cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GEN-IV Reactors

Generation-IV reactors are a set of nuclear reactors currently being developed under international collaborations targeting sustainability, safety and reliability, high economics, proliferation resistance, and physical protection of nuclear energy. Nuclear systems have been developed over a number of decades and have evolved to the third generation from the first generation of prototypes constructed in 1950s and 1960s, via the second generation of the commercial reactors operated worldwide after 1970s. While the third generation nuclear systems are currently proposed to the potential customers and under constructions with significant evolutionary in economics and safety based on lessons learnt through plenty reactor operations, nuclear experts from around the world began formulating the requirements for a generation IV of nuclear systems concerning over energy resource availability, climate change, air quality, and energy security. Six systems have been selected for further R&D as generation IV nuclear systems by Generation IV International Forum (GIF), which is a cooperative international endeavor organized to carry out the R&D needed to establish the feasibility and performance capabilities of Generation IV systems. The six systems are Gas-cooled Fast Reactor, Lead-cooled Fast Reactor, Molten Salt Reactor, Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor, Supercritical-Water Reactor, and Very-High-Temperature Reactor.
Chapter 10 How Insulin Regulates Glucose Transport in Adipocytes

Insulin stimulates glucose storage and metabolism by the tissues of the body, predominantly liver, muscle and fat. Storage in muscle and fat is controlled to a large extent by the rate of facilitative glucose transport across the plasma membrane of the muscle and fat cells. Insulin controls this transport. Exactly how remains debated. Work presented in this review focuses on the pathways responsible for the regulation of glucose transport by insulin. We present some historical work to show how the prevailing model for regulation of glucose transport by insulin was originally developed, then some more recent data challenging this model. We finish describing a unifying model for the control of glucose transport, and some very recent data illustrating potential molecular machinery underlying this regulation. This review is meant to give an overview of our current understanding of the regulation of glucose transport through the regulation of the trafficking of Glut4, highlighting important questions that remain to be answered. A more detailed treatment of specific aspects of this pathway can be found in several excellent recent reviews (Brozinick et al., 2007 Hou and Pessin, 2007; Huang and Czech, 2007;Larance et al., 2008 Sakamoto and Holman, 2008; Watson and Pessin, 2007; Zaid et al., 2008)One of the main objectives of this review is to discuss the results of the experiments measuring the kinetics of Glut4 movement between subcellular compartments in the context of our emerging model of the Glut4 trafficking pathway.
Abstract MP07: Increased Risk of Death in Individuals with Premature Atrial, but not Premature Ventricular Contractions on Screening Electrocardiogram

Introduction: Premature atrial contractions (PACs) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) detected by long-term electrocardiographic recording have been found to be a marker of increased cardiovascular risk. However, the prognostic significance of PACs and PVCs detected by routine 12-lead screening electrocardiogram (ECG) is not well-established. Methods: We investigated the association between PACs and PVCs detected by a single 12-lead ECG with the risks of death from any cause, cardiovascular (CVD) disease, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a nationally representative, community-dwelling cohort of 7642 individuals enrolled in the Third Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Individuals with known coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, paced rhythms, and atrial fibrillation were excluded. Results: Mean age was 60 (± 14) years, 53% were women, 24% were non-Hispanic black, and 23% were Hispanics. PACs were detected in 94 (1.2%) participants while PVCs were detected in 114 (1.5%). Over a follow up period of up to 18 years, the death rates per 1000 person-years were 97, 40, and 21 for all-cause, CVD, and IHD deaths, respectively. In a demographic adjusted model, presence of PACs was associated with 50%, 78% and 151% increased risk of all-cause death, CVD death, and IHD death, respectively. After further adjustment for CVD risk factors, ECG abnormalities, concomitant comorbidities and potential confounders, these risks remained significantly high (Table). For PVCs, however, no significant associations with any type of deaths in any model were detected. Conclusion: PACs, but not PVCs, on routine screening ECG are predictive of adverse events in community-dwelling individuals without known heart disease. Given the low cost and widespread use of 12-lead ECG, these findings warrant further investigation into mechanisms and interventions.
The graph drawing server

There are many obstacles in the way of someone wishing to make use of existing graph drawing technology— software installation and data conversion can be time-consuming and may be prohibitively difficult for the casual or novice user, and software may be limited to a particular platform or provided interface. The Graph Drawing Server (GDS) [2] seeks to remove many of these obstacles by providing a graph drawing and translation service with an easy-to-use webbased interface1. A user needs only a commonly-available web browser to access a variety of algorithms, without having to install any additional software or do any format translations (once the data is in one of many supported formats). GDS has received over 62,000 requests from 43 countries since June 1996.
Tractable databases: how to make propositional unit resolution complete through compilation

