cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attenuated hippocampus-dependent learning and memory decline in transgenic TgAPPswe Fischer-344 rats.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by increased β amyloid (Aβ) levels, extracellular Aβ deposits in senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal loss. However, the physiological role of normal levels of Aβ and its parent protein, the amyloid precursor protein (APP) are unknown. Here we report that low-level transgenic (Tg) expression of the Swedish APP mutant gene (APPswe) in Fischer-344 rats results in attenuated age-dependent cognitive performance decline in 2 hippocampus-dependent learning and memory tasks compared with age-matched nontransgenic Fischer-344 controls. TgAPPswe rats exhibit mild increases in brain APP mRNA (56.8%), Aβ-42 (21%), and Aβ-40 (6.1%) peptide levels at 12 mo of age, with no extracellular Aβ deposits or senile plaques at 6, 12, and 18 mo of age, whereas 3- to 6-fold increases in Aβ levels are detected in plaque-positive human AD patients and transgenic mouse models. The data support the hypothesis that a threshold paradigm underlies Aβ-related pathology, below which APP expression may play a physiological role in specific hippocampus-dependent tasks, most likely related to its neurotrophic role.
Abstract #376: Arsenic trioxide induces autophagy in ovarian cancer cells

Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved lysosomal digestion process of cellular proteins and organelles. Under physiological conditions autophagy function as a protective mechanism and is induced in response to nutrient and growth factor deprivation. It has been suggested that the autophagy is also one of the programmed cell death mechanisms called programmed cell death type II. Autophagic cell death is observed in general when the apoptotic threshold of the cancer cells high or apoptosis defective cells. Also, autophagic cell death is triggered when the autophagy pressure is massive or persistent or prolonged. Recently, several studies showed that autophagy or autophagic cell death is induced by anticancer therapies. Therefore, the modulation of autophagy may be a possible therapeutic target or a useful tool for sensitizing tumors to the chemotherapy. Arsenic trioxide (ATO), which is approved by FDA for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and leads to remission in APL and multiple myeloma, has been shown to induce autophagic cell death in leukemia and glioblastoma cell lines. Currently, whether ATO induces autophagy in ovarian cancer is not known. Here, we investigated whether ATO induces autophagy and if so whether it functions as protective or pro-death mechanism. The A2780 ovarian cancer cell line was treated with the increasing doses of ATO at different time points. We found that ATO induced formation of autophagic vacuoles in a dose dependent manner and 30-50 % of the cells underwent autophagy with 4 uM ATO in 72 hours as detected by acridine orange staining and flow cytometry (FACS) analysis. The electron microscopic studies confirmed the formation of autophagic vacuoles after the treatments with ATO at 72h. The autophagy was also observed in A2780 cells by formation GFP-LC3 labeled autophagosomes as indicated by punctuated pattern in GFP-LC3 transfected A2780 cells after ATO treatment. ATO also up-regulated Beclin-1 and ATG5 autophagy promoting proteins detected by Western blot analysis in a dose and time dependant manner. These results suggest that ATO activates the autophagic pathway in ovarian cancer cells. We are currently knocking down ATG5 and Beclin-1 and ATG5 by RNA interference to see the autophagy is a protective process against the cytotoxic effects or a cell death mechanism in ovarian cancer. In conclusion, provided the first evidence that ATO induces the autophagy in ovarian cancer and autophagy may be used as a therapeutic strategy to modulate cell death in ovarian cancer cells. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 376.
Predictive Modeling of CuInSe2 Nanocrystal Photovoltaics: The Importance of Band Alignment and Carrier Diffusion

Nanocrystal inks have been used to make printed photovoltaic devices (PVs) with reasonably high efficiencies; however, little is actually known about the material properties that limit the performance of these devices. Here, we model the output characteristics of PVs with CuInSe2 nanocrystal absorber layers using the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS) software package and obtain the thickness-limited response and typical current–voltage behavior, power conversion efficiency (PCE), and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of experimentally fabricated PVs. The device behavior is accurately modeled using a low carrier mobility of 5 × 10–4 cm2 V–1 s–1 and measured optical properties for the CuInSe2 nanocrystal films. The simulations reveal that a reduction in the energy barrier for hole transport at the back contact and increased mobility and lifetime of charge carriers in the CuInSe2 nanocrystal layer could improve device performance. Furthermore, this system is qualitatively different than the well-studi...
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) versus transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) for treatment of rectal tumors: a comparative systematic review and meta-analysis

