cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new algorithm for evaluating 3D curvature and curvature gradient for improved fracture detection

In 3D seismic interpretation, both curvature and curvature gradient are useful seismic attributes for structure characterization and fault detection in the subsurface. However, the existing algorithms are computationally intensive and limited by the lateral resolution for steeply-dipping formations. This study presents new and robust volume-based algorithms that evaluate both curvature and curvature gradient attributes more accurately and effectively. The algorithms first instantaneously fit a local surface to seismic data and then compute attributes using the spatial derivatives of the built surface. Specifically, the curvature algorithm constructs a quadratic surface by using a rectangle 9-node grid cell, whereas the curvature gradient algorithm builds a cubic surface by using a diamond 13-node grid cell. A dip-steering approach based on 3D complex seismic trace analysis is implemented to enhance the accuracy of surface construction and to reduce computational time. Applications to two 3D seismic surveys demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the new curvature and curvature gradient algorithms for characterizing faults and fractures in fractured reservoirs. Robust algorithms for generating 3D curvature and curvature gradient attribute.Automatic surface construction improves computational accuracy.Implementing 3D complex seismic trace analysis for efficient dip estimates.
Lumenal Orientation and Post-translational Modifications of the Liver Microsomal 11-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase

The topology and post-translational modifications of microsomal 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βDH) was investigated using the approaches of protein structure analysis. Sequence analysis of peptides generated by chemical and enzymatic cleavages revealed that carbohydrate is attached at Asn-122, −161, and −206. Enzymatic deglycosylation reactions of the protein identified the attached glycans as high mannose carbohydrates, implying that the bulk of the protein molecule is oriented on the lumenal side of the endoplasmic membrane. The carbohydrate moiety of native dehydrogenase was cleaved by endo-N-acetylglucosaminidase H without significantly affecting the 11β-DH activity. Chemical modification of cysteinyl residues, followed by amino acid sequence analysis, identified one disulfide bond linking Cys-77 and Cys-212. This disulfide bond was inaccessible to thiol reagents, unless the protein was denatured. Contrary to the partially purified 11β-DH preparations, the purified enzymatically active protein failed to bind to a 2,5′-ADP affinity column, suggesting that a conformational change has occurred in the enzyme during purification. The proposed model of the 11β-DH has a single trans-membrane segment at the N terminus, with the bulk of the polypeptide chain projecting into the lumen of endoplasmic reticulum. Limited proteolysis studies of 11β-DH concluded an absence of a flexible intradomain segment between the membranous and the lumenal domains. The lumenal localization of the 11β-DH requires a mechanism by which cortisol is transported to the endoplasmic reticulum of the lumen.
Systematic framework for generating multimonopole solutions

We describe a systematic framework for the construction of monopole solutions, as static self-dual gauge fields with appropriate boundary conditions, of arbitrary topological charge. This procedure is based on the Atiyah-Ward Ansatz, which is explicitly constructed and has some parameters. The solution, in general, is complex and has singularities, though it is static and has appropriate asymptotic behavior for a monopole solution. The conditions for the solution to be nonsingular and gauge transformable to a real form are given in simple algebraic form. We can then, in principle, check by explicit calculation if they are satisfied for some values of the parameters, or prove the existence of a choice of these parameters. However, we have not yet succeeded in determining these parameters besides the already known cases of one- and two-monopole solutions. We give explicit expressions for the gauge transformations and the real potentials, when these parameters can be chosen to satisfy the smoothness and reality conditions.
ELECTROCHEMICAL AND OPTICAL STUDY OF CAROTENOIDS IN TX100 MICELLES : ELECTRON TRANSFER AND A LARGE BLUE SHIFT

The first oxidation waves of 8‘-apo-β-caroten-8‘-al (I) and 8‘-apo-β-caroten-8‘-nitrile (II) in TX100 micelles are clearly observed in their cyclic voltammograms (CVs). The CV of β-carotene (III) in TX100 micelles shows that III is not oxidized. It is proposed that the hydrophobic barrier of the micelle is an important reason for the failure to oxidize III, which is totally located in the hydrophobic center of the micelle. The oxidation of I and II demonstrates that electrons can be transferred through the terminal groups over a distance of ca. 22 A. An unusually large blue band shift (100 nm, relative to that in CH2Cl2) is observed in the optical absorption spectrum of 7‘-apo-7‘,7‘-dicyano-β-carotene (IV) in TX100 micelles. This phenomenon is not observed in the absorption spectra of other studied carotenoids. A change in the ground-state electronic structure of IV, due to the influence of water near the terminal dicyanomethylidene group, is proposed to be the major reason for this large band shift.
Plasma aldosterone levels are elevated in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension in the absence of left ventricular heart failure: a pilot study.

