cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fiber Optic Distributed Sensing Technology Based on Microwave Reconstructed Optical Interferograms

Here we report a distributed fiber optic sensing technique through microwave assisted separation and reconstruction of optical interferograms in spectrum domain. The approach involves sending a microwave-modulated optical signal through cascaded fiber optic interferometers. The microwave signal was used to resolve the position and reflectivity of each sensor along the optical fiber. By sweeping the optical wavelength and detecting the modulation signal, the optical spectrum of each sensor can be reconstructed. Three cascaded fiber optic extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric sensors were used to prove the concept. Their microwavereconstructed interferograms matched well with those recorded individually using an optical spectrum analyzer.
Evidence for the involvement of histidine at the active site of glutathione S-transferase ψ from human liver

The inhibition of catalytic activity of glutathione S-transferase psi (pI 5.5) of human liver by diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) has been studied. It is demonstrated that DEPC causes a concentration dependent inactivation of GST psi with a concomitant modification of 1-1.3 histidyl residues/subunit of the enzyme. This inactivation of GST psi could be reversed by treatment with hydroxylamine. Glutathione afforded complete protection to the enzyme from inactivation by DEPC. It is suggested that a functional histidyl residue is essential for the catalytic activity of the enzyme and that this residue is most likely to be present at or near the glutathione binding site (G-site).
Support plasmids and support proteins required for recovery of recombinant respiratory syncytial virus.

Abstract Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be recovered from plasmids that separately encode antigenomic RNA and the N, P, L, and M2-1 proteins of the nucleocapsid. However, in a recent study the inclusion of a separate M2-1 expression plasmid was found to be unnecessary (H. Jin, D. Clarke, H. Zhou, X. Cheng, K. Coelingh, M. Bryant, and S. Li, Virology 1998, 251, 206–214). This suggested that the M2-1 protein, which is a transcription antitermination factor, is not required to reconstitute the minimum unit of infectivity, namely a nucleocapsid fully functional for viral transcription and RNA replication. Here we show that the antigenomic plasmid is remarkably efficient as a substitute for an M2-1 expression plasmid in supporting processive transcription by an RSV minigenome. Thus, the simple expedient of omitting an expression plasmid is invalid for evaluating recovery requirements. The issue of the requirement of M2-1 for the recovery of infectious RSV is discussed.
Integral representations for a class of operators

Abstract Let X be a completely regular Hausdorff space, E Hausdorff a quasi-complete locally convex space and C b ( X , E ) all E-valued bounded continuous functions on X with strict topologies β t , β ∞ ′ , β τ ′ . We prove that a linear continuous mapping T : C b ( X , E ) → E arises from a scalar measure μ ∈ ( C b ( X ) , β z ) ′ ( z = t , ∞ , τ ) if and only if g ( T ( f ) ) = 0 whenever g ○ f = 0 for any f ∈ C b ( X , E ) , g ∈ E ′ .
Identification of multiple chromosome 12 abnormalities in human testicular germ cell tumors by two‐color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

The distribution of segments of the short and long arms of chromosome 12 was distinguished by two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 27 cytogenetically abnormal testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). A 12p-specific probe was developed by chromosomal microdissection and sequence-independent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and was combined with a commercially available whole-chromosome 12 painting probe. The TGCTs included both i(12p)-positive and i(12p)-negative primary tumors and lymph node metastases from patients in clinical stage I or stage II who were not previously treated with chemotherapy. Rearrangements of the short arm of chromosome 12 and overrepresentation of 12p DNA sequences were found in all cases. In addition, cryptic rearrangements of 12p were found in 39% (7/18) of the i(12p)-positive tumors and in 78% (7/9) of the i(12p)-negative tumors. Only 7% (2/27) of all tumors had cryptic rearrangements of 12q.
Kinetics of Formation and Transport Resistances of Zirconium-Monobutyl Phosphate Films

The formation processes of monobutyl phosphate-zirconium films at a liquid-liquid interface have been investigated by observing changes in toluene absorption in a Lewis cell type contactor. Films were formed by adding monobutyl phosphate to the upper (organic) phase and allowing it to react with zirconium dissolved in the lower (aqueous) phase while monitoring the absorption of the organic solvent into the aqueous phase. Results indicate that the film formation occurs over a short period of time but may be preceded by a considerable lag period which depends on concentration, temperature and to a lesser extent, stirring. Mass transfer coefficients were decreased by as much as 40% at higher temperatures. Interfacial tension changes during film formation were also investigated and indicate that significant activity occurs at the interface.
Comparison of the Volatile Flower Oils of Nicotiana rustica and N. forgetiana

