cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting patients with concurrent noncontiguous spinal epidural abscess lesions

Abstract Background context Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a serious condition that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if not expeditiously diagnosed and appropriately treated. However, the nonspecific findings that accompany SEAs often make its diagnosis difficult. Concurrent noncontiguous SEAs are even more challenging to diagnose because whole-spine imaging is not routinely performed unless the patient demonstrates neurologic findings that are inconsistent with the identified lesion. Failure to recognize a separate SEA can subject patients to a second operation, continued sepsis, paralysis, or even death. Purpose To formulate a set of clinical and laboratory predictors for identifying patients with concurrent noncontiguous SEAs. Study design A retrospective, case-control study. Patient sample Patients aged 18 years or older admitted to our institution during the study period who underwent entire spinal imaging and were diagnosed with one or more SEAs. Outcome measures The presence or absence of concurrent noncontiguous SEAs on magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography (CT)-myelogram. Methods A retrospective review was performed on 233 adults with SEAs who presented to our health-care system from 1993 to 2011 and underwent entire spinal imaging. The clinical and radiographic features of patients with concurrent noncontiguous SEAs, defined as at least two lesions in different anatomical regions of the spine (ie, cervical, thoracic, or lumbar), were compared with those with a single SEA. Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors for the presence of a skip SEA, and a prediction algorithm based on these independent predictors was constructed. Institutional review board committee approval was obtained before initiating the study. Results Univariate and multivariate analyses comparing patients with skip SEA lesions (n=22) with those with single lesions (n=211) demonstrated significant differences in three factors: delay in presentation (defined as symptoms for ≥7 days), a concomitant area of infection outside the spine and paraspinal region, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of >95 mm/h at presentation. The predicted probability for the presence of a skip lesion was 73% for patients possessing all three predictors, 13% for two, 2% for one, and 0% for zero predictors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the model, revealed a steep shoulder with an area under the curve of 0.936 (p Conclusions The proposed set of three predictors may be a useful tool in predicting the risk of a skip SEA lesion and, consequently, which patients would benefit from entire spinal imaging.
Vernier effect in asymmetrical ring resonator arrays

By properly adjusting the spacing between ring resonators in linear parallel arrays, it is possible to selectively depress modes of the transmission spectra and effectively increase the free spectral range of the individual rings. This enables the synthesizing of a transmission response with modal spacing that otherwise would require much smaller ring diameters. Examples of filters with narrowband and flat-top passbands, which are desirable for all-optical wavelength division multiplexed networks, are given.
Synthesis and characterization of Cu(II) paddlewheel complexes possessing fluorinated carboxylate ligands

Abstract The goal of this study was to establish the relationship between the 19F NMR line broadening and the varying distance between the 19F nucleus and copper(II) ion, with the aim of gathering data that can be used to interpret 19F NMR spectra of subsequent fluorine-labeled, copper-binding proteins. Fluorinated alkyl and aryl copper(II) carboxylates were synthesized from fluorinated carboxylic acids and Cu(OH)2. The copper(II) carboxylates were characterized using 19F NMR, IR, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the alkyl carboxylate compounds, the line broadening and chemical shift lessened with increased distance between the fluorine atom and the copper ions; however, in the aryl carboxylate derivatives, increased distance was not a factor in the amount of line broadening or change in chemical shift between the acid and metal salt. The compound, bis(3-(trifluoromethyl)butyrate) copper(II) (5) was found to possess the optimum combination of decreased line broadening and increased chemical shift sensitivity in 19F NMR. The crystal structures obtained for compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6 were analogous to previous copper(II) carboxylate complexes, though it is noted that compound 6, bis(5,5,5-trifluoropentanoate) copper(II) assumes a tetrameric structure lacking apical ligands, and thus enables the formation of an extended network of near-neighbor copper(II) ions.
Three- and four-dimensional computed tomographic angiography and venography for the investigation of the vascular anatomy and perfusion of perforator flaps.

Background:Two-dimensional contrast radiography is the current standard for investigating the vascular anatomy of surgical flaps. The microvascular anatomy of the perforator flap, however, is limited conceptually by representation in two dimensions. Static three-dimensional computed tomographic angi
Multivalent Recognition of Peptides by Modular Self-Assembled Receptors

Developing nontraditional approaches to the synthesis and characterization of multivalent compounds is critical to our efforts to study and interface with biological systems and to build new noncovalent materials. This paper demonstrates a biomimetic approach to the construction of discrete, modular, multivalent receptors via molecular self-assembly in aqueous solution. Scaffolds presenting 1−3 viologen groups recruit a respective 1−3 copies of the synthetic host, cucurbit[8]uril, in a noncooperative manner and with a consistent equilibrium association constant (Ka) value of 2 × 106 M−1 per binding site. The assembled mono-, di-, and trivalent receptors bind to their cognate target peptides containing 1−3 Trp residues with Ka values in the range 1.7 × 104−4.7 × 106 M−1 and in predetermined mono- or multivalent binding modes with 31−280-fold enhancements in affinity and additive enthalpies due to multivalency. The extent of valency was determined directly by measuring the visible charge-transfer absorptivi...
Radiologic and Clinical Predictors of Malignancy in the Follicular Lesion of Undetermined Significance of the Thyroid