We present procedures to compile any propositional clausal database σ into a logically equivalent “compiled” database σ * such that. for any clause C , σ |= C if and only if there is a unit refutation of σ * U C . It follows that once the compilation process is complete any query about the logical consequences of σ can be correctly answered in time linear in the sum of the sizes of σ * and the query. The compiled database σ * is for all but one of the procedures a subset of the set PI (σ) of prime implicates of σ, but σ * can be exponentially smaller than PI (σ). Of independent interest, we prove the equivalence of unit-refutability with two restrictions of resolution, and provide a new sufficient condition for unit refutation completeness, thus identifying a new class of tractable theories, one which is of interest to abduction problems as well. Finally, we apply the results to the design of a complete LTMS.
Attachment between former spouses : impact on co-parental communication and parental involvement

This study examines the relationship between attachment of former spouses and parental communication and involvement. Data were collected from one hundred and seventeen divorced persons (46 men and 71 women) with school aged children. Research instruments included a shortened version of Kitson's (1982) attachment scale and Goldsmith's (1980) Co-Parental Communication and Parental Participation scales. Results suggest attachment may not be an adequate predictor in how involved divorced men are with their children. Rather, family boundary ambiguity in divorced families (particularly for males) may contribute to both low parental involvement and co-parental communication.
Large Scale Star Formation and the Interstellar Medium

The development of empirical techniques for measuring star formation rates in galaxies has made it possible to characterize the basic star formation properties of the Hubble sequence, and to explore the physical process which regulate the star formation on large scales. I review the observational techniques which are currently used to measure star formation rates, and what these observations tell us about the global star formation properties of galaxies. I then discuss observational efforts to understand the dependence of the star formation rate on the physical properties of the interstellar medium.
Graphical calculus for relativistic wave equations

For practical calculations with relativistic wave equations we describe a graphical formalism based on the techniques developed for angular-momentum analysis. We demonstrate the usefulness of this formalism to obtain some new and deeper results about the general theory of relativistic wave equations: we consider the generalized Dirac matrices, their commutation relations, the corresponding mass spectrum and theg-factors.
Classification of Automated Search Traffic

As web search providers seek to improve both relevance and response times, they are challenged by the ever-increasing tax of automated search query traffic. Third party systems interact with search engines for a variety of reasons, such as monitoring a web site’s rank, augmenting online games, or possibly to maliciously alter click-through rates. In this paper, we investigate automated traffic (sometimes referred to as bot traffic) in the query stream of a large search engine provider. We define automated traffic as any search query not generated by a human in real time. We first provide examples of different categories of query logs generated by automated means. We then develop many different features that distinguish between queries generated by people searching for information, and those generated by automated processes. We categorize these features into two classes, either an interpretation of the physical model of human interactions, or as behavioral patterns of automated interactions. Using the these detection features, we next classify the query stream using multiple binary classifiers. In addition, a multiclass classifier is then developed to identify subclasses of both normal and automated traffic. An active learning algorithm is used to suggest which user sessions to label to improve the accuracy of the multiclass classifier, while also seeking to discover new classes of automated traffic. Performance analysis are then provided. Finally, the multiclass classifier is used to predict the subclass distribution for the search query stream.
Growth of carcinogen-altered rat hepatocytes in the liver of syngeneic recipients promoted with phenobarbital.

Abstract An improved transplantation system for the study of carcinogen-altered hepatocytes is described. This system, which is based on that reported by Laishes and Farber (Cancer Res., 61: 507–512, 1978), involves the transfer of hepatocytes from male F344 animals to syngeneic adult hosts. Unlike the earlier protocol, the recipient rats were fed phenobarbital (PB) rather than the DNA-reactive agent, 2-acetylaminofluorene. γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)-positive hepatocytes were induced in the donor animals by one of three different hepatocarcinogenic treatment regimens. The recipient rats received 0.05% PB in the diet for 3 wk prior to the cell transfer and were maintained on the PB diet for 2 to 7 mo. Hepatocytes from a male F344 donor rat that had received a 70% hepatectomy and 30 mg of diethylnitrosamine per kg and had been maintained on 0.05% PB for 12 mo formed GGT-positive colonies and hepatocellular carcinomas in both male and female recipients. No GGT-positive colonies were formed when 0.05% PB was omitted from the diet of the recipients. A 70% partial hepatectomy of the recipients at the time of cell transfer was also essential for the development of colonies and tumors. The mean volume of the colonies was 5 times larger in female recipients than in males, occupying 38% of the total liver volume in the females. GGT-positive foci arose in recipient livers that had received hepatocytes from either a male F344 donor rat treated according to the Solt and Farber [Nature (Lond.), 263: 701–703, 1976] selection protocol or a male F344 donor rat that received a 70% hepatectomy and 30 mg of diethylnitrosamine per kg and was maintained on 0.05% PB for 5 mo. The recipient animals were treated with PB which the initial experiments showed was essential for the development of foci. The number and volume of the foci in the recipient varied according to the treatment regimen that the donor rat received. This system provides a method for analyzing the growth regulation of altered foci at various stages of neoplastic development during hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat in the absence of DNA-reactive selection agents.
Determining copper ions in water using electrochemiluminescence

