cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The responses of models of "high-spontaneous" auditory-nerve fibers in a damaged cochlea to speech syllables in noise.

The responses of four high‐spontaneous fibers from a damaged cat cochlea responding to naturally uttered consonant–vowel (CV) syllables [m], [p], and [t], each with [a], [i], and [u] in four different levels of noise were simulated using a two‐stage computer model. At the lowest noise level [+30 dB signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratio], the responses of the models of the three fibers from a heavily damaged portion of the cochlea [characteristic frequencies (CFs) from 1.6 to 2.14 kHz] showed quite different response patterns from those of fibers in normal cochleas: There was little response to the noise alone, the consonant portions of the syllables evoked small‐amplitude wide‐bandwidth complexes, and the vowel‐segment response synchrony was often masked by low‐frequency components, especially the first formant. At the next level of noise (S/N=20 dB), spectral information regarding the murmur segments of the [m] syllables was essentially lost. At the highest noise levels used (S/N=+10 and 0 dB), the noise was almos...
Regional systems of care for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Do they save lives?

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred method of reperfusion for patients with STelevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) based on evidence for decreased mortality compared with fibrinolytic therapy or with no reperfusion. The results from randomized clinical trials that informed international clinical practice guidelines stimulated a concerted effort to increase timely access to PCI in the United States, and included the development of regional STEMI systems. Despite this solid foundation of evidence, questions have been raised about whether regional STEMI systems actually decrease mortality and about whether the focus on timely access to PCI for STEMI patients is appropriate. In a recent editorial, it was argued that “it is time to reconsider transferring patients with STEMI for primary PCI,” stating that “timely reperfusion by thrombolytics, not late primary PCI via transfer, will save lives.” The argument was based primarily on recent data showing that transfer times have been slow to improve; in particular, the goal “door in-door out time” of 30 minutes has been difficult to achieve. Others have pointed to the Reperfusion of Acute Myocardial Infarction in North Carolina Emergency Departments project, a state-wide system to improve the rate and speed of coronary reperfusion, which demonstrated a significant improvement in treatment times but did not show a difference in clinical outcomes including death, cardiac arrest, and cardiogenic shock. How strong is the evidence of benefit? Is timely access to primary PCI for every STEMI patient in the United States a worthy goal? A decade ago, a quantitative review of 23 randomized trials published in Lancet demonstrated a significant reduction in death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (8% vs 14%, P b .001) for patients treated with primary PCI
Chronic kidney disease in the elderly: evaluation and management

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a very common clinical problem in elderly patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. As life expectancy continues to improve worldwide, there is a rising prevalence of comorbidities and risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes predisposing to a high burden of CKD in this population. The body of knowledge on the approach to elderly patient with CKD is still evolving. Thus, this review seeks to explore the epidemiology and to discuss current understanding of challenges in the diagnosis and management of elderly patients CKD.
A classical solution for many-body forces of directly interacting particles

The first class constraint conditions of relativistic direct interaction dynamics have been solved. Their solution expresses the many-body interactions in terms of the two-body interactions in perturbation expansion. The n-body interaction is of order g smaller than the (n-1)-body interaction. The expressions are considerably simpler than those obtained previously.
Statistical Error Analysis for the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Technique

The statistical error associated with the direct simulation Monte Carlo technique is studied when it is applied to nonequilibrium hypersonic and nozzle flows. A root mean square (rms) error is employed as an indicator of the level of the statistical fluctuations. The effects of number of particles per cell and sample size are analyzed and quantified. It is found that in order to adequately model the physics of interest, the number of particles in the simulation must be greater than a certain minimum. An equation is developed to model and analyze the rms errors. A range is provided of the appropriate number of particles to be employed in the simulation in order to achieve the smallest statistical error at a fixed computational cost. Values are also recommended for the maximum number of sampling time steps to be used for efficient computation on memory limited computers. The effects of collision model and of cloning particles on the statistical scatter are analyzed.
On the sensitivity of the value of information to risk aversion in two-action decision problems

This paper discusses the sensitivity of the value of information to the risk aversion in two-action decision problems when the initial wealth is uncertain. We demonstrate that there is no general monotonicity between information value and the Arrow–Pratt risk aversion in this setting. We then show that monotonicity exists in the sense of Rubinstein’s measure of risk aversion when the lottery is independent of the initial wealth. Finally, we show that if the lottery is dependent on the initial wealth, then Ross’s measure of risk aversion is needed to characterize this monotonic relation. Our results explain the shape of the sensitivity analysis curve of the value of information to risk aversion and interpret various measures of risk aversion based on their monotonicity with information value.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma lines produce biologically active angiogenic factors