Various ultrasonographic characteristics of thyroid nodules have been associated with a higher likelihood of malignancy, and certain clinical features may also increase the likelihood of malignancy in patients. This study is designed to determine the ultrasonographic and clinical predictors of malignancy in the atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) category. A search through the cytology files at our institution was made for cases with diagnosis of AUS/FLUS. The clinical and radiologic findings were correlated with the final surgical pathology diagnosis. A total of 140 cases of AUS/FLUS with corresponding surgical intervention were identified (112 females and 28 males). There was a 79 % malignancy rate in nodules with irregular contours, compared to 51 % in nodules with regular outlines. Nodules demonstrating calcifications showed a 57 % malignancy rate, compared to 50 % in nodules without calcifications. Sixty-one percent of cases with an ultrasonographic diagnosis of indeterminate to suspicious were malignant following surgical resection. The rates of malignancy in patients with radiation exposure, symptomatic nodules, and positive family history of thyroid cancer were 22, 59, and 33 %, respectively. BRAF mutation was demonstrated in 57 % of malignant cases and in none of benign cases. No single clinical or ultrasonographic feature or combination of features is adequately sensitive or specific to identify all malignant nodules. However, a combination of solid nodules, nodules with irregular contours, symptomatic nodules, and positive BRAF mutation has high predictive value for malignancy in patients with a cytologic diagnosis of AUS/FLUS.
Experiments on shock stand-off distance in non-equilibrium flow

An experimental investigation of the non-equilibrium behaviour of the shock stand-off distance ahead of spheres at low supersonic Mach number is reported. An intermittent wind tunnel operating with a reacting gas mixture with one non-equilibrium mode is described. A non-equilibrium parameter after Damkohler is determined for the flow and the experiments cover a range of this variable from near-frozen to near-equilibrium states. The shock stand-off distance is measured and found to vary as expected between these two bounds with a low value at equilibrium. With all other variables governing shock standoff distance held constant, such measurements can also be used to determine the relaxation time of the non-equilibrium mode.
Adult sea lamprey tolerates biliary atresia by altering bile salt composition and renal excretion

The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a genetically programmed animal model for biliary atresia as it loses its bile ducts and gallbladder during metamorphosis. However, in contrast to patients with biliary atresia or other forms of cholestasis who develop progressive disease, the post-metamorphosis lampreys grow normally to adult size. To understand how the adult lamprey thrives without the ability to secrete bile, we examined bile salt homeostasis in larval and adult lampreys. Adult livers were severely cholestatic with levels of bile salts >1 mM, but no evidence of necrosis, fibrosis, or inflammation. Interestingly, both larvae and adults had normal plasma levels (~10 μM) of bile salts. In larvae, petromyzonol sulfate (PZS) was the predominant bile salt, whereas the major bile salts in adult liver were sulfated C27 bile alcohols. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that PZS was highly toxic. Pharmacokinetic studies in free-swimming adults revealed that ~35% of intravenously injected bromosulfophthalein (BSP) was eliminated over a 72 hr period. Collection of urine and feces demonstrated that both endogenous and exogenous organic anions, including biliverdin, bile salts and BSP, were predominantly excreted via the kidney with minor amounts also detected in feces. Gene expression analysis detected marked up-regulation of orthologs of known organic anion and bile salt transporters in the kidney with lesser effects in the intestine and gills in adults compared to larvae. These findings indicate that adult lampreys tolerate cholestasis by altering hepatic bile salt composition, while maintaining normal plasma bile salt levels predominantly through renal excretion of bile products. Therefore, we conclude that strategies to accelerate renal excretion of bile salt and other toxins should be beneficial for patients with cholestasis.
A Note on Decomposable Inequality Measures

line, R = R u {-xo, +x} (with the usual algebraic and topological structure2), with image M(s). (Without this extension of the range of M to include plus and minus infinity, si ln si and the CES/Cobb-Douglas structure, with elasticity of substitution less than or equal to unity, are not defined for share vectors with zero elements. We could alternatively restrict the domain by disallowing zero income levels, but I find it more acceptable to
Homogeneous, core-shell, and hollow-shell ZnS colloid-based photonic crystals.