Aims Elevated levels of the mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone are recognized as a modifiable contributor to the pathophysiology of select cardiovascular diseases due to left heart failure. In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pulmonary vascular remodelling induces right ventricular dysfunction and heart failure in the absence of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Hyperaldosteronism has emerged as a promoter of pulmonary vascular disease in experimental animal models of PAH; however, the extent to which hyperaldosteronism is associated with PAH in patients is unknown. Thus, the central aim of the current study is to determine if hyperaldosteronism is an unrecognized component of the PAH clinical syndrome. Methods and results Plasma aldosterone levels and invasive cardiopulmonary haemodynamic measurements were obtained for 25 patients referred for evaluation of unexplained dyspnoea or pulmonary hypertension. Compared with controls (n = 5), patients with PAH (n = 18) demonstrated significantly increased plasma aldosterone levels (1200.4 ± 423.9 vs. 5959.1 ± 2817.9 pg/mL, P < 0.02), mean pulmonary artery pressure (21.4 ± 5.0 vs. 45.5 ± 10.4 mmHg, P < 0.002), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (1.41 ± 0.6 vs. 7.3 ± 3.8 Wood units, P < 0.003) without differences in LV ejection fraction or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure between groups. Among patients not prescribed PAH-specific pharmacotherapy prior to cardiac catheterization, a subgroup of the cohort with severe pulmonary hypertension, aldosterone levels correlated positively with PVR (r = 0.72, P < 0.02) and transpulmonary gradient (r = 0.69, P < 0.02), but correlated inversely with cardiac output (r = –0.79, P < 0.005). Conclusions These data demonstrate a novel cardiopulmonary haemodynamic profile associated with hyperaldosteronism in patients: diminished cardiac output due to pulmonary vascular disease in the absence of LV heart failure.
Lattice Thermal Conductivity of Superconducting Niobium Carbide

The unusually low lattice thermal conductivity of the transition-metal carbides at low temperatures has been attributed to the scattering of phonons by conduction electrons. An experiment which confirms this interpretation is reported. Thermal conductivity measurements on single-crystal Nb${\mathrm{C}}_{0.96}$ through its superconducting critical temperature (9.8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K) show that the lattice component of the thermal conductivity, ${K}_{l3}$, increases greatly below ${T}_{c}$ because of decreased phonon-electron scattering. The maximum increase in lattice thermal conductivity from this effect occurs at 3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with $\frac{{K}_{\mathrm{ls}}}{{K}_{\mathrm{ln}}}$ equal to 160. The theories of Bardeen, Rickayzen, and Tewordt and of Klemens and Tewordt for the influence of electrons and point defects on lattice conductivity provide a quantitative interpretation of the effect. The best fit to the Nb${\mathrm{C}}_{0.96}$ data is for $\frac{2\ensuremath{\epsilon}(o)}{k{T}_{c}}=4.0$. The behavior of Nb${\mathrm{C}}_{0.96}$ is in contrast to that of Nb${\mathrm{C}}_{0.76}$, which remains in the normal state throughout the temperature interval studied and shows no increase in thermal conductivity.
The Pattern of Gene Amplification Is Determined by the Chromosomal Location of Hairpin-Capped Breaks

DNA palindromes often colocalize in cancer cells with chromosomal regions that are predisposed to gene amplification. The molecular mechanisms by which palindromes can cause gene amplification are largely unknown. Using yeast as a model system, we found that hairpin-capped double-strand breaks (DSBs) occurring at the location of human Alu-quasipalindromes lead to the formation of intrachromosomal amplicons with large inverted repeats (equivalent to homogeneously staining regions in mammalian chromosomes) or extrachromosomal palindromic molecules (equivalent to double minutes [DM] in mammalian cells). We demonstrate that the specific outcomes of gene amplification depend on the applied selection, the nature of the break, and the chromosomal location of the amplified gene relative to the site of the hairpin-capped DSB. The rules for the palindrome-dependent pathway of gene amplification defined in yeast may operate during the formation of amplicons in human tumors.
A New Approach to Decommissioning Cost Estimation Using Settled Liability Data

Cost data in the oil and gas industry are proprietary and obtaining them is challenging; in addition, unless collected across a large and diverse sample, summary statistics are unlikely to be representative of the activity or process it is trying to inform. The purpose of this article is to apply settled liability data to infer private information on the cost of decommissioning in the Gulf of Mexico. The procedure avoids most of the traditional problems associated with cost studies but requires careful normalization and a clear understanding of the limitations of analysis. Using settled liability data from 17 public companies with operations primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, decommissioning cost is evaluated on a regional basis and by operator from 2008 to 2012. The average cost to decommission a structure between 2008 and 2012 is estimated to be $6.4 million in water depth less than 200 ft and $15.6 million in water depth greater than 200 ft. Average cost statistics are suggested as a market index for Gul...
Characterization of two classes of opioid binding sites in Drosophila melanogaster head membranes.