Abstract The detection of copper ions in aqueous solution using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is reported. ECL is generated by reducing Cu2+ ions to Cu+ with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and then complexing with the chelating agent 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp) to form Cu(dmp)2+, followed by oxidation in the presence of tri-n-propylamine (TPrA). The ECL intensity peaks a potential corresponding to oxidation of both TPrA and Cu(dmp)2+, indicating that the emission is from a Cu(dmp)2+ metal-to-ligand charge transfer excited state. Conditions for ECL emission were optimized and used to generate a calibration curve that was linear over the 0.1–5 mg/l (ppm) range. The theoretical limit of detection was 6 μg/l (ppb), with a practical limit of detection of 0.1 ppm. The ECL of several metal ions other than copper with dmp, and effects on Cu(dmp)2+ ECL were also examined.
Interaction of tomato lycopene and ketosamine against rat prostate tumorigenesis.

4384 Cancer is second only to heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. Indeed, it is estimated that approximately 178,000 new breast cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2007 and 40,000 women will succumb to the disease. The nature of the disease makes it very resistant to chemotherapeutic intervention and radiation. The balance of the Bcl-2 protein family has been implicated as the major contributing factor to conferral of resistance to cancer therapy. Previous work from our research group has demonstrated that Coenzyme Q10 (Q10) is able to significantly decrease Bcl-2 and thereby induce apoptosis in melanoma and prostate cancer. Hence, we postulated that Q10 may have a pro-apoptotic effect in breast cancer. To investigate this hypothesis, we employed the Sk-Br3 and MCF-7 breast cancer lines which exhibit a mutation Her-2/neu and p53 respectively. We examined the effect of Coenzyme Q10 on various members of the Bcl-2 family (bcl-2, bcl-xl, bid, bad, bak, mcl-1, bim, and bax), p53, and caspases 3, 6, 9. All cells were treated for 0-12 hours in the presence and absence of 50µM and 100µM Q10 under physiologic conditions after which total protein was isolated and subjected to Western blot analysis to measure the aforementioned protein products. The results showed that there was an upregulation in protein expression of pro-apoptotic members and BH3 subfamily members such as bid, bad, bax, bim, and bak whereas the anti-apototic members bcl-xl, mcl-1, and bcl-2 significantly decreased in total protein expression between 3 and 12 hours. Commitment to apoptosis was confirmed by activation of caspase 3, 6 and 9. Conversely, administration of Coenzyme Q10 to mammary fibroblasts did not elicit a significant response on any of the aforementioned intracellular proteins involved in programmed cell death. The data herein suggest that Coenzyme Q10 is able to modulate the various subfamilies of the Bcl-2 family in a manner that restores the apoptotic potential in breast cancer without presenting any adverse effects to normal breast tissue. This provides a template for further investigation into the mechanism of action of mammary oncogenesis while providing support for the use of Coenzyme Q10 as an adjuvant in breast cancer therapy.
Glacial Sequence near McCall, Idaho: Weathering Rinds, Soil Development, Morphology, and Other Relative-Age Criteria

The sequence of glacial deposits near McCall, Idaho, previously assigned to the Pinedale and Bull Lake glaciations, contains deposits of four different ages. These ages are defined by multiple relative-age criteria, including weathering rinds, soil development, surface-rock weathering, morainal morphology, and loess stratigraphy. The thickness of weathering rinds on basaltic clasts is statistically representative and reproducible and can be used to estimate numerical ages. Following in order of decreasing relation to age are soil development, surface-rock weathering, and moraine morphology. The glacial deposits near McCall appear to correspond to times of high worldwide ice volume indicated by the marine oxygen-isotope record. Pilgrim Cove and McCall deposits, both assigned to the Pinedale glaciation, are late Wisconsin in age, perhaps 14,000 and 20,000 years, respectively. They represent a rare case in which deposits of Pinedale age can be separated by relative-age data. Timber Ridge deposits, assigned to the Bull Lake glaciation, have subdued, but well-preserved morainal morphology; relative-age data indicate that they are pre-Wisconsin in age, probably about 140,000–150,000 years old, although we cannot exclude an older age. Williams Creek deposits are clearly distinct from, and intermediate in age between, McCall and Timber Ridge deposits. Weathering rinds and the inferred ages of the other deposits suggest an early Wisconsin age for Williams Creek deposits.
A Memory-Based Logic Block With Optimized-for-Read SRAM for Energy-Efficient Reconfigurable Computing Fabric

A memory-based logic block (MLB), which is a building block for memory-based reconfigurable computing framework, is presented in 130-nm CMOS. The MLB is designed with an optimized-for-read (OFR) 6T static random access memory (SRAM)-based lookup table and demonstrates single- and multicycle evaluation of complex functions. Power-aware mapping leverages the data-dependent read power of the OFR SRAM to reduce MLB evaluation power.
A connectionist-based approach for human action identification

