cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collagenous sprue is not always associated with dismal outcomes: a clinicopathological study of 19 patients

Collagenous sprue is associated with high morbidity; however, the etiology of this disorder is unclear. Data regarding the pathological and clinical manifestations of patients with collagenous sprue are also limited. We, thus, undertook this study to gain insight into the etiology, disease manifestations and outcomes of collagenous sprue. We searched our departmental database (1999-2008) to identify cases of collagenous sprue and to obtain clinical and laboratory data. Small bowel histology, including thickness of subepithelial collagen, intra-epithelial lymphocyte phenotype and results of T-cell clonality assays were evaluated. Nineteen patients (15 women, 4 men, age 22-80 years, mean 57 years) were identified. Seventeen (89%) had celiac disease and two had unclassified sprue; 9 of 17 (53%) celiac disease patients had refractory disease; 5 of 15 (33%) lacked diarrhea (atypical presentation), including 2 of 6 (33%) with active (untreated) celiac disease and 3 of 9 (33%) with refractory celiac disease. Autoimmune disorders were seen in 12 of 19 (63%) patients and microscopic colitis (n=7), lymphocytic gastritis (n=2) or collagenous gastritis (n=2) were seen in nine patients. Subepithelial collagen thickness was mildly (n=6), moderately (n=10), or markedly (n=3) increased and villous atrophy was total (n=13) or subtotal (n=6). Phenotypically aberrant intraepithelial lymphocytes were not detected in any case. Polymerase chain reaction analysis showed a dominant T-cell clone in the only patient with refractory celiac disease type II. Histological improvement occurred in 7 of 11 (64%) patients. Overall, 8 of 19 (42%) responded to gluten-free diet, including 2 of 9 (22%) with refractory celiac disease and 10 responded to immunomodulatory therapy, including 6 of 9 (67%) with refractory celiac disease. Only one patient died from complications of refractory celiac disease. No patient developed lymphoma. The vast majority of our patients with collagenous sprue had celiac disease. Although, many patients required immunomodulatory therapy for symptom control, a subset responded to gluten-free diet alone. In our experience, collagenous sprue patients had relatively good clinical outcomes.
Integration of mitochondrial gene sequences within the nuclear genome during senescence in a fungus

Cellular senescence in the ascomycete fungus Podospora anserina is associated with the appearance of an altered mitochondrial genome. Discrete mitochondrial DNA sequences are excised and amplified and isolated as multimerically arranged, head-to-tail repetitions. We have referred to the most frequently observed excision/amplification product as alpha-event senDNA. It is a 2.6-kilobase pair (kbp) monomeric unit (see refs 1, 3, 7) and is often found in senescent mitochondria in conjunction with other excision products. At the final stage of senescence these plasmids constitute virtually all of the DNA present in senescent mitochondria; they have replicated to high copy number at the expense of the young native genome. Because P. anserina is characterized by race-specific timing of senescence (that is, a programme of senescence), we have begun to contrast rapidly and slowly senescing races in terms of senDNA. Here we present evidence that young mitochondria of the rapidly senescing race, A+, possess an extremely high copy number of alpha-event senDNA plasmid in contrast to the more slowly senescing races s+ or s-. Moreover, we observe that during senescence the alpha-event senDNA and the beta-event senDNA (a 9.8-kbp monomer) are transposed to the nucleus and integrated into nuclear DNA. These plasmids contain the coding information for subunits I and III (respectively) of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase. This constitutes the first clear evidence for the active mobilization of genetic elements from the mitochondrion to the nucleus.
The world according to Arp: regulation of actin nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex

The coordination of cell shape change and locomotion requires that actin polymerization at the cell cortex be tightly controlled in response to both intracellular and extracellular cues. The Arp2/3 complex - an actin filament nucleating and organizing factor - appears to be a central player in the cellular control of actin assembly. Recently, a molecular pathway leading from key signalling molecules to actin filament nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex has been discovered. In this pathway, the GTPase Cdc42 acts in concert with WASP family proteins to activate the Arp2/3 complex. These findings have led to a more complete picture of the mechanism of actin filament generation and organization during cell motility.
In Vivo Serial MRI-Based Models and Statistical Methods to Quantify Sensitivity and Specificity of Mechanical Predictors for Carotid Plaque Rupture: Location and Beyond