: Opioid receptors have been characterized in Drosophila neural tissue. [3H]Etorphine (universal opioid ligand) bound stereospecifically, saturably, and with high affinity (KD= 8.8 ± 1.7 nM; Bmax= 2.3 ± 0.2 pmol/mg of protein) to Drosophila head membranes. Binding analyses with more specific ligands showed the presence of two distinct opioid sites in this tissue. One site was labeled by [3H]dihydromorphine ([3H]DHM), a μ-selective ligand: KD= 150 ± 34 nM; Bmax= 3.0 ± 0.6 pmol/mg of protein. Trypsin or heat treatment (100°C for 15 min) of the Drosophila extract reduced specific [3H]DHM binding by >80%. The rank order of potency of drugs at this site was levorphanol > DHM > normorphine > naloxone « dextrorphan; the μ-specific peptide [d-Ala2,Gly-ol5]-enkephalin and δ-, κ-, and μgm-ligands were inactive at this site. The other site was labeled by (-)-[3H]ethylketocyclazocine {(-)-[3H]EKC}, a κ-opioid, which bound stereospecifically, saturably, and with relatively high affinity to an apparent single class of receptors (KD= 212 ± 25 nM; Bmax= 1.9 ± 0.2 pmol/mg of protein). (-)-[3H]EKC binding could be displaced by κ-opioids but not by μ-, δ-, or μgm-opioids or by the κ-peptide dynorphin(1–17). Specific binding constituted ∼70% of total binding at 1 nM and ∼50% at 800 nM for all three radioligands ([3H]etorphine, [3H]EKC, and [3H]DHM). Specific binding of the δ-ligands [3H][d-Ala2,d-Leu5]-enkephalin and [3H][d-Pen2,d-Pen5]-enkephalin was undetectable in this preparation. These findings demonstrate the presence of morphine (μ-like) and EKC (κ-like), but not δ like, binding sites in Drosophila and indicate that vertebrate opioid peptides are inactive in this preparation. To determine whether opioid sites in Drosophila nervous tissue mediate a functional response, morphine sulfate was administered to Drosophila larvae throughout development. Morphine produced a dose-dependent delay in pupation of larvae and in eclosion of adults and significantly reduced the ability of larvae to survive to the adult stage. Together, these results indicate that morphine elicits a physiological response in Drosophila larvae and suggest a possible function for opioid receptors in the Drosophila nervous system.
Studies on the fine structure of spermatids and spermatozoa from the millipede Polydesmus sp.

This electron microscope study demonstrates changes leading to formation of binary spermatozoa. Spermatids contain Golgi complex, mitochondria, centrioles, microtubules, and ribosomes. Spermiogenesis is characterized by migration of nucleus, Golgi complex, and centrioles to one pole of the cell. The Golgi complex gives rise to an acrosomal vesicle. As spermiogenesis proceeds, there is an increase in phagocytosis and numbers of intracellular multilaminar, multivesicular, and granular bodies leading to cytoplasmic sloughing. Many phagocytic vacuoles fuse and undermine developing, crescent-shaped spermatozoa. During spermiogenesis the acrosome and centrioles fuse with nuclear chromatin to lose their morphological identities. Mature crescent-shaped spermatozoa are found juxtaposed on their concave surfaces. Sperm are characterized by an electron dense nucleus, lack of mitochondria, and an identifiable motile appendage. These observations are compared to earlier studies, and it is concluded that mature spermatozoa of Polydesmus sp. are not binucleate, but adhere at their concave surfaces as binary appearing structures.
Bridging Engineering and Science Teaching: A Collaborative Effort to Design Instruction for College Students

Reformers seeking to increase student understanding and interest are looking to collaborative partnerships to support improved science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching. At the college level, partnerships across colleges are encouraged by reformers in order to provide all students with strong content understanding, model recommended practices for future teachers, and increase participation by underrepresented groups in STEM careers. Collaborative curriculum development, however, is not a trivial undertaking and success is not guaranteed. A better understanding of how partners with different backgrounds interact and what types of instructional changes can be expected from initial attempts will facilitate this potentially powerful approach to instructional change. In this project, 2 engineers and 2 science educators worked jointly to develop a design-based core engineering course to meet the needs and interests of future engineers and science educators. Interaction among planners and development progress were documented by written meeting records and reflections, emails, and records of planning stages and products. Analysis characterized interactions between engineers and educators and the resulting instructional changes. In spite of a strong interest in partners' topics and mutual goals, specialized language and professional cultural differences presented obstacles to understanding and development progress. Also described are the types of instructional changes reasonable to expect in initial development efforts.
Using simulation to solve problems: a tutorial on the analysis of simulation output

In this paper I will assume that a simulation model has been developed and the study team is faced with the question, “now that we have built a simulation model, what do we do with it?” The theme is that the three common modes of simulation output, animations, plots, and numbers compliment one another and are all important; however, they are often used in an inappropriate manner. Watching the type of output to the objectives of the analysis is critical. This paper discusses this theme and gives the major references for the tutorial to be presented at the conference. Most technical details will be given during the presentation. All comments presented here are my opinions and I welcome debate.
Infants' sensitivity to broadband noise.