This paper presents a hierarchal, two-layer, connectionist-based human-action recognition system (CHARS) as a first step towards developing socially intelligent robots. The first layer is a K-nearest neighbor (K-NN) classifier that categorizes human actions into two classes based on the existence of locomotion, and the second layer consists of two multi-layer recurrent neural networks that distinguish between subclasses within each class. A pyramid of histograms of oriented gradients (PHOG) descriptor is proposed for extracting local and spatial features. The PHOG descriptor reduces the dimensionality of input space drastically, which results in better convergence for the learning and classification processes. Computer simulations were conducted to illustrate the performance of the proposed CHARS and the role of temporal factor in solving this problem. A widely used KTH human-action database and the human-action dataset from our lab were utilized for performance evaluation. The proposed CHARS was found to perform better than other existing human-action recognition methods and achieved a 95.55% recognition rate.
Genotypic and Phenotypic Analyses of Hepatitis C Virus Variants Observed in Clinical Studies of VX-222, a Nonnucleoside NS5B Polymerase Inhibitor

VX-222, a thiophene-2-carboxylic acid derivative, is a selective nonnucleoside inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. In phase 1 and 2 clinical studies, VX-222 demonstrated effective antiviral efficacy, with substantial reductions in plasma HCV RNA in patients chronically infected with genotype 1 HCV. To characterize the potential for selection of VX-222-resistant variants in HCV-infected patients, the HCV NS5B gene was sequenced at baseline and during and after 3 days of VX-222 dosing (monotherapy) in a phase 1 study. Variants with the substitutions L419C/I/M/P/S/V, R422K, M423I/T/V, I482L/N/T, A486S/T/V, and V494A were selected during VX-222 dosing, and their levels declined over time after the end of dosing. Phenotypic analysis of these variants was conducted using HCV replicons carrying site-directed mutations. Of the 17 variants, 14 showed reduced susceptibility to VX-222 compared with the wild type, with the L419C/S and R422K variants having higher levels of resistance (>200-fold) than the rest of the variants (6.8- to 76-fold). The M423I and A486S variants remained susceptible to VX-222. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) for the L419P variant could not be obtained due to the poor replication of this replicon. The majority of the variants (15/17) were less fit than the wild type. A subset of the variants, predominately the L419S and R422K variants, were observed when the efficacy and safety of VX-222- and telaprevir-based regimens given for 12 weeks were investigated in genotype 1 HCV-infected patients in a phase 2 study. The NS3 and NS5B variants selected during the dual combination therapy showed reduced susceptibility to both telaprevir and VX-222 and had a lower replication capacity than the wild type. The phase 1b study has the ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00911963, and the phase 2a study has ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01080222.
Physical and chemical properties of lactate dehydrogenase in Homarus americanus.

Abstract Two isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase have been purified from Homarus americanus: One is found predominantly in the tail muscles; the other, in the walking leg muscles. This is the first demonstration of multiple forms of l -specific lactate dehydrogenase in an invertebrate organism. These proteins contain four essential sulfhydryl groups titratable by p -hydroxymercuribenzoate and 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid). The molecular weights of these isoenzymes are dependent upon ionic strength. The native tetramer ( M r 145,000) exists in low ionic strength solutions; the active dimer ( M r 75,000), in high ionic strength solutions; this is the only example of lactate dehydrogenase disaggregation without concomitant loss in enzymatic activity. Microcomplement fixation studies suggest that there may be less than 4% difference in the primary structures of these two proteins.
Emerging nonvolatile magnetic memory technologies

This paper reviews the development of magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) with an emphasis on recent developments at IBM. MRAM is unique among nonvolatile memory technologies in having high endurance (actually unlimited) and high performance, though it is not the highest density technology. In the emerging form of MRAM that scales the best, spin-torque-transfer MRAM (STT-MRAM), control of distributions will be crucial for transforming promising research results into products. These challenges are discussed, along with some options for meeting them. For lowering write currents and thus improving power and density, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy materials are vital. For helping with margins and also improving performance, a recently proposed new three-terminal device for the cell structure looks attractive.
Space-Time Mesh Codes for the Multiple-Access Relay Network: Space vs. Time Diversity Benefits

We consider a wireless multiple access network where the sender nodes are aided by a number of relay nodes. A transmission of bit-messages is completed in two phases: in the first phase each sender node originates its message which is overheard at the relay node, and in the second phase each relay node transmits the parity bit calculated from the overheard bit-messages. The low-density parity-check codes are used at the sender nodes in the time-domain, and the low-density generator-matrix code is formed across the spatial domain. At the access node, the received bits from multiple sender nodes and relay nodes are thus encoded in both the time and the spatial domain. We call this combination a space-time mesh code here. In this paper, an iterative decoding scheme is designed for the mesh code and its BER performance in AWGN, fast Rayleigh fading, and quasi-static Rayleigh fading channels are investigated. We note that there is an important trade-off relation between the time-domain and the spatial domain coding. Namely, the time-domain coding is desired when the channel exhibits fast fading; while the spatial domain coding is preferred when the channel is in quasi-static fading state.
Solving the secondary structure matching problem in cryo-EM de novo modeling using a constrained K-shortest path graph algorithm