Angiogenesis is the formation of capillaries from pre-existing blood vessels. Angiogenesis occurs in many developmental, physiologic, and pathologic processes including tumor growth. Previous studies have shown that angiogenesis is required for growth and metastasis of solid tumors. Fibroblast growth factors (FGF-1, -2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are extremely potent angiogenesis inducers by stimulating the proliferation and migration of capillary endothelial cells. Expression of these factors is upregulated in many solid tumors and correlates with high vascularity, lymph node metastasis, and poor clinical prognosis. Few studies have examined whether established head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lines produce biologically active angiogenic factors. By immunoprecipitation, we detected FGF and VEGF proteins in cellular lysates of SCC lines. We also detected FGF-1 and -2 proteins in serum-free-conditioned medium from these lines. Conditioned medium from SCC lines significantly increased proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). This increased proliferation was abrogated by pre-incubation of conditioned medium with neutralizing antibodies to FGFs and VEGF. Conditioned medium from SCC lines also significantly stimulated HUVEC invasion across a reconstituted basement membrane. We concluded that head and neck SCC lines secrete biologically active angiogenic factors.
Photochemical conversion of a dicofol impurity, α-chloro-DDT, to DDE

Examen des proprietes chromatographiques et spectroscopiques du dicofol et de l'α-chloro DDT et de leurs produits de photolyse, apres irradiation de solutions dans l'hexane. Mise en evidence d'une decomposition du dicofol en dichloro-4,4' benzophenone, dechlorodicofol et biphenyle (dichloro), tandis que l'α-chloro-DDT subit une dechloration photochimique et est une source de DDE pour l'environnement
Medical Tables, Graphics and Photographs: How They Work:

An examination of a random sample of four medical journals—The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of the American Medical Association, and The Journal of Laboratory and Clinic...
Identification of the sites of hydroxyl radical reaction with peptides by hydrogen/deuterium exchange: prevalence of reactions with the side chains.

Hydroxyl radical-effected protium/deuterium (1H/2H) exchange into the C−H bonds present in peptides has been used to identify the site of hydrogen atom abstraction by hydroxyl radical. Radiolysis of anaerobic, N2O-saturated D2O solutions containing peptide and dithiothreitol generates a hydroxyl radical that mediates 1H/2H exchange into the side chains of peptides of up to 66 atom % excess 2H. The 1H/2H exchange is determined by measuring the isotope ratio, [M + H + 1]+/[M + H]+, of the peptide using electrospray ionization−mass spectrometry. The 1H/2H exchange within each residue of the peptide was determined by measuring the isotope ratio of each isolated dansyl amino acid following hydrolysis and derivatization. Generation of 0.40 mM hydroxyl radical effected 1H/2H exchange into each of the five different residues of (Ala2)-leucine enkephalin (YAGFL). The propensity of the residues to undergo exchange was L > Y > A ≅ F > G, independent of whether they were radiolyzed separately or as the peptide. The m...
Expression, activation, and function of integrin αMβ2 (Mac-1) on neutrophil-derived microparticles

Leukocyte-derived microparticles (MPs) are markers of cardiovascular diseases and contribute to pathogenesis by their interaction with various cell types. The presence and activation state of a multifunctional leukocyte receptor, integrin αMβ2 (CD11b/18), on MPs derived from human neutrophils (PMNs) were examined. αMβ2 expression was significantly enhanced on MPs derived from stimulated compared with resting PMNs. Furthermore, αMβ2 on MPs from stimulated but not resting PMNs was in an activated conformation because it was capable of binding activation-specific monoclonal antibodies (CBRM1/5 and mAb24) and soluble fibrinogen. MPs expressing active αMβ2 interacted with and were potent activators of resting platelets as assessed by induction of P-selectin expression and activation of αIIbβ3. With the use of function-blocking antibodies and MPs obtained from αM−/−-deficient mice, we found that engagement of GPIbα on platelets by αMβ2 on MPs plays a pivotal role in MP binding. Platelet activation by MPs occurs by a pathway dependent on Akt phosphorylation. PSGL-1/P-selectin interaction also is involved in the conjugation of MPs to platelets, and the combination of blocking reagents to both αMβ2/GPIbα and to PSGL-1/P-selectin completely abrogates MP-induced platelet activation. Thus, cooperation of these 2 receptor/counterreceptor systems regulates the prothrombotic properties of PMN-derived MPs.
Assessing Parents' Involvement In Their Children'S Schooling

This paper examines two dimensions of parental involvement with their children’s schooling: (1) parent-child interaction with homework in the home and (2) parent-school staff interactions with meet...
Spinning a Mental Web.

In our ever more connected world, the critical importance of networks is becoming increasingly apparent in everything from ecological to financial systems, from social media to electricity grids. It is becoming clear, as recently demonstrated by the financial crisis, that the failure of single components can have drastic consequences for the whole system. (As Sporns drily puts it: “When networks fail, bad things tend to happen”). In order to begin to understand these ripple effects, the features and characteristics of underlying network architectures must be examined.
An ultrasonic measurement technique to determine the location and volume of spherical voids in fluids