Infants have higher pure-tone thresholds than adults. One explanation is that infants do not adopt the frequency-selective listening strategy that adults use when detecting tones. In contrast to other models of infants’ immature sensitivity, the listening strategy account predicts that infants will be more sensitive to broadband sounds, relative to adults. Infants 7–9 months old were tested in two experiments to examine their sensitivity to broadband noise. Unmasked and masked thresholds for a 1000-Hz tone and for broadband noise were estimated adaptively for infants and adults using an observer-based behavioral procedure. The difference between infants and adults in unmasked threshold were 14 and 7 dB for tones and noise, respectively. The difference between infants and adults in masked threshold were 10 and 5 dB for tones and noise, respectively. Psychometric functions for detection of broadband noise were also obtained from some infants and adults. Infants’ psychometric functions were similar to those obtained in tone detection with shallower slopes and lower upper asymptotes than adults’. This suggests that the relative improvement in infants’ threshold for broadband noise is not due to greater attentiveness to the noise. A model of infants’ sound detection invoking inattentiveness, listening strategy, and an unspecified source of internal noise may account for the characteristics of the infant psychometric function.
Gamma delta-mediated deletions of chromosomal segments on F-prime plasmids.

Deleted derivatives of F lac+proC+tsx+/−purE+ plasmids ORF203 and F13 were isolated and physically characterized. Among 31 deletions, 24 were adjacent to the γδ element on F, four were associated with IS2 or IS3 elements normally present on F, and three displayed additional DNA rearrangements. With the genetic selection employed, the deletion endpoints in the chromosomal segment could fall anywhere within a 210 kb (5 min) region between proC and lac. The distribution of endpoints in this region was not random: the endpoints primarily occurred in an extended region near purE, and a 50 kb segment between tsx and purE was devoid of deletion endpoints. Deletion termini for mutants obtained from F13, which contains an additional 48 kb-segment interposed between γδ and the target region on ORF203, displayed a distribution similar to that seen for ORF203. Among simple deletions, there was no marked tendency for the chromosomal deletion endpoints to fall at IS1, IS3, or IS5 elements normally present in this chromosomal region. Point mutations and mutations caused by γδ or IS transposition into lac appeared in a small proportion of all plasmids studied.
Risk bounds for the non-parametric estimation of Lévy processes

Estimation methods for the Levy density of a Levy process are developed under mild qualitative assumptions. A classical model selection approach made up of two steps is studied. The first step consists in the selection of a good estimator, from an approximating (finite-dimensional) linear model $\calS$ for the true Levy density. The second is a data-driven selection of a linear model $\calS$, among a given collection $\{\calS_{m}\}_{m\in\calM}$, that approximately realizes the best trade-off between the error of estimation within $\calS$ and the error incurred when approximating the true Levy density by the linear model $\calS$. Using recent concentration inequalities for functionals of Poisson integrals, a bound for the risk of estimation is obtained. As a byproduct, oracle inequalities and long-run asymptotics for spline estimators are derived. Even though the resulting underlying statistics are based on continuous time observations of the process, approximations based on high-frequency discrete-data can be easily devised.
Clinical features of survivors of sexual abuse with major depression.

Abstract Objective: This study examined differences in rates of trauma-related disorders between patients with histories of childhood sexual abuse and those without such histories in a sample of depressed outpatients. Another aim of this study was to determine whether childhood sexual abuse is associated with recent suicidal attempts, affect dysregulation and duration of index depressive episode, independent of posttraumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. Method: Subjects were 235 treatment-seeking outpatients with major depression. Structured interviews were administered to assess for Axis I and Axis II disorders, childhood sexual abuse, and various clinical features. Results: Patients with sexual abuse compared to those without sexual abuse histories had higher rates of comorbidity, primarily borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and multiple Axis I diagnoses. Childhood sexual abuse status was linked to a longer duration of the index depressive episode, independent of borderline personality disorder and/or posttraumatic stress disorder. However, childhood sexual abuse status was not independently related to affect dysregulation and suicidal attempts. Conclusion: The findings suggest that patients with histories of sexual abuse represent a subgroup of depressed patients who are at especially high risk for psychiatric morbidity and a prolonged episode of depression.
Mixing oxygen with hyperpolarized 3He for small-animal lung studies

Hyperpolarized helium (HP 3 He) is useful for direct MR imaging of the gas spaces of small animal lungs. Previously, breaths of 100% HP 3 He were alternated with breaths of air to maximize helium signal in the lungs and to minimize the depolarizing effects of O2. However, for high-resolution imaging requiring many HP 3 He breaths (hundreds) and for pulmonary disease studies, a method was needed to simultaneously deliver O2 and HP 3 He with each breath without significant loss of polarization. We modified our existing computer-controlled ventilator by adding a plastic valve, additional relays and a controller. O 2 and HP 3 He are mixed at the beginning of each breath within the body of a breathing valve, which is attached directly to the endotracheal tube. With this mixing method, we found that T1 relaxation of HP 3 He in the guinea pig lung was about 20 s compared to 30 s with alternate air/HP 3 He breathing. Because imaging times during each breath are short (about 500 ms), the HP 3 He signal loss from O2 contact is calculated to be less than 5%. We concluded that the advantages of mixing HP 3 He with O2, such as shorter imaging times (reduced T1 losses in reservoir) and improved physiologic stability, outweigh the small signal loss from the depolarizing effects of oxygen on HP 3 He. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uptake and loss of white phosphorus in american kestrels