Electron cryomicroscopy is becoming a major experimental technique in solving the structures of large molecular assemblies. More and more three-dimensional images have been obtained at the medium resolutions between 5 and $10 \AA$ . At this resolution range, major $\alpha$ -helices can be detected as cylindrical sticks and β-sheets can be detected as plain-like regions. A critical question in de novo modeling from cryo-EM images is to determine the match between the detected secondary structures from the image and those on the protein sequence. We formulate this matching problem into a constrained graph problem and present an $O({\rm \Delta }^2 N^2 2^N)$ algorithm to this NP-Hard problem. The algorithm incorporates the dynamic programming approach into a constrained $K$ -shortest path algorithm. Our method, DP-TOSS, has been tested using α-proteins with maximum 33 helices and $\alpha{\hbox{-}}\beta$ proteins up to five helices and 12 $\beta$ -strands. The correct match was ranked within the top 35 for 19 of the 20 α-proteins and all nine $\alpha {\hbox{-}}\beta$ proteins tested. The results demonstrate that DP-TOSS improves accuracy, time and memory space in deriving the topologies of the secondary structure elements for proteins with a large number of secondary structures and a complex skeleton.
An enhanced droplet-based liquid microjunction surface sampling system coupled with HPLC-ESI-MS/MS for spatially resolved analysis

Droplet-based liquid microjunction surface sampling coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for spatially resolved analysis provides the possibility of effective analysis of complex matrix samples and can provide a greater degree of chemical information from a single spot sample than is typically possible with a direct analysis of an extract. Described here is the setup and enhanced capabilities of a discrete droplet liquid microjunction surface sampling system employing a commercially available CTC PAL autosampler. The system enhancements include incorporation of a laser distance sensor enabling unattended analysis of samples and sample locations of dramatically disparate height as well as reliably dispensing just 0.5 μL of extraction solvent to make the liquid junction to the surface, wherein the extraction spot size was confined to an area about 0.7 mm in diameter; software modifications improving the spatial resolution of sampling spot selection from 1.0 to 0.1 mm; use of an open bed tray system to accommodate samples as large as whole-body rat thin tissue sections; and custom sample/solvent holders that shorten sampling time to approximately 1 min per sample. The merit of these new features was demonstrated by spatially resolved sampling, HPLC separation, and mass spectral detection of pharmaceuticals and metabolites from whole-body rat thin tissue sections and razor blade (“crude”) cut mouse tissue.
Discontinuous Galerkin methods for plasma physics in the scrape-off layer of tokamaks

A new parallel discontinuous Galerkin solver, called ArcOn, is developed to describe the intermittent turbulent transport of filamentary blobs in the scrape-off layer (SOL) of fusion plasma. The model is comprised of an elliptic subsystem coupled to two convection-dominated reaction-diffusion-convection equations. Upwinding is used for a class of numerical fluxes developed to accommodate cross product driven convection, and the elliptic solver uses SIPG, NIPG, IIPG, Brezzi, and Bassi-Rebay fluxes to formulate the stiffness matrix. A novel entropy sensor is developed for this system, designed for a space-time varying artificial diffusion/viscosity regularization algorithm. Some numerical experiments are performed to show convergence order on manufactured solutions, regularization of blob/streamer dynamics in the SOL given unstable parameterizations, long-time stability of modon (or dipole drift vortex) solutions arising in simulations of drift-wave turbulence, and finally the formation of edge mode turbulence in the scrape-off layer under turbulent saturation conditions.
Are rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus inversely related diseases

Although rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have certain features in common, the literature suggests that the two diseases are inversely related to each other in at least eight major respects, viz., age of onset in relation to reproductive fertility; psychosis; kidney disease; nutritional status; and the differential effects of pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, jaundice, and penicillamine. It is suggested that associated with RA and SLE are differing blood and/or tissue levels of a common but as yet undetermined factor: deficient levels in RA, toxic levels in SLE.
Night-shift work and incident diabetes among African-American women

Aims/hypothesis The aim of this study was to assess shift work in relation to incident type 2 diabetes in African-American women.
Dual-Mode Sorption of Low-Polarity Compounds in Glassy Poly(Vinyl Chloride) and Soil Organic Matter

The widely accepted dissolution (partition) model of sorption to soil organic matter (SOM) has been challenged by evidence that SOM has a non-uniform sorption potential. This study presents data supporting a previously sug gested alternative dual-mode model of sorption in which dissolution and hole-filling mechanisms take place concurrently, as in glassy organic polymers. The holes are postulated to be nanometer-size voids within the organic matrix that provide complexation sites. The main focus was on sorption of chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, and 1,3-dichlorobenzene, but some experiments were carried out also on 2,4-dichlorophenol and the herbicide metolachlor. Sorption from water to high-organic soils, humic acid particles, and poly(vinyl chloride) is nonlinear, competitive, and predictably responsive to conditions that affect hole populations such as temperature and co-solvent addition. Sorption to a peat soil and its components became progressively nonlinear and competitive in the order humic ac...
Benign unilateral apraxia of eyelid opening.