ABSTRACT The volatile constituents obtained by vacuum-steam distillation of the flowers of Nicotiana rustica and of N. forgetiana were profiled by capillary GC and characterized by GC/MS. Compounds comprising 74% of N. rustica flower oil and 72% of N. forgetiana flower oil were identified. Seventeen compounds were observed in N. rustica oil, with the alkaloid, nicotine (25.92%), and the sesquiterpene, aromadendrene (11.26%) being the major constituents. Of the 14 compounds observed in N. forgetiana oil, no constituents exceeded 10% of the total amount. Farnesyl acetone (4.97%), β-pinene (4.19%), acoradiene (3.81%) and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (3.97%) were present in highest concentrations. Twelve compounds were common to the oils of both species, although seven of these were aliphatic C21-C25 hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons occurred in significantly greater amounts in N. forgetiana. (Z)-3-Hexenol was die only component found at a level exceeding 5% in both species.
Sympatry and allopatry of song in North American tanagers

The possibility that the hypotheses of character convergence and character displacement might explain interspecific variation in song features among North American tanagers is examined. Scarlet and summer tanagers (Piranga olivacea and P. rubra) are the most sympatric among the four species and have the largest differences in song characteristics. However, songs of scarlet tanagers do not differ significantly between sympatry and allopatry. Songs of summer tanagers more resemble those of scarlet tanagers in allopatry, but this geographical variation has been explained by variation in habitat characteristics. Both species countersing in sympatry, and react aggressively to each other's songs in sympatry as well as in allopatry, probably due to similarities in the song. The limited data from the narrow sympatric zone between western and hepatic tanagers (P. ludoviciana and P. flava) indicate that their songs differ to a great extent. Therefore, the results do not support the hypothesis of character convergence. Character displacement might explain partially interspecific differences in song features between scarlet and summer tanagers but cannot be tested further.
Alkylation-Induced O-Atom Rearrangement in Nickel S-Oxygenates.

Reactions of organic halides MeI and Br(CH2)3Br with square planar nickel complexes of tetradentate N2SS‘ or N2S‘2 ligands (S‘ = RS(O)) have been explored for their potential to direct alkylation of metallosulfoxide sulfur and yield metal-bound organic sulfoxides. In fact, as established by spectroscopic and electrochemical signatures, isolated products were characterized as the result of O-atom rearrangements or transfers leading primarily to metallosulfones (Ni−SO2R) and metallothiolates (Ni−SR) (which were subsequently alkylated to nickel-bound thioethers). Proposed intermediates in the reactions of the monosulfoxide, Ni-4*, N-(2-mercapto-2-(methylpropyl))-N‘-(2-sulfenato-2-(methylpropyl))-1,5-diazacyclooctanenickel(II) and the bis-sulfoxide, Ni-5*, N,N‘-bis(2-sulfenato-2-(methylpropyl))-1,5-diazacyclooctanenickel(II), with 1,3-dibromopropane include S-bound R‘S−OR moieties resulting from ring closure of the pendant alkyl bromide on the nucleophilic sulfoxide oxygen. X-ray crystal structures of N-(sulf...
New experimental evidence for the mechanism for production of isotopically heavy O3

The mass independent isotopic fractionation in O3 formation from O2 photolysis has been investigated as a function of pressure (2.1-760 Torr), UV wavelength and differing third body. In the low pressure regime (⪝ 200 Torr room temp., ⪝ 10 Torr liquid nitrogen), O3 decomposition occurs, resulting in a secondary, mass-dependent isotopic fractionation. It is demonstrated that wall effects produce O3 in a mass-dependent fashion, thus indicating the involvement of rotational states in the mass independent fractionation process. For pressures in the intermediate range, to ∼600 Torr, a single-stage fractionation is observed, presumably with δ17O≅δ18O≅85-100‰, though secondary effects may be operative also. At pressures above 450 Torr, the δ18O of O3 decreases to 87‰ at 760 Torr. The fractionation process appears to be independent of UV wavelength and third body composition; photolysis of air produces O3 isotopically similar to pure O2 photolysis at comparable pressures.
Temporal and spatial increase of reactive nitrogen species in the kainate model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Abstract Steady-state levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules are increased in the rodent hippocampus during epileptogenesis. However, the role of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in epileptogenesis remains to be explored. The goal of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal occurrence of RNS i.e. nitric oxide levels in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Rats were injected with a single high dose of kainate and monitored by video for behavioral seizures for 6 weeks to determine the onset and severity of chronic seizures. RNS and tissue/mitochondrial redox status (glutathione redox couple and coenzyme A:glutathione redox couple) were measured in the hippocampus at 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, 1 wk, 3 wk and 6 wk following kainate to assess the level of reactive species in subcellular compartments. We observed a biphasic increase in RNS levels with a return to control values at the 48 h time point. However, both tissue and mitochondrial redox status showed permanent and significant decreases during the entire time course of epilepsy development. 3 nitrotyrosine (3NT) protein adducts were found to gradually increase throughout epileptogenesis, conceivably as a result of the local environment under oxidative and nitrosative stress. Colocalization of 3NT immunostaining with neuron- or astrocyte-specific markers revealed neuron-specific localization of 3NT in hippocampal principal neurons. Persistent and concurrent glutathione oxidation and nitrosative stress occur during epileptogenesis suggesting a favorable environment for posttranslational modifications.
Management style and staff nurse job satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to determine nurses' perceptions of the current and desired management styles of hospital units and to investigate the relationship of management style with job satisfaction. Full-time staff nurses (N = 505) in two private and two public acute care general hospitals in a southeastern metropolitan area were surveyed using instruments with established psychometric properties. The staff nurses were currently experiencing a benevolent-authoritative management style, but preferred a participative style. Management style and job satisfaction were significantly correlated (r = .6050). Management style perception scores predicted 36.6 per cent of the variance in job satisfaction scores. Implications for nursing administration are presented.
Gelation of Rodlike Polymers