American kestrels (Falco sparverius) exposed to a diet containing white phosphorus (P4) had detectable quantities of P4 only in their fatty tissues. As early as 24 h postdosing, P4 was found in the fat depots and skin but not in other tissues such as the brain, heart, intestine, liver, kidney, and muscle. After 7 d of continuous exposure to P4-containing diet (6.4 μg P4 per gram of diet), the skin but not fat depots showed significant accumulation of P4. When P4-containing diet (6.4 μg P4 per gram of diet) was fed for 2 d followed by 3 d of feeding a diet containing less P4 (0.7 μg P4 per gram of diet), P4 was not detectable in the tissues. Upon refeeding with the higher dietary concentration of P4, P4 was again detectable in skin and fat. This cyclic dosing regimen indicates that tissue levels are sensitive to dietary levels of P4.
The effects of leukoreduced blood transfusion on infection risk following injury: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACTAllogeneic blood transfusions in surgical patients have been associated with an increased risk of infectious complications and organ dysfunction. Residual leukocytes contaminating units of packed red blood cells have been incriminated through the induction of anergy and/or a potentiated infl
A self-reconfigurable platform for the implementation of 2D filterbanks with real and complex-valued inputs, outputs, and filter coefficients

We introduce a dynamically reconfigurable 2D filterbank that supports both real and complex-valued inputs, outputs, and filter coefficients. This general purpose filterbank allows for the efficient implementation of 2D filterbanks based on separable 2D FIR filters that support all possible combinations of input and output signals. The system relies on the use of dynamic reconfiguration of real/complex one-dimensional filters to minimize the required hardware resources. The systemis demonstrated using an equiripple and a Gabor filterbank and the results using both real and complex-valued input images. We summarize the performance of the system in terms of the required processing times, energy, and accuracy.
Comparing vector space retrieval with the RUBRIC expert system

RUBRIC is an expert system for full-text information retrieval. The underlying model for RUBRIC's information retrieval process is based upon fuzzy set theory. The RUBRIC developers have compared RUBRIC to the boolean retrieval model, which it subsumes. This study compares RUBRIC to the Vector Space Model for information retrieval, using RUBRIC's own test collection of thirty news articles from the Reuters News Service and their test search for articles which satisfy the information need to find out about "violent acts of terrorism." Results indicate that the vector space model is comparable to RUBRIC for relevant documents, while RUBRIC performs better at retrieving marginally relevant documents.
Tests with low-energy electron diffraction for adsorbed Hydrogen and Nickel Hydroxide formed on the (100) surface of a Nickel crystal at 25°C

Abstract A low-energy electron-diffraction pattern from a chemisorbed double-spaced monolayer was observed subsequent to an exposure to hydrogen, only when a hot filament was present during the exposure, thus indicating adsorption of atomic hydrogen or water vapor or both. Evidence is presented which indicates that this double-spaced structure was due to water vapor. Adsorption of hydrogen on some parts of the surface, with no hot filament present during exposure, was confirmed by consecutive exposures of the clean nickel surface to hydrogen and oxygen to form Ni(OH)2.
Therapeutic promise of molecular genetics.

The application of molecular genetics to medicine is based on the observation that even common diseases have both genetic and environmental components. Conventional medicines are often effective in managing environmental components of disease but are generally ineffective in managing genetic diseases or manipulating the genetic component of multifactorial diseases. The development of therapies aimed at the genetic component of disease will require non-conventional medicinal applications of molecular genetics. Various approaches have been proposed such as diagnosing the propensity for disease to facilitate early intervention with conventional therapies, selectively eliminating mutant genes from human populations, correcting mutations in human chromosomes, and using genes as medicines to modify the genetic components of disease. Of these, it is the development of gene medicines that has the greatest practical potential. The combination of conventional medicines, focused on the environmental components of disease, and gene medicines, focused on the genetic components, will provide the clinician with broad options for managing health and disease. The challenge to molecular biology is to develop gene medicines that are effective, safe, and socially acceptable, and therapies that map well to established clinical practice and may be employed efficaciously alongside conventional medicines. J Invest Dermatol 103:2S–5S, 1994
An approximate model for performance evaluation of real-time multimedia communication systems

A Markov Modulated Poisson Process (MMPP) is a doubly stochastic Poisson process which has recently received a lot of attention due to its ability to model a highly correlated arrival stream while retaining analytical tractability. In this paper, the cell arrival process from integrated voice and data sources is approximated by a two-state MMPP with batch arrivals (BMMPP). We propose a new matching technique which leads to more accurate performance prediction than other recent work for both delay estimation and evaluation of tail probabilities. While using BMMPP in the model does not noticeably increase the computational complexity over MMPP, it allows better representation of traffic sources with significantly higher burstiness. Another major contribution of the proposed model is its simplicity which makes the model suitable for real-time traffic control. An extended version of the model for integrated video, voice and data sources is also given with numerical examples again showing that the accuracy is quite satisfactory.
Adult rat barrel cortex plasticity occurs at 1 week but not at 1 day after vibrissectomy as demonstrated by the 2-deoxyglucose method