While multiple studies have evaluated endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) to remove large rectal tumors, there remains a paucity of data to evaluate their comparative efficacy and safety. The primary aim of this study was to perform a structured systematic review and meta-analysis to compare efficacy and safety of ESD versus TEM for the treatment of rectal tumors. Individualized search strategies were developed from inception through November 2018 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Measured outcomes included pooled enbloc resection rates, margin-negative (R0) resection rates, procedure-associated adverse events, and rates of recurrence. This was a cumulative meta-analysis performed by calculating pooled proportions. Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran Q test and I2 statistics, and publication bias by funnel plot using Egger and Begg tests. Three studies (n = 158 patients; 55.22% male) were included in this meta-analysis. Patients with ESD compared to TEM had similar age (P = 0.090), rectal tumor size (P = 0.108), and diagnosis rate of adenoma to cancer (P = 0.53). ESD lesions were more proximal as compared to TEM (8.41 ± 3.49 vs. 5.11 ± 1.43 cm from the anal verge; P < 0.001). Procedure time and hospital stay were shorter for ESD compared to TEM [(79.78 ± 24.45 vs. 116.61 ± 19.35 min; P < 0.001) and (3.99 ± 0.32 vs. 5.83 ± 0.94 days; P < 0.001), respectively]. No significant differences between enbloc resection rates [OR 0.98 (95% CI 0.22–4.33); P = 0.98; I2 = 0.00%] and R0 resection rates [OR 1.16 (95% CI 0.36–3.76); P = 0.80; I2 = 0.00%] were noted between ESD and TEM. ESD and TEM reported similar rates of adverse events [OR 1.15 (95% CI 0.47–2.77); P = 0.80; I2 = 0.00%] and rates of recurrence [OR 0.46 (95% CI 0.07–3.14); P = 0.43; I2 = 0.00%]. ESD and TEM possess similar rates of resection, adverse events, and recurrence for patients with large rectal tumors; however, ESD is associated with significantly shorter procedure times and duration of hospitalization. Future studies are needed to evaluate healthcare utilization for these two strategies.
The Epidemiology of Upper Extremity Nerve Injuries and Associated Cost in the US Emergency Departments.

Background The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence and average cost of nerve injuries in patients presenting with upper extremity trauma. Methods The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database was queried using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes specific to peripheral nerve injuries of the upper extremity. Data on the incidence, patient demographics, average number of associated diagnoses, Injury Severity Scale (ISS) score, mechanism of injury, and average cost of care were collected and analyzed. Results Of 1.58 million upper extremity traumatic injuries, there were 5244 nerve injuries, resulting in an annual incidence of 16.9 per 100,000 persons with an average age of 38.42 years. Ulnar nerve injuries were the most common (3.86 per 100,000) followed by digital nerve (2.96 per 100,000), radial nerve (2.90 per 100,000), and median nerve (2.01 per 100,000). Injuries to the brachial plexus had the highest average ISS score (9.79 ± 0.71) and number of presenting diagnoses (8.85 ± 0.61) while having a lower than average emergency department (ED) cost. Patients with digital nerve injuries had the highest average ED cost ($8931.01 ± $847.03), whereas their ISS score (2.82 ± 0.19) and number of presenting diagnoses (4.92 ± 0.22) were the lowest. The most commonly reported mechanism of injury in this study population was from a laceration (29.2%) followed by blunt injury, fall (14.8%), and being struck (7.20%). Males were 2.14 (2.01-2.28) times more likely to have an injury to an upper extremity nerve and 3.25 (2.79-3.79) times more likely to injure a digital nerve. Conclusions While there was a low incidence of upper extremity nerve injuries associated with upper extremity trauma, the ulnar nerve was most frequently injured. Males were twice as likely to sustain a traumatic upper extremity nerve injury, with laceration being the most common mechanism of injury. The average ED cost associated with upper extremity nerve injuries in the United States was determined to be approximately $5779.
Automatic IoT Device Classification using Traffic Behavioral Characteristics

To protect the increasing presence of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in enterprise networks, it is necessary to detect and categorize new and existing IoT devices without relying on unencrypted data. We propose using machine learning to generalize network behavioral characteristics using data derived from the IP packet header. We capture traffic from 20 different IoT devices representing 4 distinct categories alongside a fifth category to recognize patterns from traditional computing devices. The traffic behavior of each category is then generalized and deployed to identify unknown devices that have never before entered the network. We then employ our techniques in a simulated production network and against the University of South Wales (UNSW) dataset. The results indicate that some IoT categories are easier to generalize than others, but better techniques in data generation and processing are needed in order to increase the classification confidence.
Undrained Seismic Compression of Unsaturated Sand

AbstractUnsaturated soils in engineered geostructures like embankments or retaining walls may experience seismic compression during earthquakes due to particle rearrangement associated with large-s...
Evidence for normal intracortical inhibitory recruitment properties in cervical dystonia.