Some opportunities for utilizing gelation of rodlike polymers such as poly(p-phenylenebenzobisthiazole) for the production of new materials are described. Morphological studies concerning gels of poly(γ–benzyl–α,L–glutamate) in the solvents toluene, N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylformamide/water are reviewed, newly interpreted and extended. A provisional diagram which maps out the gelling behavior in four distinct regions of concentration and temperature concludes the article.
Uniformization and exponential transformation: Techniques for fast simulation of highly dependable non-Markovian systems

The authors consider the estimation of system unreliability in highly dependable non-Markovian systems. They describe two alternative approaches to importance sampling for estimating transient reliability measures in such systems. One is based on the uniformization method of Monte Carlo simulation and the other uses an importance sampling distribution in which the failure times of components are sampled from the exponential distribution with rates higher than the original hazard rates. Implementation issues relevant to estimating system unreliability are discussed. Experimental results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed importance sampling techniques. Besides several small examples used for experimentation, a large example is used to illustrate the effectiveness of this technique for problems that are analytically intractable. >
High-speed networks of the future some research issues to be addressed

In this talk we discuss the ATM-based high speed networks of the future and multimedia applications expected to be distributed over them. Included among the bandwidth -intensive traffic to be handled are video and high-resolution .,. images. Characterization of this traffic is necessary to ensure network control and appropriate traffic quality-of-service (OOS) are mentioned. These networks will be required to interface with much lower bandwidth wireless networks. This talk focuses on a number of research issues that must be addressed to have network users experience "seamless communication" end to-end. These include the design of multimedia multipoint communication protocols as well as issues of network management and control.
Evaluation of molecular size distributions and molecular weight averages resulting from random crosslinking and chain-scission processes

It is shown that the changes in the molecular size distribution for high polymers undergoing random crosslinking and chain-scission processes may be evaluated by means of the Monte Carlo sampling technique and a generalized asymptotic function. The technique is applied to an initial Schulz-Zimm type of distribution and the resultant distribution, their moments, and the intrinsic viscosity in a theta solvent are evaluated as functions of the crosslinking and chain-scission parameters.
Tutorial on Location-Based Social Networks

This paper is an abstract of a tutorial on location-based social networks (LBSNs), introducing the concept, unique features, and research philosophy of LBSNs. The slide deck of this tutorial can be found on http://research.microsoft.com/apps/pubs/?id=163521. The homepage of LBSN is http://research.microsoft.com/enus/projects/lbsn/default.aspx.
Clitoral avulsion successfully repaired with 2-octylcyanoacrylate.

Abstract Introduction Clitoral piercing is becoming more popular in the general populace, playing an aesthetic as well as likely sexual role. However, potential for injury also impacts future clitoral sexual function, thus highlighting the importance of proper repair. Aim To report a 29-year-old woman presented to the emergency department after a clitoral piercing injury. Examination revealed avulsion of most of the clitoral body. After the patient refused expectant and surgical management, reapproximation was performed using 2-octylcyanoacrylate. Methods 2-Octylcyanoacrylate, commonly known as Dermabond® (Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA), was used to reapproximate the clitoral laceration for this patient. It is a cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive, forming a strong bond between wound edges to allow for normal healing to occur below. Benefits of use are decreased time of repair, water-resistant flexible coating, and no need for suture removal. Results The laceration was successfully reapproximated with 2-octylcyanoacrylate. The tissue held together satisfactorily and the patient was discharged to home. She was seen as an outpatient 3 days later, with a moderately tender and swollen clitoris, but with an intact repair and improved pain. A visit 8 weeks later showed a well-healed clitoris, and the patient reported resolution of pain and return of sexual function, with successful orgasms. Conclusions The delicacy of clitoral anatomy and the potential impact of its injury on future sexual function make it an intimidating area of repair for the general physician. The method of repair must be tailored to the injury, patient, and physician; however, 2-octylcyanoacrylate is a viable alternative to traditional surgical or expectant management, offering strength and flexibility while avoiding further trauma with suture. Berger A and Worly B. Clitoral avulsion successfully repaired with 2-octylcyanoacrylate.
Pulsed Power: Sandia's plans for the new millennium

