cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Economic Crisis and Organized Labor: Resentment over Solidarity

The onset of the Great Recession raised hopes among union supporters that organized labor would be able to use the downturn to gain greater political influence and new members. But despite Democratic Party victories in 2008, unions found it quite difficult to take advantage of the crisis. No revival of union organizing occurred, and membership continued to decline. Moreover, unions were unable to effectively present themselves as defenders of a larger public interest in equitable economic policy. Instead, many in the public turned against unions, viewing them as labor market “insiders” who benefited from government largesse in the form of bailouts to the auto industry and excessive salaries and pensions granted to public employees. Resentment of union privileges grew more common than solidarity with union workers. While public employee unions had some success in opposing attacks on collective bargaining rights, these efforts did not alter labor's fundamentally weak strategic position.
The Replication Cycle of Varicella-Zoster Virus: Analysis of the Kinetics of Viral Protein Expression, Genome Synthesis, and Virion Assembly at the Single-Cell Level

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human alphaherpesvirus that is highly cell associated in cell culture. Because cell-free virus yields are too low to permit the synchronous infections needed for time-resolved analyses, information is lacking about the sequence of events during the VZV replication cycle. To address this challenge, we differentially labeled VZV-infected inoculum cells (input) and uninfected (output) cells with fluorescent cell dyes or endocytosed nanogold particles and evaluated newly infected cells by confocal immunofluorescence or electron microscopy (EM) at the single-cell level at defined intervals. We demonstrated the spatiotemporal expression of six major VZV proteins, ORF61, IE62, IE63, ORF29, ORF23, and gE, representing all putative kinetic classes, for the first time. Newly synthesized ORF61, as well as IE62, the major VZV transactivator, appeared within 1 h, and they were targeted to different subnuclear compartments. The formation of VZV DNA replication compartments started between 4 and 6 h, involved recruitment of ORF29 to putative IE62 prereplication sites, and resulted in large globular nuclear compartments where newly synthesized viral DNA accumulated. Although considered a late protein, gE accumulated in the Golgi compartment at as early as 4 h. ORF23 capsid protein was present at 9 h. The assembly of viral nucleocapsids and mature enveloped VZ virions was detected by 9 to 12 h by time-resolved EM. Although syncytium formation is a hallmark of VZV infection, infection of neighboring cells did not require cell-cell fusion; its occurrence from 9 h is likely to amplify VZV replication. Our results define the productive cycle of VZV infection in a single cell as occurring in 9 to 12 h.
Master and slave oscillator array system for very large multiline lasers

A new system concept, a master and slave oscillator array for very large multiline lasers, is described. This system provides a solution to the optical problem associated with these lasers—efficient power extraction with good beam quality. It also permits coherent optical adaptive techniques and fast electric steering and focusing. The slave oscillators are phase-locked to the master oscillator, and their output beams are coherently recombined as in a radar phase array. Beam steering and focusing are achieved by controlling the phases of each slave oscillator. Efficient power extraction is achieved by oscillating at several selected υ-J transitions. The system is described, and its merits, potential performance, and critical technical issues are presented.
Laser-induced material modification in the bulk KDP crystals

Laser induced materials modifications in the bulk and on the surface of KDP and DKDP are studied using fluorescence image and spectroscopy. Photoluminescence is observed at damaged regions following above threshold exposure with an emission peak centered at 550-nm. In addition, surfaces exposed to > 100 high power, 355-nm laser pulse reveal a reduced surface finishing quality as evidenced by an associated emission under UV photoexcitation. The emission spectra from the laser-induced damage sites and the laser degraded surfaces are similar suggesting the generation of similar defect species.
The demonstration of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase on frozen tissue sections and smears by the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method.

Abstract A method using avidin-biotin complex (ABC) to detect the presence of the enzyme terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is described and compared with a proven indirect immunofluorescence method. The material studied consisted of: (1) peripheral blood and bone marrow smears from 17 patients with leukemia (ALL, 8; CLL, 3; AML, 6), six normal controls, one T-ALL cell line, and (2) frozen tissue sections from four patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL), two patients with nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (NLPD), two patients with reactive follicular hyperplasia (RFH) and one calf thymus. The slides from patients with ALL had from 30 to 90% cells with nuclear positivity by the ABC technique. Slides from patients with CLL were negative, as were the normal peripheral blood smears. Normal bone marrow smears contained less than 5% positive cells. The T-ALL cell line was 100% positive. The frozen tissue sections from the patients with LL and the calf thymus contained numerous positive cells, while all of the sections from the patients with NLPD and RFH were negative. A good correlation existed between the ABC and the indirect immunofluorescence methods. The ABC method described is both more specific and more sensitive than the previously described techniques in detecting TdT in tissue sections and smear preparations.
Unique Actinomycetes from Marine Caves and Coral Reef Sediments Provide Novel PKS and NRPS Biosynthetic Gene Clusters