Ultrasonic techniques may have significant utility for monitoring and measurement in two-phase fluid systems in low gravity environments. One example is the determivation of interface shape in storage vessels so that liquid quantity can be established. The inherent value of ultrasonic systems is the non-invadve nature of the measurements. When the void fraction in a vessel is sufficiently small and the liquid wets the vessel, a spherical void interior to the liquid will form. Given such a sysiem, one can attempt to develop a system to measure the void volume with a minimum number of ultrasonic transducers. A Synthetic Aperture Focus Technique (SAET) has been evaluated as a possible measuring technique and found to be unsatisfactory. Alternatively, a new procedure has been developed, a Void Estimate Center Technique (VECT), which uses an iterative algorithm to determine the center location of a spherically shaped void. Although recent, experiments to date have been confined to a two-dimensional prototype, the results have been encouraging and the prototype can easily be extended to a threedimensional system. The system design, hardware and performance are discussed in detail.
Tissue-specific upregulation of HSP72 in mice following short-term administration of alcohol

Oxidative stress and cellular injury have been implicated in induction of HSP72 by alcohol. We investigated the association between HSP72 induction and oxidative stress in mouse tissues following short-term administration of high doses of alcohol and caffeine alone or in combination. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were gavaged with vehicle, alcohol (∼1.7 g/kg/day), caffeine (∼44 mg/kg/day), or alcohol plus caffeine once daily for ten consecutive days. Upon completion of the treatments, tissues were collected for structural and biochemical analyses. Alcohol alone caused mild to moderate lesions in heart, liver, and gastrocnemius muscle. Similar structural changes were observed following administration of alcohol and caffeine combined. Alcohol administration also led to decreased glutathione levels in all three tissues and reduced plasma superoxide dismutase capacity. In contrast, alcohol and caffeine in combination reduced glutathione levels only in liver and gastrocnemius muscle and had no effect on plasma superoxide dismutase. Significant elevations in HSP72 protein and mRNA and in HSF1 protein levels were noted only in liver by alcohol alone or in combination with caffeine. No significant changes in morphology and HSP72 were detected in any tissues tested following administration of caffeine alone. These results suggest that a redox mechanism is involved in the structural impairment caused by short-term high-dose alcohol. Oxidative tissue injury by alcohol may not be associated with tissue HSP72 induction. Induction of HSP72 in liver by alcohol is mediated at both the transcriptional and translational levels.
Heterozygosity Or Homozygosity For 2 HLA Class II Haplotypes Predict Favorable Outcomes For Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated With Cytokine Therapy

ABSTRACTPurpose: Durable responses to cytokine therapy occur in a small subset of patients with renal cell carcinoma. We determined if a common HLA genotype existed among these patients which might be associated with response and survival.Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 80 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who had received cytokine therapy. DNA obtained from these patients was used for high resolution typing of HLA A, B, C, DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles.Results: The class II alleles from patients with prolonged disease-free survival were predominantly composed of haplotype DRB1*0301/DQA1*0501/DQB1*0201 and DRB1*1501/DQA1*0102/DQB1*0602. The frequency of heterozygosity or homozygosity for these alleles was significantly greater in the good outcome group of patients than in those whose disease progressed during therapy. Heterozygosity or homozygosity at these loci was also associated with significant prolongation of survival.Conclusions: We conclude that heterozygosity or ...
General Dumouriez and the Girondins 1792–1793

DURING the first six months of the life of the National Convention, that is between October, 1792, and March, 1793T the Girondin party struggled to assert its political control over Revolutionary and war-torn France. That same period found General Charles Dumouriez playing the part of France's successful general. Between the party and the general extremely important relationships existed. The Girondins needed a successful war policy if they were to stay in office, and on his side Dumouriez needed, despite the flux of revolutionary conditions, a dependable civil administration which would furnish him the wherewithal to wage war. The future of party and general depended upon continued co-operation. Between Dumouriez and the Girondin leaders there had been a liaison of some duration which on occasion was troubled and uncertain. The basis of this alignment was self-interest on both sides, and its strains had come at periods when interests could not be reconciled. Both Dumouriez and the Girondins had served in the ministry of Louis XVI from March to June, I792. Dumouriez co-operated with this ministry-the Roland ministry-at the outset, but it is important to note that Dumouriez entered the ministry at Louis XVI's request ten days before the Girondin members, Roland and Claviere, became a part of it. He entered via the court and with the tacit approval of Narbonne, the outgoing minister, for whom he had drawn a plan of defense for the Midi.' Therefore, though the general was supported by the Girondin leader, Gensonnen, he was more closely associated with the interests of the king than of the party. Dumouriez was given the disposal of six millions in secret funds, anid, through his conniections in the court, he
And a comedian shall show journalists the way

Purpose – To discuss the time when an overuse of a marketing perspective for a product is detrimental to the best interests of society. In this case, using marketing to drive journalistic decision results in a poorly informed electorate in which a comedy program of admitted fake news provides more insight into the truth of politicians' statements than do actual television news shows.Design/methodology/approach – The starting‐point is the fake news program on a comedy network, whose show host himself generated news during the election season with confrontations and criticisms of journalists who failed to do their reporting job.Findings – The journalists, according to Stewart, have come to serve theater and the illusion of objectivity instead of the truth. When marketing drives journalism decisions, the public loses.Practical implications – This abuse and misuse of marketing for news programming decisions lower the credibility of all news and information, and the dedicated journalists in the professions sho...
Almost Periodic Solutions of Neutral Differential Difference Equations with Piecewise Constant Arguments

In this paper, we study the existence of almost periodic solutions of neutral differential difference equations with piecewise constant arguments via difference equation methods.
The oxidation of Ti(III) by hydrogen atoms

Abstract The rate constant for the oxidation reaction of Ti(III) by hydrogen atoms has been measured in competition with the abstraction reaction of deuterated isopropanol. From yield measurements of HD and H 2 a rate constant of 4.2 × 10 7 M −1 was determined.
Determination of the ED50 of Isoflurane and Evaluation of the Isoflurane‐Sparing Effect of Butorphanol in Cockatoos (Cacatua spp.)