It has been hypothesized that mechanical risk factors may be used to predict future atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Truly predictive methods for plaque rupture and methods to identify the best predictor(s) from all the candidates are lacking in the literature. A novel combination of computational and statistical models based on serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was introduced to quantify sensitivity and specificity of mechanical predictors to identify the best candidate for plaque rupture site prediction. Serial in vivo MRI data of carotid plaque from one patient was acquired with follow-up scan showing ulceration. 3D computational fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models using both baseline and follow-up data were constructed and plaque wall stress (PWS) and strain (PWSn) and flow maximum shear stress (FSS) were extracted from all 600 matched nodal points (100 points per matched slice, baseline matching follow-up) on the lumen surface for analysis. Each of the 600 points was marked "ulcer" or "nonulcer" using follow-up scan. Predictive statistical models for each of the seven combinations of PWS, PWSn, and FSS were trained using the follow-up data and applied to the baseline data to assess their sensitivity and specificity using the 600 data points for ulcer predictions. Sensitivity of prediction is defined as the proportion of the true positive outcomes that are predicted to be positive. Specificity of prediction is defined as the proportion of the true negative outcomes that are correctly predicted to be negative. Using probability 0.3 as a threshold to infer ulcer occurrence at the prediction stage, the combination of PWS and PWSn provided the best predictive accuracy with (sensitivity, specificity) = (0.97, 0.958). Sensitivity and specificity given by PWS, PWSn, and FSS individually were (0.788, 0.968), (0.515, 0.968), and (0.758, 0.928), respectively. The proposed computational-statistical process provides a novel method and a framework to assess the sensitivity and specificity of various risk indicators and offers the potential to identify the optimized predictor for plaque rupture using serial MRI with follow-up scan showing ulceration as the gold standard for method validation. While serial MRI data with actual rupture are hard to acquire, this single-case study suggests that combination of multiple predictors may provide potential improvement to existing plaque assessment schemes. With large-scale patient studies, this predictive modeling process may provide more solid ground for rupture predictor selection strategies and methods for image-based plaque vulnerability assessment.
The common occurrence of errors of perceived distance.

The effect on the perceived distance of a test object of fixating to a distance different from that of the test object was investigated using monocular observation and two methods for measuring perceived distance. One method, the size adjustment procedure, applying the size-distance invariance hypothesis, measured perceived distance by measuring perceived size. The results from this method were compared with those from a head-motion procedure which used the apparent concomitant motion resulting from head motion to measure perceived distance. The results from both procedures indicated that the apparent distance of the test object physically located at a constant distance varied directly as a function of the fixation distance. This occurred despite the presence of texture on the walls and floor of the visual alley. These and other perceptual effects are interpreted as demonstrating that errors in perceived distance (contrary to the theory of direct perception) are a common occurrence in ordinary visual fields.
Fatal gastric perforation in a 4-year-old child with a late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia

A previously well 4-year-old male presented with a 2-day history of listlessness, anorexia, left upper quadrant pain, and vomiting followed by sudden cardiorespiratory arrest and death. At autopsy a 50-mm diameter congenital defect in the posterolateral part of the left diaphragm was discovered associated with herniation of the stomach, spleen, greater omentum, and portions of the transverse colon and pancreas into the chest cavity. Perforation of the anterior wall of the stomach had filled the pleural cavity with gastric contents. This case demonstrates that not all late presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernias have a benign clinical outcome, and emphasizes the need for an increased awareness of this rate but potentially curable entity.
REGULATION OF KERATINOCYTE GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR AND ANDROGEN RECEPTOR IN EPITHELIAL CELLS OF THE HUMAN PROSTATE

Purpose: Stromal-epithelial interactions of growth factors and the androgen receptor may have implications for the pathophysiology of benign and neoplastic transformation of the human adult prostate. We investigated a possible interaction of keratinocyte growth factor with its receptor as well as with the androgen receptor signaling pathway in human prostatic epithelial cells.Materials and Methods: Human prostatic epithelial cells were obtained from explant primary culture, established in DU145 cell conditioned medium and maintained in keratinocyte serum-free medium with supplements. Epithelial cells were characterized by light and electron microscopy, and immunocytochemical study using epithelial and mesenchymal markers. Androgen receptor, keratinocyte growth factor receptor and keratinocyte growth factor messenger RNA expression was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The response to 0.01 to 10 nM. dihydrotestosterone, 10 μM. flutamide and 1 to 1,000 ng./ml. keratinocyte growth factor was teste...
Subnanosecond high-pressure iodine photodissociation laser oscillator

A simultaneously Q-switched and acousto-optic mode-locked high-pressure iodine photodissociation (λ=1.315μm) oscillator system, capable of generating pulse-widths as short as 160 ps is described. Good agreement is found between theory and experiment for the pressure-dependence of the modelocked pulse-width. The results indicate that pulse-widths approaching 100ps should be obtainable with this type of system.
A Generational Algorithm to Multiprocessor Cache Coherence

In view of the growing gap between processor speeds and net work latency, it becomes increasingly expensive to maintain multi-processor cache consistency via run-time inter processor communication. Software-Controlled cache coher ence schemes have the advantage of simplified hardware and the reduction of inter-processor communication traffic. Among previously proposed software-based schemes, those based on the concept of version/timestamp show the most aggressive performance potential. Unfortunately these methods have several implementation and performance prob lems that prevent them from being practical implementation choices. In this paper, we discuss these problems and describe a generational cache coherence algorithm that elim inates all of these problems. Moreover, the new algorithm can exploit inter-level temporal locality of parallel programs with significantly less hardware support.
The Magnetic Refrigerator for Temperatures below 1°k