In the ever-expanding search for novel bioactive molecules and enzymes, marine actinomycetes have proven to be a productive source. While open reef sediment and sponge-associated actinomycetes have been extensively examined, their marine cave counterparts remain unevaluated. Anchialine cave systems in the Bahamas offered an ideal setting to evaluate the occurrence and variation within sediment-associated actinomycete communities. While in close geographical proximity to open reef environments, these systems provide a specialized environmental niche devoid of light and direct exposure to nutrient input. In the present study, selective isolation techniques and molecular methods were used to test the hypothesis that variable distribution of actinomycetes and secondary metabolite gene clusters occur between open reef and marine cave systems. The results indicated that differences exist within the culturable sediment-associated actinomycete communities between marine caves and open reef systems, with members of the genus Streptomyces dominating cultures from open reef sediments and a more diverse suite of actinomycetes isolated from marine cave sediment samples. Within the cave isolates, members of the proposed genus Solwaraspora were the most represented. Based on PKS- and NRPS-gene-targeted PCR amplification and sequencing, geographic variation in the occurrence of these biosynthetic pathways was also observed. These findings indicate that marine cave systems are a lucrative source in the search for novel secondary metabolite producers with biotechnological applications and that environmental and geographic factors likely affect the occurrence of these biosynthetic pathways.
Negative K-theory of varieties with isolated singularities

Abstract We analyze the negative K -theory of rings with isolated singularities, with emphasis on 2-dimensional rings. There is a local-global principle for the groups K j ( j ⩽-2) and for the NK 1 as well. For K −1 , the cohomology of sheafified K -theory appears. We give an example of a 2-dimensional normal domain with K −1 ( A )≠0 but with sheaf K −1 equal to zero.
Hydrogen no-vent testing in a 5 cubic foot (142 liter) tank using spray nozzle and spray bar liquid injection

A total of 38 hydrogen no-vent fill tests were performed in this test series using various size spray nozzles and a spray bar with different hole sizes in a 5 cubic foot receiver tank. Fill levels of 90 percent by volume or greater were achieved in 26 of the tests while maintaining a receiver tank pressure below 30 psia. Spray nozzles were mounted at the top of the tank, whereas, the spray bar was centered in the tank axially. The spray nozzle no-vent fills demonstrated tank pressure and temperature responses comparable to previous test series. Receiver tank pressure responses for the spray bar configuration were similar to the spray nozzle tests with the pressure initially rising rapidly, then leveling off as vapor condenses onto the discharging liquid streams, and finally ramping up near the end of the test due to ullage compression. Both liquid injection techniques tested were capable of filling the receiver tank to 90 percent under variable test conditions. Comparisons between the spray nozzle and spray bar configurations for well matched test conditions indicate the spray nozzle injection technique is more effective in minimizing the receiving tank pressure throughout a no-vent fill compared to the spray bar under normal gravity conditions.
Gravitational two-body problem with arbitrary masses, spins, and quadrupole moments

We find the precession of the spin and the precession of the orbit for the two-body problem in general relativity with arbitrary masses, spins, and quadrupole moments. One notable result which emerges is that, in the case of arbitrary masses ${m}_{1}$ and ${m}_{2}$, the spin-orbit contribution to the spin precession of body 1 is a factor $\frac{({m}_{2}+\frac{\ensuremath{\mu}}{3})}{({m}_{1}+{m}_{2})}$ times what it would be for a test body moving in the field of a fixed central mass (${m}_{1}+{m}_{2}$). Here $\ensuremath{\mu}$ denotes the reduced mass $\frac{{m}_{1}{m}_{2}}{({m}_{1}+{m}_{2})}$. This contrasts with the result of Robertson for the periastron precession where the corresponding factor is unity. These results may be of interest for binary neutron stars and, in particular, for binary pulsars such as PSR 1913+16.
Ethrel enhances the degradation of artificial membrane vesicles (liposomes) by phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C

SUMMARY Ethylene, a lipid-soluble gas, is known to have considerable effects on plant metabolism. It is possible that some of these metabolic effects are the result of ethylene's lipid solubility. The effect of low concentrations of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethrel), an ethylene-releasing compound, on the susceptibility of artificial membrane vesicles (liposomes) to phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C was studied. Liposomes were found to be more susceptible to degradation by these two phospholipases in the presence of ethrel. Ethrel promoted maximal degradation of liposomes by phospholipase C at a concentration of 55 nm. Ethrel also enhanced the leakiness of liposomes to l-leucine only in the presence of phospholipase A2. The rate of degradation of liposomes by both phospholipases was enhanced by about 20–30% in the presence of ethrel. The results may indicate that ethylene may affect the accessibility of phospholipases to their target sites within the lipid bilayer of artificial membrane vesicles.
Interaction of Hemostatic Genetics With Hormone Therapy: New Insights To Explain Arterial Thrombosis in Postmenopausal Women

