cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role for platelet-derived growth factor-like and epidermal growth factor-like signaling pathways in gastrulation and spiculogenesis in the Lytechinus sea urchin embryo

The mechanisms underlying sea urchin gastrulation and spiculogenesis have been sought for decades. We have identified two growth factor signaling pathways that are involved in these developmental events. Antibodies against mammalian platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor-beta inhibited gastrulation and spiculogenesis, and antibodies against human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor disrupted gastrulation and spicule placement in Lytechinus pictus and L. variegatus embryos. Our studies suggested that the antibodies affect development by inhibiting rather than activating the signaling pathways. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the mammalian receptors recognized specifically Lytechinus proteins of the expected size of 170-180 x 10(3) M(r). Growth factor binding assays indicated that there are approximately 1.25 x 10(4) platelet-derived growth factor-like receptors per cell at the mesenchyme blastula stage of L. pictus, and human platelet-derived growth factor bound with an apparent affinity of KD = 4.4 nM to dissociated cells at the mesenchyme blastula stage. Immunolabelling experiments showed that at the gastrula stage, the Lytechinus platelet-derived growth factor-like receptors are located on the primary mesenchyme cells, the gut, and most prominently on the secondary mesenchyme cells and the stomodeum. The epidermal growth factor-like receptors stained less intensely on the gut and primary and secondary mesenchyme cells. Both receptors are expressed on the ciliary band and the gut of the pluteus larva but only the PDGF-like receptor is expressed on the primary mesenchyme cells. Pulse studies showed that the embryos are sensitive to the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta and epidermal growth factor receptor antibodies from the blastula to sometime between the mesenchyme blastula and midgastrula stages. We show that antibodies enter the blastocoel as late as the gastrula stage. Our results suggest that platelet-derived growth factor-like and epidermal growth factor-like signaling pathways are involved in the early differentiation and morphogenesis of the sea urchin gut and spicules.
The yield of programmed ventricular stimulation in mitral valve prolapse patients with ventricular arrhythmias

A high-risk subset of patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and a predisposition to sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been proposed. We analyzed the results of programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) in 20 patients with MVP and ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular premature depolarization in 6, ventricular couplets in 2, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia [VT] in 7, ventricular fibrillation [VF] in 5) and in 12 “normal” control subjects. With the use of an identical stimulation protocol from the right ventricular apex (twice diastolic threshold, three extrastimuli), 9 of 20 MVP patients and 1 of 12 normal subjects had inducible ventricular arrhythmias (p<0.05). When more aggressive attempts at ventricular stimulation were used, an additional five MVP patients had positive responses to PVS while no normal subjects did. In the MVP group, the following arrhythmias were induced: nonsustained polymorphic VT in 10, VF in three, and ventricular flutter in one. In all but two patients, triple ventricular extrastimuli were required to elicit this response. Two of the 10 MVP patients undergoing electropharmacologic testing had a successful antiarrhythmic regimen identified, while 13 patients were discharged on empiric antiarrhythmic therapy. At a follow-up of 19.8±13.1 months, all 19 MVP patients who could be contacted were alive. Five patients had symptomatic recurrences at follow-up including two SCD survivors (VT in one and VF in one). In conclusion, it was found that the majority of MVP patients with ventricular arrhythmias have inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias during PVS and are more susceptible to this than patients without structural heart disease. However, no relationship between the response to PVS and subsequent patient prognosis in the MVP group could be demonstrated. Therefore, PVS appears to be of limited clinical utility in this patient population.
Key human resource issues in IS in the 1990s: Views of IS executives versus human resource executives

Abstract Key human resource (HR) issues in IS for the 1990s were identified by separate Delphi studies of IS executives and human resource executives in Fortune 500 firms. Three rounds of survey of participants were used to move opinions toward consensus. For IS executives, acquiring a stronger business orientation was the top ranked issue. For HR executives, better HR planning was the top ranked issue. Six issues were ranked in the top ten by both groups: however ranking differed considerably. The article discusses survey methodology, analyzes results, and provides conclusions.
Induction of endothelial cell apoptosis by lipid hydroperoxide-derived bifunctional electrophiles