Pulsed power science and engineering activities at Sandia National Laboratories grew out of a programmatic need for intense radiation sources to advance capabilities in radiographic imaging and to create environments for testing and certifying the hardness of components and systems to radiation in hostile environments. By the early 1970s, scientists in laboratories around the world began utilizing pulsed power drivers with very short (10s of nanoseconds) pulse lengths for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) experiments. In the United States, Defense Programs within the Department of Energy has sponsored this research. Recent progress in pulsed power, specifically fast-pulsed-power-driven z pinches, in creating temperatures relevant to ICF has been remarkable. Worldwide developments in pulsed power technologies and increased applications in both defense and industry are contrasted with ever increasing stress on research and development funding. The current environment has prompted us at Sandia to evaluate our role in the continued development of pulsed power science and to consider options for the future. This presentation will highlight our recent progress and provide an overview of our plans as we begin the new millennium.
EFFECTS OF SUB-MONOLAYER COVERAGES OF OXYGEN ON THE 4f LINESHAPES OF CERIUM COMPOUNDS

Resonant photoemission at the Ce 4D edge has been used to investigate the effects of small doses of oxygen on the 4f lineshapes of CeAl, CeSn3, CeCu2Si2, CeBe13, CeSi2, and CeSb2. In general we find that the Fermi level 4f peak is rapidly quenched, while the "2 eV" peak intensity increases, consistent with the formation of Ce2O3 and possibly ternary oxides. We conclude that surface 4f features are a major part of the clean spectrum, and that sample purity is paramount when attempting to obtain data suitable for comparison with theory. Using the example of CeCu2Si2 we show how previously published data, which has recently been used to show the supposed validity of the Kondo approach, were in fact obtained from oxidised samples.
Global Identification of Target Genes Regulated by APETALA3 and PISTILLATA Floral Homeotic Gene Action

Identifying the genes regulated by the floral homeotic genes APETALA3 (AP3) and PISTILLATA (PI) is crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms that lead to petal and stamen formation. We have used microarray analysis to conduct a broad survey of genes whose expression is affected by AP3 and PI activity. DNA microarrays consisting of 9216 Arabidopsis ESTs were screened with probes corresponding to mRNAs from different mutant and transgenic lines that misexpress AP3 and/or PI. The microarray results were further confirmed by RNA gel blot analyses. Our results suggest that AP3 and PI regulate a relatively small number of genes, implying that many genes used in petal and stamen development are not tissue specific and likely have roles in other processes as well. We recovered genes similar to previously identified petal- and stamen-expressed genes as well as genes that were not implicated previously in petal and stamen development. A very low percentage of the genes recovered encoded transcription factors. This finding suggests that AP3 and PI act relatively directly to regulate the genes required for the basic cellular processes responsible for petal and stamen morphogenesis.
Simulation of Lung Respiration Function Using Soft Body Model

Soft bodies are the models in which the bodies deform during animated frames depending on the interaction between themselves and environment. In our soft body model, the mass-spring system combining with a fluid model manipulates surface deformation while the internal pressure generates the volume inside the soft body. The simulation of soft body for medical applications such as lung simulation remains a challenging problem because of computational complexity. For 3D lung simulation in this paper, we use the synthetic lung model in which the list of surface points is generated by modeling software. A mass-spring system and fluid model are applied on the lung surface and internal pressure is exerted inside the lung model. For the lung function, we model internal pressure based on experimental results to generate the respiratory rhythm of inhalation and exhalation. Our results show that the lung can be simulated by our soft body model. Our lung model controls respiratory function through the control of internal pressure.
Molecular imaging of stem cells

Regenerative medicine with the use of stem cells has appeared as a potential therapeutic alternative for many disease states. Numerous questions remain regarding the viability and biology of transplanted stem cells in the living subject. Recent advances in molecular biology and imaging have allowed the successful non-invasive monitoring of transplanted stem cells in the living subject. In this review, different imaging strategies to study the viability and biology of transplanted stem cells are presented. Use of these strategies will be critical as the different regenerative therapies are being tested for clinical use.
δ-Opioid receptor-induced late preconditioning is mediated by cyclooxygenase-2 in conscious rabbits

Although activation of δ-opioid receptors is known to induce both early and late preconditioning (PC) against myocardial infarction, the mechanisms for this salubrious effect are unclear. Furthermo...
Multi-Institutional Outcome Study on the Efficacy of Closed-Suction Drainage of the Scrotum in Three-Piece Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Surgery