Ordered ZnS-based colloidal crystals from homogeneous, core−shell, and hollow building blocks were prepared via electrosteric colloid stabilization combined with a convective assembly technique. The polyelectrolyte stabilized colloids assembled into face-centered cubic arrays with the (111) face perpendicular to the substrate. Structure−property correlations were made using scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and UV/visible/near-IR spectroscopy. Multilayer film growth, with film thickness of several micrometers, was achieved. Optical spectra showed (111) stopgaps along with pronounced higher order peaks. The spectral position of the photonic stopgap can be predicted using a volume average refractive index and the Maxwell−Garnett formula for the homogeneous and core−shell particles, respectively. This work holds the promise of harnessing ZnS for optical property engineering and enhanced photonic band gap materials.
Comparison of Amikacin and Tobramycin in the Treatment of Infection in Patients with Cancer

Two new aminoglycoside antibiotics, tobramycin and amikacin, were compared in a randomized study of the treatment of infections in patients with cancer. For the identified infections, the response rate for tobramycin was 60% and for amikacin was 64%. Pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and septicemia were the most frequent infections. Most (78%) of the identified pathogens were gram-negative bacilli; Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most frequently isolated organisms. When only infections due to gram-negative bacilli were considered, 67% responded to tobramycin and 69% responded to amikacin. All infections except pneumonias had at least a 50% response rate to either antibiotic. The major form of toxicity of both antibiotics was azotemia and occurred in 22% of cases treated with tobramycin and in 20% treated with amikacin. Tobramycin and amikacin are equally effective in the treatment of gram-negative infections and have similar toxicity.
Bankrupt Firms Can Be Attractive Acquisitions

Chapter 11 can be used as a tool to facilitate the acquisition or sale of a company in bankruptcy. Although a troubled firm may appear tarnished, it can provide a golden opportunity.
Tracks to innovation—interplay between science and technology of nuclear track etching

Abstract The use of particle tracks—the main themes and many of the specific examples—were initiated in an industrial environment at the General Electric Research Laboratory. Science in industrial environments is neglected in the United States today, yet the area of nuclear tracks gives a good many examples of practical applications of science—applications that would have been unlikely to have emerged promptly from science done outside of industry (where the obligation to seek practical outcomes is absent). This paper briefly reviews how track uses developed. The discussion covers discrete fields of use, both scientific and applied, with emphasis on the interplay of science and technology. Three of the subjects are hole engineering—from filters to counters, radon—a hazard and a help, and tracks of time—oil and geochronology.
Noise And Material Residues In Dual-Energy Basis Decomposition Radiography

Intervening tissues in projection radiography often seriously interfere with the observability of other low contrast structures. Dual energy techniques resolve this difficulty by removing a selected substance from the image, enhancing the relative contrast of other materials. Undesired materials will remain; these residues, as well as quantum noise, limit the accuracy of material isolation. Parameterizations of the attenuation coefficient lead to simple expressions for the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the dual energy radiograph. The SNR depends on the absorption path, the imaging energies, and the cancelled material. The magnitude of material residue depends only on the atomic numbers and may be an important consideration in the selection and development of new contrast agents.
Chromosomal variability in ten cloned sublines of a newly established Burkitt's lymphoma cell line.

Cytogenetic observations were made in a newly established Burkitt's lymphoma cell line (B46M) and its 10 cloned sublines. The parental cell line had a fairly sharp mode of 46 chromosomes with a normal male karyotype, except for the presence of two marker chromosomes (a B-group chromosome with an elongated short arm and a G-group chromosome with a partially deleted long arm). In spite of the high karyologic homogeneity (70%) in the parental cell, population, it was found that only 2 clones contained the same chromosome complement as that of the parental cells. Five clones had 1 or 2 additional modes at 45 or 47, besides 46, in which most cells maintained the parental karyotype. In these cases, there was a preferential loss and addition of G and C-X-group chromosomes, respectively. Each of the remaining 3 clones showed a common chromosomal abnormality in all the cells examined—a partial monosomy for the long arm of E18, an absence of the Y-chromosome, and a possible isochromosome of one of D13–15. The evidence for the production of both γ and μ heavy chains and χ light chain in all the clones, as well as in the parental cell line, suggests that the genes controlling the immunoglobulin synthesis were not located on the parts of the 3 chromosomes described. The mechanism by which the variant clones were developed from the parental cells was discussed, with some remarks on the possible usefulness of the system employed in the present study in obtaining mutant clones necessary for studying human genetics in vitro.
Underground Social Capital

In the manner of the Creole tradesmen of Louisiana, whose lagniappe to their patrons is legendary, the Editor offers a similar bonus to readers of the Review. Instead of trifling presents added to a purchase, however, our lagniappe will be notes and documents illustrative of the evolution of business enterprise.
Prostaglandin E2 rather than lymphocyte-activating factor produced by activated human mononuclear cells stimulates increases in murine thymocyte cAMP