Endothelial dysfunction is considered to be the earliest event in atherogenesis. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis play critical roles in its progression and onset. Lipid peroxidation, which occurs during oxidative stress, results in the formation of lipid hydroperoxide-derived bifunctional electrophiles such as 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal that induce apoptosis. In this study, recently identified lipid hydroperoxide-derived bifunctional electrophiles 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal (ONE; 5-30 microm) and 4,5-epoxy-2(E)-decenal (EDE; 10-20 microM) were shown to cause a dose- and time-dependent apoptosis in EA.hy 926 endothelial cells. This was manifest by morphological changes, caspase-3 activation, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Bifunctional electrophiles caused cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytosol, implicating a mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in the endothelial cells. The novel carboxylate-containing lipid hydroperoxide-derived bifunctional electrophile 9,12-dioxo-10(E)-dodecenoic acid was inactive because it could not translocate across the plasma membrane. However, its less polar methyl ester derivative (2-10 microM) was the most potent inducer of apoptosis of any bifunctional electrophile that has been tested. An acute decrease in intracellular glutathione (GSH) preceded the onset of apoptosis in bifunctional electrophile-treated cells. The ability of ONE and EDE to deplete GSH was directly correlated with their predicted reactivity toward nucleophilic amino acids. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methodology was developed in order to examine the intracellular and extracellular concentrations of bifunctional electrophile-derived GSH adducts. Relative intracellular/extracellular ratios of the GSH adducts were identical with the rank order of potency for inducing caspase 3 activation. This suggests that there may be a role for the bifunctional electrophile-derived GSH adducts in the apoptotic response. N-Acetylcysteine rescued bifunctional electrophile-treated cells from apoptosis, whereas the GSH biosynthesis inhibitor d,l-buthionine-(R,S)-sulfoximine sensitized the cells to apoptosis. These data suggest that lipid hydroperoxide-derived bifunctional electrophiles may play an important role in cardiovascular pathology through their ability to induce endothelial cell apoptosis.
CONSCIENCE, CASUISTRY, AND MORAL DECISION: SOME HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES*

The body of this paper is devoted to tracing out some aspects of the development of the idea of conscience in the Church of England in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Surely, it may seem, a subject of limited interest to the readers of this journal! Yet I hope they will find otherwise. I chose to describe this phase of the history of conscience in the West because it illustrates a decisive shift in ideas about conscience which has occurred in many Western cultures besides England's: the belief that the individual ought in many cases to seek the aid of others in forming his moral judgments gives way to the belief that he ought to be self-reliant in such matters. A knowledge of this shift can advance the philosophical understanding of the idea of conscience and the work to be done in the comparative study of conscience ‘East‘and ‘West.'
Separation virtual machine monitors

Separation kernels are the strongest known form of separation for virtual machines. We agree with NSA's Information Assurance Directorate that while separation kernels are stronger than any other alternative, their construction on modern commodity hardware is no longer justifiable. This is because of orthogonal feature creep in modern platform hardware. We introduce the separation VMM as a response to this situation and explain how we prototyped one.
Management of Acute Hypertensive Response in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is intra-parenchymal bleeding that may lead to localized hematoma formation. The hematoma can enlarge over a period of time, and directly contribute to neurological deterioration and death. Several studies have shown a relationship between acute hypertensive response and poor prognosis among patients with ICH; however, it is somewhat unclear whether hematomal expansion, is a cause or a result of elevated blood pressure (BP). Current AHA guidelines state MAP should be maintained <130 mmHg and systolic blood pressure (SBP) <180 mmHg. Two major clinical trials demonstrating tolerability and safety of aggressive BP management to BP <140 mmHg in the acute phase of ICH were the ATACH (2004–2008) and INTERACT (2005–2007) trials. ATACH II and INTERACT 2 trials are currently being conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of SBP reduction as the next step to the ATACH and INTERACT pilot trials.
Synthesis of tetragonal mackinawite-type FeS nanosheets by solvothermal crystallization

Abstract Mackinawite, a metastable 1:1 compound of iron and sulfur that adopts an anti-PbO-type structure, is of interest because of its relationship to known iron chalcogenide superconductors, as well as its biogeochemical relevance. Colloidal nanosheets of mackinawite-type FeS were synthesized by first generating an amorphous Fe–S precursor via the aqueous room-temperature co-precipitation of Fe 2+ and S 2− , then solvothermally crystallizing it in ethylene glycol at 200 °C in an autoclave. The product is highly crystalline, with lattice constants of a =3.674(3) A and c =5.0354(3) A. The nanosheets, with their surface normal oriented along the [0 0 1] direction, are irregularly faceted with edge lengths that range from 100 nm to over 1 μm and average thicknesses of approx. 30 nm. The samples showed a ferromagnetic background signal with no evidence of superconductivity.
THE EFFECTS OF FEEDING SITE ON THE INTERACTION OF THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER, OSTRINIA NUBILALIS, AND ITS HOST, THE FIELD CORN, ZEA MAYS1

A study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding site on the interaction of the European corn borer and its host, field corn. Insect infestation was established artificially in three internodes on the stalks. It was found that survival and the rate of development were higher among borers established in internodes near the ear. But, infestation near the base of plant has a greater adverse effect on ear growth. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG DER EINFLUβ DES FRASSPLATZES AUF DIE BEZIEHUNGEN ZWISCHEN DEM MAISZUNSLER, OSTRINIA NUBILALIS, UND SEINER WIRTSPFLANZE, DEM MAIS, ZEA MAYS Die vorliegende Untersuchung sollte die Wirkungen feststellen, die vom Fraβplatz auf die Beziehungen zwischen Maiszunslerraupen und ihrer Wirtspflanze, dem Mais, ausgeubt werden. Dazu wurde kunstlich an drei verschiedenen Internodien des Stengels Insektenbefall hervorgerufen. Es zeigte sich, daβ der Uberlebensanteil und die Entwicklungsrate der Larven an den Internodien in der Nahe der Ahren hoher war. Jedoch verursachte der Befall nahe der Pflanzenbasis eine groβere Schadwirkung fur das Ahrenwachstum.
The process of translating women's health care competencies into educational objectives