The magnetic refrigerator is a device for maintaining isothermally a reservoir and/or experimental apparatus at temperatures below 1°k. Starting from temperatures maintained by a liquid helium bath the device produces cold by the magnetic cooling method, the cooling being performed in a cyclic manner. By cyclic operation temperatures below 1°k, as low as approximately 0.2°k, can be maintained continuously. In this paper some design problems are considered in detail and a comparison is made between the theoretically computed performance and the experimental observations on the first few magnetic refrigerators which have so far been constructed. The `engine' of the magnetic refrigerator basically requires, besides a paramagnetic working substance for the magnetic cooling process, thermal valves which may allow or block the flow of heat between the working substance, the helium bath and the low temperature reservoir. In the work reported in this paper the material for the working substance has been ferric alum and the thermal valves have been constructed from superconducting lead wires. A discussion is given of the requirements for an ideal working substance and experimental results are reported on some unusual paramagnetic materials which have been investigated for use both as working substances and for reservoir materials. Amongst these ferric acetylacetonate and synthetic ruby have been found to show useful properties. Finally, some of the possible uses of the magnetic refrigerator are considered, as for example in calorimetry below 1°k, for the establishment of an isothermal reservoir for the initiation of single-stage magnetic cooling, for the production of liquid helium baths below 1°k and for the possible subsequent extension of the magnetic refrigerator to a two-stage device for the production of isothermal temperatures well below 0 1 k.
The Essential if Problematic Role of FHA Mortgage Insurance

Confronted with the nation's worst mortgage and financial crisis since the Great Depression, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) emerged from near irrelevance to the housing finance system to ...
Smoke space: material and imagined nature in the smelter city of Anaconda, Montana

Abstract This paper argues that both the physical material of the environment as well as the social imagination of the environment are important actors in the production of urban space. Using a case study of the smelter city of Anaconda, Montana in the twentieth century, this paper shows how toxic smelter smoke and the complex social imagination of that smoke shape the contours of urban space. The production of smelter smoke for nearly a century in Anaconda persists today and presents a complex set of opportunities and challenges for the continuing development of the urban landscape. By taking a smoke-specific approach to the relationship between cities and industrial air pollution, this paper contends that material nature matters in the everyday urban experiences of life in this postindustrial city.
Global change: The ocean is warming, isn't it?

A reappraisal of the messy data on upper-ocean heat content for 1993–2008 provides clear evidence for warming. But differences among various analyses and inconsistencies with other indicators merit attention. The upper ocean acts as a giant heat sink and has absorbed the majority of excess energy generated by anthropogenic greenhouse gasses. This makes ocean heat content, potentially, a key indicator of climate change. But to be useful for evaluating the global energy balance and as a constraint on climate models, the measurement uncertainties of such a key indicator need to be well understood. At present the magnitude of the oceanic heat uptake is highly uncertain, with patterns of inter-annual variability in particular differing among estimates. In a major international collaboration, Lyman et al. compare the available upper-ocean heat content anomaly curves and examine the sources of uncertainly attached to them — including the difficulties in correcting bias in expendable bathythermograph data. They find that, uncertainties notwithstanding, there is clear and robust evidence for a warming trend of 0.64 watts per square metre between 1993 and 2008.
The effect of poly(vinyl bromide) on the layering of cotton fibers in flame-retardant cotton/polyester blends