Genetic variants of key hemostatic mediators increasingly have been proposed as risk factors for atherothrombosis. The Hormone and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study group recently reported that the initiation of estrogen replacement in postmenopausal women with known coronary heart disease is associated with an early increase in cardiovascular events. A putative genetic susceptibility factor has been proposed a potential mediator of this increased event risk. This review outlines the recent literature to support the premise for this important proposal. Genetic profiling has great potential to improve the safety and efficacy of individualized pharmacotherapy in postmenopausal women and other at-risk populations for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
A note on chaos and Halley's method

Presentation de quelques techniques graphiques simples pour la visualisation d'une classe importante de manifestations du comportement chaotique propre aux dynamiques analytiques complexes
Understanding Central America

Understanding Central America. John A. Booth and Thomas W. Walker. Boulder: Westview Press, 1989. xvi + 208 pp. $34.50 (cloth), $13.95 (paper). ISBN 0-8133-0002-9, ISBN 0-8133-0003-7
Electron and hole dynamics in GaSe nanoparticles and GaSe-InSe nanoparticle heterojunctions.

Femtosecond polarized transient absorption results are obtained for InSe and GaSe nanoparticles. The results indicate that the transient absorption spectrum of large GaSe particles is dominated by a size-independent, z-polarized hole intraband transition. The small particle spectra exhibit the same z-polarized hole transition and a much more intense x,y-polarized absorption that is assigned to a charge transfer transition from the conduction band to particle surface (edge) states. The intensity of this transition depends on the momentum state (Γ or M) of the electron, and Γ to M electron momentum relaxation results in a 15 ps absorption decay. These results are used to interpret analogous results obtained for mixed GaSe-InSe nanoparticle aggregates, also in the solution phase. The static absorption spectrum of the mixed aggregates exhibits a strong interparticle charge transfer absorption band at an energy slightly higher than the InSe bandgap. Photoexcitation of this band results in a polarized transient absorption spectrum and transient absorption kinetics characteristic of InSe valence band holes and GaSe conduction band electrons. This result indicates that with small GaSe particles, direct InSe to GaSe electron transfer occurs upon photoexcitation.
The use of sample additives in flame emission spectrometry

Abstract New kinds of sample additives were investigated to increase the efficiencies of desolvation and atomization in flame spectrometry. Hydrazine and nigrosin were chosen as chemical and dye additives, respectively; an enhancement in the flame-emission signal was obtained in both cases. With nigrosin, it was possible to eliminate completely the interference of phosphate on a calcium emission signal. The increase in the signal for both additives was believed initially to be due to the more rapid evaporation of droplets in the sample aerosol. Further evidence, however, suggested that enhanced vaporization is responsible for the observed signal increase. It is suggested that similar sample additives might be useful also in inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry.
A kinetic analysis of the interaction between methylmercury and selenium

Abstract Guinea pigs were given radiolabelled methyl(203)mercuric chloride at a dose of 3 mg/kg p.o. alone or with an equimolar dose of sodium selenite, every second day for 3 week (10 doses). Whole-body mercury levels were measured during the course ofthe study and multi-compartment analysis carrioed out by computer least-squares curve fitting. Results indicated that mercury given alone behaved accroding to a single compartment model with half-life of 23.6 days, while in the presence of selenium a two-comparatment behavior resulted with one clearing rapidly (half-life 8.7 ± 5.3 days) and the other clearing more slowly (half-life 40.8 ± 13.0 days). Sedium decreased excretion of mercury in feces (2-fold) and urine (7-fold). Approximately 70% of the total mercury in the feces and 90% of that in the urine was in organic from. Tissue distribution of total, organic and inorganic mercury was determined 1, 14 and 28 days after the final dose. Selenium decreased the levels of mercury 1 day after the final dose, but produced a slower clearance after tha. In all organs examined most of the mercury was in the organic form, except in the kidney which had over 70% inorganic mercury. Selinium increased theraltive amounts of inorganic mercury in the liver, spleen,pancreas, large and small bowels, but not in the kidney.
Nrf2 signaling in coordinated activation of antioxidant gene expression

Antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated expression and coordinated induction of antioxidant enzymes is a critical mechanism of protection against chemically induced oxidative/electrophilic stress. NF-E2-related nuclear factors (Nrf1 and Nrf2) bind to ARE and regulate ARE-mediated gene expression and induction. Nrf2 is more potent than Nrf1 in activation of ARE-regulated gene expression. Nrf2 is retained in the cytoplasm by an inhibitor INrf2. Nrf2 binding to INrf2 leads to proteasomal degradation of Nrf2. An increase in oxidative/electrophilic stress, due to chemical exposure, leads to the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and other cytosolic factors. PKC phosphorylation of Nrf2 at serine 40 results in the escape or release of Nrf2 from INrf2. Nrf2 translocates to the nucleus, forms heterodimers with its unknown partner proteins, and binds to the ARE. This leads to the coordinated activation of ARE-regulated genes. Additional nuclear factor including small Mafs (MafG and MafK), large Maf (c-Maf), c-Fos, and Fra1, also bind to ARE and negatively regulate ARE-mediated gene expression. This is presumably to keep the expression of antioxidant enzymes "in check" to maintain the cellular defenses active and/or to rapidly restore induced enzymes to normal levels. Future investigations are expected to reveal that a balance between positive and negative factors regulates ARE-mediated gene expression and induction. The future studies should also reveal a complete mechanism of signal transduction from antioxidants and xenobiotics to the transcription factors, such as Nrf2, that bind to ARE.
An Improved Algorithm for the Capacitated Facility Location Problem