Infection is a devastating complication of penile prosthesis surgery that occurs in approximately 2–5% of all primary inflatable penile primary implants in most series. Prevention of hematoma and swelling with closed-suction drains has been shown not to increase infection rate and yield an earlier recovery time. Despite the intuitive advantages of short-term closed-suction drainage in reducing the incidence of postoperative scrotal swelling and associated adverse effects, many urologists are reluctant to drain the scrotum because of a theoretical risk of introducing an infection. In conclusion, this study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of infection in threepiece penile prosthesis surgery with scrotal closed-suction drainage. A retrospective review of 425 consecutive primary three-piece penile prosthesis implantations was performed at three institutions in New Jersey, Ohio, and Arkansas from 1998 to 2002. Following the prosthesis insertion, 10 French Round Blake (Johnson & Johnson) or, in a few cases, 10 French Jackson Pratt, closed-suction drains were placed in each patient for less than 24 h. All subjects received standard perioperative antibiotic coverage. Average age at implant was 62 y (range 24–92 y). Operative time (incision to skin closure) was less than 60 min in the vast majority of cases. There were a total of 14 (3.3%) infections and three hematomas (0.7%) during an average 18-month follow-up period. In conclusion, this investigation revealed that closed-suction drainage of the scrotum for approximately 12–24 h following three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis surgery does not result in increased infection rate and is associated with a very low incidence of postoperative hematoma
Forensic DNA Typing, Selected Legal Issues: A Report to the Working Group on Legal Issues, National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence

This report to the Legal Issues Working of the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence examines selected legal issues that arise when DNA is employed in criminal investigations and trials. Part I considers the constitutionality of compelling suspects to submit to DNA sampling and of acquiring stored samples of a suspect’s DNA or medical records relating to these samples from private medical providers or laboratories. It also considers the constitutionality of gathering DNA from large numbers of people to see whether any have genotypes that match those seen in the trace evidence. It shows that although the Fourth Amendment usually requires the police to have probable cause and a warrant to compel a person to provide a DNA sample, there are many situations in which police may be able to secure DNA samples without these safeguards. Part I also considers a second investigative use of DNA — deducing physical or other characteristics of an individual whose DNA is found at the scene of crime. Genetic typing will permit inferences as to ancestry, physiognomy, or inherited disorders. Part I concludes that investigators can use genetic data to make valid inferences without infringing any constitutional rights. Part II discusses the admissibility of new DNA tests and the results of proficiency tests at particular laboratories. It suggests that the rules of character evidence create a largely unrecognized, and probably undesirable, obstacle to admissibility. It also considers suggestions that the durability of DNA evidence justifies extending the statute of limitations for prosecutions for certain crimes. Here, we counsel caution and careful weighing of the competing considerations before any legislative action is taken to extend the period of criminal responsibility. Part III explores constitutional and ethical questions that must be confronted in establishing and operating DNA databases for law enforcement purposes. It also indicates the array of policy choices that must be made in developing these systems — from the determination of which individuals are subject to having their genotypes placed in the databank, to the specification of how the DNA samples are obtained, to the decision as to how long the samples should be retained, and to the enumeration and definition of the uses to which the information may be put.
Re‐thinking angina

William Heberden in 1772 published "some account of the disorder of the breast" which contains the essential elements of angina pectoris as we understand it today. The number of existing cases in the U.S. population today is 6.4 million. Myocardial ischemia manifested by angina pectoris can be either acute or chronic. Patients with chronic stable angina will be the focus of this supplement. The majority of patients are symptomatic but approximately 25% can be asymptomatic. The clinical manifestations of myocardial ischemia generally are chest discomfort, arrhythmias, and LV dysfunction. Myocardial ischemia is a result of imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and myocardial oxygen demand. High grade coronary stenosis are the usual cause of decreased oxygen supply. The classic hemodynamic factors increasing myocardial oxygen demand include hypertension and increased heart rate due to tachyarrhythmias of any etiology. Exertion is the usual precipitating cause of chronic myocardial ischemia. New information has come forward indicating that myocardial ischemia is associated with disruption of cellular sodium and calcium homeostasis. Ischemia results in a rise of intracellular sodium concentration and thus sodium overload which then activates the sodium calcium exchanger and leads to increased intracellular calcium. When this occurs there is electrical instability and mechanical dysfunction which increases oxygen demand and decreases oxygen supply. The compound Ranolazine is thought to selectively inhibit the late sodium current and attenuates the abnormalities of ventricular repolarization and contractility associated with myocardial ischemia. This compound is the first new class of anti-anginal medication approved in 25 years which may provide physicians with additional therapy for chronic stable angina along with the other anti-angina agents, beta blockers, calcium antagonists and nitrates.
Fuzzy query results ranking over autonomous web databases