Purpose To report a case series of patients with benign unilateral apraxia of eyelid opening. Design Retrospective, observational case series. Participants Five patients with unilateral transient ptosis after sleep from a single neuro-ophthalmology practice. Methods A list of 208 patients with ptosis seen at a single neuro-ophthalmology practice was drawn through the computer coding system. Transcribed reports of the outpatient visits of these patients were reviewed from this database to identify the final diagnoses. All patients with a diagnosis of ptosis resulting from underlying neurologic, myopathic, or neuromuscular problems were excluded. Five patients with ptosis that occurred on awakening and resolved after mechanical eyelid elevation were included. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measure was identifying and defining a group of patients with a benign clinical entity causing ptosis that can cause a clinical dilemma. Results Three of 5 patients were women. Ages ranged from 49 to 71 years. All patients experienced complete ptosis only on awakening after sleep. The ptosis was unilateral and did not recur after manual elevation of the eyelid. None of the patients had any underlying neurologic problem that could be contributory and were thoroughly investigated with neuroimaging and laboratory testing, including acetylcholine receptor antibodies. Examination revealed no ocular cause for the ptosis in each patient. In all patients, follow-up telephone reports noted no subsequent condition that could be responsible for ptosis. Conclusions The identification and diagnosis of this form of isolated ptosis, which herein is termed benign unilateral apraxia of eyelid opening, is of importance in that extensive evaluation is not warranted unless there are other neurologic or ocular findings. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
The measurement of menstrual symptoms: Factor structure of the menstrual symptom questionnaire in adolescent girls

This study examined the factor structure of the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) in a sample of 210 adolescent girls (11-17 years). Such an examination has not been carried out with an adolescent sample. In addition, the definitions of menstrual disorders have evolved since the creation of the MSQ. Exploratory factor analysis supported a three factor structure indicating abdominal pain, negative affect/somatic complaints, and back pain. Partial correlations indicated all three MSQ factors were correlated with depressive symptoms, but only the negative affect factor was correlated with trait anxiety. Future research should explore potential associations in multiple areas of functioning as menstrual symptoms may alter healthy developmental processes during adolescence.
Contrast echocardiography for evaluation of left ventricular flow dynamics using densitometric analysis.

BACKGROUND Few data exist regarding intraventricular flow patterns in the presence of left ventricular dysfunction. Therefore, we examined the relation between intracavitary left ventricular flow dynamics and the presence of ventricular contractile abnormalities using videodensitometric analysis of transpulmonary contrast echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed before, during, and after intravenous injection of sonicated albumin in 8 normal subjects, 22 patients with infarction, and 6 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Time-intensity curves were recorded, and disappearance half-times (in cardiac cycles) were measured for regions of interest at the mitral orifice (Ta) and mid-left ventricular cavity (Tb). We observed contrast enhancement of the left ventricular cavity in 28 of 36 patients. Ta and Tb were identical (19 beats) in all normal patients, but Tb was greater than Ta (19 versus 22 beats, P or = 4; and group C, which was composed of patients without contrast enhancement. Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was similar in normal patients (46.1 mm) and group A patients (50.3 mm) but was less in each cohort than in groups B (58.7 mm) and C (64.1 mm) (all P CONCLUSIONS Clearance of contrast from the mid-left ventricular cavity is prolonged in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. This prolongation may be related to increased left ventricular diastolic volume, impaired intracavitary mixing, or paradoxical systolic flow. Delayed left ventricular contrast washout may have implications regarding the formation of left ventricular thrombi.
The quantitative analysis of sets of multicomponent time dependent spectra from decay of radionuclides

Abstract A weighted least squares method for estimating the contributions of individual radionuclides in a multicomponent pulse-height spectrum is described. The method is equally applicable for a set of spectra recorded over a period of time. The use of decay characteristics in addition to pulse-height characteristics increases the application and sensitivity of the method. Neither the simultaneous linear equations nor the simple least squares methods reported in the literature take account of the random structure of counting data. The weighted least squares method does to a degree as the weights reflect the covariance in both sample and background spectra. With a set of spectra at least three methods can be used to eliminate background: 1. 1. supply a background spectrum which is used to adjust to net sample spectra, 2. 2. include a background spectrum in the mathematical model and estimate it simultaneously with specific components and 3. 3. difference the successive sample spectra and change the mathematical model appropriately. The third method has the added attraction that estimates are quite insensitive to the erroneous deletion from the model of nuclides whose half lives are long relative to the interval between successive observations. An IBM FORTRAN language program is described which performs the weighted least squares estimation. As a degenerate case the program performs the simultaneous linear equations estimation also. Examples are included of the application of the program to both actual pulse-height spectra and to Monte Carlo generated spectra. The data processing system for transfer of punch paper tape multi-channel data to magnetic tape and for input-output to the quantitative analysis program is also described.
Comparison of three measures of resistance of soil surface seals to raindrop splash