In this paper we consider the classical capacitated facility location problem. A branch and bound algorithm is presented which measurably improves upon the recent results of Akinc and Khumawala. The use of a specialized Lagrangean relaxation results in significantly tighter bounds than those for the traditional continuous relaxation. These bounds, when combined with penalties derived from the Lagrangean relaxation, enable many integer variables to be fixed at specific values. This results in fewer branches, and indeed for certain test problems taken from the literature, branching is not required. Average computation time for a battery of test problems from the literature has been reduced (conservatively) by a factor of 3.
Watching Proteins in the Wild: Fluorescence Methods to Study Protein Dynamics in Living Cells

The advent of GFP imaging has led to a revolution in the study of live cell protein dynamics. Ease of access to fluorescently tagged proteins has led to their widespread application and demonstrated the power of studying protein dynamics in living cells. This has spurred development of next generation approaches enabling not only the visualization of protein movements, but correlation of a protein's dynamics with its changing structural state or ligand binding. Such methods make use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and dyes that report changes in their environment, and take advantage of new chemistries for site-specific protein labeling.
Theory and experiments on tracking of repetitive signals via the LQG/LTR formalism

A simple feedback controller methodology is presented that allows for exact tracking of the sinusoidal input signals and rejection of the sinusoidal disturbances in a closed loop control system. The control method is motivated by a mathematical inequality that expresses the tracking and disturbance rejection requirements for a closed loop system. The exact tracking of the input command at a particular frequency requires an infinite loop gain for the system at the frequency of the in put command. A second order undamped transfer function is cascaded to each input channel to increase the loop transfer function gain at the frequency of the input command. A feedback controller is then designed via the LQG/LTR method to stabilize the system while the loop gain remains large at the frequency of the input. The method is experimentally verified on a single axis servo system and extended to multivariable systems.
BCG stimulation of immune responsiveness in patients with malignant melanoma. Preliminary report

Thirteen patients with malignant melanoma without clinically detectable disease but high likelihood of relapse were treated with a Phase I immunotherapy program of live BCG given by scarification. Two dose levels were used: high dose = 6 × 108 live organisms, and low dose - 6 × 107 live organisms. The early serial immunologic data are reported, and these are cor elated with BCG dose and clinical status. Six of six receiving low dose BCG and five of seven receiving high dose BCG are still in remission (12+ — 25+ weeks). All relapse patients failed to develop delayed hypersensitivity or primary antibody response to the primary antigen Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). In contrast, remission patients all developed delayed hypersensitivity and a majority developed primary antibody response to KLH. Lynphocyte blastogenic response to mitogens and antigens and quantitative immunoglobulin levels did not change significantly during BCG therapy and were similar in remission and relapse patients. Eight weeks after starting therapy, the degree of skin test reactivity to established antigens was significantly greater in patients receiving high-dose BCG compared to patients receiving low dose BCG or relapse patients. Our study suggests that high-dose BCG may be associated with a heightened immune reactivity compared with low-dose BCG. Further follow-up is needed for conclusions regarding clinical benefit from immunostimulation with live BCG.
HIF-1α signaling by airway epithelial cell K-α1-tubulin: role in fibrosis and chronic rejection of human lung allografts.

Abstract Long term survival of the human lung allografts are hindered by chronic rejection, manifested clinically as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We previously demonstrated significant correlation between the development of antibodies (Abs) to K-α1-tubulin (Kα1T) and BOS. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis for fibrinogenesis mediated by ligation of Kα1T expressed on airway epithelial cells by its specific Abs. Using RT–PCR we demonstrate that normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells upon ligation of Kα1T with specific Abs caused upregulation of pro-fibrotic growth factors. Western blot analysis of NHBE incubated with Kα1T Abs increased hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α). Kα1T Ab-mediated growth factor expression is dependent on HIF-1α as inhibition of HIF-1α returned fibrotic growth factor expression to basal levels. In conclusion, we propose that HIF-1α -mediated upregulation of fibrogenic growth factors induced by ligation of Kα1T Abs is critical for development of fibrosis leading to chronic rejection of lung allograft.
Observer Perceptions of Chronic Low Back Pain1