Abstract "Women's Health Care Competencies for Medical Students" lists the competencies undifferentiated medical students should be able to demonstrate before graduation. The Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) was among the groups asked to convert specified competencies into educational objectives. Working individually, APGO's Undergraduate Medical Education Committee members used APGO's Medical Student Educational Objectives, Seventh Edition , to construct objectives appropriate to preassigned competencies. Referring to the work of Miller, members determined the level of professional competence medical students should reach for each objective. Members also selected evaluation tools appropriate for the skill and its competency level from the Toolbox of Assessment Methods created by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Medical Specialties. The group collectively revised the work of its members using a standard format to generate the final product. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:S25-7.)
Replication of recently identified associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms from six autoimmune diseases in Genetic Analysis Workshop 16 rheumatoid arthritis data

Many autoimmune diseases share similar underlying pathology and have a tendency to cluster within families, giving rise to the concept of shared susceptibility genes among them. In the Genetic Analysis Workshop 16 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) data we sought to replicate the genetic association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on RA and five other autoimmune diseases. We identified 164 significantly associated non-HLA SNPs (p < 10-5) from 16 GWAS and 13 candidate gene studies on six different autoimmune diseases, including RA, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes, Crohn disease, multiple sclerosis, and celiac disease. Using both direct and imputation-based association test, we replicated 16 shared susceptibility regions involving RA and at least one of the other autoimmune diseases. We also identified hidden population structure within cases and controls in Genetic Analysis Workshop 16 RA data and assessed the effect of population structure on the shared autoimmunity regions. Because multiple autoimmune diseases share common genetic origin, these could be areas of immense interest for further genetic and clinical association studies.
Pure red cell hypoplasia associated with long-arm deletion of chromosome 5.

A further instance of the new hematologic entity of pure red cell hypoplasia with deletion of the long arm of a chromosome 5(5q-) was seen in a 59-year-old white male. Examination of the bone marrow showed depressed erythroid cells with normal granulocytic and megakaryocytic precursors. Chromosomal analysis showed deletion of a chromosome 5 without any apparent translocation. This karyotype may be associated with acute leukemia.
Surgically induced osteoarthritis in the rat results in the development of both osteoarthritis-like joint pain and secondary hyperalgesia

Summary Objective In the present study, we sought to develop/characterize the pain profile of a rat model of surgically induced osteoarthritis (OA). Methods OA was surgically induced in male Lewis rats (200–225g) by transection of the medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus of the femoro-tibial joint. In order to characterize the pain profile, animals were assessed for a change in hind paw weight distribution (HPWD), development of mechanical allodynia, and the presence of thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia. Rofecoxib and gabapentin were examined for their ability to decrease change in weight distribution and tactile allodynia. Results Transection of the medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus of male Lewis rats resulted in rapid ( Conclusion The rat medial meniscal tear (MMT) model mimics both nociceptive and neuropathic OA pain and is responsive to both a selective cylooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor commonly utilized for OA pain (rofecoxib) and a widely prescribed drug for neuropathic pain (gabapentin). The rat MMT model may therefore represent a predictive tool for the development of pharmacologic interventions for the treatment of the symptoms associated with OA.
Response of Testosterone and Cortisol Concentrations to High-Intensity Resistance Exercise Following Creatine Supplementation

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the influence of oral creatine monohydrate supplementation on hormone responses to high-intensity resistance exercise in 13 healthy, normally active men. Subjects were randomly assigned in double-blind fashion to either a creatine or placebo group. Both groups perform
Visual selection mediated by location: selecting successive visual objects.

In these experiments, each stimulus consists of a series of frames, each containing a target digit of one color and a distractor digit of another color. The task is to name the highest digit of the target color. Subjects make fewer errors when successive targets appear at the same location than when they appear at different locations, apparently because they select target objects by using a mechanism that is based on location. When successive targets appear at the same location, there is no need to “move” the selection mechanism to a new location, leaving more time to identify the stimuli. These experiments show that location-based selection is used even though selection by color would be more direct. They also demonstrate a method of measuring location-based selection that can be applied to a variety of visual tasks. Further experiments reveal that although location-based selection is used to identify a digit in the presence of a digit distractor, it is not used to identify a digit in the presence of a letter distractor, suggesting that this selection mechanism is not used in this situation to prevent interference among the basic features making up letters and digits, but to inhibit responses associated with the distractors.
The effect of vitamin A deficiency in maternal rats on tumor formation in filial rats.