Stimulation of a single facial vibrissa in rats receiving [14C]2-deoxyglucose leads to increased local cerebral glucose utilization in the corresponding contralateral barrel of lamina IV of the first somatosensory cortex (SmI). In the adult rat, the metabolic representation of such a barrel enlarges 2 months after removal of all other vibrissal follicles but enlargement is prevented by prior removal of SmI norepinephrine. Here, the early time course of such enlargement and how this was affected by cortical norepinephrine manipulations were examined in adult rats. One day after total vibrissal follicle removal with sparing of the central (C3) vibrissa, neither the areal extent nor absolute glucose utilization in the stimulated, spared C3 cortical barrel were changed. However, 7 days after follicle removal, the spared C3 barrel was enlarged by 41%, although absolute glucose utilization remained constant. This delayed onset of enlargement is compatible with either a structural or neurochemical change in barrel circuitry following vibrissal deafferentation. With ipsilateral locus coeruleus lesions but intact vibrissae, there was progressive enlargement of stimulated C3 barrel areas with increasing cortical norepinephrine depletion (r = 0.864) suggesting a suppressive effect of norepinephrine on activity spread in barrels with intact vibrissal afferents. Previously shown blockade of chronic (2 month) vibrissectomy-induced barrel enlargement by norephinephrine depletion suggested an additional effect on plasticity. Even though acute (1 day) follicle removal here produced no change in spared C3 barrel area, addition of norepinephrine depletion produced a surprising 40% decrease in barrel area. Thus, barrel plasticity assessed by 2-deoxyglucose reflects a complex interaction between barrel metabolic activity and the extent of vibrissal and noradrenergic afferent input.
CON: Computerized Tomographic Aspiration of Infected Pancreatic Necrosis: The Opinion Against Its Routine Use

CON: Computerized Tomographic Aspiration of Infected Pancreatic Necrosis: The Opinion Against Its Routine Use
The role of fats and oils in pharmaceuticals

The role of fats and oils in pharmaceuticals continues to change. One measure of this change is given by an examination of various national compendia which highlight changes within our own country over the years. These changes are compared with those taking place elsewhere. Attention is also given to the categories of pharmaceutical products utilizing fats and oils.
How we do it: the viability of free mucosal grafts on exposed bone in lacrimal surgery - a prospective study

To ascertain viability of free mucosal of grafts on bare bone and degree of contracture in vivo. Prospective study to ascertain graft survival where a small piece of mucosa, with a single centrally placed prolene suture for future identification, removed during endoscopic dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) was replaced to cover exposed bone at the end of the procedure. The presence of the graft and the degree of contracture was assessed endoscopically in outpatients at the second and fourth weeks. All patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria who underwent DCR in the study period April-October 2002. All the grafts survived intact at 4 weeks after the operation. Grafts underwent up to 20% contracture over this period. Free mucosal grafts survive well when applied to denuded bone in DCR operation.
Tumor associated mesenchymal stem cells protect ovarian cancer cells from hyperthermia through CXCL12

Abstract Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has shown promise in the treatment of ovarian carcinosis. Despite its efficiency for the treatment of peritoneal carcinosis from digestive tract neoplasia, it has failed to demonstrate significant benefit in ovarian cancers. It is therefore essential to understand the mechanism underlying the resistance to HIPEC in ovarian cancers. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) play an important role in the development of ovarian cancer metastasis and resistance to treatments. A recent study suggests that MSCs may be cytotoxic for cancer cells upon heat shock. In contrast, we describe the protective role of MSC against hyperthermia. Using cytokine arrays we determined that tumor associated MSC (TAMC) secrete pro-tumoral cytokines. We studied the effect of hyperthermia in co-culture setting of TAMC or bone marrow derived-MSC (BM-MSC) associated with ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and CaOV3) with polyvariate flow cytometry. We demonstrate that hyperthermia does not challenge survival of TAMC or BM-MSC. Both TAMC and BM-MSC displayed strong protective effect inducing thermotolerance in ovarian cancer cells (OCC). Transwell experiments demonstrated the role of secreted factors. We showed that CXCL12 was inducing thermotolerance and that inhibition of CXCL12/CXCR4 interaction restored cytotoxicity of hyperthermia in co-culture experiments. Targeting the interaction between stromal and cancer cells through CXCL12 inhibition might restore hyperthermia sensitivity in ovarian cancers, and thus improve HIPEC efficiency.
Borderline Personality Disorder: A Review of Data on DSM-III-R Descriptions