This study examined the effects of three variables on perceptions of symptoms associated with chronic low back pain: (a) the presence or absence of supporting medical evidence, (b) the valence (positive/negative) of the relationship of an observer to the person in pain, (c) the degree of control (present/absent) of the person in pain over the circumstances of pain onset. The independent variables were manipulated in a (2 × 2 × 2) within-subjects design. Forty-eight undergraduate subjects were asked to estimate levels of pain intensity, emotional distress, and disability for the person in pain described in each of eight vignettes. Significant main effects, a two-way interaction, and a three-way interaction emerged, indicating that these contextual variables exerted substantial and complex effects on observer perceptions. The implications of these findings are discussed for matters such as pain assessment and disability determination.
Barrett’s oesophagus and barrett’s related dysplasia: challenges and controversies

Barrett's oesophagus is a very commonly encountered entity in surgical pathology practice. However, the diagnosis of Barrett's oesophagus, as well as the diagnosis, grading, and implications of dysplasia, present challenges to both pathologists and clinicians. This lecture will focus on the evolving definition of Barrett's oesophagus; pitfalls in the diagnosis of Barrett's oesophagus; and the diagnosis, grading, and implications of dysplasia in the context of Barrett's oesophagus.
Comparison of carbon storage, carbon sequestration, and air pollution removal by protected and maintained urban forests in Alabama, USA

The Auburn University campus in Auburn, Alabama, USA, was the location for a case study to compare carbon storage, carbon sequestration, and air pollution (CO, O3, NO2, PM10, SO2) removal estimates between protected and maintained urban forests. Results were from a complete tree inventory and i-Tree Eco analysis of the 237 ha maintained and 5.5 ha protected areas of the campus. Trees in the maintained landscapes had an average diameter at breast height of 16.4 cm and basal area of 2.24 m2/ha when compared with 24.4 cm and 12.04 m2/ha for the protected area. The maintained landscapes were estimated to store 6652 kg of carbon per ha and sequester 291 kg/year/ha of carbon. The protected area was estimated to store 41,975 kg of carbon per ha and sequester 1758 kg/year/ha of carbon. Trees in the maintained areas removed 2970 kg/year of air pollution (12.5 kg/year/ha) compared with 560 kg/year for the protected area (102 kg/year/ha), which was 8 times the amount on a unit area basis compared with the maintained...
Energy metabolism in ducks during submergence asphyxia: assessment by a direct method.

Abstract 1. 1. Peking ducks undergoing prolonged experimental submersion may experience a reduction in total energy metabolism in excess of 90 per cent of stable, presubmersion resting levels. 2. 2. This phenomenon was studied by means of a simple calorimeter for the direct measurement of heat loss as well as by indirect methods based on oxygen consumption and thermometry. 3. 3. During this profound reduction in metabolism, heart rate may decline to as low as 5–8 per cent of stable pre-dive rates, while peripheral temperatures, particularly in the feet, drop precipitously. 4. 4. An exception arises when the duck is dived while breathing a gas mixture high in oxygen. In this case, although oxygen utilization from lungs and air sacs is reduced as much as 75 per cent, enough heat is produced from this source to elevate foot temperatures. This appears to be the only means of venting excess heat during experimental diving apnea when peripheral circulation is strongly reduced or stopped altogether. 5. 5. The ability of organ systems within the animal body to tolerate total or near-total reduction in the rate of metabolism for some period of time explains the smallness of the observed oxygen debt pay-off following long, quiet dives by experimental ducks. This same factor must be of fundamental importance in the survival of transplanted organs in modern surgery.
Semiotic emergent framework to address the reality of cyberterrorism

The following paper examines concepts associated with cyberterrorism. Most of the current attention given terrorism involves both probability and consequences related to the physical world. Focuses in “what-if” scenarios involve threats to the economy and the population from an enemy that has all the discretion in selecting the battlefield. But what if the target of terrorism activity is a virtual world? The economic and communications infrastructure of many countries depend on cyber thoroughfares at least as much as they do those of concrete or steel. Yet little attention is given to the notion of attacks that can occur in cyberspace. This discussion examines what cyberterrorism means, the forms it may take and how it may occur, and safeguards that should be considered in preparation for cyber warfare. To this end, we draw from current theories involving semiotics, emergence, and complexity to ground our work.
The Life and Times of John J. Billings: The Mucus Symptom, a Physiologic Marker of Women's Fertility

Abstract Dr. John J. Billings died on April 1, 2007, after a long illness. Prior to his death he had been awarded the President's Medal by Georgetown University in recognition of his research in developing the Billings Ovulation Method of natural family planning. However, he was personally unable to accept the award due to his failing health. This paper is a biographic sketch of his long and illustrious career.
Firm size and R&D tax incentives

Abstract This paper examines the effectiveness of R&D tax credits using data on 904 Japanese manufacturing firms over 10 years (1989–1998). I find evidence that tax price elasticity is about −0.68 when estimating it for all firms. This is smaller than those of previous studies, such as Hall (1993. R&D tax policy during the 1980s: Success or failure? In: Potarba, J. (Eds.), Tax Policy and The Economy, vol.7. The MIT Press, Boston, MA) and Bloom et al. (1999. Do R&D tax credits work?: Evidence from an international panel of countries 1979–94. IFS Working Paper No. W99/8) . However, considering the firm’s size, the tax price elasticity is −1.03 in large firms. This means that R&D tax credit is effective in increasing R&D investment, especially in such firms.
Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on indocyanine green blood clearance in rhesus monkeys