Abstract Culture supernatants (SUPS) of endotoxin (LPS)-activated human mononuclear cells (MNL) stimulated greater production of cAMP by thymocytes than by spleen cells of C3H/HeJ or nude ( nu nu ) mice. Similarly, the addition of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) stimulated higher levels of cAMP in thymocytes and progressively lower levels in spleen cells from C3H/HeJ mice and nu nu spleen cells, respectively. Partial purification on Bio-Gel P100 of the LPS-induced MNL SUPS yielded peaks of thymocyte proliferative activity characteristic of lymphocyte activation factor (LAF) but these fractions failed to stimulate cAMP levels in thymocytes. Moreover, MNL SUPS induced with LPS in the presence of indomethacin retained their LAF activity but no longer increased thymocyte cAMP levels. Radioimmunoassay of the SUPS for PGE 2 revealed significantly higher levels of PGE 2 in the media of those MNL cultures stimulated by LPS than when stimulated by phorbol myristic acetate, phytohemagglutin, or extracted cell wall fraction of Actinomyces viscosus . Thus, PGE 2 is produced by human MNL and may exert considerable immunoregulatory effects mediated by elevation of lymphocyte cAMP levels.
Vector-Reduction Techniques for Arithmetic Pipelines

Vector-reduction arithmetic accepts vectors as inputs and produces scalars as outputs. This class of vector operation forms the basis of many scientific computations, such as inner product and finding the maximum among the vector components. Vector reduction on a pipeline processor demands a feedback connection around the pipeline. Since the output of such a pipeline depends on the previous output, improper control of the feedback input may destroy the benefit from pipelining. Two new vector-reduction techniques are proposed in this paper. In addition to saving reduction time and eliminating intermediate storage (as compared to Kuck's method and Kogge's method), the new methods will greatly simplify the machine-level programming effort needed to implement vector-reduction operations. An interleaved technique is introduced to reduce multiple vectors to corresponding scalars using the same arithmetic pipeline. The pipeline can be fully utilized by interleaving multiple vector-reduction processes. The proposed techniques can be applied to improve the performance of vector-arithmetic pipelines in scientific supercomputers.
Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the management of arthritis

The management of arthritis pain should be individualized to the needs and characteristics of the patient. The decision to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and in particular the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, is multidimensional. The challenge is to achieve optimal pain relief at the minimum dose to minimize adverse effects. Whenever possible, NSAIDs should be given as monotherapies or in combinations at the lowest effective doses. The COX-2 inhibitors are a safe choice for most patients who are at low risk for a cardiovascular event. Individuals who are at risk for thromboses should not receive unopposed COX-2 inhibitors; COX-2 should be given in combination with low-dose aspirin which is expected to be cardioprotective in high-risk patients.
Waterskiing-related injuries

Twenty-six cases of waterskiing-related injuries, including four deaths, were studied and the case histories classified into four categories. Injury was caused by a fall into unobstructed water, by boat propeller blades, by collisions with obstacles or a boat, and by the tow rope. Injuries sustained in falls were comparable to trauma seen in vigorous contact sports. Boat propeller blades inflicted devastating battlefield-type wounds, and collisions produced trauma similar to that seen in motor vehicle accidents. The shearing action of an accelerating tow rope imparted trauma unique to this sporting activity. There is limited recognition of the potential for serious injury that attends this recreational sport, and it is concluded that the prevention of injury depends on the nuclear trio of participants: boat operator, operator, observer, and skier.
The Emerging Epidemic of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which currently represents approximately 50 % of heart failure (HF) cases, is common and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Understanding the epidemiology of HFpEF has been difficult due to the challenges in HFpEF diagnosis and the heterogeneous etiologies and pathophysiologies that underlie HFpEF. Nevertheless, several high-quality epidemiology and observational registry studies of HFpEF demonstrate that an increasing prevalence of HFpEF in both the outpatient and inpatient settings, coupled with a lack of evidence-based effective treatments for HFpEF, is resulting in an emerging epidemic of HFpEF. In this review, we discuss the emerging HFpEF epidemic, focusing on: (1) reasons for the rising prevalence of HFpEF; (2) the abnormalities in cardiac structure and function that dictate the transition from risk factors to HFpEF; (3) novel HFpEF mechanisms that may underlie the increase in HFpEF prevalence; (4) prognosis of HFpEF; and (5) risk prediction in HFpEF. We conclude with 10 unanswered questions on HFpEF epidemiology that will be important areas for future investigation.
Migration and Unprotected Sex in Shanghai, China: Correlates of Condom Use and Contraceptive Consistency Across Migrant and Nonmigrant Youth