Abstract The relationship between rainsplash and three measures of soil strength was investigated for surface soil seals using a laboratory rainfall simulator and erosion pans. A significantly high correlation was found between pocket penetrometer and torvane strengths ( R 2 = 0.49) , and a lower correlation between both pocket penetrometer ( R 2 = 0.24) and torvane ( R 2 = 0.24) strengths and the fall-cone strength was found. Rainsplash was highly correlated ( R 2 = 0.49) with rainfall kinetic energy (KE) divided by the fall-cone shear strength (FC) but was not related to penetrometer and torvane strengths. Addition of a silt content term to the KE/FC linear equation slightly decreased R2. Improvements in the prediction of rainsplash can be achieved by including terms defining the macro- and microtopography, such as slope steepness, surface roughness, and depressional storage.
Effect of oxygen stoichiometry on electronic Raman scattering in YBa2Cu3Ox (7.0 > x > 6.8)

Abstract The polarized electronic Raman response of YBaCuO (Y-123) single crystals and polycrystals with oxygen stoichiometries of 7.0, 6.9, and 6.8 and its temperature dependent redistribution in the normal and superconducting states has been investigated for frequency shifts between 70cm−1 and 2000cm−1. Polarized spectra of polycrystalline samples were found to yield a predominantly zz polarized (i.e.∥ c-axis) response. In the normal state temperature dependencies differ displaying Bose-Einstcin and quasi-Fermi-liquid behaviors for the zz dominated polycrystal and single crystal xx polarizations respectively but are found to be essentially independent of oxygen stoichiometry. In the superconducting (SC) state partial gap formation by condensation of charge density fluctuations below 200cm−1 and pair breaking peak enhancement of the electronic Raman response between 200cm−1 and 330cmt−1 appears independent of oxygen stoichiometry in the zz dominated polycrystals. Comparison to the known xx SC response yields similar gap values but smaller pairbreaking peak widths indicating greater quasiparticle lifetimes or smaller momentum transfer. Enhanced subgap zz polarized electronic excitations observed at 10K only in the oxygen depleted sample (O = 6.8) and similar xx excitations in Y-123 and Y-124 possibly suggest that they originate from the Cu(1)-O(1) chain bands.
Scientific and ethical aspects of human monitoring

Screening and monitoring activities have their place in the prevention of workplace and environmental disease and injury. Testing, while still relatively nonspecific at this time, can be appropriately used in such prevention activities. Unfortunately, such information can be misused or even put to malevolent purpose, and this complicates the moral and ethical aspects of such testing. With advances in molecular biology, one can anticipate more refined and individualized testing in the future.
Unequal coupled-mode-velocity C section filters

Experimental and theoretical results are presented that demonstrate novel filter properties of inhomogeneous coupled-line C sections having large even-mode-velocity/odd-mode-velocity ratios.
Chromosomal Constitution of Human Endometrium

IT is generally assumed that there is a diploid number of chromosomes in nearly all human somatic cells. That this is not true for the endometrium was first reported by Timonen1 in 1950. He found chromosome numbers ranging from 4 to 104 in 1,000 cells of human endometrium. Manna2 observed similar aneuploidy in this tissue. Sachs3, on the other hand, found no variation from the normal diploid number in either human or rat endometrium. Walker and Boothroyd4, although they found chromosome counts ranging from 42 to 56, believed that the apparent aneuploidy was caused by the methods used, and suggested that Timonen's results were similar artefacts produced by the technique. Since all these investigators used squash preparations without previous hypotonic treatment, it is quite possible that in some cases accurate counts were not possible or that fragmentation occurred. Furthermore, the human diploid chromosome number was, at that time, believed to be 48, and this erroneous belief may also have biased the results obtained. Although new methods were introduced into human cytogenetics and the quality of the preparations was greatly improved, the question of aneuploidy in the endometrium has remained unanswered. In 1958, Tjio and Puck5 reported that they had found only diploid and some tetraploid cells in endometrium grown in tissue culture. Takemura6, however, found that of 109 cells only 51.4 per cent had 46 chromosomes, the chromosome counts in the others ranging from 33 to 95.
The taxonomy of haemophili isolated from conjunctivae.