Abstract To assess effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on liver function adult male rhesus monkeys were treated with a single oral dose of acetone/corn oil (control) or 5, 25, or 75 μg/kg TCDD. Each monkey was used as its own control and indocyanine green (ICG) blood clearance and the following serum enzymes: glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (γGTP), were measured at regular intervals for 4 weeks before and 17 weeks after treatment. In control monkeys ICG blood clearance and serum enzymes were similar before and after treatment. However, in the monkey that received 5 μg/kg TCDD there was a mild increase in ICG blood clearance followed by a slight decrease. The magnitude of this biphasic change was greater in monkeys that received 25 and 75 μg/kg TCDD and the decrease in clearance was invariably associated with a 1–2-week period before the monkeys died. SDH and SGPT activities were elevated at some time during the course of intoxication in TCDD-treated monkeys but γGTP activity was not altered. The monkey treated with 5 μg/kg TCDD survived but monkeys treated with 25 and 75 μg/kg died 4–6 weeks after treatment. Light microscopy of the livers of TCDD-treated monkeys that died revealed fatty infiltration with minimal hepatocellular necrosis.
Effects of Rehydration State on the Flexural Properties of Whole Mouse Long Bones

The effects of bone water content during dehydration and rehydration on the flexural properties of whole mouse femora were evaluated using three-point bending. The elastic and plastic flexural properties of the bones were determined on a dry mass normalized basis over dehydration times ranging from 0.25 to 48.0 hr; and (following complete dehydration) rehydration times ranging from 0.08 to 12.0 hr. Bones stored in physiological saline for times < 1 hr served as the control group. As expected, dehydration produced increased stiffness and strength along with decreased ductility. Upon rehydration, a statistically significant linear dependence of mechanical properties on recovered free water was obtained for all parameters except the maximum load. Elastic mechanical properties comparable to the controls were regained at differing rates and levels of recovered water content; however, after 3 hr of rehydration there were no statistically significant differences with respect to the control values. The results of this study indicate that the original flexural properties of whole mouse femora are preserved by air dehydration and can be recovered using appropriate saline rehydration intervals.
A high-resolution approach to simultaneously estimate seismic stacking velocity and zero-offset time

The new approach includes the steps of preprocessing to extract structure, several subspace methods (ESPRIT, MUSIC, and Min-Norm) to estimate time delay of seismic arrival at each sensor, and postprocessing. The advantages are high resolution and less computation. >
Global e-mentoring: overcoming virtual distance for an effective partnership

The benefits of being mentored to one's career development and advancement have been recognized both anecdotally and through academic research. A new model of mentoring enabled by technology that works not only across organizational but geographical and cultural boundaries has emerged to meet the needs of today's complex, fast changing, global workplace. Although e-mentoring has several advantages over traditional mentoring, the absence of regular face to face interactions requires different strategies to develop an effective partnership. Additional complexities arise when this virtual mentoring is global. This paper uses both participant observation and pilot data to develop a conceptual framework that examines intercultural collaboration issues and enablers in global e-mentoring partnerships. The framework is derived from Sobel Lojeski's [28] virtual distance model augmented with a new construct, cultural intelligence that more thoroughly explores the intercultural aspect of the partnerships. The authors also describe a more comprehensive, planned mixed-methods research study to validate the proposed e-mentoring conceptual model. This work makes an important contribution to the literature beyond the application to e-mentoring since one-on-one virtual collaboration is also an essential component for effective global leadership.
Morphogenes bolA and mreB mediate the photoregulation of cellular morphology during complementary chromatic acclimation in Fremyella diplosiphon

Summary Photoregulation of pigmentation during complementary chromatic acclimation (CCA) is well studied in Fremyella diplosiphon; however, mechanistic insights into the CCA-associated morphological changes are still emerging. F. diplosiphon cells are rectangular under green light (GL), whereas cells are smaller and spherical under red light (RL). Here, we investigate the role of morphogenes bolA and mreB during CCA using gene expression and gene function analyses. The F. diplosiphon bolA gene is essential as its complete removal from the genome was unsuccessful. Depletion of bolA resulted in slow growth, morphological defects and the accumulation of high levels of reactive oxygen species in a partially segregated ΔbolA strain. Higher expression of bolA was observed under RL and was correlated with lower expression of mreB and mreC genes in wild type. In a ΔrcaE strain that lacks the red-/green-responsive RcaE photoreceptor, the expression of bolA and mre genes was altered under both RL and GL. Observed gene expression relationships suggest that mreB and mreC expression is controlled by RcaE-dependent photoregulation of bolA expression. Expression of F. diplosiphon bolA and mreB homologues in Escherichia coli demonstrated functional conservation of the encoded proteins. Together, these studies establish roles for bolA and mreB in RcaE-dependent regulation of cellular morphology.
Quadrant Coverage Histogram: A New Method for Measuring Quality of Colonoscopic Procedures