Abstract Purpose We established a vitamin A–deficient (VAD) model of pregnant rats to evaluate the effect of vitamin A deficiency in maternal rats on tumor formation in filial rats. Methods Ten pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: (1) VAD group, 6 rats were given nonvitamin A diet from 2 weeks before mating till delivery and (2) normal diet (ND) group, 4 rats were given normal diet. Twenty random neonatal rats from each group were killed on the next day of delivery. The rest neonates were given normal diet for 1 year until killed. Serum levels of vitamin A, morphology of the kidney, incidence of tumor formation, and retinoid X receptor (RXR) α messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in renal tissue were assessed for the filial rats. Results Fifty-six and 49 neonatal rats were born for VAD group and ND group, respectively. The detection rate of nephrogenic rests (NRs) from neonates in VAD group (50%) was significantly higher than that in ND group (20%; P P α mRNA in tumor tissue of the filial rats of VAD group (3.17 ± 0.15) was significantly lower than that in kidney tissue of ND group (3.58 ± 0.20; P Conclusion Deficiency in vitamin A for pregnant rats resulted in renal dysplasia, increased NRs, and higher incidence of nephroblastoma.
LOW-END AND HIGH-END ENCROACHMENT STRATEGIES FOR NEW PRODUCTS

Successful new products typically encroach in some fashion on an existing market, impacting prices, sales, and profits for the old product(s). We present a framework in which encroachment takes one of two forms, either high-end or low-end. High-end encroachment is exemplified by Intel's Pentium III, which encroached on the Pentium II by first catering to high-end customers before diffusing to the low end to fully displace the Pentium II. Low-end encroachment is illustrated by disk drives with smaller form factors, which first catered to low-end customers desiring lower-cost, but eventually diffused upward to the high end. Our low-end encroachment framework may help clarify how a disruptive innovation impacts the market, in terms of sales prices, volumes, and profits. Similarly, our high-end encroachment results may lend insight into the market impact of a sustaining technology.
Real-Time Reliability Analysis and Optimal Distribution of the Reliability on Five-Axis Machining Center

The some five-axis machining center was investigated, and it divided ten subsystems. Based on analysis of fault data, the distribution of fault time submits to Weibull distribution, the distribution function and reliability function of each subsystem were confirmed. The reliability allocation model with the constraints of cost is established based on reliability prediction to get optimal reliability allocation results of the complicated mechano-electronic system. The most growth potential of the reliability of subsystem and growth situation of reliability of each subsystem could be got by using this method. The reliability allocation is an important part of reliability design, because its result influences system design directly. This provides reference for design improving of this series of new products.
Renal calculi presenting as hyperhidrosis in patient with spinal cord injury

Renal calculi in the spinal cord injury population present a diagnostic dilemma for urologists. However, 7% of all patients with spinal cord injury will develop renal calculi. Undiagnosed stone disease can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in this population. This case demonstrates the subtlety of the presenting symptoms of renal calculi in the patient with spinal cord injury.
The Politics of Urban Violence: Challenges for Development in the Global South

At the start of the twenty-first century, urban violence represents one of the most significant challenges for development across much of the Global South. This essay introduces a new framework for analyzing the politics of urban violence that combines a subnational comparative perspective with multi-method and multi-level approaches. The empirical contributions to this special issue analyze the politics of urban violence and its consequences for development in major cities across Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. First, the contributors show how variation in the nature of relations between states and local armed actors poses distinct implications for several outcomes, including patterns of violence, associational life, and economic markets. Second, the volume unpacks how the integration of developing world cities into both licit and illicit global economic flows impacts local patterns of and political responses to violence. And, third, the contributions identify how actors and interests that operate at multiple territorial and institutional scales influence the local dynamics and consequences of urban violence.
The Genius of the Nation: Rhetoric and Nationalism in Eighteenth-Century Britain

This article examines the claim that rhetoric declined precipitously, and perhaps even “died,” sometime in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. While various causes have been proposed for the presumed demise, the rise of both Romanticism and nationalism has been advanced as destructive of the rhetorical tradition. Nationalism, in particular, is said to be incompatible with rhetoric because it replaced an older, universal, Latinate culture and thus displaced the classical tradition of which rhetoric was a key part. Contrary to such claims, I argue that the rise of British nationalism certainly influenced rhetoric, but did so in ways that benefited the development of modern rhetoric in Britain. I argue further that classicism and nationalism functioned, not in opposition, but in concert, contributing to a resurgence of rhetoric, elocution, and oratory in Britain in the eighteenth century and beyond.
Studies of the mitral valve. I. Anatomic features of the normal mitral valve and associated structures

This study attempts to bring into focus certain details which have not been described adequately in textbooks of anatomy. This information is now of considerable significance because of its role in the genesis and surgical treatment of mitral stenosis. Variations in the size and shape of the mitral valve are described, with particular reference to the fact that valve commissures, or junctional zones between the leaflets, occur in the normal valve. Measurements of commissures, chordae tendineae and valve leaflets are presented, with a discussion of the significance of some of these measurements.
Lie Atoms and Their Deformations