This paper reviews the available literature and data that bear on the question whether the DSM-III-R account of borderline personality disorder (BPD) should undergo change for DSM IV. The emphasis is on empirical evidence assembled since the introduction of this category in DSM-III, but the review necessarily moves into earlier literature that gave rise to the disorder's recognition and into the nonempirical resources offered by the accumulated expertise of advisors. Readers are invited to consider, alongside the DSM-IV Work Group, how to reconcile the value of sustaining a definition of BPD that has now received partial validation with the value of modifications that might better reflect the BPD construct.
Communication Forum Establishing a Companywide Customer Orientation through Persuasive Internal Marketing

This article explores methods for increasing the persuasiveness of internal marketing efforts to encourage employees to adopt a customer orientation. Internal marketing is a process of encouraging ...
Relativistic quantum mechanics of supersymmetric particles

The quantum mechanics of an electron in an external field is developed by Hamiltonian path integral methods. The electron is described classically by an action which is invariant under gauge supersymmetry transformations as well as worldline reparametrizations. The simpler case of a spinless particle is first reviewed and it is pointed out that a strictly canonical approach does not exist. This follows formally from the gauge invariance properties of the action and physically it corresponds to the fact that particles can travel backwards as well as forward in coordinate time. However, appropriate application of path integral techniques yields directly the proper time representation of the Feynman propagator. Next we extend the formalism to systems described by anticommuting variables. This problem presents some difficulty when the dimension of the phase space is odd, because the holomorphic representation does not exist. It is shown, however, that the usual connection between the evolution operator and the path integral still holds provided one indludes in the action the boundary term that makes the classical variational principle well defined. The path integral for the relativistic spinning particle is then evaluated and it is shown to lead directly to a representation for the Feynman propagator in terms of two proper times, one commuting, the other anticommuting, which appear in a symmetric manner. This representation is used to derive scattering amplitudes in an external field. In this step the anticommuting proper time is integrated away and the analysis is carried in terms of one (commuting) proper time only, just as in the spinless case. Finally, some properties of the quantum mechanics of the ghost particles that appear in the path integral for constrained systems are developed in an appendix.
MIXED CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE IN CHILDREN

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a collagen-vascular disease with multiple organ system involvement. MCTD is characterized by clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis. Serological characteristics include absence of anti-DNA but presence of antibody to extractable nuclear antigen-(ENA) in titers >1:10,000 (Sharpe et al, Am. J. Med. 52:148, 1972). We are aware of reports on only two children with this disease. Six children with MCTD have been seen by us, four females and two males between 7 and 19 (mean=13) years of age. All six patients had symptoms or laboratory values suggestive of myositis indistinguishable from childhood dermatomyositis. All patients had Raynaud's phenomenon. Four patients were suspected of having nephritis based on hematuria and/or proteinuria; this was confirmed in two patients by percutaneous renal biopsy. One patient responded to salicylates. Four of 5 patients treated with dally prednisone, 2 mg/Kg, had resolution of symptoms of arthritis, myositis, Raynaud's phenomenon and all evidence of nephritis. The fifth patient developed peripheral vasculitis while receiving prednisone. MCTD may be more common in children than previously recognized and may mimic a variety of collagen vascular disorders in its presentation. Anti-ENA is essential in the diagnosis of this disease. Therapy with salicylates should be initiated on patients without nephritis. Cases with nephritis and those recalcitrant to salicylates, should receive steroid therapy.
Physiological and ultrastructural characterization of a new Bacteroides species (Bacteroides capillus) isolated from severe localized periodontitis

Strains of a new Bacteroides species were isolated from three cases of severe localized periodontitis in adults, in which the organism comprised greater than 50 % of the cultivable subgingival flora. The isolates were Gram-negative, obligately anaerobic short rods, which required CO2 for growth. The strains were esculin-positive, oxidase– and gelatinase-negative, and produced acid from a variety of carbohydrates, including arabinose, xylose, raffinose, rhamnose, and cellobiose. The major acid end–products from glucose were acetic and succinic acids. The isolates all possessed an extra-layer external to the outer membrane, as well as an extensive fibrous or hair-like network of intensely staining, ruthenium red, and malachite green material, indicative of a glycolipid or a glycolipoprotein polymer. The physiological and ultrastructural observations are discussed in relation to other known bacteroides and show these isolates to be representative of a new Bacteroides species named Bacteroides capillus.
Narrative Strategies of Aphasic and Normal-Speaking Subjects

A Picture Story Test for eliciting narrative speech was administered to five patients in each of the subgroups of Broca's and Wernicke's aphasic subjects and matched controls. While Wernicke's subj...
On the relationship between the biconnectivity augmentation and travelling salesman problems

Abstract A strategy for solving the traveling salesman problem is adapted to the problem of finding a biconnected subgraph of a weighted graph whose cost function satisfies the triangle inequality. An approximation algorithm similar to Christofides' algorithm [5] for the traveling salesman problem is shown to possess the same worst-case bound of 3 2 when applied to the biconnectivity augmentation problem. A tight inequality is derived relating the cost of an optimal traveling salesman tour to the cost of an optimal biconnection.
Dynamic Buckling of Imperfect Cylindrical Shells Under Axial Compression and Bending Moment