Colonoscopy is an endoscopic technique that allows a physician to inspect the inside of the human colon. Although millions of colonoscopic procedures are performed annually, an objective method that estimates how much effort was undertaken to insure maximal inspection of the visible parts of the inside of the colon, does not exist. Experts agree that it is desirable to inspect all quadrants of the colon wall while the endoscope is gradually withdrawn. In this paper, we present a new computer-based method that constructs a Quadrant Coverage Histogram to determine the number of quadrants of the colon wall inspected during the withdrawal phase of colonoscopy. The proposed method is part of our novel computer-aided quality control system for colonoscopy intended for use in routine clinical practice.
Colonization of gnotobiotic piglets by Helicobacter pylori deficient in two flagellin genes

Helicobacterpylori possesses two flagellin molecules, MA, the major species, and FlaB, which is expressed in minor amounts. This study sought to determine if one or both flagellin species are necessary for colonization or persistence by H. pylon. Thirty-six gnotobiotic piglets from six litters were given one of four isogenic strains of H. pylon orally. The bacterial strains used were strain N6, the wild type, which produced both FlaA and FlaB and was fully motile; N6flaB::km, which produced FlaA but not FlaB and was weakly motile; N6flaA::km, which expressed FlaB but not FlaA and was nonmotile; and N6flaA::cat/flaB::km, which produced neither flagellin and was nonmotile. Strain N6 colonized all piglets and persisted for 2, 4, and 10 days after inoculation. Both N6flaA::km and N6flaB::km colonized for 2 and 4 but not 10 days, and colonization was weak. N6flaA::cat/flaB:: km colonized for 2 days but did not persist for 4 or 10 days after inoculation. These findings demonstrate that both flagellin species are necessary for full colonization by H. pylon. Colonization for up to 4 days is possible in the absence of either flagellin species but not both.
Evaluating Migrant Integration: Political Attitudes Across Generations in Europe

This article engages debates about migrant integration by analyzing political trust and satisfaction in 24 European countries. The evidence suggests that first-generation migrants have the most positive attitudes, while native-origin and second-generation migrant-origin individuals have similar political trust and satisfaction scores. To explain these outcomes, I focus on the importance of subjective integration factors related to the stages of migration. I claim that first-generation migrants, who have gone through the disruptive process of changing countries, will have lower expectations and be more likely to have positive evaluations of the host society. In comparison, native-origin and second-generation migrant-origin individuals have been raised in the same society and are likely to share perspectives toward that society’s political institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Correlation of pressure measurements with angiographic characteristics predisposing to hemorrhage and steal in cerebral arteriovenous malformations.

PURPOSE To determine whether there is a physiologic explanation for the predisposition of patients with certain angiographic characteristics to symptoms of hemorrhage and steal. METHODS Superselective transcatheter feeding arterial pressure and mean arterial pressure measurements were obtained before embolotherapy in 32 patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Pressures were correlated with previously described angioarchitectural characteristics predisposing to hemorrhage and steal. These included size of the arteriovenous malformation, feeding artery length, venous drainage pattern, and angiomatous change. RESULTS The feeding arterial pressure and feeding arterial pressure/mean arterial pressure ratios were significantly decreased in patients with angiomatous change. Feeding arterial pressure and feeding arterial pressure/mean arterial pressure ratios progressively decreased as lesions went from peripheral, to mixed, to central venous drainage. A trend for lower feeding arterial pressure was also demonstrated with greater feeding pedicle length. A statistically significant correlation could not be demonstrated between feeding arterial pressure or feeding arterial pressure/mean arterial pressure ratios and size of the arteriovenous malformation, hemorrhage, or symptoms of steal. CONCLUSIONS Feeding arterial pressure measurements help provide a physiologic basis for the relationship between certain angiographic characteristics and hemorrhage and steal symptoms in patients with arteriovenous malformation.
Real-Time Finite-Rate Tracking: Performance Limitations

In this paper, we consider a set up in which the plant and controller are local to each other, but are together driven by a remote reference signal that is transmitted through a finite-rate noiseless channel. When control must be done over a communication channel, there is a fundamental tradeoff between allowing enough time for reconstruction of signals over the channel and achieving performance in finite-time. Most work in the area of control under communication constraints have addressed infinite- horizon control objectives (eg. stability, disturbance rejection). In this paper, we compute lower and upper bounds on worst-case performance for a finite-horizon tracking objective. We achieve the lower bound with a noncausal coding scheme and show how imposing causality on the coding scheme severely limits achievable performance. We illustrate how the bounds behave under various scenarios and show tradeoffs between time and performance accuracy.
ADMiRe: an algebraic data mining approach to system performance analysis