The use of butorphanol as an analgesic in a psittacine species was evaluated by determining its isoflurane-sparing effects. The Effective Dose 50 (ED50) of isoflurane was determined using a bracketing technique based on the purposeful movement elicited by pressure applied to a digit with a hemostat. The ED50 of isoflurane for 11 cockatoos (four greater sulfur crested, three lesser sulfur crested, and four citron crested) was determined to be 1.44 +/- 0.07%. After the administration of 1 mg/kg of butorphanol tartrate intramuscularly (IM), the ED50 was significantly (P < .05) decreased to 1.08 +/- 0.05%. Physiological variables that changed significantly included decreases in heart rate, tidal volume (Vt), inspiratory (Ti) and expiratory times (Te), and an increase in respiratory rate. No complications resulted because of these changes. Based on the results, butorphanol produces an isoflurane-sparing effect in cockatoos and has the potential to be a useful analgesic in psittacines.
Conformational analysis of polyoxyethylene‐bound homo‐oligo‐L‐glutamates in a weakly interacting medium, CDCl3

A detailed conformational analysis of polyoxyethylene-bound N-t-butyloxycarbonyl homo-oligo-L-glutamates up to the heptamer was carried out in CDCl3 solution using high-resolution 1H-nmr spectroscopy. Unequivocal assignments of resolved backbone NH and α-CH resonances were obtained with specifically deuterated oligomers. From nmr measurements, chemical-shift dependencies with respect to temperature and solvent, and the line-broadening effects of free radicals allowed the determination of hydrogen-bonded residues. The nmr data, along with model-building studies, suggest that seven-membered rings may exist in the N-terminal portion of these peptides. Replacement of the N-t-butyloxycarbonyl group by an acetyl or pyroglutamyl residue gave aggregated peptides, pointing to a special contribution by the Boc group to hydrogen bonding and solubility in CDCl3.
Reaction to punishment in extraverts and psychopaths: Implications for the impulsive behavior of disinhibited individuals

Abstract To explore the factors mediating impulsivity in the syndromes of disinhibition, we investigated the ability of extraverts and psychopaths to use signals for punishment to withhold maladaptive approach behavior under various incentive conditions. The results provide evidence that (a) in comparison to controls, extraverts and psychopaths fail to use cues for punishment to inhibit incorrect approach responses; (b) the deficient response inhibition of disinhibited subjects is specific to approach-avoidance situations; (c) under conditions involving monetary rewards and punishments, disinhibited subjects are less likely to slow down, and may even respond more quickly, following punishment; and (d) the tendency to speed up rather than slow down following punishment is associated with failure to learn from punishment. The results suggest that once focused on obtaining reward, extraverts and psychopaths display an active (disinhibited) as opposed to a passive (reflective) reaction to punishment and frustrative nonreward. This reaction to punishment appears to interfere with learning cues for punishment and may underlie the poor passive avoidance learning and impulsive behavior that characterize the syndromes of disinhibition.
"Lectlets" Deliver Content at a Distance: Introductory Statistics as a Case Study

A lectlet is a short Web streamed-audio lecture synchronized to an interactive text-graphics display. Lectlets can be used either as distance-education courseware or as enhancements to traditional classroom education. In this study, I compared lectlet-based distance education to traditional education for 4 semesters by simultaneously teaching 2 sections of introductory statistics: one lectlet based and the other in traditional format. Students in each format visited the other format and compared them. Student evaluation and course outcomes showed that (a) lectlets effectively presented content, (b) lectlet-based format was better than the traditional course in 6 specific ways, (c) the traditional format was rated as a better overall learning environment, and (d) lectlets were valuable as ancillaries to the traditional format. Lectlets may be useful in any content-oriented course.
Consumer Survival during the Great Depression: Reports from the Field:

This article reconstructs consumers' experiences during the Great Depression, using observations of their behavior as preserved in archival reports. Where possible, archival photographs were collected to provide supportive visual documentation of particular aspects of consumption. The four themes resulting from the analysis of these data are (1) the effect of a lack of employment opportunities and protection on depression-era consumption, (2) deterioration of living accommodations and goods needed to sustain life and health, (3) return to self-sufficient modes of production, and (4) collective/communal action. Broader implications for marketers are discussed.We still pray to be given each day our daily bread. Yet there is too much bread, too much wheat and corn, meat and oil and almost every other commodity required by man for his subsistence and material happiness. We are not able to purchase the abundance that modern methods of agriculture, mining and manufacture make available in such bountiful quantit...
A colorimetric method of determination of Borax