The paper provides a description of 112 Haemophilus strains isolated from cases of conjunctivitis in Egypt, Tunisia, Denmark, and the U.S.A., and aims at a clarification of the taxonomy of haemophili implicated in conjunctivitis. Although the study confirms the diversity of haemophili which can be isolated from inflamed conjunctivae, the vast majority of strains could be assigned to either biotype II or III of H. influenzae. Thirteen strains possessed all the characteristics of the Koch-Weeks bacillus. However, judged by the findings the recognition of the Koch-Weeks bacillus as a separate species does not seem tenable. It is suggested that this organism is considered a haemagglutinating variety of H. influenzae biotype III. The study indicates that the haemagglutinating ability per se, which can be found in strains of several taxa of Haemophilus, is associated with a special pathogenic potential.
Adaptive wormhole routing in tori with faults

The authors present a method to enhance wormhole routing algorithms for deadlock-free fault-tolerant routing in tori. They consider arbitrarily-located faulty blocks and assume only local knowledge of faults. Messages are routed via shortest paths when there are no faults, and this constraint is only slightly relaxed to facilitate routing in the presence of faults. The key concept used is that, for each fault region, a fault ring consisting of fault free nodes and physical channels can be formed around it. These fault rings can be used to route messages around fault regions. We prove that, at most, four additional virtual channels are sufficient to make any fully-adaptive algorithm tolerant to multiple faulty blocks in torus networks. Simulation results are presented for fully-adaptive algorithm showing that good performance can be obtained with as many as 10% links faulty.
Design and Synthesis of Porphyrin-Based Optoelectronic Gates

Two porphyrin-based optoelectronic gates and several prototypical redox-switching components of gates have been synthesized for studies in molecular photonics. Linear and T-shaped molecular optoelectronic gates contain a boron-dipyrrin (BDPY) dye as the input unit, a zinc (Zn) porphyrin as the transmission unit, a free base (Fb) porphyrin as the output unit, and a magnesium (Mg) porphyrin as the redox-switching unit. The linear gate and T gate were synthesized using a molecular building block approach. In the linear gate synthesis, a BDPY−Zn porphyrin dyad was coupled with a Fb porphyrin−Mg porphyrin dimer. The synthesis of the T gate utilized a Zn porphyrin bearing four different meso substituents: mesityl, 4-iodophenyl, 4-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]phenyl, and 4-[2-triisopropyl)ethynyl]phenyl. Attachment of the three different groups to the Zn porphyrin was accomplished using successive Pd-mediated coupling reactions in the following sequence: Fb porphyrin (output unit), BDPY dye (input unit), and Mg ...
Dense core vesicles around the Lewy body in incidental Parkinson's disease: an electron microscopic study.

In a case of Lewy body disease incidentally found at autopsy, numerous dense core vesicles, 80–200 nm in diameter, were seen in the neuronal perikarya of the locus caeruleus. They were particularly numerous in the vicinity of the Lewy bodies. The change seems to occur at the early stage of Lewy body production and may represent an additional morphologic clue to abnormal catecholamine metabolism in Parkinson's disease.
Identification of neonatal white matter on DTI: influence of more inclusive thresholds for atlas segmentation.

Purpose Semi-automated diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis of white matter (WM) microstructure offers a clinically feasible technique to assess neonatal brain development and provide early prognosis, but is limited by variable methods and insufficient evidence regarding optimal parameters. The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of threshold values on semi-automated, atlas-based brain segmentation in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants at near-term age. Materials and Methods DTI scans were analyzed from 45 VLBW preterm neonates at near-term-age with no brain abnormalities evident on MRI. Brain regions were selected with a neonatal brain atlas and threshold values: trace 0.15, FA>0.20, and FA>0.25. Relative regional volumes, FA, axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were compared for twelve WM regions. Results Near-term brain regions demonstrated differential effects from segmentation with the three FA thresholds. Regional DTI values and volumes selected in the PLIC, CereP, and RLC varied the least with the application of different FA thresholds. Overall, application of higher FA thresholds significantly reduced brain region volume selected, increased variability, and resulted in higher FA and lower RD values. The lower threshold FA>0.15 selected 78±21% of original volumes segmented by the atlas, compared to 38±12% using threshold FA>0.25. Conclusion Results indicate substantial and differential effects of atlas-based DTI threshold parameters on regional volume and diffusion scalars. A lower, more inclusive FA threshold than typically applied for adults is suggested for consistent analysis of WM regions in neonates.
Efficient data accessing in the programming language Bliss

The specification of data structure in higher-level languages is isolated from the related specifications of data allocation and data type. Structure specification is claimed to be the definition of the accessing (addressing) function for items having the structure. Conventional techniques for data structure isolation in higher-level languages are examined and are found to suffer from a lack of clarity and efficiency.The means by which data structure accessors may be defined in Bliss, the specification of their association with named, allocated storage, and their automatic invocation by reference to the named storage only, are discussed. An example is presented which illustrates their efficient implementation and their utility for separating the activities of data structure programming and algorithmic programming.