Abstract Objective Dystonia is associated with reduced intracortical inhibition as measured by the cortical silent period (cSP); however, this may be due to abnormal cSP threshold or input-output properties. This study evaluated cSP recruitment properties in people with cervical dystonia (CD). Methods Bilateral electromyographic recordings were collected in the upper trapezius muscle in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left and right primary motor cortex in a group with CD (n = 19) and controls (n = 21). cSP threshold, cSP input-output properties at stimulation intensities from 1 to 1.4x the cSP threshold, ipsilateral silent period duration (iSP) and timing and magnitude of the contralateral and ipsilateral motor evoked potential (MEP) were assessed. Results The cSP threshold, input-output properties, and contralateral MEP magnitude were not significantly different between groups (all p > 0.07). Hemispheric symmetry was present in the control group while the CD group had reduced iSP (p Conclusions Recruitment properties of intracortical inhibition are similar between control and CD groups. Transcallosal inhibition is asymmetric between hemispheres in people with CD. Significance Evidence of normal intracortical inhibition recruitment properties challenge the commonly held view that cortical inhibition is reduced in dystonia.
Role of Computed Tomography-guided Biopsies in the Era of Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy: A Retrospective Study of Factors Predicting Diagnostic Yield in Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy and Computed Tomography Biopsies.

Objectives: Over 25% of the high-risk population screened for lung cancer have an abnormal computed tomography (CT) scan. Conventionally, these lesions have been biopsied with CT guidance with a high diagnostic yield. Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) with transbronchial biopsy has emerged as a technology that improves the diagnostic sensitivity of conventional bronchoscopic biopsy. It has been used to biopsy lung lesions, due to the low risk of pneumothorax. It is, however, a new technology that is expensive and its role in the diagnosis of the solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of CT-guided biopsy (CTB) following non-diagnostic ENB biopsy and identify characteristics of the lesion that predicts a low diagnostic yield with ENB, to ensure appropriate use of ENB in the evaluation of SPN. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-five lung lesions were biopsied with ENB from January 2017 to August 2019. Biopsies were considered diagnostic if pathology confirmed malignancy or inflammation in the appropriate clinical and imaging setting. We evaluated lesions for several characteristics including size, lobe, and central/peripheral distribution. The diagnostic yield of CTB in patients who failed ENB biopsies was also evaluated. Logistic regression was used to identify factors likely to predict a non-diagnostic ENB biopsy. Result: Overall, ENB biopsies were performed in 135 patients with solitary lung lesions. ENB biopsies were diagnostic in 52% (70/135) of the patients. In 23 patients with solitary lung lesions, CTBs were performed following a non-diagnostic ENB biopsy. The CTBs were diagnostic in 87% of the patients (20/23). ENB biopsies of lesions <21.5 mm were non-diagnostic in 71% of cases (42/59); 14 of these patients with non-diagnostic ENB biopsies had CTBs, and 86% of them were diagnostic (12/14). ENB biopsies of lesions in the lower lobes were non- diagnostic in 59% of cases (35/59); 12 of these patients with non-diagnostic ENB biopsies had CTBs, and 83% were diagnostic (10/12). ENB biopsies of lesions in the outer 2/3 were non-diagnostic in 57% of cases (50/87); 21 of these patients with non-diagnostic ENB biopsies had CTBs, and 86% were diagnostic (18/21). Conclusion: CTBs have a high diagnostic yield even following non-diagnostic ENB biopsies. Lesions <21.5 mm, in the outer 2/3 of the lung, and in the lower lung have the lowest likelihood of a diagnostic yield with ENB biopsies. Although CTBs have a slightly higher pneumothorax rate, these lesions would be more successfully diagnosed with CTB as opposed to ENB biopsy, in the process expediting the diagnosis and saving valuable medical resources.
Flight of the COVID-19 patient: experience with a Wuhan evacuee: a case report.

Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. We report a case of a 51-year-old Chinese woman who was evacuated from Wuhan, China and diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 infection at a Southern California quarantine facility. Her clinical course was notable for high fevers, night sweats, productive cough, transient leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis. Evolving hypoxia and infiltrates on chest imaging warranted the trial of an investigational antiviral drug - remdesivir. Our patient recovered and was discharged after 2 weeks of hospitalization. This case highlights our patient’s clinical course, including diagnostic work-up, medical management, and challenges in defining non-infectivity in a relatively unknown disease.
TGF-β1 in extracellular vesicles from HIV-infected plasma and macrophages linked to cardiopulmonary dysfunction

Rationale: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important mediators in cell-cell communication and disease pathogenesis; however, their relevance in pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to HIV infection is yet to be explored. Objective: To examine the role of circulating small EVs and monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) EVs in the development of HIV-associated PH Methods: EVs isolated from plasma of HIV-infected drug users and non-users with/without PH and from supernatants of HIV-infected MDMs treated with/without second hit of cocaine were studied for their effect on vascular dysfunction both in vitro and in vivo. Measurements and Main Results: We report significantly higher numbers of plasma derived EVs (PEVs) carrying higher levels of TGF-{beta}1 in people living with HIV (PLWH) that had PH compared to non-PH PLWH. Importantly, levels of these TGF-{beta}1 loaded PEVs correlated with pulmonary arterial systolic pressures, CD4 counts, but not with diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide or viral load. Correspondingly, enhanced TGF-{beta}1-dependent pulmonary endothelial injury and smooth muscle hyperplasia was observed. Cocaine treatment of HIV-1 infected-MDMs resulted in increased number of TGF-{beta}1 high-EVs. Intravenous injection of these EVs in rats led to increased right ventricle systolic pressure accompanied with myocardial injury and increased levels of serum endothelin-1, TNF-, and cardiac Troponin-I. Conversely, pretreatment of rats with TGF{beta}-Receptor 1 inhibitor prevented these EV-mediated changes. Conclusion: Findings define the ability of macrophage-derived small EVs to cause pulmonary vascular modeling and PH via modulation of TGF-{beta} signaling and suggest clinical implications of circulating TGF-{beta} high-EVs as a potential biomarker of HIV-PH.
Gradient scaffold with spatial growth factor profile for osteochondral interface engineering.