The dynamic stability of circular metallic and laminated cylindrical shells is investigated. The cylinders are geometrically Imperfect and subjected to axial compression or pure bending moment. These loads are suddenly applied with constant magnitude and finite or infinite duration. The finite element method is employed to generate dynamic responses and the equations of motion approach to determine dynamic critical loads. The effects of load duration and imperfection amplitude on critical loads are discussed. It is found that the dynamic critical loads decrease with increasing load duration and converge to those for the load case of infinite duration. The convergence rate is related to the fundamental frequency of the cylinder. In addition, both the static and dynamic critical loads decrease with increasing imperfection amplitude.
Geologic problems associated with coal resources and reserves determination in the Appalachian Coal Basin

There are a variety of geologic conditions in the Appalachian coal field that bear on coal resources and reserves determinations. Sedimentary associations are the basic means of locating coal. An adequate measurement of coal thickness is still the primary consideration in the determination of coal-bed geometry. Strongly folded and thrust-faulted conditions have direct and often drastic effects on coal beds, making estimation of resources difficult. The gentle structure of the wide basin obscures beds at depth. Sedimentary models are useful for explaining and analyzing conditions, but thus far they have added little toward establishing precise coal-bed margins. Quality of coal-resources maps is directly dependent on the amount of data and the competency of the geologic interpretation. Splits, benches, and coals mapped in zones cause difficulties. Primary data in notebooks or core logs are often lost, thus necessitating remeasuring where needed and possible.
The economics of the criminal behavior of young adults: Estimation of an economic model of crime with a correction for aggregate market and public policy variables

This study uses a combination of individual-level and county-level data to estimate an economic model of crime for young adults similar to that used by Becker (1968) and Trumbull (1989). In order to estimate a model of crime in which both individual-level and county-level data are used, it is necessary to take account of the bias introduced by using aggregate-level data in conjunction with individual-level data. In order to eliminate this bias, a technique derived by Moulton (1990) is employed. Results from a logit regression model indicate that race, sex, and peer pressure have statistically significant effects on the probability that a young adult will commit a crime. Results also suggest that police presence, as measured by county-level per capita police expenditures, does not deter young adults from committing crimes.
Safety of the blood supply: role of pathogen reduction.

Abstract Even though the blood supply is very safe, the risk of transfusion transmitted disease is not zero. To improve the safety of the blood supply, pathogen reduction (PR) technology has been developed. The principle of most current PR strategies involves modifying DNA or RNA templates and making them inaccessible to DNA or RNA polymerase. Several platforms of pathogen reduction are available including psoralens, alkylating compounds, binary ethyleneimine-like compounds, riboflavin, methylene blue, and solvent–detergent treatment. PR systems have been designed for RBC, plasma, and platelets. PR technology has been found to be effective for a variety of pathogens including lipid-enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, bacteria and parasites. Pre-clinical studies and Phase III clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these PR technologies are currently ongoing.
Laparoscopic colostomy for a gunshot wound to the rectum.

ABSTRACT The role of laparoscopy in the management of trauma patients is evolving. We describe a case of a laparoscopically created colostomy for treatment of a gunshot wound to the rectum.
Nucleoprotein changes in the hearts of cardiomyopathic turkeys

The possible involvement of nuclear proteins in the pathogenesis of a spontaneously occurring model of congestive cardiomyopathy in turkeys was examined. This model is characterised by cardiac hypertrophy and dilatation, reduced cardiac output and depressed contractility. The protein composition of myocardial nuclei was compared in normal (n = 9) and cardiomyopathic (n = 18) turkeys, 70 to 140 days old. Myopathic hearts as a group have a higher histone content (1.75 +/- 0.09 (SD) mg . mg DNA-1 vs 1.65 +/- 0.07 in controls, P less than 0.01) and histone/nonhistone protein (NHP) ratio (1.07 +/- 0.07 vs 0.95 +/- 0.02 in controls, P less than 0.01). The latter was independent of age and correlated well with the degree of cardiac dilatation. The electrophoretic patterns of chromatin proteins was decreased in myopathic hearts. This decrease was primarily accounted for by lower NHP phosphorylation (5.78 +/- 1.38 pmol 32P . mg prot-1 . 15 min-1 vs 8.33 +/- 0.81 in controls, P less than 0.01). DEAE-Sephacel chromatography separated cyclic AMP-dependent and -independent nuclear protein kinases with similar substrate specificities but lower specific activities in myopathic hearts. SDS-polyacrylamide similar substrate specificities but lower specific activities in myopathic hearts. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of phosphorylated nucleoproteins revealed differences in the lower molecular species of NHPs between control and myopathic hearts. There was a significant correlation between NHP phosphorylation and degree of cardiac dilatation (r = -0.78) or contractility as reflected by left ventricular systolic time intervals (r = -0.57). These results suggest that development of this model of spontaneous cardiomyopathy is associated with, and may, in part, be secondary to changes in the composition and function of myocardial nucleoproteins.