Abstract Purpose Despite the exceptionally large population of young migrants in China, as well as increasing rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in recent years, condom use and contraceptive consistency among this population remains critically under-studied. This study examines the association between migration and condom use and contraceptive consistency. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 959 youth aged 15–24 years was conducted in rural and urban Shanghai. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between migration status and condom use and consistent contraceptive use. Analyses are stratified by gender. Results Overall, only 32% reported condom use at first sex, and Conclusion Because rural men who migrate to urban areas and rural nonmigrant young women are at particular risk, programs should target rural areas for both of these groups that would give support to young men before they leave their hometowns, as well as focusing on females who might not have the opportunity to migrate.
Involvement of Valosin-containing Protein, an ATPase Co-purified with IκBα and 26 S Proteasome, in Ubiquitin-Proteasome-mediated Degradation of IκBα

Abstract The inactivation of the prototype NF-κB inhibitor, IκBα, occurs through a series of ordered processes including phosphorylation, ubiquitin conjugation, and proteasome-mediated degradation. We identify valosin-containing protein (VCP), an AAA (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) family member, that co-precipitates with IκBα immune complexes. The ubiquitinated IκBα conjugates readily associate with VCP both in vivoand in vitro, and this complex appears dissociated from NF-κB. In ultracentrifugation analysis, physically associated VCP and ubiquitinated IκBα complexes sediment in the 19 S fractions, while the unmodified IκBα sediments in the 4.5 S fractions deficient in VCP. Phosphorylation and ubiquitination of IκBα are critical for VCP binding, which in turn is necessary but not sufficient for IκBα degradation; while the N-terminal domain of IκBα is required in all three reactions, both N- and C-terminal domains are required in degradation. Further, VCP co-purifies with the 26 S proteasome on two-dimensional gels and co-immunoprecipitates with subunits of the 26 S proteasome. Our results suggest that VCP may provide a physical and functional link between IκBα and the 26 S proteasome and play an important role in the proteasome-mediated degradation of IκBα.
Evolution of the Lithium Abundance of Solar-Type Stars. X. Does Accretion Affect the Lithium Dispersion in the Pleiades?

Sixteen G and K dwarfs in the Pleiades cluster were analyzed for evidence that accretion of hydrogen-depleted planetesimals has contributed to the lithium dispersion observed in cluster stars of similar effective temperature. The HiRes spectrograph on the Keck 10 m telescope was used to obtain spectra of slowly rotating Pleiades stars having similar effective temperatures but different lithium abundances. The high-resolution echelle spectra were analyzed for a possible dispersion in the metal abundances correlated with the observed dispersion in lithium abundance. The existence of such a correlation would support the possibility that young stars can replenish their surface lithium by accreting hydrogen-depleted material from a circumstellar disk. The narrow dispersion in the metal abundances of the observed stars makes it unlikely that accretion plays a role in the dispersion in lithium abundances.
Groundwater Resources Management in the Afram Plains Area, Ghana

A groundwater flow simulation model was developed using available hydrogeological data to describe groundwater flow in the Afram Plains area. A nonlinear optimization model was then developed and solved for the management of groundwater resources to meet irrigation and household needs. The objective was to maximize groundwater extraction from the shallow aquifers of the southern Voltaian Sedimentary Basin that underly the area, for irrigation activities. This would improve food security, raise the standard of living and ultimately help towards poverty alleviation in the rural communities that constitute the Afram Plains district. The calibrated flow model is in tandem with the general hydrochemical evolution of groundwater in the area and fits the observed data with about 98% degree of confidence. The study reveals that groundwater resources, if fully developed, may not be the limiting factor in the development of the irrigation industry, and has tremendous potential to meet current and future irrigation needs. Six groundwater management periods (January 2007–December 2013) were used for the study, with the quantity of irrigable land available, and the groundwater level drawdown as the main constraints that limit the maximization of groundwater extraction from wells for irrigation and household purposes. Maize was used as the single irrigation crop because maize appears to be the staple food and farmers are familiar with it in the area. It was determined from this pilot study, that profit from maize irrigation in the Afram Plains area could rise from US$ 301,000 in 2007 to over US$ 3.5million at the end of the last management period (2013) as irrigation practice is improved, and the economic strength to increase the acreage for irrigation improves. Even with these margins of profit, the drawdown constraint was not reached in any of the management periods. It is expected that recharge from the irrigation water would reclaim the lost hydraulic head. The single significant constraint was the amount of land area that could be developed for irrigation in the area. The profit obtained per unit cubic meter of water used also improved over the same management period.
Plant competition and the yield-density relationship

The usual form of the classical yield density equation is questioned with respect to the biological interpretation of the parameters. Recasting the original equation of Bleasdale & Nelder (1960) in a slightly modified form, it is suggested that the traditional formulation implies an assumption of equal competition within a specified region. Using experimental data from tomato and bean beehive experiments, this assumption is examined and rejected. An alternative form of the equation is proposed in which the constant which appears as the exponent attached to the density variable is easily interpretable as the rate of decay of the competitive effect.
MACACA MULATTA AS AN HOMOLOGOUS MODEL FOR CHRONIC PROBLEMS OF PREMATURITY