Cotton and cotton/polyester blends treated with phosphorus-nitrogen polymers and poly-(vinyl bromide) for flame retardance were examined in the electron microscope. A considerable amount of the poly(vinyl bromide) was retained by the cotton fibers. Expansion studies indicated that the poly(vinyl bromide) acted either as a morphologic adhesive or as a nonpolar matrix impervious to penetration by methacrylate before swelling.
Ultraviolet A1 (340–400 nm) Irradiation and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Short wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light are clearly harmful in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the action of long UV wavelengths in SLE is more enigmatic. In a series of animal and human studies, long-wavelength UV radiation, i.e., radiation in the ultraviolet-A1 (UVA1) range (340–400 nm), has proven effective in the treatment of SLE. Disease amelioration and a marked decrease in mortality followed ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation (320–400 nm) of the New Zealand White/New Zealand Black mouse model of lupus. A follow-up study in the same animal suggested that the longer wavelengths (UVA1, 340–400 nm) in the UVA wave band were primarily responsible. There followed four human studies. The first three of these provided data indicating that low-dose UVA1 radiation significantly reduced constitutional symptoms, joint pain, rashes, and the systemic lupus activity measures, a validated gauge of disease activity in SLE. The fourth human study showed that the therapeutic action of low-dose UVA1 action persisted or progressed long term, a period averaging 3.4 y. UVA1 effects on DNA repair, cell-mediated immunosuppression, tumor necrosis factor alpha release, and apoptosis contrast markedly with those of ultraviolet B (UVB, 280–320 nm) radiation and afford a possible basis for the salutary action of this modality of treatment. The unique features of UVA1 wavelengths may be suited to further therapeutic use, not only in SLE but also in other immunologic disorders.
Doppler Echocardiographic Evaluation of Midventricular Obstruction in Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is heterogeneous in both people and cats, with variability in the distribution of hypertrophy, hemodynamic characteristics, and Doppler echocardiographic findings. Objectives To document the Doppler echocardiographic characteristics of midventricular obstruction in some cats with HCM. Animals Eight cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Materials and Methods Retrospective case series. The medical records of cats presenting to the cardiology service at Colorado State University between February 2009 and January 2012 were reviewed. All cats had a physical examination; Doppler systolic blood pressure measurement; and transthoracic two-dimensional (2D), M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography were performed. A more thorough evaluation of the echocardiographic images and measurements was performed. Cats included in this study had echocardiograms of adequate quality to confirm the diagnosis of midventricular obstruction by documentation of left midventricular concentric hypertrophy; a midventricular turbulent Doppler color flow pattern; and high velocity, late-peaking flow at the area of turbulence. Cats with evidence of systemic hypertension defined as a systolic Doppler blood pressure of greater than 170 mmHg were excluded. Results All 8 cats had left ventricular hypertrophy at the level of the papillary muscles; left, midventricular hypertrophy; and in 4/8 cats there was apical hypertrophy or basilar hypertrophy of the interventricular septum. Color flow Doppler revealed turbulent flow in 8/8 cats and spectral Doppler (continuous and pulsed wave) revealed increased flow velocities and late-peaking flow profiles at the level of the left midventricle. Two of 8 cats had a bifid midventricular flow profile in which there was a midsystolic decline in left ventricular velocities with elevated velocities extending into early diastole. The peak left ventricular outflow velocity in all 8 cats was normal. Conclusions and Clinical Importance A variant of HCM characterized by hypertrophy at the level of the papillary muscles with midventricular obstruction is present in some cats. Recognition of this variant of feline HCM allows identification of HCM in cats with murmurs where the more classic features of HCM are not present.
Penile fibrotic changes after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Objective To investigate the type of penile deformity, response to treatment of and predictive factors for the formation of penile fibrotic changes after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Patients and methods Between July 1996 and September 1998, 110 men who had undergone RRP a mean (SD, range) of 35 (20, 5–145) months previously were evaluated by one physician for their erectile dysfunction. Those men affected by penile fibrotic changes were advised to initiate medical therapy for possible Peyronie’s disease; their charts were reviewed and they were interviewed to determine the outcome. Results Overall, 45 of 110 patients (41%) with erectile dysfunction after RRP had penile fibrotic changes, representing 11% of all patients undergoing RRP in the specified period. The primary clinical presentation included penile curvature in 42 men (93%) and ‘waistband’ deformity in 11 (24%; some had both); palpable plaques were present in 31 (69%). On assessing the outcome in 40 men, 16 (40%) felt that their condition had improved, half were unchanged and 10% progressed, within a mean follow-up of 24 months after diagnosis. Of the 16 improved, 14 were regularly using a vacuum constriction device or injection therapy. No significant factors predictive of the fibrotic changes could be identified, including the use of intracavernosal injection therapy before onset, neurovascular bundle resection, operative duration, estimated blood loss and pathological tumour grade or stage. Conclusions Penile fibrotic changes are a significant but previously undescribed problem in men after RRP. Although predisposing factors could not be identified, most men felt that their condition stabilized or improved during treatment. Corroborative confirmation of this association and its aetiology will require prospective studies.
Symptomatic perforation of a Günther Tulip inferior vena cava filter with subsequent strut fracture and pulmonary embolization.

Long-dwelling retrievable inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are associated with adverse events, including migration, thrombosis, penetration, fracture, and embolization. Despite the safety and efficacy profile of the Gunther Tulip (GT) retrievable IVCF (Cook Medical Inc, Bloomington, IN), long-dwelling GT IVCFs are at risk for migration and penetration [1, 2]. We present a case of symptomatic perforation of a GT IVCF with subsequent pulmonary embolization of a main strut fracture fragment 10 years after placement. These findings further contribute to our understanding of the risks associated with the ‘‘permanent’’ placement of GT retrievable filters.
Explaining "Irrational" Land Use: Risk Aversion and Marginal Agricultural Land

Abstract When land users make dynamic land conversion decisions to maximize profits, persistent dedication of marginal land to agricultural uses can be explained as a consequence of risk aversion and expected capital gains. Land conversion increases in response to cost-sharing, rental payments, and technical assistance that reduces uncertainty about land benefits. When correlation between benefits is nonpositive, risk aversion leads the land user to diversify land among uses. Unless subsidy payments outweigh the sum of risk and capital gains costs, payments which appear potentially successful may fail. When payments succeed, the cost of accomplishing acreage targets may be higher than anticipated.
Water dynamics in microwavable par-baked soy dough evaluated during frozen storage