Osteochondral (OC) matrix design poses a significant engineering challenge due to the complexity involved with bone-cartilage interfaces. To better facilitate the regeneration of OC tissue, we developed and evaluated a biodegradable matrix with uniquely arranged bone and cartilage supporting phases: a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) template structure with a porosity gradient along its longitudinal axis uniquely integrated with hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Micro-CT scanning and imaging confirmed the formation of an inverse gradient matrix. Hydroxyapatite was added to the PLGA template which was then plasma-treated to increase hydrophilicity and growth factor affinity. An osteogenic growth factor (bone morphogenetic protein 2; BMP-2) was loaded onto the template scaffold via adsorption, while a chondrogenic growth factor (transforming growth factor beta 1; TGF-β1) was incorporated into the hydrogel phase. Confocal microscopy of the growth factor loaded matrix confirmed the spatial distribution of the two growth factors, with chondrogenic factor confined to the cartilaginous portion and osteogenic factor present throughout the scaffold. We observed spatial differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into cartilage and bone cells in the scaffolds in vitro: cartilaginous regions were marked by increased glycosaminoglycan production, and osteogenesis was seen throughout the graft by alizarin red staining. In a dose-dependent study of BMP-2, hMSC pellet cultures with TGF-β1 and BMP-2 showed synergistic effects on chondrogenesis. These results indicate that development of an inverse gradient matrix can spatially distribute two different growth factors to facilitate chondrogenesis and osteogenesis along different portions of a scaffold, which are key steps needed for formation of an osteochondral interface.
Perceived Racial Discrimination and the Health of Black Youth in Ohio

Background: Perceived racial discrimination (PRD) is known to harm youth, yet few studies use large, representative samples or study caregivers' perceptions of their children's experiences with unjust treatment. We examined how such a measure of PRD was associated with demographic characteristics as well as with physical and mental health outcomes for Black youth across Ohio. Methods: The 2019 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey was a complex telephone survey with a representative sample of 31 558 adults, 907 of whom completed a proxy interview for a youth in the household who was Black and age 6 to 18 years. One item from an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scale assessed PRD: "To the best of your knowledge, has [name] ever experienced any of the following? Treated or judged unfairly because of [her/his] race or ethnic group." Results: Weighted analyses found that PRD was more common among Black youth who were older, from higher income families, and lived in rural counties. Perceived racial discrimination was also associated with frequent mental distress and with having an emotional or behavioral problem that needs treatment or counseling. It was not associated with any physical health outcomes measured. Conclusion: Our findings resemble those from other studies that use more extensive measures of PRD. While no substitute for extensive measures, the ACEs single-item measure may expand opportunities to study PRD in subgroup analyses of larger, representative samples. Yet our findings and those from other studies already provide considerable evidence that efforts to improve Black youth's mental health should consider their experience with PRD.
The Need for New Guidelines and Training for Remote/Online Testing and Proctoring.

Following the emergence of COVID-19, schools and colleges of pharmacy quickly shifted delivery and assessment of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum online. The rapid shift to testing students off campus and away from traditional in-person proctored environments required institutions to
Camp Abilities: Accessibility and Virtual Summer Camps

Youth with disabilities are less likely to participate in community activities than their nondisabled peers (Bedell et al., 2013). For participants with physical disabilities, summer camp can increase knowledge of one’s own abilities (Aggerholm & Moltke Martiny, 2017). Camp Abilities is an international sports camp model that recognizes the ongoing challenges that people with disabilities have with respect to accessing physical activity and living active lifestyles. There are over 25 independent camp programs throughout the world with a mission of providing high quality sport, health, and physical activity programming to youth with visual impairments. In the summer of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many camps to close their in-person sessions. In order to continue summer camp programming for the youth they serve, the staff at several Camp Abilities programs for youth with visual impairments developed a virtual service delivery model based on collaboration between physical activity and visual impairment processionals. Staff used digital platforms such as YouTube and Zoom, as well as emails, text messages, and video chats to safely create a camp experience despite the pandemic. Both camps had positive responses to the virtual model from children, parents, and staff. Leadership teams at both programs discovered methods that were successful for their participants, as well as some approaches that they would not use again.Subscribe to JPRA
A Posteriori Analysis for Iterative Solvers for Nonautonomous Evolution Problems