Users often have vague or imprecise ideas when searching the Web database, thus they might like to issue fuzzy queries that consist of fuzzy terms or fuzzy relations for possibly retrieving. To deal with the problem of too many results returned from a Web database in response to a user fuzzy query, this paper proposes a novel approach to rank the fuzzy query results. Based on database workload, we firstly speculate the importance of each attribute and assign a corresponding weight to it. And then, based on fuzzy sets theory, a membership degree ranking method, which ranks the query results according to the tuple's satisfaction degree to the fuzzy query, is presented. Next, based on data and workload statistics and correlations, we present a relevance degree ranking method, which assigns a relevance score for each unspecified attribute value according to its corresponding attribute weight and its desirableness to the user. Results of preliminary experiments demonstrating the efficiency and efficacy of the ranking approach are presented.
A Cross-Layer Perspective on Rateless Coding for Wireless Channels

Rateless coding ensures reliability by providing ever-increasing redundancy, traditionally at the packet level (i.e. the application layer) through erasure coding. This paper explores whether additional redundancy for wireless channels is most helpful at the packet level through erasure coding or at the physical layer through lower-rate channel coding. This cross-layer trade-off is explored in a traditional wireless setting where the communication of a message consisting of a fixed number of packets takes place over a Rayleigh fading channel. The examined scenarios include both a single receiver and multiple cooperating receivers allowing the results to be extended to situations where selection diversity is available in the system. For several interesting scenarios, this paper determines the optimal trade-off between the amount of packet-level erasure coding and physical-layer channel coding required to provide reliable communication over the widest range of operating SNR's. Our results indicate that packet-level erasure coding can provide a significant benefit when no other form of diversity is available. In many cases, the amount of redundancy that should be allocated to such erasure coding is nearly constant, and further redundancy (i.e. any rateless coding) should be applied to the physical layer.
Rapid computation of configuration space obstacles

Mathematical properties of configuration space are presented, and algorithms invoking those properties for efficient computation of obstacles in configuration space are described. Simple elements in Cartesian space which can be transformed into configuration space rapidly are identified. Transformations of complex workspace shapes into configuration space are described in terms of multiple transformations of such simpler primitives. Computational considerations and examples are presented for the first three degrees of freedom of an industrial robot. >
Struggle with HIV: A Personal Experience of Bob Gerwig

g) 1994-1998: Chronic and overlapping outbreaks of h. zoster (“shingles”) on my right forehead and scalp. I was on high doses of opiates: CD4 usually in the 150-250 range with dips of 3-6 months in the 50-150 range. CD8 is?, with ratios down to 8-6%. Shingles-affected area grew along nerve lines on the area from my right eyelid up along the right supra-orbital nerve under my right eyebrow where it turned upward from the top of my nose and along the right side of center to the “baby’s soft spot,” infected nerves around the right rim, and also branching off to the right along my right forehead hairline forming a large figure-C from my perspective running from the outer end of my right eyebrow to the nose and up to the hairline and right on the scalp to about the tip of my right ear (not infected).
Other Delusionoid Beliefs

Mrs. Aaron is a 56 year-old African-American woman, who presented with a chief complaint of a constant sensation of being covered by “cobwebs” on her face for the past 8 months. She did not seen any spiders or insects nearby when this sensation occurred, and appeared unconcerned about the possibility of an infestation. Upon examination, she showed no primary skin lesions but was observed to wipe her face with her hand frequently as if to get rid of these cobwebs. She related that due to the intensity of the cobweb sensation, she had not been able to focus on any task – which had hindered her from gaining employment since the start of her disease.
Identification of the functional components of the ras signaling pathway regulating pituitary cell-specific gene expression

Ras, a small GTP-binding protein, is required for functional receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Ultimately, Ras alters the activity of specific nuclear transcription factors and regulates novel patterns of gene expression. Using a rat prolactin promoter construct in transient transfection experiments, we show that both oncogenic Ras and activated forms of Raf-1 kinase selectively stimulated the cellular rat prolactin promoter in GH4 rat pituitary cells. We also show that the Ras signal is completely blocked by an expression vector encoding a dominant-negative Raf kinase. Additionally, using a molecular genetic approach, we determined that inhibitory forms of p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase and an Ets-2 transcription factor interfere with both the Ras and the Raf activation of the rat prolactin promoter. These findings define a functional requirement for these signaling constituents in the activation of the prolactin gene, a cell-specific gene which marks the lactotroph pituitary cell type. Further, this analysis allowed us to order the components in the Ras signaling pathway as it impinges on regulation of prolactin gene transcription as Ras-->Raf kinase-->mitogen-activated protein kinase-->Ets. In contrast, we show that intact c-Jun expression inhibited the Ras-induced activation of the prolactin promoter, defining it as a negative regulator of this pathway, whereas c-Jun was able to enhance the Ras activation of an AP-1-driven promoter in GH4 cells. These data show that c-Jun is not the nuclear mediator of the Ras signal for the highly specialized, pituitary cell-specific prolactin cellular promoter. Thus, we have defined a model system which provides an ideal paradigm for studying Ras/Raf signaling pathways and their effects on neuroendocrine cell-specific gene regulation.
Is More Information Always Better? Mandatory Disclosure Regulations in the Prescription Drug Market