Abstract Par-baked bread provides convenience and quality in bakery products. Soy, in combination with its nutritional benefits, was previously shown to improve the texture of microwave-baked flatbread and par-baked flatbread due to the high hygroscopic properties of soy protein and the plasticizing effects of the added lipids. It was hypothesized that soy addition would also mitigate the changes in texture and the properties of water within par-baked flatbread during frozen storage. Flatbread was formulated with 0, 10, 20, and 26% soy ingredients (by weight of added ingredients). The dough was (partially) baked to about 75% of completion and then stored at − 18 °C for 14 days. The dough was then thawed and analyzed for moisture content, textural properties such as hardness, and proton T1 and T2 relaxation times. Freezing increased the hardness and chewiness and decreased the springiness of par-baked wheat bread, but 10% soy bread did not show a change in chewiness, hardness, or springiness upon freezing. Two distinct water populations, in an approximate 90%–10% proportion, were defined using solution state proton NMR relaxation techniques. Increasing soy concentrations led to decreased T1 relaxation values in the most populated water state. Data suggest that the water in this par-baked system is a non-rigid solid, and that soy addition therefore increases mobility of the water. Neither T1 nor T2 relaxation values changed during frozen storage time for any of the formulations. These results indicate that soy slightly altered the texture and water properties of par-baked flatbread but these formulations were more stable during frozen storage.
Problem Solving By Proving Satisfiability

The satisfiability problem is shown to be a formulation suitable for problems in planning, scheduling, solid modeling, etc. which cannot be solved by the unsatisfiability formulation (logic programming). A reduction procedure is developed, to prove the satisfiability, using a geometrical interpretation of the logical expression to be satified. The procedure is shown to be applicable to the first-order clauses too.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 reversibly blocks the progression of relapsing encephalomyelitis, a model of multiple sclerosis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune disease believed to be a model for the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Induced by immunizing B10.PL mice with myelin basic protein (MBP), EAE was completely prevented by the administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. 1,25-(OH)2D3 could also prevent the progression of EAE when administered at the appearance of the first disability symptoms. Withdrawal of 1,25-(OH)2D3 resulted in a resumption of the progression of EAE. Thus, the block by 1,25-(OH)2D3 is reversible. A deficiency of vitamin D resulted in an increased susceptibility to EAE. Thus, 1,25-(OH)2D3 or its analogs are potentially important for treatment of MS.
The notion of “Tautology”

CONSIDER a set of elements (Sl, S2, S3 . . . Sn . . .) to be called "atomic sentences of L." We now define "meaningful sentence of L" as follows: 1. Any atomic sentence of L is a meaningful sentence of L; 2. The result of writing "" before any meaningful sentence of L is a meaningful sentence of L; 3. The result of writing "v" between any two meaningful sentences of L is a meaningful sentence of L. It is intended that the only meaningful sentences of L be those provided for by the above three statements. A meaningful sentence of L which is not atomic will be called "molecular." We now give, for any arbitrary n, a pair of matrices, one for "" and one for "v". It will be noticed that when n 2 the matrices are the ordinary ones for 2-valued logic (with "1" as "T," "2" as "F"); and, in general, for m-valued logics when m n. Further, as is well known, the two matrices presented form a complete set of connectives for every n.
Matrix-valued symmetric templates for interpolatory surface subdivisions: I. Regular vertices

Abstract The objective of this paper is to introduce a general procedure for deriving interpolatory surface subdivision schemes with “symmetric subdivision templates” (SSTs) for regular vertices. While the precise definition of “symmetry” will be clarified in the paper, the property of SSTs is instrumental to facilitate application of the standard procedure for finding symmetric weights for taking weighted averages to accommodate extraordinary (or irregular) vertices in surface subdivisions, a topic to be studied in a continuation paper. By allowing the use of matrices as weights, the SSTs introduced in this paper may be constructed to overcome the size barrier limited to scalar-valued interpolatory subdivision templates, and thus avoiding the unnecessary surface oscillation artifacts. On the other hand, while the old vertices in a (scalar) interpolatory subdivision scheme do not require a subdivision template, we will see that this is not the case for the matrix-valued setting. Here, we employ the same definition of interpolation subdivisions as in the usual scalar consideration, simply by requiring the old vertices to be stationary in the definition of matrix-valued interpolatory subdivisions. Hence, there would be another complication when the templates are extended to accommodate extraordinary vertices if the template sizes are not small. In this paper, we show that even for C 2 interpolatory subdivisions, only one “ring” is sufficient in general, for both old and new vertices. For example, for 1-to-4 split C 2 interpolatory surface subdivisions, we obtain matrix-valued symmetric interpolatory subdivision templates (SISTs) for both triangular and quadrilateral meshes with sizes that agree with those of the Loop and Catmull–Clark schemes, respectively. Matrix-valued SISTs of similar sizes are also constructed for C 2 interpolatory 3 and 2 subdivision schemes in this paper. In addition to small template sizes, an obvious feature of matrix-valued weights is the flexibility for introducing shape-control parameters. Another significance is that, in contrast to the usual scalar setting, matrix-valued SISTs can be formulated in terms of the coefficient sequence of some vector refinement equation of interpolating bivariate C 2 splines with small support. For example, by modifying the spline function vectors introduced in our previous work [C.K. Chui, Q.T. Jiang, Surface subdivision schemes generated by refinable bivariate spline function vectors, Appl. Comput. Harmon. Anal. 15 (2003) 147–162; C.K. Chui, Q.T. Jiang, Refinable bivariate quartic and quintic C 2 -splines for quadrilateral subdivisions, Preprint, 2004], C 2 symmetric interpolatory subdivision schemes associated with refinement equations of C 2 cubic and quartic splines on the 6-directional and 4-directional meshes, respectively, are also constructed in this paper.
Leveraging emerging markets for commercial success