Some investigators do not consider smaller primates a reasonable model for chronic problems of VLBW infants by because of mechanical difficulties in life support. We evaluated the premature rhesus monkey as a feasible model of long term complications of prematurity.
Approximate symmetries and pseudo-goldstone bosons

In theories with spontaneously broken local symmetries, renormalizability sometimes forces the scalar field interactions to have a larger group of symmetries than the gauge field interactions. Symmetries can then arise in zeroth order which are violated by finite higher-order effects, thus providing a possible natural explanation of the approximate symmetries observed in nature. Such theories contain spinless bosons which behave like Goldstone bosons, but which pick up a small mass from higher-order effects.
Perturbations of certain crossed product algebras by free groups

Given two von Neumann algebras M and N acting on the same Hilbert space, d(M,N) d ( M , N ) is defined to be the Hausdorff distance between their unit balls. The Kadison–Kastler problem asks whether two sufficiently close von Neumann algebras are spatially isomorphic. In this article, we show that if P 0 P 0 is an injective von Neumann algebra with a cyclic tracial vector, G is a free group, α is a free action of G on P 0 P 0 and N is a von Neumann algebra such that d(N,P 0 ⋊ α G) −7 d ( N , P 0 ⋊ α G ) 1 / 7 × 10 − 7 , then N and P 0 ⋊ α G P 0 ⋊ α G are spatially isomorphic. Suitable choices of the actions give the first examples of infinite noninjective factors for which this problem has a positive solution.
Gamma-ray Observation of Nearby Starburst Galaxy IC342

Regions with high star formation rates (SFR) in starburst galaxies (SBGs) are frequently accompanied by high density clouds of interstellar matter (ISM). This may create nearly perfect conditions for generating diffuse gamma-ray radiation as high energy cosmic rays accelerated in supernovae explosions of massive progenitor stars interact with the ambient protons. If the current paradigm that supernovae are the origin sites of high energy cosmic rays is valid, then the star forming regions rich in supernovae may become the laboratories to test and study this phenomenon. The gamma-ray luminosity of these extragalactic objects is suppressed by a large distance factor compared to supernovae in our own galaxy. However, flux estimates indicate that if star bursting regions have a proper combination of critical parameters (intersteller medium density, age, size, supernova rate, magnetic field strength) the cumulative enhancement of the gamma-ray luminosity resulting from multiple explosions of supernovae into dense ISM may generate an observable flux for nearby SBGs such as M82, IC342. A search for TeV gamma-ray emission from IC342 was conducted with the Whipple 10m gamma-ray telescope from September 2002 to March 2004.
Interactions Between Bubbles in Close Proximity Under Uniform and Non-Uniform Electric Fields

It is widely known that dielectrophoretic force can be harnessed to enhance the separation of liquid and vapor phases, with several known benefits in heat transfer enhancement. It has been shown that, when the electrode spacing and the bubble radius are of the same order of magnitude, the presence of the electric field can significantly deform the bubble, and this deformation can significantly affect the bubble’s behavior. Additionally, the presence of a bubble can provide significant, local distortion of the electric field. Consequently, the existence of multiple bubbles in close proximity may generate interactions that serve to further affect bubble deformation and motion behavior. Of course, nucleate boiling involves the generation of several bubbles in close proximity, and it is useful to understand whether these interactions may favorably or adversely affect the potential for heat transfer enhancement. This numerical study simulates the behavior of two and three bubbles within an external, electric field. The geometric deformation of the bubbles due to the electric field and the distortion of the electric field due to the existence of the bubbles are both incorporated into the mathematical model. The numerical results provide information about the effect that one bubble can have on the others’ motion, and also illustrate any tendencies of the bubbles to attract or repel each other when subject to various electric fields. Based on the numerical results, conclusions are drawn on the implications that the observed phenomenon may have on heat transfer enhancement applications.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Critical role of autophagy in ischemia/reperfusion injury to aged livers

A steady increase in life expectancy has resulted in an equivalent increase in elderly patients who are more susceptible to diseases than young patients. In a recent study, we found that in both in vitro and in vivo models of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), a loss of ATG4B is causatively associated with the increased sensitivity of the liver to I/R injury with age. Our work suggests that a restoration or enhancement of autophagy is a novel therapeutic modality to ameliorate liver function after I/R to aged livers.
Harmonic collective modes in atomic liquids

In an earlier paper we developed a collective motion description of atomic liquids, by expressing the quantum Hamiltonian in terms of rotated components of the density Fourier transform, which allowed the treatment of potential interaction terms without approximations. In the present paper, we further explore the physical content of our formalism and we show how it can be used for calculations in a real system.
The Proteins in Unheated Culture Filtrates of Human Tubercle Bacilli. I. Fractionation and Determination of Physical-Chemical Properties.