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) save Americans billions of dollars each year by lowering the prices of prescription drugs and the costs of prescription drug coverage. However, as I explain in this Article, mandatory disclosure regulations recently enacted in several states and under the Affordable Care Act threaten to disrupt the cost savings PBMs currently produce for consumers. These regulations require PBMs to disclose competitively-sensitive financial information to various participants in the prescription drug market. Although mandatory disclosure regulations are premised on the idea that PBM clients can only ensure that they are paying a competitive price for PBM services if they know the specifics of PBMs’ financial arrangements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies, there is no theoretical or empirical reason to believe mandated disclosure of this information is necessary. Not only are these regulations unnecessary to achieve competitive outcomes, they also impose significant costs on PBMs. The additional disclosure increases both direct costs and litigation costs for PBMs. More importantly, the regulations foster tacit collusion and reduce PBMs’ ability to negotiate discounts with pharmacies and rebates with drug manufacturers. By disrupting competition in the prescription drug market, mandatory disclosure regulations will ultimately increase the prices that consumers pay for prescription drugs.
In Vitro Studies of Determinants of Smooth Muscle Mechanics

Smooth muscle contraction is dependent upon phosphorylation of the 20,000 Da light chain subunits of myosin. Whereas the kinetics of the hydrolysis of MgATP by smooth muscle myosin suggest a simple phosphorylation-dependent “on-off” mechanism, the contractile response in smooth muscle tissue is complex. Experiments to unravel this complexity have been performed in vitro using a combination of motility assays and kinetic techniques. Some insight into this complexity is obtained, but the mechanism and the regulation of smooth muscle contraction is still not completely known.
Reducing the Size of NURBs Controls Nets Using Genetic Algorithms and CUDA

The typical goals for defining a control net for a Non-Uniform Rations B-spline (NURBs) based metamodel from a given set of data the desired result is the smallest set of control points in the least possible time while minimizing local and/or global error. Current metamodel fitting algorithms iteratively find and eliminate the largest sources of local error, thus creating a very accurate control net with sub-optimal size. Since, control net size is directly related to the speed the control net can be searched for global optima, the size must be reduced as much as possible without increasing local or global error. Current algorithms can model discontinuous portions of data by clustering numerous control points close together. This is both inefficient to search and may cause the search algorithm to become numerically unstable and crash because of control points placed too closely together. Furthermore, many current algorithms do not take advantage of the weight property of each control point. In this paper, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to optimize existing control nets as well as create new control nets from data sets. In order to offer a comparable creation time for the control net, parallel programming techniques are used incorporating the CUDA GPU Architecture. CUDA was chosen because it is low cost, highly parallel architecture available on millions of computers. The code is intended for a single desktop computer, running a maximum of 4 CUDA devices, not a CUDA cluster. This approach may have fitting applications to both metamodels and geometric fitting of NURBs objects.© 2011 ASME
Intracellular Parasitism: Life in an Extreme Environment

I met Francis Gordon right at the close of World War II. The end of the war meant the end of my job on the malaria project at the University of Chicago. Jobs were hard to find then, and the only offer I had was to move across the street from the Department of Biochemistry, where I had done my graduate work, to the Department of Bacteriology and Parasitology, where Francis was on the faculty. Since it was the only offer I got, I took it. One day just before I moved, Francis called to ask me over to talk about collaborating with him on a new research project for which he had just received support from the U.S. Public Health Service, as momentous an event in those long-gone times as it has again become today. I went and found that the new research project was on some infectious agents I had never heard of before. This was my first encounter with Francis Gordon and with psittacosis. When Francis left Chicago for Fort Detrick, a student of his, Emilio Weiss, and I assumed responsibility for the research grant and did rather well with it, we thought. However, when renewal time came, the study section thought otherwisewe were too inexperienced to work independently. But Francis saw to it that I got a Fort Detrick contract to continue my research on psittacosis, a contract that for several years was my only source of research money. I saw less and less of Francis as the years went by, but he always remained my very good friend. I wish with all my heart that this occasion had nev r arisen, but I am honored to have been chosen to give the first Francis B. Gordon Memorial Lecture.
Behaviorism: Some truths that need telling, some errors that need correcting

The assumptions that collectively constitute behaviorism are described. All had been proposed and defended before Watson coined his famous term for them. J. B. Watson was to blame for much of the confusion surrounding behaviorism because he embraced a metaphysical framework that had nothing to do with behaviorism. A sample of criticisms of behaviorism is evaluated.
PARATHION ACTIVATION ENZYMES IN THE FAT BODY MICROSOMES OF THE AMERICAN COCKROACH.