A Lie atom is essentially a pair of Lie algebras and its deformation theory is that of a deformation with respect to the first algebra, endowed with a trivialization with respect to the second. Such deformations occur commonly in algebraic geometry, for instance as deformations of subvarieties of a fixed ambient variety. Here we study some basic notions related to Lie atoms, focussing especially on their deformation theory, in particular the universal deformation. We introduce Jacobi–Bernoulli cohomology, which yields the deformation ring, and show that, under suitable hypotheses, infinitesimal deformations are classified by certain Kodaira–Spencer data.
The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the bilayer structure of phosphatidylcholines containing ω-cyclohexyl fatty acyl chains

The barotropic behavior of aqueous dispersions of two representative ω-cyclohexyl phosphatidylcholines was investigated by pressure-tuning Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In the even-numbered homologue, 1,2-di-14-cyclohexyltetradecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (14cyPC), the lipid molecules are orientationally disordered until the applied pressure reaches 2.1 kbar. This pressure marks the onset of correlation field splitting of the scissoring and rocking modes of the linear chain methylenes, as well as that of the cyclohexyl ring methylenes. It indicates immobilization of the entire acyl chains, whereby the zig-zag planes of the neighboring straight chain all-trans methylenes are oriented mainly perpendicular to each other. As judged from the magnitude of the correlation field splittings, the interchain interaction is weaker in 14cyPC than that in linear lipids (e.g., DMPC or DPPC). Upon an increase in pressure, up to 20 kbar, the zig-zag methylene planes in 14cyPC undergo a gradual transformation to a parallel orientation. In the odd-numbered homologue, 1,2-di-13-cyclohexyltridecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (13cyPC), there is no correlation field splitting originating from the straight chain methylenes (up to 21 kbar). The linear, nonbranched segments of the ω-cyclohexyl chains in 13cyPC are closely packed with the all-trans methylene zig-zag planes oriented parallel to each other. There is, however, correlation field splitting of the ring methylenes, indicating interring interactions between the bulky cyclohexyl rings in opposing bilayer leaflets. There are major structural differences between the even- and odd-numbered homologues in the interfacial region, which remain even at high pressures. The ester carbonyl C=O stretching band in 14cyPC is a composite of two discrete bands which do not change considerably in intensity or frequency in the pressure range 2–20 kbar. In contrast, 13cyPC possesses an additional, low-frequency C=O stretching component at low pressures. As the pressure increases, the three component bands coalesce into a single C=O stretching band. Our results suggest equally oriented, fully hydrogen-bonded carbonyl groups in 13cyPC at pressures above approx. 10 kbar.
Tensile Measurement of a Single Crystal Gallium Nitride Nanowire

This paper reports the first direct tensile test on a nearly defect free, n-type (Si-doped) GaN nanowire single crystal. Here, for the first time, nanowires have been integrated with actuated, active microelectromechanical (MEMS) structures using dielectrophoresis-driven self-assembly and Pt-C clamps created using a gallium focused ion beam. The nanowire modulus of elasticity is measured to be 201 GPa, and the nanowire demonstrated more than 4% elongation before one of the clamps failed. Failure of the test sample occurred at the interface of one of the Pt-C clamps with the fixed MEMS stage, rather than in the nanowire itself.
Colloquium: The physics of charge inversion in chemical and biological systems

The authors review recent advances in the physics of strongly interacting charged systems functioning in water at room temperature. In these systems, many phenomena go beyond the framework of mean-field theories, whether linear Debye-H\"uckel or nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann, culminating in charge inversion---a counterintuitive phenomenon in which a strongly charged particle, called a macroion, binds so many counterions that its net charge changes sign. The review discusses the universal theory of charge inversion based on the idea of a strongly correlated liquid of adsorbed counterions, similar to a Wigner crystal. This theory has a vast array of applications, particularly in biology and chemistry; for example, in the presence of positive multivalent ions (e.g., polycations), the DNA double helix acquires a net positive charge and drifts as a positive particle in an electric field. This simplifies DNA uptake by the cell as needed for gene therapy, because the cell membrane is negatively charged. Analogies of charge inversion to other fields of physics are also discussed.
Presentation geometrique des methodes de calcul des valeurs propres

We present a survey of recent work on the convergence of methods for computing eigenvalues and eigenvectors of matrices. We try to maintain a geometric point of view and give pride of place to the ?R algorithm.
Uncertainty in relative energy resolution measurements