Concentrated culture filtrates of two strains of human tubercle bacilli, a virulent and a slightly virulent one, have been fractionated to give fourteen fractions in each case. Chemical determinations and sedimentation velocity measurements have been carried out on those fractions for which significant results could be obtained. The evidence is that two distinct proteins are present, in addition to a polysaccharide and nucleic acid. The physical measurements have not demonstrated the presence of any other proteins. One of the proteins has been isolated in pure form, and found to have a molecular weight of 44,000 ± 5,000, based on measurements of partial specific volume, sedimentation velocity, and diffusion rate. This protein is believed to be the same as one previously isolated by Seibert et al. (6), who assigned it a molecular weight of 32,000. The other protein was not obtained sufficiently free from polysaccharide so that its molecular weight could be determined, but it is believed to have a sedimentation constant of about 2 S. Sedimentation and diffusion constants have been obtained for the polysaccharide, which appears to be a homogeneous molecular species with a molecular weight of about 20,000. The source in unheated tuberculin of the proteins obtained from heated preparations is discussed.
CONVERTING A LARGE REGION TO A MULTIMODAL PULSED-HUB PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK

Applicability of the cost-effective strategy used in Switzerland that successfully integrates all public transport for the entire country into a multihub timed-transfer system (pulsed-hub network) is investigated using the greater San Francisco Bay Area as an illustrative case study. For the existing and proposed Bay Area rail service routes, the study investigates the optimal repeating (clock-face) base headway for the pulsed-hub network, hub spacing, and locations (ideally adjacent to dense and diverse land uses providing destinations within walking distance, preferably a downtown), and hub station design to minimize transfer walk times. A pulsed-hub network schedule, because of the repeating schedule, can be shown as a schedule map that represents typically a 1-h schedule module. The schedule map, showing the routing and travel times between hubs and the pulse timings by means of a clock face at each hub, becomes a tool to develop the multihub system and to communicate with all stakeholders, including policy makers and the public. The illustrative pulsed-hub network uses existing and proposed rail services and express buses on high-occupancy vehicle lanes. These include the two publicly owned regional rail systems, Bay Area Rapid Transit and the Peninsula Commute Service (Caltrain); the intercity Amtrak-operated Capitol Corridor trains between San Jose, Oakland, and Sacramento (assuming that reliable passenger service can be maintained by freight railway by providing schedule windows for both passenger and freight trains); the proposed Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit and Dumbarton Rail Bridge routes; and the proposed California high-speed trains, currently in environmental review.
Glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells from stem cells.

Recent success with immunosuppression following islet cell transplantation offers hope that a cell transplantation treatment for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes may be possible if sufficient quantities of safe and effective cells can be produced. For the treatment of type 1 diabetes, the two therapeutically essential functions are the ability to monitor blood glucose levels and the production of corresponding and sufficient levels of mature insulin to maintain glycemic control. Stem cells can replicate themselves and produce cells that take on more specialized functions. If a source of stem cells capable of yielding glucose-responsive insulin-producing (GRIP) cells can be identified, then transplantation-based treatment for type 1 diabetes may become widely available. Currently, stem cells from embryonic and adult sources are being investigated for their ability to proliferate and differentiate into cells with GRIP function. Human embryonic pluripotent stem cells, commonly referred to as embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryonic germ (EG) cells, have received significant attention owing to their broad capacity to differentiate and ability to proliferate well in culture. Their application to diabetes research is of particular promise, as it has been demonstrated that mouse ES cells are capable of producing cells able to normalize glucose levels of diabetic mice, and human ES cells can differentiate into cells capable of insulin production. Cells with GRIP function have also been derived from stem cells residing in adult organisms, here referred to as endogenous stem cell sources. Independent of source, stem cells capable of producing cells with GRIP function may provide a widely available cell transplantation treatment for type 1 diabetes.
Mainstreaming Attitudes and Special Placement Knowledge in Labeling versus Nonlabeling States

Despite its federal stature, Public Law 94-142 allows each state to generate its own procedures for identifying exceptional children. While some states categorically label their exceptional children and others do not, the educational and attitudinal effects of these procedures are generally untested. In the present study, regular and special educators from New York (a labeling state) and Massachusetts (a nonlabeling state) completed the Rucker-Gable Educational Programming Scale (RGEPS), which measures mainstreaming attitudes and special placement knowledge. Four independent samples were evaluated in these two areas as a first step toward investigating the impact of state categorization procedures (New York vs. Massachusetts) and educational profession (regular vs. special educator). A number of complex results, possible interpretations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Meta-analysis of stroke after transradial versus transfemoral artery catheterization