Activation of parathion was studied as an example of microsomal oxidation by using the fat body enzymes of 3- to 4-month-old female American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L.). Activation was estimated manometrically by inhibition of house fly, Musca domestica L., head cholinesterase. The anticholinesterase product was identified as para-oxon. Purified parathion gave no inhibition of the cholinesterase when assayed in low light. No activation was detected with fat body homogenates from late instar nymphs. The activation enzymes were present primarily in a subcellular fraction that resembled mammalian liver microsomes. The enzymes required oxygen and NADPH2 for activation. NADH2 was a less effective cofactor. Oxidized forms of the cofactors and tetrahydrofolic acid were without effect. The optimum pH for the stability of the enzymes was 7 and that for the activation reaction was 7.5. Loss of para-oxon owing to the microsomes was prevented by pretreating them with para-oxon. Heated microsomes contained a heat-stable factor that supported the reaction. The enzymes were apparently inactivated by the activation reaction. Possible causes were discussed. Activation was inhibited by WARF antiresistant, sesamex, and other insecticide synergists. The mode of inhibition was examined. A nonenzymatic model reaction also was studied.
Antihypertensive Efficacy of Compound Candesartan Cilexetil/HTCZ Assessed by 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Patients With Essential Hypertension

Objectives:To compare the antihypertensive efficacies of candesartan cilexetil 16 mg/HTCZ12.5 mg with candesartan cilex- etil 16mg after 8 weeks treatment by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(ABPM). Methods:A randomized,double-blind,parallel-group study of Can/HTCZ(group 1)versus Can(group 2)was conducted in 55 patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension whose target sitting diastolic BP was not achieved(SeDBP 90 mmHg)after 4 weeks treatment with 8 mg candesartan cilexetil once-daily were undergone ABPM.Changes of daytime and night-time diastolic(DBP)and systolic blood pressures(SBP)by A BPM were compared.Tough peak ratio(TPR)and smooth- ness index(SI)were calculated for each group. Results:The mean BP(SBP/DBP)at 24h,daytime and night-time by ABPM in group 1(n = 28)decreased by 15.86± 8.24/8.75±6.23 mmHg,17.04±9.60/10.00±6.87 mmHg and 14.61±9.92/7.64±7.57 mmHg;and in group 2(n =27) decreased by 5.15±7.67/4.44±4.59 mmHg,6.70±7.12/5.26±4.49 mmHg and 4.11±10.78/3.52±6.47 mmHg respec- tively.The T/P ratio of SBP and DBP were 99.36%(19.16/19.28 mmHg)and 87.36%(10.14/11.61 mmHg)in group 1; and 4.42%(7.30/ 13.41 mmHg)and 64.86%(6.43/9.91 mmHg)in group 2 respectively. Conclusion:Compared with Can 16 mg,the compound Can 16 mg and HCTZ 12.5 mg presented the better effect to the pa- tients with essential hypertension,and the compound product could reduce the blood pressure in a greater degree with longer time. The everage ambulatory blood pressure reducing model was like day timewhole daynight time,SBPDBP.The compound product may decease the blood pressure in a smoother way.
Examination of a Physical Education Personal Health Science Course: Face-to-Face Classroom Compared to Online Hybrid Instruction.

Many studies have compared traditional face-to-face courses to online or distance education courses. The purpose of this study was to examine academic performance, perceptions, and experiences of participants enrolled in different academic learning environments. Pre and Post Content Knowledge Tests and a student evaluation were used to measure perceptions and experiences of participants. From the first result (perception), no significant difference (p > .05) was found between the two class formats in course evaluation, showing college students had similar perceptions regardless of class format. With the second result (experience), a significant difference (p = .031 < .05) was found between the two class formats in self-evaluation, indicating participants in this study had better experiences from the traditional face-to-face class format.
Association of breast cancer with common variants in the BRCA2 gene an Afro-Barbadian population

B103 Significant evidence of inherited risk for breast cancer (bc) has been associated with deleterious mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been reported across multiple populations; however it is not known whether or not common variants in these genes influence breast cancer risk. We set out to determine if common variants in the BRCA2 gene were associated with breast cancer risk in the Afro-Caribbean population on the island of Barbados. We screened the coding region of BRCA2 for all variants in this gene in a sample of 95 female participants (43 cases and 52 female age-matched controls). A total of 27 variants were discovered in BRCA2. Approximately half (n=14) of the variants had minor allele frequencies (MAF) >5% and were also found in dbSNP. However, we discovered ten previously unreported variants, although representing relatively rare alleles (MAF 1%) or only for markers with a MAF>10%. One major haplotype block of 12 SNPs was identified. The average D9 between the pairs of loci was 0.93, but the average R2 was only 0.22. When looking individually at all BRCA2 SNPs genotyped, there were six BRCA2 SNPs that showed nominally significant associations with BC risk, but these associations were not significant after permutation test (100 iterations). No haplotypes showed significant association with BC in these data. These data would suggest that common variation within the BRCA2 locus does not confer increased risk of breast cancer in the Afro-Barbadian population. However, a larger cohort may be needed to completely rule this locus out as being a contributor to breast cancer in Barbados.