Resume Les auteurs ont etabli une methode permettant un dossage rapide et precius du borax. Le Prirncipe de cette methode consiste a complexer le bore du borax a analyser avec l'anion fluorhydrique en exces; l'exces d'ions fluorhydriques provoquera la decoloration du compose Fer (III) — acide sulfosalicylique violet, par formation du complexe [FeF 6 ] -3 mcolore. Le logarithme de l'extinction (E), mesure au colorimetre, est done proportionnel a la concentration en ions F', et par consequent, induectement a celle du borax a doser.
Organic and inorganic phosphate interactions with soil hydroxy-interlayered minerals

Even though extensive work has been done on P interactions with free Al- and Fe-hydroxide minerals, limited or no information exists on sorption/desorption processes of organic and inorganic phosphate forms with soil hydroxy-interlayered minerals. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of soil clays rich in hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite (HIV) and smectite (HIS) minerals to adsorb and release inorganic and organic P forms as compared to geological reference gibbsite and goethite minerals. Seven-day P adsorption/desorption experiments were conducted involving six soil clays containing >40% HIV, two soil clays containing >55% HIS, and two reference goethite and gibbsite clays equilibrated with P pools consisting of 10 mg P g–1 clay from KH2PO4 or inositol hexakisphosphate. The results indicated a strong tendency for HIV and HIS minerals to sorb P at amounts equivalent to or even higher than those sorbed by gibbsite or goethite minerals. Organic P was sorbed at higher quantities and was retained with greater energy than inorganic P forms. Ammonium oxalate-treated samples produced a clearer picture of the net contribution of hydroxy-interlayered minerals to P sorption capacity compared to free Al/Fe hydroxide components, but the degree of Al-hydroxy-interlayering somewhat obscured P-sorption mineral quantity correlations. Increasing P-sorption equilibration times generally increased total inorganic and organic-sorbed P loads only of the ammonium oxalate treated samples, suggesting increased P interaction with less accessible interlayer reactive sites. Reaction times had no significant effect on P desorption characteristics, although some samples released less P at longer equilibration times probably due to readsorption processes. The findings suggest that soils containing high amounts of hydroxy-interlayered minerals may act as good P sinks and tolerate higher organic P loads than free Al or Fe hydroxides without increasing risks of P contamination.
Calmodulin modulation of adverse effects of Cd2+ on microtubules and tubulin polymerization in vitro

Abstract The contribution of calmodulin to the effects of Cd 2+ on microtubules has been investigated in the detergent-extracted cytoskeletons of cultured cells and on tubulin polymerization in vitro . When incubated with micromolar concentrations of Cd 2+ or Ca 2+ alone, or a mixture of both ions, microtubules in the extracted cytoskeletons disassembled. This disassembly was prevented by compound 48/80, a potent calmodulin inhibitor. In bovine brain microtubule protein containing microtubule-associated proteins, calmodulin also enhanced the Cd 2+ -mediated inhibition of tubulin polymerization; further, this enhancing effect of calmodulin was reversed by compound 48/80. These results demonstrate that Cd 2+ can affect microtubules by binding to and activating calmodulin.
Intralayer versus interlayer pairing in the copper oxide superconductors: The three- and four-layer problems.

We have analyzed the possible superconducting states of a model layered superconductor with N conducting layers in a unit cell, for N=3 and 4, in the presence of both intralayer and interlayer pairing interactions. In case all layers are identical, the system has the same behavior as one-layer and two-layer systems, namely that pure intralayer pairing interaction stabilizes an s-wave state with equal and isotropic gaps in all N quasiparticle bands, while interlayer pairing produces both singlet and triplet paired states with anisotropic gap functions. The singlet state is always energetically more stable than the triplet state. The analysis can be easily extended to nonidentical layers. As one example, a model for ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ consisting of two ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ layers in a unit cell separated by a layer of CuO chains is discussed. It is shown that the system reduces to an effective two-layer model, due to the large difference in electronic energy states between the planes and the chains. The chains are most likely nonsuperconducting. In another example, we show that ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ can be reduced to an effective three-layer system. Recent tunneling data can be understood on the basis of this model.
STRONG FORMS OF ORTHOGONALITY FOR SETS OF HYPERCUBES

Abstract For hypercubes of dimension d ≥ 2 , we discuss several generalizations of the usual notion of pairwise orthogonality. We provide some constructions for complete sets of orthogonal hypercubes and also discuss connections to MDS codes.
Significance of Distal Ureteral Margin at Radical Cystectomy for Urothelial Carcinoma

Purpose: Urothelial carcinoma develops from a diffusely susceptible mucosa and, thus, patients who undergo cystectomy are at risk for upper tract recurrence. Management of the distal ureter at cystectomy remains controversial and the impact of a sequential sectioning strategy remains unclear.Materials and Methods: We identified 1,397 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for nonmetastatic urothelial carcinoma from 1980 to 1998. All patients underwent frozen section analysis of the distal ureteral specimen. When positive, additional specimens were obtained. We evaluated the impact of a positive ureteral margin and the effect of ultimately obtaining a negative margin after sequential resection.Results: At last followup 432 patients (31%) had died of urothelial carcinoma a median of 1.8 years after cystectomy. Median followup in the 315 patients alive at last evaluation was 14.0 years. A total of 178 patients (12.7%) had a positive initial ureteral margin and only 31 (2.2%) had a positive final resection...
A boundary cloud method with a cloud-by-cloud polynomial basis