Purpose – Emerging markets are becoming the catalysts for new product and service innovation. Long‐term success, however, will take far more than simply making minor adjustments to existing products, lowering prices, and developing new sales channels, according to a new report, “Laboratories of innovation: leveraging emerging markets for commercial success” by the Member Firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte).Design/methodology/approach – Study by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.Findings – The Deloitte study shows that companies will need to acquire a new set of competencies and organizational structures to generate a continuing stream of innovative products tailored to the needs of consumers and industrial buyers in emerging markets.Practical implications – Companies will need to acquire a new set of competencies and organizational structures to generate a continuing stream of innovative products tailored to the needs of consumers and industrial buyers in emerging markets. They will need to allow for loca...
Mechanism of cataract production by 3-β(2-diethylaminoethoxy) androst-5-en-17-one hydrochloride, U18666A: An inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis

Abstract The present report describes a new model for cataract research induced by a compound (3-β(2-diethylaminoethoxy) androst-5-en-17-one hydrochloride; i.e. U18666A) which inhibits the enzymatic reduction of desmosterol to cholesterol and provides information on the possible mechanism of cataractogenesis. Treatment of the new born rat with U18666A results in nuclear cataracts appearing between 15 and 25 days of age. This cataract is apparently unrelated to accumulation of desmosterol, since this sterol was not detected in opaque lenses until long after their first appearance. Rather, development of this opacity could involve a selective reduction in the concentrations of γ-crystallin, the smallest of the four classes of water-soluble crystallins and the single major constituent of the rat lens after water. The observed lowering of γ-crystallin levels in opaque lens is apparently explained by a differential reduction in protein synthesis measured from [ 3 H]leucine injected intraocularly. This differential effect could be explained by marked changes in the intracellular concentration of Na + and K + ions in opaque lens; Na + levels greatly increased and K + decreased. Recent reports indicate that decreasing the intracellular ratio of K + Na + in lens results in a shift of protein synthesis from lower to higher molecular weight species. In view of this information and the results of the present study, we suggest that the development and/or progression of the cataracts induced by U18666A could be related to a selective block in formation of γ-crystallin secondary to alteration in the levels of Na + and K + ions in lens.
Penetration of the testicular-tubular barrier by horseradish peroxidase induced by adjuvant†‡§

Adjuvant-induced penetration of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into seminiferous epithelium was studied as a model of adjuvant-induced entry of other proteins, e.g., immunoglobulins. HRP intravenously injected 20 minutes prior to sacrifice (by peraortic perfusion with Karnovsky's fixative) into male guinea pigs that had received Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) + saline or FCA + testicular homogenate (TH) intradermally seven days previously, entered the peritubular spaces of a moderate number of seminiferous tubules. In those tubules HRP became uniformly distributed in the cytoplasmic matrices (but very rarely in membrane-bound vesicles) of some of the Sertoli cells and presumptive type B spermatogonia. By contrast, HRP injected into normal animals, into animals that had received FCA + saline or FCA + TH 3 or 14 days previously or into animals that had received Freund's incomplete adjuvant + saline 3, 7, or 14 days previously gained entry into only occasional peritubular spaces but was never found in any cells of the seminiferous epithelium. These findings are discussed in conjunction with previous findings on immune aspermatogenesis. Hypotheses concerning the intratesticular mechanisms of production of both active and passive immune aspermatogenesis as activated by FCA and the mechanisms whereby FCA may enable or potentiate production of immune globulins are proposed and discussed.
An experimentally derived model for actual evapotranspiration

Abstract Experimental data from several different climatic regions were used to develop a statistical model for actual water loss rates from land surfaces. The actual evapotranspiration rate was considered to be influenced by the amount of available water in the soil and by meteorological and plant conditions which determine the potential evapotranspiration rate. Experimental measurements of these three variables from various environmental conditions were combined into a single model expressing the composite relationship. Actual evapotranspiration rates were calculated from this relationship using the variables soil moisture and potential evapotranspiration. Initial testing showed that the model gave satisfactory results when used for estimating moisture changes in the soil.
Continental shelf nurseries and recruitment variability in American plaice and yellowtail flounder on the Grand Bank: insights into stock resiliency