Abstract We suggest a new method for the determination of the detector relative energy resolution and its uncertainty based on spline approximation of experimental spectra and a statistical bootstrapping procedure. The proposed method is applied to the spectra obtained with NaI(Tl) scintillating detectors and 137 Cs sources. The spectrum histogram with background subtracted channel-by-channel is modeled by cubic spline approximation. The relative energy resolution (which is also known as pulse height resolution and energy resolution), defined as the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) divided by the value of peak centroid, is calculated using the intercepts of the spline curve with the line of the half peak height. The value of the peak height is determined as the point where the value of the derivative goes to zero. The residuals, which are normalized over the square root of counts in a given bin ( y -coordinate), obey the standard Gaussian distribution. The values of these residuals are randomly re-assigned to a different set of y -coordinates where a new “pseudo-experimental” data set is obtained after “de-normalization” of the old values. For this new data set a new spline approximation is found and the whole procedure is repeated several hundred times, until the standard deviation of relative energy resolution becomes stabilized. The standard deviation of relative energy resolutions calculated for each “pseudo-experimental” data set (bootstrap uncertainty) is considered to be an estimate for relative energy resolution uncertainty. It is also shown that the relative bootstrap uncertainty is proportional to, and generally only two to three times bigger than, 1 / N tot , which is the relative statistical count uncertainty ( N tot is the total number of counts under the peak). The newly suggested method is also applicable to other radiation and particle detectors, not only for relative energy resolution, but also for any of the other parameters in a measured spectrum, like peak position, shape parameters, etc.
Multiple Group Time-Series Design: An Analysis of Data.

Configurations of means denying treatment effectiveness are presented for a multiple group time-series design. The configurations imply a sequence of null hypotheses. Failure to reject all of these hypotheses means the treatment effect is not supported. Rejection of any one of the hypotheses leads to tests of more detailed hypotheses. The rejection of these hypotheses can provide support for a treatment effect. Since both univariate and multivariate test criteria can be used to test the hypotheses, the procedure can be applied to data sets that have fewer subjects than occasions of measurement.
Analysis of tissue changes, measurement system effects, and motion artifacts in echo decorrelation imaging.

Echo decorrelation imaging, a method for mapping ablation-induced ultrasound echo changes, is analyzed. Local echo decorrelation is shown to approximate the decoherence spectrum of tissue reflectivity. Effects of the ultrasound measurement system, echo signal windowing, electronic noise, and tissue motion on echo decorrelation images are determined theoretically, leading to a method for reduction of motion and noise artifacts. Theoretical analysis is validated by simulations and experiments. Simulated decoherence of the scattering medium was recovered with root-mean-square error less than 10% with accuracy dependent on the correlation window size. Motion-induced decorrelation measured in an ex vivo pubovisceral muscle model showed similar trends to theoretical motion-induced decorrelation for a 2.1 MHz curvilinear array with decorrelation approaching unity for 3–4 mm elevational displacement or 1–1.6 mm range displacement. For in vivo imaging of porcine liver by a 7 MHz linear array, theoretical decorrelation computed using image-based motion estimates correlated significantly with measured decorrelation (r = 0.931, N = 10). Echo decorrelation artifacts incurred during in vivo radiofrequency ablation in the same porcine liver were effectively compensated based on the theoretical echo decorrelation model and measured pre-treatment decorrelation. These results demonstrate the potential of echo decorrelation imaging for quantification of heat-induced changes to the scattering tissue medium during thermal ablation.
Human Periodontal Cells Initiate Mineral-Like Nodules In Vitro

A primary objective in the treatment of periodontal diseases is the regeneration of the mineralized and soft connective tissue components of the attachment apparatus. Current theories suggest the cells of the periodontium have the capacity, when appropriately triggered, to actively participate in restoring connective tissues, including mineralized tissues. To evaluate further the role of such cells in periodontal homeostasis, periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and gingival fibroblasts (GF) were cultured and examined for alkaline phosphatase levels and for the ability to produce mineralized nodules in culture. These are two characteristics of osteoblast-like cells in vitro. The levels of alkaline phosphatase produced by these cells were determined by a modified kinetic assay and the ability of these cells to produce mineral-like nodules in vitro was evaluated by Von Kossa staining and light and electron microscopy. PDL cells had significantly higher levels of alkaline phosphatase when compared with gingival fibroblasts obtained from the same patient and the same passage, in vitro. Furthermore PDL cells, but not GF, were capable of producing mineral-like nodules in vitro. These results indicate differences in behavior between PDL cells and GF; such differences may prove important in designing appropriate clinical therapies directed at stimulating periodontal regeneration.
An integrated cost estimating system for concurrent engineering environment

Abstract Concurrent engineering is the simultaneous design of the product and the processes required to produce it as well as to support it. It is a philosophy, not a process. When it is implemented, it can help to reduce product development cycle time for the introduction of high quality products and at low cost. Many tools and methods have been developed for supporting concurrent engineering environment. Often the traditional cost estimating systems are utilized in the concurrent engineering environment. The traditional cost estimating systems are not structured for concurrent engineering. This paper presents the concept of an integrated cost estimating system specifically designed for concurrent engineering (ICESCE). It is designed to work in the concurrent engineering environment and to enhance the power of concurrent engineering. The design of ICESCE consists of four modules: a database module, a central processing module, an interface module, and a utility module.
Backscattering channel-cut high-resolution monochromator for inelastic x-ray scattering