Abstract We have recently presented a boundary cloud method (BCM) [Comput. Meth. Appl. Mech. Engng 191 (2002) 2337], which combines boundary integral formulations with scattered point interpolation techniques. A generalized least-squares approach, which requires information about the outward normal to the boundary, is employed to construct interpolation functions. Since an outward normal is not well defined for geometries with corners for 2D problems (or for corners and edges for 3D problems), points could not be placed at corners when discretizing the surface of the object. In this paper, we introduce a new implementation of the BCM, which uses a varying base interpolating polynomial to construct interpolation functions. The key idea is to define an appropriate polynomial basis which ensures linear completeness. The polynomial basis can change from cloud to cloud depending on the definition of the cloud at each point. The new implementation can handle points at corners and is much simpler and at least an order of magnitude faster compared to our original implementation. The original implementation can be more accurate and can give higher order convergence rates, but is limited because it cannot handle points at corners. Numerical results comparing the original and the new implementation are shown for several potential and electrostatic problems.
The inpatient treatment of severe personality disorders: The borderline spectrum

The inpatient treatment of severe personality disorders requires a multidisciplinary clinical approach based on an understanding of the patient's personality organization, predominant personality traits, and comorbid psychiatric disorders.
Computational Insights into Aspartyl Protease Activity of Presenilin 1 (PS1) Generating Alzheimer Amyloid β-Peptides (Aβ40 and Aβ42)

In this combined bioinformatics, molecular dynamics (MD), and density functional theory study, mechanisms for the hydrolytic cleavage of Val-Ile and Ala-Thr peptide bonds of amyloid precursor protein by the intramembrane aspartyl protease presenilin 1 (PS1) have been elucidated. These processes lead to the formation of 40−42 amino acids long Alzheimer amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides (Aβ40 and Aβ42, respectively). In the absence of an X-ray structure of PS1, based on the substrate specificity and structural characteristics of the active site, another aspartyl protease BACE1 was selected as a model for PS1. The general acid/base mechanism utilized by PS1 is divided into the following two steps: (1) formation of the gem-diol intermediate, and (2) cleavage of the Val-Ile or Ala-Thr peptide bond. The MD simulations indicate that the electronic nature of the cleavage site (Val-Ile and Ala-Thr) plays a critical role in the formation of the enzyme−substrate complex. The calculated barrier (at B3LYP level) for the gene...
Understanding disparities in asthma outcomes among African Americans.

Racial disparities in asthma morbidity and mortality are greater than differences in asthma prevalence. This finding suggests that following the diagnosis of asthma, blacks receive substantially different care than non-Hispanic whites, through available health care systems and their social support networks, and racial differences in relevant environmental exposures contribute to differences in morbidity and mortality. An overview of factors that may contribute to disparities in asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality, including contextual factors, is provided.
Taxol induced apoptosis regulates amino acid transport in breast cancer cells

A major outcome from Taxol treatment is induction of tumor cell apoptosis. However, metabolic responses to Taxol-induced apoptosis are poorly understood. In this study, we hypothesize that alterations in specific amino acid transporters may affect the Taxol-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. In this case, the activity of the given transporter may serve as a biomarker that could provide a biological assessment of response to drug treatment. We have examined the mechanisms responsible for Taxol-induced neutral amino acid uptake by breast cancer cells, such as MCF-7, BT474, MDAMB231 and T47D. The biochemical and molecular studies include: (1) growth-inhibition (MTT); (2) transport kinetics: (3) substrate-specific inhibition; (4) effect of thiol-modifying agents NEM and NPM; (5) gene expression of amino acid transporters; and (6) apoptotic assays. Our data show that Taxol treatment of MCF-7 cells induced a transient increase in Na(+)-dependent transport of the neutral amino acid transporter B0 at both gene and protein level. This increase was attenuated by blocking the transporter in the presence of high concentrations of the substrate amino acid. Other neutral amino acid transporters such as ATA2 (System A) and ASC were not altered. Amino acid starvation resulted in the expected up-regulation of System A (ATA2) gene, but not for B0 and ASC. B0 was significantly down regulated. Taxol treatment had no significant effect on the uptake of arginine and glutamate as measured by System y(+) and X(-) (GC) respectively. Tunel assays and FACS cell cycle analysis demonstrated that both Taxol- and doxorubicin-induced upregulation of B0 transporter gene with accompanying increase in cell apoptosis, could be reversed partially by blocking the B0 transporter with high concentration of alanine, and/or by inhibiting the caspase pathway. Both Taxol and doxorubicin treatment caused a significant decrease in S-phase of the cell cycle. However, Taxol-induced an increase primarily in the G2 fraction while doxorubicin caused increase in G1/G0 together with a small increase in G2. In summary, our study showed that Taxol induced apoptosis in several breast cancer cells results in activation of amino acid transporter System B0 at both gene and protein level. Similar response was observed with another chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin, suggesting that this increase is in response to apoptosis, and not only due to changes in cell cycle related events.
Hot‐pressing and characterization of polycrystals of β‐Mg2SiO4, for acoustic velocity measurements