We derive, implement, and test a posteriori error estimates for numerical methods for a nonautonomous linear system that involve iterative solution of the discrete equations. We consider two iterations: the Picard iteration and the Jacobi iteration for solving the discrete matrix-vector equations. To carry out the analysis, we define an appropriate adjoint problem for the numerical approximations using the matricant. We present a number of examples with interesting characteristics to illustrate the effectiveness of the estimate. We also present a comparison between the a posteriori error estimate and a conceptually simpler estimate obtained with a “pseudoadjoint” problem.
V Principles of Optical Processing with Partially Coherent Light

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses principles of optical processing with partially coherent light. The coherence requirement, the modulating transfer function and the noise performance of the optical processing system under a partially coherent regime is discussed in detail. A number of important conclusions can be drawn concerning this technique: The most significant one is its capability of processing an image in a complex wave field as a coherent processor, and the ability to suppress coherent artifact noise as an incoherent processor. Another important aspect of partially coherent processing is the color image processing, for that the optical system is capable of exploiting the spectral content of the object. Finally, in contrast with its coherent counterparts, the partially coherent processor is generally economical and easy to operate. In spite of the flexibility of digital techniques, the partially coherent optical techniques offer the advantages of capacity, color, simplicity, and cost effectiveness. Further, the chapter explains that partially coherent processing is at the threshold of widespread application.
On the sympathetic control of ventricular automaticity. The effects of a reflex increase of sympathetic discharge.

Abstract The reflex sympathetic control of idioventricular pacemakers in complete atrioventricular (A-V) block was studied in anesthetized dogs. The A-V block was obtained either by ligating the His bundle or by stimulating the vagus. The procedures employed to enhance reflexly the sympathetic discharge were as follows: occlusion of the carotid arteries, administration of nitroglycerine, inhalation of amyl nitrite and stimulation of the central end of the sciatic nerve. These procedures accelerated reflexly the idioventricular pacemakers to a different degree, but the acceleration was rarely as large as that obtained with high frequency sympathetic stimulation. Elimination of one stellate ganglion almost halved the reflex acceleration of ventricular pacemakers, thereby indicating that the acceleration was mainly brought about by increased neural discharge. The reflex enhancement of ventricular pacemakers was not affected by simultaneous vagal stimulation, thus suggesting that the vagal discharge has little influence on ventricular automaticity. By comparing the results obtained with direct sympathetic stimulation and those obtained with a reflex increase of sympathetic activity, it was found that the unilateral sympathetic discharge during the procedures ranged from 1 to 4 impulses/sec.
Coas: Combined Object-Action Selection: A Human Factors Experiment

12 participants with a high level of domain experience used two different, mouse-based, interaction techniques to carry out three workstation file management tasks of varying complexity. One technique followed a standard Object-Action model; the other was a newly developed technique called COAS (Combined Object-Action Selection). There was little difference in performance on a simple task; performance for participants using the new technique was 38% faster on a moderately complex task and was 21% faster on a complex task. The file management application, interaction techniques and experiment were implemented in an OS/2 Presentation Manager style using ITS (Interactive Transaction System).
Multi-phase smart converter for PV system

Recent research and industrial accomplishment has revealed the advantages of cascaded smart converter Photovoltaic (PV) system over traditional centralized and string PV system. However, smart converter normally has higher cost than central-level or string-level MPPT PV system due to the fact that each smart converter need individual MPPT controller, voltage and current sensors. In order to solve this problem, a multi-phase smart converter with single controller is proposed in this paper. Comparing to traditional smart converter, the proposed solution can largely reduce cost by saving MPPT controllers, current and voltage sensors without sacrificing energy production. The effectiveness of the proposed structure is verified by both simulation and hardware testing. The proposed multi-phase smart converter also can be extended to work as subpanel-level and string-level multi-phase PV converters.
Viewing Systems as Services: A Fresh Approach in the IS Field

Despite wide agreement that we are in a service-dominated economy, there has been little movement toward treating service and service metaphors as core aspects of the IS field. This tutorial proposes that viewing systems as services is a potentially fruitful but generally unexplored approach for thinking about systems in organizations, systems analysis, and numerous applications of IT. An extension of past research in several areas, viewing systems as services proves to be an umbrella for developing new systems analysis and design methods, improving business/IT communication, and finding practical paths toward greater relevance and significance in business and society.
Evaluation of a dynamic tree structure for indexing query regions on streaming geospatial data