We report on a design and on some experimental results for the performance of a new high energy resolution monochromator. It is a large channel-cut Si crystal with a 197 mm separation between the two faces designed to operate in a near-backscattering regime. The device was tested as a second monochromator on Sector 3 of the Synchrotron Radiation Instrumentation Collaborative Access Team (SRI-CAT) at the Advanced Photon Source using the Si(777) reflection at a photon energy of 13.84 keV. The same monochromator can be used for other energies with reflections of the type (hhh). Special care has been taken to equalize the temperature of the two faces by employing a Peltier heat pump. A Si(111) double-crystal pre-monochromator designed to withstand the high heat load of the undulator radiation was used upstream on the beamline. The measured throughput efficiency of the Si(777) channel-cut monochromator was less ideal by a factor of 1.9. Dynamical diffraction theory was used to calculate the throughput of an ideally perfect crystal.
Anisotropic excitation of argon ion excited states by grazing collisions with metal and carbon surfaces

Abstract The relative Stokes parameters of transitions from excited states of 40–100 keV Ar + ions have been measured following grazing collisions with copper, stainless steel, and carbon targets. The states were formed by the capture of an l =1 electron to a common 3 P parent state. The relative orientation and alignment irreducible tensor parameters of the excited states were derived from the data as a function of ion velocity using the isotropic core model. The relative orientation parameter, which tended to increase linearly with ion velocity, was very similar for copper and stainless steel, but lower in magnitude for a carbon surface. Orientation of the 4 p 4 S ° 3 2 level indicates a partial failure of the isotropic core model. Interesting effects of polarization due to adsorbates were also observed. The data are discussed in terms of the density gradient model, with electron capture from localized and band states.
Strain-induced self organization of metal-insulator domains in single-crystalline VO2 nanobeams.

We investigated the effect of substrate-induced strain on the metal-insulator transition (MIT) in single-crystalline VO2 nanobeams. A simple nanobeam-substrate adhesion leads to uniaxial strain along the nanobeam length because of the nanobeam’s unique morphology. The strain changes the relative stability of the metal (M) and insulator (I) phases and leads to spontaneous formation of periodic, alternating M-I domain patterns during the MIT. The spatial periodicity of the M-I domains can be modified by changing the nanobeam thickness and the Young’s modulus of the substrate.
Querying sequential and concurrent horn transaction logic programs using tabling techniques

In this poster we describe the tabling techniques for Sequential and Concurrent Horn Transaction Logic. Horn Transaction Logic is an extension of classical logic programming with state updates and it has a SLD-style evaluation algorithm. This SLD-style algorithm enters into infinite loops when computing answers to many recursive programs when they change the underlying state of the knowledge base. We solve this problem by tabling (caching) the calls, call states and answers (unifications and return states) in a searchable structure for the Sequential Transaction Logic, or building a graph for the query and memoize the "hot" vertices (vertices, currently, possible to execute) for the Propositional Concurrent Transaction Logic, so that the same call is not re-executed ad infinum. With these techniques, we can efficiently compute queries to transaction logic programs, and when the underlying programs have the bounded term-depth property (Transaction Datalog) the techniques are guaranteed to terminate. The applications of these techniques promise termination and great improvements in the uses of transaction logic: state-changing systems, artificial intelligence planning, dynamic constraints on transaction execution, workflow modeling and verification, and systems involving financial transactions.
Transcriptional consequences of aneuploidy

Aneuploidy, or an aberrant karyotype, results in developmental disabilities and has been implicated in tumorigenesis. However, the causes of aneuploidy-induced phenotypes and the consequences of aneuploidy on cell physiology remain poorly understood. We have performed a metaanalysis on gene expression data from aneuploid cells in diverse organisms, including yeast, plants, mice, and humans. We found highly related gene expression patterns that are conserved between species: genes that were involved in the response to stress were consistently upregulated, and genes associated with the cell cycle and cell proliferation were downregulated in aneuploid cells. Within species, different aneuploidies induced similar changes in gene expression, independent of the specific chromosomal aberrations. Taken together, our results demonstrate that aneuploidies of different chromosomes and in different organisms impact similar cellular pathways and cause a stereotypical antiproliferative response that must be overcome before transformation.
The Sufi Shrines of Gwalior City: Communal Sensibilities and the Accessible Exotic under Hindu Rule

O rashly, as if asserting its claims on the place, the unpretentious shrine to Mir Badshah abuts the side of an imposing bank building in the main bazaar of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, a predominantly Hindu city of about nine hundred thousand?the former capital of an important princely state.1 Mir Badshah seems to have been a local Muslim saint of the nineteenth century, but he has left little historical record, either written or oral. Nevertheless, despite the historical ephemerality of the saint himself, his shrine is very active?visited by local merchants before they open their shops, crowded during weekly performances of the rhythmic Sufi devotional music called qawwali, and taking over much of the bazaar during a five-day annual festival with invited qawwals of national reputation. And crucially for the shrine's success?since only 6 or 7 percent of Gwalior's population is Muslim?the vast majority of its visitors are Hindu.
United States-Latin American Relations, 1800-1850: The Formative Generations