Hot-pressing techniques have been developed for a 2,000-ton uniaxial split-sphere apparatus (USSA 2000) to fabricate polycrystalline specimens of high-pressure phases of mantle minerals at pressures up to 18 GPa and temperatures up to 1,400C. Cylindrical specimens (3 mm in diameter and 2-3 mm long) of the beta-phase of Mg{sub 2}SiO{sub 4} were synthesized using a NaCl cell and recovered at ambient conditions by simultaneously decompressing and cooling along a computer-controlled P-T path designed to preserve the high-pressure phase and anneal strains in the polycrystalline aggregates. These specimens are single-phased, fine-grained ({le} 5 micron), free of microcracks and preferred orientation and have bulk densities greater than 99% of x-ray density. Ultrasonic interferometry measurements of the P-wave and S-wave velocities demonstrate that the polycrystals are isotropic and exhibit velocities within 2% of the Hashin-Shtrikman averages calculated from the single-crystal elastic moduli. The successful fabrication of these high-quality polycrystalline specimens makes feasible experiments to determine the pressure dependence of the acoustic velocities for high-pressure phase of mantle minerals.
Fast and efficient solution of path algebra problems

Abstract This paper extends the author's parallel nested dissection algorithm (Pan and Reif, Technical Report 88-18, Computer Science Department, SUNY Albany, 1988) originally devised for solving sparse linear systems. We present a class of new applications of the nested dissection method, this time to path algebra computations (in both cases of the single source path problems and of the all pair path problems), where the path algebra problem is defined by a symmetric matrix A whose associated undirected graph G has a known family of separators of small size s(n) (in many cases of interest, s(n) = O(√n).) The assumption that G has known separators is reasonable in a large variety of practical dynamic situations, where G is fixed and the entries of the matrix A associated with the edges of G may vary with the input. We substantially improve the known algorithms for path algebra problems of this general class: Previous estimates Path problem Sequential time Parallel time Proccessors Precomputed separators Single source O(n 2 ) O(n) O(I(n) log n) n n 3 /(I(n) log n) No Yes All pairs O(n 3 ) O(n) O(I(n) log n) n 2 n 3 /(I(n) log n) No Yes New Algrithms Path problem Sequential time Parallel time Processors Precomputed separators Single source O(n 1.5 ) O(( log n) √n) O(I(n) log 2 n) n/ log n n 1.5 /(I(n) log n) No Yes All pairs O(n 2 log n) O(( log n) √n) O(I(n) log 2 n) n 1.5 n 2 /I(n) log n) No Yes Here we assume that G is given with its O(√n)-separator family. The latter assumption can be lifted for the sequential time estimates and for O((log n) √n) parallel time estimates for planar graphs, because the evaluation of an O(√)-separator family can be done in O(n) sequential time (Lipton and Tarjan, SIAM J. Appl. Math.36, No. 2, (1979), 177–189) or, on PRAM, in O((log n) √n) parallel time with (√n)/log n processors (Gazit and Miller, manuscript, Computer Sci. Dept., University of Southern California, 1986), with small overhead constants in both cases. I(n) denotes parallel time of computing the sum of n values, I(n)=O(log n) for any EREW PRAM, I(n) = O(1) on a randomized CRCW PRAM. Furthermore using the randomized algorithm of (Gazit and Miller, in “Proceedings, 28th Annu. IEEE Symp. FOCS, 1987,” pp. 238–248), we may precompute separators of a planar graph using O(log2n) time, n + ƒ 1+ϵ processors for a positive ϵ where ƒ is the number of faces; this is less than the cost of the subsequent path computation. Moreover, we preserve the above processor bounds but further decrease the parallel time by a factor of log n (via a modification of our new algorithms based on pipelining) in the important case of computing the minimum cost paths in a planar graph. Further applications lead, in particular, to computing a maxflow and a mincut in an undirected planar network using O(I(n) log2 n) parallel steps, n 1.5 I(n) log n processors, versus the known bounds, O(log2 n) and n4, of (Johnson, J. ACM34, No. 4 (1987), 950–967).
Low-pressure chemical vapor deposition for very large-scale integration processing&#8212;A review

An overview is presented of low-pressure chemical vapor deposition and its applicability to VLSI processing for depositing thin films of insulators, semiconductors, and metals. The major contributions of low-pressure chemical vapor deposition to VLSI technology are its capability for economically producing films with superior uniformity, high purity, and excellent step coverage-factors essential for achieving the very high device reliability and high product yield required in the manufacturing of VLSI devices. Specific examples from the recent literature are reviewed to exemplify how the technique has been utilized to date in solid-state device technology. Applications of films produced by low-pressure reactive plasma chemical vapor deposition are also included.
SO(10) unified theories in six-dimensions