In 1994, a directed fishing moratorium was declared for Grand Bank American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) and yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) stocks because both stocks showed severe declines in abundance from heavy exploitation during the mid 1980s and early 1990s. Four years later, the fishery for yellowtail re-opened while the plaice stock has shown little recovery and the moratorium is still in effect. To assess the possible causes of the differences in recovery between species, we examined the spatial structure and environmental characteristics of the continental shelf nursery habitats of plaice and yellowtail, and their relationship to recruitment variability and overall population size. Depth plays a major influential role determining the spatial pattern and the abundance of juveniles of both species and in the case of plaice the spatial structure of the adult population also determines the amount of nursery area utilised by juveniles. Recruitment variability was higher in plaice than in yellowtail. We found year class synchrony in both species indicating that common environmental conditions and/or biological processes are affecting recruitment in a similar manner. Density-dependent regulation appears to be more severe in yellowtail and this should contribute to a more stable population when compared to plaice. These results are discussed in terms of resiliency of both stocks to over-exploitation.
Homeostatic synaptic depression is achieved through a regulated decrease in presynaptic calcium channel abundance

Homeostatic signaling stabilizes synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of Drosophila, mice, and human. It is believed that homeostatic signaling at the NMJ is bi-directional and considerable progress has been made identifying mechanisms underlying the homeostatic potentiation of neurotransmitter release. However, very little is understood mechanistically about the opposing process, homeostatic depression, and how bi-directional plasticity is achieved. Here, we show that homeostatic potentiation and depression can be simultaneously induced, demonstrating true bi-directional plasticity. Next, we show that mutations that block homeostatic potentiation do not alter homeostatic depression, demonstrating that these are genetically separable processes. Finally, we show that homeostatic depression is achieved by decreased presynaptic calcium channel abundance and calcium influx, changes that are independent of the presynaptic action potential waveform. Thus, we identify a novel mechanism of homeostatic synaptic plasticity and propose a model that can account for the observed bi-directional, homeostatic control of presynaptic neurotransmitter release.
Polysomnographic characteristics of sleep disorders in chronic pelvic pain

Abstract Objective: We performed a pilot study to determine if patients with chronic pelvic pain have a consistent or unique sleep disorder by a polysomnographic sleep study. Methods: Overnight polysomnography was performed prospectively in 11 women with chronic pelvic pain (ages 33–44 years, mean 35). None of the women were taking sedating or psychoactive medications in the month prior to testing. Sleep indices were derived using polysomnography scoring guidelines currently recommended by the American Sleep Disorder Association. Results: Statistical comparisons with age-matched normative data (Williams and Karacan, 1974) revealed increased stage 1 sleep ( P −7 ), reduced REM sleep ( P −6 ), increased slow wave sleep ( P P Conclusion: Previously, sleep disorders in patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) have been characterized by history alone. We have characterized sleep disturbances in individuals with CPP by polysomnographic sleep studies. Patients with CPP have different sleep patterns than patients with depression. Our preliminary findings and review of the literature conclude that patients with CPP have a unique sleep disorder. We are currently studying the effects of low doses of amitriptyline in altering sleep patterns to determine if there is a clinical response.
Energetics of lateral eddy diffusion/advection: Part II. Numerical diffusion/diffusivity and gravitational potential energy change due to isopycnal diffusion

Study of oceanic circulation and climate requires models which can simulate tracer eddy diffusion and advection accurately. It is shown that the traditional Eulerian coordinates can introduce large artificial horizontal diffusivity/viscosity due to the incorrect alignment of the axis. Therefore, such models can smear sharp fronts and introduce other numerical artifacts. For simulation with relatively low resolution, large lateral diffusion was explicitly used in models; therefore, such numerical diffusion may not be a problem. However, with the increase of horizontal resolution, the artificial diffusivity/viscosity associated with horizontal advection in the commonly used Eulerian coordinates may become one of the most challenging obstacles for modeling the ocean circulation accurately. Isopycnal eddy diffusion (mixing) has been widely used in numerical models. The common wisdom is that mixing along isopycnal is energy free. However, a careful examination reveals that this is not the case. In fact, eddy diffusion can be conceptually separated into two steps: stirring and subscale diffusion. Due to the thermobaric effect, stirring, or exchanging water masses, along isopycnal surface is associated with the change of GPE in the mean state. This is a new type of instability, called the thermobaric instability. In addition, due to cabbeling subscale diffusion of water parcels always leads to the release of GPE. The release of GPE due to isopycnal stirring and subscale diffusion may lead to the thermobaric instability.
Description of EduCOM: A graphical modeling and programming language for teaching and learning digital communication systems