Relations between the United States and the countries of Latin America have been characterized by misunderstandings based on language and culture, a lack of sustained commitment on the part of the United States, and, in some cases, incompetent diplomats. During the era when many of the Latin American countries discarded the yoke of colonial status, the young United States attempted to define itself culturally, economically, constitutionally, geographically, and diplomatically. As Latin American emerged from the crucible of revolution and international power politics, it was affected by and in varying degrees affected the United States and its desired position of leadership in the Western Hemisphere.To make sense of these relationships, this volume concentrates on Central America, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. Describing the particular paths taken by each of the formation of relations with the United States, Shurbutt and his colleagues focus on the American diplomatic community and its effectiveness in tense political situations.Contributors in addition to the editor include Lawrence A. Clayton, Paul B. Goodwin, Eugene R. Huck, Phil Brian Johnson, Edward H. Moseley, Wesley P. Newton, Charles S. Stansifer, and Robert Kim Stevens."
Rate and Reliability Oriented Underwater Acoustic Communication Schemes

Data rate and reliability are two critical figures of merit in communication systems, especially in underwater acoustic channels with limited bandwidth and double selectivity. In this paper, we will present our recent results of four rate- or reliability-oriented underwater acoustic communication schemes. We will show that the rate-oriented basis expansion model (BEM)-based single-carrier scheme provides high transmitted data rate with satisfactory performance at the price of high receiver processing complexity and large receiver array. In practice, however, not all receivers have large number of hydrophones and can afford such complexity. Examples include small-size sensors or autonomous underwater vehicles. Hence, we also develop and test reliability-oriented systems, where resilience against the channel variation is facilitated by carefully designed transmitter processing while keeping the receivers simple. We will show the advantages of our schemes by comparing with the existing alternatives. All four schemes are tested in recent sea trials.
Variant hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) presented with persistent dry cough after receiving oxaliplatin in a pancreatic cancer patient.

Oxaliplatin, a third generation of platinum-based anti-neoplastic agent has been approved for colorectal cancer in both adjuvant and metastatic settings. In addition, oxaliplatin is also indicated for other gastrointestinal malignancies such as metastatic pancreatic cancer in combination with gemcitabine. Its common toxicities include infusional hypersensitivity reaction (HSR), GI symptoms with anorexia/nausea/vomiting, sensory neuropathy and bone marrow suppression. We report a case with persistent dry cough as a variant HSR to oxaliplatin. The patient is a 75-year-old gentleman with gemcitabine refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer who received oxaliplatin and mitomycin C for palliation. He developed sudden onset dry cough without infectious etiology during the 4 th infusion of oxaliplatin. Robitussin with codeine and antibiotics did not offer any relief and the cough terminated after cessation of oxaliplatin for two weeks. We believe this to be the first case in the literature with cough as a sole manifestation of HSR to oxaliplatin.
A GRAVITATIONAL REDSHIFT DETERMINATION OF THE MEAN MASS OF WHITE DWARFS. DA STARS

We measure apparent velocities (v app) of the Hα and Hβ Balmer line cores for 449 non-binary thin disk normal DA white dwarfs (WDs) using optical spectra taken for the European Southern Observatory SN Ia progenitor survey (SPY). Assuming these WDs are nearby and comoving, we correct our velocities to the local standard of rest so that the remaining stellar motions are random. By averaging over the sample, we are left with the mean gravitational redshift, v g: we find v g = v app = 32.57 ± 1.17 km s–1. Using the mass-radius relation from evolutionary models, this translates to a mean mass of 0.647+0.013 –0.014 M ☉. We interpret this as the mean mass for all DAs. Our results are in agreement with previous gravitational redshift studies but are significantly higher than all previous spectroscopic determinations except the recent findings of Tremblay & Bergeron. Since the gravitational redshift method is independent of surface gravity from atmosphere models, we investigate the mean mass of DAs with spectroscopic T eff both above and below 12,000 K; fits to line profiles give a rapid increase in the mean mass with decreasing T eff. Our results are consistent with no significant change in mean mass: Mhot = 0.640 ± 0.014 M ☉ and Mcool = 0.686+0.035 –0.039 M ☉.
The hybridization of a Formula race car

Hybrid electric vehicles are advantageous under formula racing rules, when allowed. A series hybrid drive train was installed in a Formula SAE car, using off-the-shelf engine, generator, ultracapacitors, and AC motor drive. A DC-DC converter was developed to charge the ultracapacitors with constant power at varying voltage. A 75 m acceleration run is completed in 6 seconds. This is slower than the predicted 4.2 seconds in part due to tires slipping.