movements has been, some form of the church-sect theory. Yet this model offers little explanation for the continued vitality of the Roman Catholic Church. We argue that a key to this institutional success is the Church's ability to retain sect-like revival movements within its boundaries. We demonstrate that religious orders, like Protestant sects, stimulate organizational growth, develop innovations for adapting the, church to a new culture or era, and provide institutional support for a high tension faith. Unlike Protestant sects, however, they do so within the institutional church. This source of internal reform and revival helps to explain the long term vitality of the Roman Catholic Church and its ability to operate effectively as a religious monopoly.
Scientific approach to job evaluation.

(1967). Scientific Approach to Job Evaluation. Hospital Topics: Vol. 45, No. 10, pp. 46-48.
Optimisation de la radiothérapie des gliomes : espoirs et voies de recherche pour les années à venir

Glioma and particularly glioblastoma are tumours of very bad prognosis despite association of surgery and radiochemotherapy. This bad prognosis is mainly due to the local relapse after radiochemotherapy which occurs invariably despite constant technical progress in radiotherapy. This local recurrence is mainly due to the biologic intracellular and micro-environmental radioresistance of these tumours but also to a probable bad definition of the irradiated target. The two main axis of research aiming at optimizing the radiotherapy of these patients will be discussed: on one hand, the study of the biological pathways involved in the tumor radioresistance in order to highlight new targets of interest and to inhibit them by targeted drugs in combination with radiotherapy, and on the other hand, research in metabolic and functional imaging with the aim to define areas of most aggressive disease and even predictive zones of the site of relapse and thus of radioresistance, in order to integrate them in the radiotherapy treatment planning in prospective trials.
Sequential kriging and cokriging: Two powerful geostatistical approaches

A sequential linear estimator is developed in this study to progressively incorporate new or different spatial data sets into the estimation. It begins with a classical linear estimator (i.e., kriging or cokriging) to estimate means conditioned to a given observed data set. When an additional data set becomes available, the sequential estimator improves the previous estimate by using linearly weighted sums of differences between the new data set and previous estimates at sample locations. Like the classical linear estimator, the weights used in the sequential linear estimator are derived from a system of equations that contains covariances and cross-covariances between sample locations and the location where the estimate is to be made. However, the covariances and cross- covariances are conditioned upon the previous data sets. The sequential estimator is shown to produce the best, unbiased linear esti- mate, and to provide the same estimates and variances as classic simple kriging or cokriging with the simultaneous use of the entire data set. However, by using data sets sequentially, this new algorithm alleviates numerical difficulties associated with the classical kriging or cokriging techniques when a large amount of data are used. It also provides a new way to incorporate additional information into a previous estimation.