Most recent research on querying and managing data streams has concentrated on traditional data models where the data come in the form of tuples or XML data. Complex types of streaming data, in particular spatio-temporal data, have primarily been investigated in the context of moving objects and location-aware services. In this paper, we study query processing and optimization aspects for streaming (RSI) data. Streaming RSI is typical for the vast amount of imaging satellites orbiting the Earth, and it exhibits certain characteristics that make it very attractive to tailored query optimization techniques. Our approach uses a Dynamic Cascade Tree (DCT) to (1) index spatio-temporal query regions associated with continuous user queries and (2) efficiently determine what incoming RSI data is relevant to what queries. The (DCT) supports the processing of different types of RSI data, ranging from point data to more general spatial extents in which the incoming imagery can be single pixels, rows of pixels, or discrete parts of images. The DCT exploits spatial trends in incoming RSI data to efficiently filter the data of interest to the individual query regions. Experimental results using random input and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) data give a good insight into processing streaming RSI and verify the efficiency and utility of the DCT .
Nietzsche on cultural convalescence

A key problem for modern social theory is the question of how singularity is possible for radically socialized subjects. This article focuses on Nietzsche's notion of convalescence as offering a coherent approach to this problem. For Nietzsche, the convalescent undergoes a sustained, suffered detachment from the idealistic culture of ressentiment that deprives her of her singularity. A brief comparison of convalescence to the Freudian notion of the work of mourning helps to clarify the suffered nature of the slow bit by bit decathexis from the internalized remnants of ressentiment. This helps to illuminate the significance of the performative drama of Zarathustra's convalescence, and reveals shortcomings of dominant philosophical readings of Nietzsche – specifically those of Derrida and Deleuze – that abstract from the suffered ordeal of the convalescent who finds her singularity only to the extent that she concretely and continually works herself out of the internalized and external forms of coercive culture.
Effects of modal symmetry on transonic aeroelastic characteristics of wing-body configurations

To study accurately the transonic aeroelastic characteristics, it is important to model the full aircraft configuration, including asymmetry. Recently, an accurate method of computing unsteady transonic flows on full-span wing-body configurations was developed using the transonic potential flow theory. In this work, the method is further developed to account for the aeroelasticity of full-span wing-body configurations. This is accomplished by simultaneously integrating the unsteady aerodynamic forces and modal structural equations of the wing-body configurations. To validate the method, aeroelastic computations are made for a wing-body configuration with a rectangular wing. The aeroelastic responses of this configuration are correlated with the responses of a similar isolated wing. The comparisons are favorable. Aeroelastic computations associated with symmetric and antisymmetric modes are also made to study the influence of modal asymmetry on responses. This new development is further illustrated by computing the aeroelastic characteristics of a typical fighter aircraft. The results from this study will be useful in accurately computing the transonic flutter boundaries of aircraft, including those associated with asymmetric modes.
Stellar Core Collapse: A Case Study in the Design of Numerical Algorithms for Scalable Radiation Hydrodynamics

The fields of radiation and hydrodynamics are time-honored disciplines in physics. However, it is only since the nuclear age that the importance of radiation hydrodynamics - a single field studying the interplay of radiation and material hydrodynamics together - has come into prominence. Similarly, it is only since the computer age that physically interesting problems in this field have become tractable. In this article, the authors discuss the process of building a model to study one of the fundamental problems of astrophysics: the supernova explosion of a massive star caused by the collapse of its core. An explanation for the mechanism of this explosion involves the interaction of material hydrodynamics and neutrino radiation.
Gluon fragmentation into heavy quarkonium

The dominant production mechanism for heavy-quark--antiquark bound states with large transverse momentum is fragmentation, the splitting of a high energy parton into a quarkonium state and other partons. We show that the fragmentation functions D(z,\ensuremath{\mu}) describing these processes can be calculated using perturbative QCD. We calculate the fragmentation functions for a gluon to split into S-wave quarkonium states to leading order in the QCD coupling constant.
Crying in natural settings: global estimates, self-monitored frequencies, depression and sex differences in an undergraduate population

Abstract Normative data on estimated crying frequencies among college students are presented; women reported crying seven times as frequently as men, although there was a wide range of frequencies for both sexes. Moderate correlations of global estimates with 2 months of self-monitoring data were obtained. Measures comparing pre- and post-crying depression levels with pre- and post-nontearing episodes revealed that crying was no more likely to be accompanied by the alleviation of depression than when the S reported feeling like crying but did not produce tears. Because of their stability and relationship to self-monitored frequencies, global estimates of crying may provide information useful to the clinician.
Angiotensin II-Forming Activity in a Reconstructed Ancestral Chymase

The current model of serine protease diversity theorizes that the earliest protease molecules were simple digestive enzymes that gained complex regulatory functions and restricted substrate specificities through evolution. Among the chymase group of serine proteases are enzymes that convert angiotensin I to angiotensin II, as well as others that simply degrade angiotensins. An ancestral chymase reconstructed with the use of phylogenetic inference, total gene synthesis, and protein expression had efficient and specific angiotensin II-forming activity (turnover number, about 700 per second). Thus, angiotensin II-forming activity is the more primitive state for chymases, and the loss of such activity occurred later in the evolution of some of these serine proteases.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ON-FARM SOLUTIONS TO DRAINAGE PROBLEMS IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE

Agricultural production in many semi-arid areas over the world is affected by poor drainage and saline conditions. Optimal agricultural management can be considerably different under these conditions than in locations where these problems do not occur. A long-run steady-state model is developed to analyse several management strategies for a farm with limited natural drainage and no access to off farm facilities. The model is applied to a representative farm in California. Under optimal management, the results suggest relatively small evaporation ponds, a reduction in water application, and little change in cropping patterns. Some drainage reuse is optimal when only variable reuse costs are considered. Returns to land and management are positive in all cases considered and benefits from a free off-farm facility are approximately $260/ha.
Two-point boundary temperature control of hot strip via water cooling

Abstract This paper presents a two-point boundary temperature control system approach, for Run Out Table (ROT) cooling, used in hot strip mills. The system relies on a linearized model for describing heat radiated to the environment and heat transferred to cooling water. A basic feedforward control design to control the temperature at the second boundary point, the only measurable controlled parameter, is first presented. A modified control scheme, which minimizes the temperature error via Dynamic Programming, is then discussed in detail. System performance analysis via simulation is presented for both control schemes. Simulation results show that temperature error minimization by Dynamic Programming improves system performance.
CrysPage: a program for displaying images of crystallization trials, rapid comparisons and analysis

CrysPage is a program to facilitate the rapid evaluation of high-throughput crystallization trials by experienced crystallographers. Emphasis is placed on a clear overview and the display of individual drops. Chemical space can be searched and selected drops can be displayed for detailed inspection, allowing the user to narrow down the range of trial conditions for further optimization.
Tectonic implications of variations in sea floor spreading rates

Abstract Changes in sea floor spreading rates and directions are related in time to periods of worldwide uplift indicating that sea floor spreading episodes and tectonic cycles may be driven by the same basic mechanism.
Rules for evaluating the difficulty of memory problems

Subjects were shown pairs of photographs; each photograph depicted an individual trying to remember the names of animals. The individual depicted was either an adult or a child, and the number of animals to be remembered varied from 1 to 20. The subjects judged which individual in each pair of photographs would be less likely to recall all the animals. Judgments for most children in Grades 1 through 6 conformed to a rule in which the principal determinant of difficulty was the number of animals. In contrast, most eighth-graders and college students used a rule in which the separate and interactive effects of the number of animals and the age of the depicted individual were considered.
Solid state 31P NMR spectroscopic studies of tertiary phosphines and their complexes

A. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. Solid state NMR methods . . (i) The MAS experiment . . . . (ii) The CP/MAS experiment. . . C. Tertiary phosphines . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Transition metal complexes . . . . (i) Complexes of the Group 8 metals. (ii) Complexes of the Group 9 metals. (iii) Complexes of the Group IO metals (iv) Complexes of the Group I I metals (v) Complexes of the Group 12 metals E. Concluding remarks . . . . . . Note added in proof. . . . . . References . . . .
Novel Peptide Dissociation: Gas-Phase Intramolecular Rearrangement of Internal Amino Acid Residues

Unique intramolecular rearrangement product ions have been observed in the product ion spectra of a number of peptides. Multiple stages of mass analysis (MSn), molecular modeling, and chemical modifications of peptides have been used to provide insight into the mechanism of this rearrangement reaction. The rearrangement process begins with a four-residue immonium ion that transfers a proton from the immonium nitrogen to the primary amine on the N-terminus. The proton transfer leads to the rearrangement of the peptide, exposing an internal amino acid on the terminus of the new ion. The internal amino acid that becomes the terminus of the new ion is then readily lost. The reaction seems to benefit from an extended experimental time frame available for reaction. The reaction is most prominent in quadrupole ion trap and Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance experiments, is observed under some conditions in a triple quadrupole, but is not seen in a sector instrument. Without previous knowledge of this proc...
Stroop effects in bilingual translation

In two experiments, bilinguals proficient in English and Spanish translated words from one language to the other. In each experiment, following the target word to be translated, distractor words were presented after a short (200-msec) or long (500-msec) stimulus onset asynchrony. In Experiment 1, the distractor words appeared in the language of production and were related to the meaning or form of the spoken translation. The results replicated past studies in demonstrating that semantically related distractor words produced Stroop-type interference, whereas form-related distractor words produced facilitation. In Experiment 2, the distractors appeared in the language of input and were related to the meaning or form of the target word itself. In contrast to the results of Experiment 1, there were only marginal effects of the distractors on translation performance. These results suggest that language cues related to the nature of the input in translation may serve to reduce competition among lexical competitors during lexicalization. The contrast between these results and those in bilingual picture-word interference studies provides important constraints for models of language production and for claims about the locus of language selection.
Solution factors affecting the photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic degradation of formic acid using supported TiO2 thin films