We construct supersymmetric models of SO(10) unification in which the gauge symmetry is broken by orbifold compactification. We find that using boundary conditions to break the gauge symmetry down to ${\mathrm{SU}(3)}_{C}\ensuremath{\bigotimes}{\mathrm{SU}(2)}_{L}\ensuremath{\bigotimes}{U(1)}_{Y}\ensuremath{\bigotimes}{U(1)}_{X}$ without leaving unwanted massless states requires at least two extra dimensions, motivating us to work with 6D orbifolds. SO(10) is broken by two operations, each of which induces gauge breaking to either the Georgi-Glashow, Pati-Salam, or flipped $\mathrm{SU}(5)\ensuremath{\bigotimes}U(1)$ subgroups; assigning different unbroken subgroups to the two operations leaves only the standard model gauge group and ${U(1)}_{X}$ unbroken. The models we build employ extra-dimensional mechanisms for naturally realizing doublet-triplet splitting, suppressing proton decay, and avoiding unwanted grand-unified fermion mass relations. We find some tension between being free of anomalies of the 6D bulk, accommodating a simple mechanism for generating right-handed neutrino masses, and preserving the precise prediction of the weak mixing angle.
Selective Non-Covalent Triggered Release from Liposomes

A zinc(II)-dipicolylamine coordination complex selectively associates with anionic liposomes, including sterically protected PEGylated liposomes, and causes rapid leakage of encapsulated contents.
Studies on nuclea proteins I. Observations on the tissue and species specificity of the moderately lysine-rich histone fraction 2b☆

Abstract 1. 1. Species and tissue specificity of the moderately lysine-rich histone Fraction 2b (F2b) was studied. This fraction was prepared from calf thymus, rat spleen and thymus, Walker carcinosarcoma 256, and from chicken erythrocytes. The purified F2b histones were analyzed; the NH 2 -terminal amino acid was proline, lthe C-terminal amino acid was lysine. The F2b histones are relatively rich in lysine (14.5–15.5%), alanine (10.3–10.8%), and in serine (9.1–9.5%). A characteristic feature of the F2b histones is the nearly equal content of leucine and isoleucine. Other histone fractions reported in the literature have significantly more leucine than isoleucine. 2. 2. The F2b histones were digested with trypsin and the resulting peptides were resolved by paper chromatography and electrophoresis (fingerprinting). Peptide patterns obtained for various tissues were practically identical. Selected tryptic peptides were isolated and analyzed. Comparison of the amino acid composition of corresponding peptides from calf thymus and Walker carcinosarcoma also failed to reveal any tissues or species specificity of the F2b histones in these two tissues. 3. 3. The kinetics of the amino acid release from the C-terminus of teh F2b histones by carboxypeptidases A and B (EC 3.4.2.1 and EC 3.4.2.2) were remarkably similar for histones from various tissues, indicating no species specificity of the C-terminal sequence of amino acids in this fraction. 4. 4. It was concluded that the differences between the primary structure of F2b histones from different tissues are small or negligible and it was suggested that the genetic information coding for these proteins must be very stable, possibly a part of the primordial genome.
A model for droplet entrainment in heated annular flow

Abstract The ability to accurately predict droplet entrainment in annular two-phase flow is required to effectively calculate the interfacial mass, momentum, and energy transfer, which characterizes nuclear reactor safety, system design, analysis, and performance. Most annular flow entrainment models in the open literature are formulated in terms of dimensionless groups, which do not directly account for interfacial instabilities. However, many researchers agree that there is a clear presence of interfacial instability phenomena having a direct impact on droplet entrainment. The present study proposes a model for droplet entrainment, based on the underlying physics of droplet entrainment from upward co-current annular film flow that is characteristic to light water reactor safety analysis. The model is developed based on a force balance and stability analysis that can be implemented into a transient three-field (continuous liquid, droplet, and vapor) two-phase heat transfer and fluid flow systems analysis computer code.
Grid Simulator for Testing a Wind Turbine on Offshore Floating Platform

An important aspect of such offshore testing of a wind turbine floating platform is electrical loading of the wind turbine generator. An option of interconnecting the floating wind turbine with the onshore grid via submarine power cable is limited by many factors such as costs and associated environmental aspects (i.e., an expensive and lengthy sea floor study is needed for cable routing, burial, etc). It appears to be a more cost effective solution to implement a standalone grid simulator on a floating platform itself for electrical loading of the test wind turbine. Such a grid simulator must create a stable fault-resilient voltage and frequency bus (a micro grid) for continuous operation of the test wind turbine. In this report, several electrical topologies for an offshore grid simulator were analyzed and modeled.
Computational aspects of corrected versions of vertex solutions for checking robust stability of interval parameter matrices

This paper provides corrections to and thereby presents final versions of the theorems for two recently presented 'vertex' or 'extreme point' solutions for checking the robust stability of interval parameter matrices, specifically 'polytopes' and 'hyperectangles'. Finally the paper discusses the computational aspects of these new solutions as well as possible extensions of these results.