Abstract Background Transradial (TR) catheterization is gaining popularity due to its association with lower bleeding and access site complications, improved patient comfort, and lower costs compared to transfemoral (TF) catheterization; however, there is concern that TR catheterization may be associated with an increased risk of neurological complications. New randomized data has emerged since the publication of the last meta-analysis evaluating the risk of stroke between TR and TF catheterization in 2009. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized studies published until 2013 reporting risk of stroke in TR vs. TF catheterization. Results Data from 11,273 patients in 13 studies were collated. The majority of patients were men, and 8987 (79.7%) were enrolled in acute coronary syndrome trials. Very few patients had a history of prior coronary artery bypass grafting, and approximately 2/3 of patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Stroke occurred in 25 of 5659 patients in the TR group, vs. 24 of 5614 patients in the TF group. There was no difference in stroke rates between the TR and TF groups (risk difference 0.00%, 95% confidence interval −0.29%–0.25%, p =0.88). Conclusions TR catheterization is not associated with a significant increase in stroke compared to TF catheterization.
Optimal halftoning for tactile imaging

Reading of text and understanding images by touch is an important alternative and additional source of information when sight is absent or lost. Tactile graphics and models such as edge maps, binary output, etc., are the solution for simple access to images for blind persons. This paper introduces an approach to model the human tactile system based on the responses produced by stimuli on microcapsule paper. This system is utilized for the purpose of generating optimum halftone patterns on microcapsule paper that can be utilized for the effective generation of tactile graphics.
Traveling-wave synchronous coil gun

An outline is presented of the coilgun concept, excitation, switching, brush commutation, power supply, and performance. It is shown that a traveling-wave synchronous coilgun permits independent adjustment of the magnetic field and armature current for high velocity at low armature mass fraction. Magnetic field energy is transferred from the rear of the wave to the front without passing through the power supply. Elaborate switching is required. >
Toward an Understanding of the Factors Affecting the Quality of the Audit Process

The accounting profession has faced increasing pressure from external parties to monitor and improve the quality of the audit process. Similar to other service oriented industries, the accounting profession's ability to meet these pressures has been hampered by the lack of an objective means by which to evaluate process quality. In this research, groups of experienced auditors from two international accounting firms were used to develop and validate a set of key factors influencing the quality of the audit process and a corresponding set of measures for evaluating audit quality. The results support the belief that there exists a consensus among experienced auditors on a set of key audit quality factors which have a significant impact on overall audit quality. The results obtained go beyond those in prior audit quality research, in that the factors identified cover a broader scope and recognize the significant effect of the audit environment on process quality. The consistency between groups in the profession provides support for further use of the nominal group techniques in developing quality measures for processes in other service sector areas.
The Accidental Plant Pathologist

This article presents the experiences of a woman in academic plant pathology from the 1950s to today. Topics include the social climate for women in science, personal and professional developments and research discoveries, public policy issues in agriculture and biotechnology affecting plant pathology, and projections for the future of plant pathology.
Comparative analysis of compliance with mine ventilation standards by US longwall underground coal mines

Because of the Upper Big Branch-South disaster in 2010, this paper examines the mine ventilation-standard compliance performance of all US longwall underground coal mines. Using the new Mine Ventilation Safe Performance Index (MV-SPI), analysis revealed that the best-performing mines had very low elevated-citation rates; 25% of the 40 mines had no closure orders. Results indicate that attaining a high level of compliance with ventilation standards is feasible for large longwall mines. The MV-SPI could be used by mine operators, enforcement agencies, and safety professionals to determine the comparative performance of mines in complying with ventilation standards and to benchmark performances.
Purification and functional characterization of a low molecular weight immune modulating factor produced by lewis lung carcinoma

Previously, we reported that mouse tumors contain a low molecular weight factor which is capable of affecting in vitro properties of macrophages. We now describe the purification to homogeneity of the only factor with macrophage modulating activity from one of these tumors, Lewis lung carcinoma. The purified tumor factor appears to be a carboxylic acid and it retains all of the macrophage modulating properties which are characteristic of the unfractionated crude tumor extracts. This factor therefore reverses the spreading of macrophages, enhances the migration of macrophages out of capillary tubes and inhibits their chemotactic and tumoricidal activities. The purified tumor factor also inhibits immune responses of spleen cells. Specifically, proliferation of normal lymphocytes in response to mitogens and to alloantigens, as well as the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a mixed leukocyte culture, are suppressed when these cells are cultured in the presence of the purified tumor factor. The mixed leukocyte reaction of lymphoid cells obtained from mice which had been treated with the tumor factor is reduced compared to the response of lymphocytes obtained from normal mice. It is possible that there is a relation between production of this factor by tumor cells and survival of the tumor in a host.