Abstract The solution factors, i.e. pH of the solution, initial concentration of formic acid (HCOOH), effect of silver ions (Ag(I)) in solution and the mass transfer of HCOOH, affecting the reaction efficiency of the photocatalytic (PC) and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation of HCOOH were investigated. The maximum PC and PEC (0.3 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)) degradation of HCOOH occurred at approximately pH 3.4 and no degradation reactions were detected above pH 6. The initial concentration of HCOOH did not affect the reaction rate above 3.8 × 10 −4 M for the PC reaction and above 7.6 × 10 −4 M for the PEC reaction (0.3 V vs. SCE). When Ag(I) was added, it was deposited on the surface of the TiO 2 film as metallic silver (Ag(0)) during both reactions. In this case, the degradation rate of HCOOH in both PC and PEC (2 V vs. SCE) reactions decreased. Finally, the mass transfer of HCOOH was shown to be necessary to sustain the PC and PEC reactions.
Protection against dimethylhydrazine-induced adenomatous tumors of the mouse colon by the dietary addition of an extract of soybeans containing the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor

Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induces adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum in rodents; this animal cancer model system is thought to closely resemble human colorectal cancer. An extract of soybeans containing the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor added to the diet of DMH-treated mice resulted in a significant suppression of adenomatous tumors of the colonic mucosa. Non-treated mice maintained on the same diet for most of their natural life-span (1.5 years) showed no observable health problems.
Incorporation of Glucose Analogs by GtfE and GtfD from the Vancomycin Biosynthetic Pathway to Generate Variant Glycopeptides

Abstract Analogs of the glycopeptide antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin with alterations in one or both sugar moieties of the disaccharide have been prepared by tandem action of the vancomycin pathway glycosyltransferases GtfE and GtfD. All four regioisomers (2-, 3-, 4-, 6-) of TDP-deoxyglucoses and UDP/TDP-aminoglucoses were prepared, predominantly by action of D-glucopyranosyl-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase, E p . GtfE transferred the deoxyglucoses or aminoglucoses onto the 4-OH of 4-hydroxyphenylglycine of both the vancomycin and teicoplanin aglycone scaffolds. Kinetic analysis indicated the 2-, 3-, 4-, and 6-amino-glucoses were transferred by GtfE with only a 4- to 30-fold drop in k cat and no effect on K m compared to the native substrate, UDP/TDP-glucose, suggesting preparative utility. The next enzyme, GtfD, could utilize the variant glucosyl-peptides as substrates for transfer of L-4- epi -vancosamine. The aminosugar moieties in these variant glycopeptides introduce sites for acylation or reductive alkylation.
Quasielastic light scattering by biopolymers. VI. Diffusion of mononucleosomes and oligonucleosomes in the presence of static and sinusoidal electric fields

Quasielastic light scattering and electrophoretic light scattering studies were carried out on mononucleosome and oligonucleosome systems. The electrophoretic light scattering experiments employed static and sinusoidal electric fields. Data are presented that suggest at least two relaxation modes. It is proposed that the small amplitude sinusoidal field effectively polarizes the ion atmosphere about the polyion, thus leading to an induced dipole moment that varies sinusoidally in time. This model is, in essence, an extension of the current interpretation of low-frequency dielectric dispersion data on DNA as being due to fluctuations of counterions along the polyion.
Accuracy study of multiresolution time-domain (MRTD) schemes

In this paper, we compare the different versions of multiresolution time-domain (MRTD) approaches based on the cubic-spline Battle–Lemarie scaling and high-level multiresolution wavelet functions, Haar scaling functions, and Cohen–Daubechies–Feauveau (CDF) scaling functions. First, by analyzing a TEM wave propagating along a specified direction, we compare the results derived from the different MRTD approaches and investigate accuracy of these approaches. Second, we present an improved, efficient, and simplified MRTD version and study the errors introduced by these simplifications. Finally, based on the MRTD scheme presented in this paper, we simulate a microstrip bandpass filter with comparison to the published results. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 47: 480–485, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21206
Barium granuloma of the rectum.

Three cases of traumatic granulomatous ulcers of the rectum following barium enema examination are presented and medical literature is reviewed briefly. Barium granulomatous ulcers were induced experimentally in dogs by injecting unsterile barium sulfate suspension into the submucosa of the rectum. The indurated overhanging mucosal edges of the ulcers were debrided in one group of animals to determine whether this would shorten healing time. Ulcers in the control group were smaller, less deep, and healed faster than in the treated group. An intramural or perirectal abscess caused by extravasation of barium sulfate should be drained preferably by enlarging the site of perforation and without unduly excising the mucosal edges of the ulcer. Epithelization occurs despite retained barium crystals. The crystals pass within the lymphatic vessels to the regional lymph nodes. In five of 22 dogs studied, squamous metaplasia at the ulcer site in the rectum was found unexpectedly. No such findings have been described in medical literature heretofore.