This paper presents EduCOM, a graphical language for teaching and learning digital communication systems. In EduCOM students build graphical models (i.e., block diagrams) of digital communication transmitters, channels, and receivers. Then EduCOM creates the shell of a C/C++ code realization of the graphical model, but it leaves the implementation of each block empty so that students are required to implement the functionality of the blocks in a low-level programming language such as C/C++. Therefore, EduCOM goes beyond passive drag–drop-connect style activities and forces students to think more deeply about each operation performed on the signals in the system, and preliminary assessment results with a small set of students bear this point out. Students indicated that the mixture of graphical modeling and low-level programming provided by EduCOM is an improvement over pure graphical modeling or pure low-level programming in helping them learn about communication systems. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 697–707, 2011
THE DELIMITATION OF BIGNONIACEAE AND SCROPHULARIACEAE BASED ON FLORAL ANATOMY, AND THE PLACEMENT OF PROBLEM GENERA

The delimitation of Bignoniaceae and Scrophulanaceae has long been a taxonomic problem. Several genera, including Paulownia} Schlegelia, Gibsoniothamnus, and Synapsis, have been variously placed in one or the other family. Differences between these two families have been noted with regard to the presence of endosperm, embryo and seed morphology, and placentation; however, the lack of comprehensive data on the distribution of such characters within these two families left the delimitation problem unsolved. A comprehensive study of floral anatomy confirmed a basic difference in the placentation of these two families, as well as a basic difference in gynoecial vascularization. Paulownia has a floral anatomy, embryo morphology, and seed morphology consistent with placement in Scrophulariaceae. While reminiscent of Bignoniaceae, Paulownia is not an intermediate genus linking the two families. Schlegelia and Gibsoniothamnus have a floral anatomy consistent with placement in Scrophulariaceae. Schlegelia also has a scrophulariaceous seed morphology. Considered anomalous in the Bignoniaceae, the Schlegelieae similarly are distinct in the Scrophulariaceae.
Sediment resuspension and deposition in Narragansett Bay

Abstract Monthly samples of sediments deposited in traps at three locations in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, showed a gradient in sediment activity that increased from an annual mean of 20 ± 8·8 g m−2 day−1 at the head of the estuary to 51 ± 16·7 g m−2 day−1 at the mouth. Deposited materials were significantly higher in total organic matter, organic carbon and nitrogen than near surface sediments on the bottom. These parameters showed a gradient that decreased toward the mouth of the bay, with organic matter dropping from 14 ± 1 to 10 ± 1% of the dry weight deposited; carbon from 5·4 ± 0·9 to 3·4 ± 1·0%; and nitrogen from 0·6 ± 0·1 to 0·4 ± 0·1%. The annual mean C N ratio was 8·2 in the lower bay and 8·7 in the upper bay. Deposited materials were dominated by particles in the silt size range from 4–60 μm and comprised for the most part resuspended bottom sediments rather than fresh inputs of material from the water column.
Cooperative emission of light by an ensemble of dipoles near a metal nanoparticle : The plasmonic Dicke effect

We identify a new mechanism for cooperative emission of light by an ensemble of N dipoles near a metal nanostructure supporting a surface plasmon. The cross talk between emitters due to the virtual plasmon exchange leads to the formation of three plasmonic superradiant modes whose radiative decay rates scale with N, while the total radiated energy is thrice that of a single emitter. Our numerical simulations indicate that the plasmonic Dicke effect survives nonradiative losses in the metal.
Brief announcement: pan and scan

We introduce the pan and scan problem, in which cameras are configured to observe multiple target locations. A camera's configuration consists of its orientation and its zoom factor or field or view (its position is given); the quality of a target's reading by a camera depends (inversely) on both the distance and field of view. After briefly discussing an easy setting in which a target accumulates measurement quality from all cameras observing it, we move on to a more challenging setting in which for each target only the best measurement of it is counted, for which we give various results. Although both variants admit continuous solutions, we observe that we may restrict our attention to solutions based on pinned cones. For a geometrically constrained setting, we give an optimal dynamic programming algorithm. For the unconstrained setting of this problem, we prove NP-hardness, present efficient centralized and distributed 2-approximation algorithms, and observe that a PTAS exists under certain assumptions. For a synchronized distributed setting, we give a 2-approximation protocol and a (2β)/(1-α)-approximation protocol (for all 0 ≤ α ≤ 1 and β ≥ 1) with the stability feature that no target's camera assignment changes more than logβ(m/α) times. We also discuss the running times of the algorithms and study the speed-ups that are possible in certain situations.
The Perinatal Nurse Practitioner: An Innovative Model of Advanced Practice

When a major urban hospital received notice it would no longer have resident physicians to serve its perinatal population, nurses and physicians joined forces with a private university to develop a curriculum for advanced level caregivers. This willingness to rise to a challenge helped to create the Perinatal Nurse Practitioner Program and has paved the way for other needed inpatient nurse practitioner roles.