Performance analysis of computing systems is an increasingly difficult task due to growing system complexity. Traditional tools rely on ad hoc procedures. With these, determining which of the manifold system and workload parameters to examine is often a lengthy and highly speculative process. The analysis is often incomplete and, therefore, prone to revealing faulty conclusions and not uncovering useful tuning knowledge. We address this problem by introducing a data mining approach called ADMiRe (analyzer for data mining results). In this scheme, regression analysis is first applied to performance data to discover correlations between various system and workload parameters. The results of this analysis are summarized in sets of regression rules. The user can then formulate intuitive algebraic expressions to manipulate these sets of rules to capture critical information. To demonstrate this approach, we use ADMiRe to analyze an Oracle database system running the TPC-C (Transaction Processing Performance Council) benchmark. The results generated by ADMiRe were confirmed by Oracle experts. We also show that by applying ADMiRe to Microsoft Internet Information Server performance data, we can improve system performance by 20 percent.
Hyperglycemia is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality after colectomy for cancer

Background The relationship of hyperglycemia to general surgery outcomes is not well-understood. We studied the association of operative day and postoperative day 1 (POD1) blood glucose (BG) with outcomes after open colectomy for cancer. Study Design We retrospectively analyzed the 2000-2005 Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, linked with Veterans Affairs Decision Support System BG values. Median BG was categorized as hypoglycemic ( 200 mg/dL) hyperglycemic. The relationship of BG to postoperative outcomes was assessed with multivariable logistic regression. Results We identified 9,638 colectomies. We excluded 511 procedures for emergency status or preoperative coma, mechanical ventilation, or sepsis. After excluding patients without recorded BG, we analyzed operative day and POD1 BG in 7,576 and 5,773 procedures, respectively. On multivariable analysis, operative day moderate hyperglycemia was associated with surgical site infection (odds ratio=1.44; 95% CI, 1.10−1.87). POD1 severe hyperglycemia was associated with cardiac arrest (odds ratio=2.31; 95% CI, 1.08−4.98) and death (odds ratio=1.97; 95% CI, 1.23−3.15). POD1 mild (odds ratio=2.20; 95% CI, 1.05−4.60), moderate (odds ratio=3.44; 95% CI, 1.51−7.84), and severe (odds ratio=3.94; 95% CI, 1.64−9.58) hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia (odds ratio=6.74; 95% CI, 1.75−25.97) were associated with myocardial infarction. Associations were similar in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Conclusions Even mild hyperglycemia was associated with adverse outcomes after colectomy, suggesting that a perioperative BG target of 80 to 120 mg/dL, although avoiding hypoglycemia, might be appropriate. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Boston Naming Test: Problems with Administration and Scoring:

The poorly written administration and scoring instructions for the Boston Naming Test allow too wide a range of interpretations. Three different, seemingly correct interpretations of the scoring methods were compared. The results show that these methods can produce large differences in the total score.
Photorespiration and CO2 compensation point in Najas flexilis 1

The response of net photosynthesis, 1ight:dark respiration ratio, and COa compensation point to oxygen manipulation and to inhibitors of glycolate metabolism confirms earlier evidence that photorespiration occurs in Nujas flex&s and can influence its productivity. Estimates of the CO2 compensation point are similar to those for several other submersed angiosperms which cannot reduce total aqueous COz concentration much below air equilibrium levels.
Identification of the 0.15 eV Donor Defect in Bulk GaAs

The well-known 0.15-eV Hall-effect center appearing in bulk, n-type GaAs quenches under IR illumination and recovers via an Auger-like process at a rate similar to the Auger rate of EL2. On the other hand, the 0.15-eV VA s -related center produced by 1-MeV electron irradiation does not quench at all. Based on these data and a detailed theoretical analysis by Baraff and Schluter, we argue that the bulk 0.15-eV center is related to the AsG a -VA s defect or a related complex.
Outcome events in patients with claudication: A 15-year study in 2777 patients

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to delineate the natural history of claudication and determine risk factors for death. Methods: We reviewed the key outcomes (death, revascularization, amputation) in 2777 male patients with claudication identified over 15 years at a Veterans Administration hospital with both clinical and noninvasive criteria. Patients with rest pain or ulcers were excluded. Data were analyzed with life-table and Cox hazard models. Results: The mean follow-up was 47 months. The cohort exhibited a mortality rate of 12% per year, which was significantly ( P P lower ankle-brachial index (RR = 1.2 for 0.2 change), diabetes requiring medication (RR = 1.4), and stroke (RR = 1.4). The model can be used to estimate the mortality rate for specific patients. Surprisingly, a history of angina and myocardial infarction was not a significant predictor. Major and minor amputations had a 10-year cumulative rate less than 10%. Revascularization procedures occurred with a 10-year cumulative rate of 18%. Conclusions: We found a high mortality rate in this large cohort and four independent risk factors that have a large impact on survival. Risk stratification with our model may be useful in determining an overall therapeutic plan for claudicants. A history of angina and myocardial infarction was not a useful predictor of death, suggesting that many patients in our cohort presented with claudication before having coronary artery symptoms. Our data also indicate that claudicants have a low risk of major amputation at 10-year follow-up. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:251-8.)