cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polimialgia reumática en el varón

La polimialgia reumatica (PMR) se perfila como una entidad infrecuente y de etiologia desconocida que se presenta en adultos (particularmente mayores de 50 anos) y con cierta afinidad por el sexo femenino. Se manifiesta habitualmente con la presencia de mialgias a nivel de cintura escapular y pelvica y, aunque no hay pruebas especificas para su diagnostico, si hay ciertos hallazgos en los datos de laboratorio que pueden hacer sospecharla (elevacion de velocidad de sedimentacion globular [VSG] > 40). Tambien puede acompanarse de sintomas inespecificos (astenia, anorexia, fiebre) que hacen plantearnos un diagnostico diferencial extenso con enfermedades reumaticas (especialmente importante con la arteritis de celulas gigantes [ACG] por las posibles consecuencias de poder padecer esta entidad, asi como el hecho de que hasta un 20% de pacientes diagnosticados de PMR puede presentarla) enfermedades neoplasicas, infecciones y endocrinopatias. En cuanto al tratamiento, son de primera eleccion los esteroides, siendo habitual una rapida respuesta a los pocos dias con dosis bajas (10-20 mg/dia). En otras ocasiones puede presentarse enmascarada con sintomas "atipicos", pudiendose convertir en un reto diagnostico para el medico de Atencion Primaria.
Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition influences aspects of photoperiod stimulated ovarian recrudescence in Siberian hamsters.

Blocking matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in vivo with inhibitor GM6001 impedes photostimulated ovarian recrudescence in photoregressed Siberian hamsters. Since direct and indirect effects of MMPs influence a myriad of ovarian functions, we investigated the effect of in vivo MMP inhibition during recrudescence on ovarian mRNA expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), 3β-hy-droxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), Cyp19a1 aromatase, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), amphiregulin (Areg), estrogen receptors (Esr1 and Esr2), tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-1,-2,-3), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), its receptor VEGFR-2, and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). Female Siberian hamsters were randomly assigned to one of four photoperiod groups: stimulatory long (LD) or inhibitory short (SD) photoperiods, or transferred from SD to LD for 2 weeks (post-transfer, PT). Half of the PT hamsters were injected (ip) daily with GM6001 (PTG). SD exposure reduced ovarian StAR, 3β-HSD, Cyp19a1, Esr1, Esr2, TIMPs 2–3, PCNA, VEGFR-2 and Ang-2 mRNA expression (p < 0.05), and 2 weeks of photostimulation restored mRNA expression of 3β-HSD and PCNA and increased Areg and VEGFA mRNA expression in the PT group. GM6001 treatment during photostimulation (PTG) increased TIMP-1, -2 and -3 and PCNA mRNA, but inhibited Areg mRNA expression compared to PT. Neither photoperiod nor GM6001 altered EGFR expression. Results of this study suggest that in vivo inhibition of MMP activity by GM6001 may impede ovarian recrudescence, particularly follicular growth, in two ways: (1) directly by partially inhibiting the release of EGFR ligands like Areg, thereby potentially affecting EGFR activation and its downstream pathway, and (2) indirectly by its effect on TIMPs which themselves can affect proliferation, angiogenesis and follicular growth.
Effect of visual deprivation during postnatal maturation on the electroencephalogram of the cat.

Abstract Electroencephalograms were obtained from cats which had been raised in continuous darkness from before eye opening to approximately 1 year of age, and compared to those obtained from a control group reared in the lighted laboratory. Rearing in darkness produced no detectable electrocortical abnormalities in the “spontaneous” record; however, when the response from the visual cortex of dark-reared animals to intermittent photic stimulation was investigated it was found that the flicker-induced potentials were reduced at all frequencies of stimulation utilized (1–50 flash/sec). All light-reared and no dark-reared animals demonstrated visually-mediated responses as judged by performance on five simple behavioral tests. When two dark-reared animals were placed in the experimenter's home their scores on all five behavioral tests changed from negative to positive within 10 days. Two additional dark-reared animals placed in a cage in the lighted laboratory required over 30 days of experience before positive scores were obtained on these tests. This research demonstrated that the behavioral deficits produced by the exclusion of the adequate stimulus from the retina during the postnatal developmental period does not necessarily produce electrophysiological abnormalities in the visual cortex and that these profound behavioral deficits may be very rapidly altered when the proper conditions are utilized.
Spin physics at TJNAF using a polarized 3He target

Abstract We describe a comprehensive physics program under preparation at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) [1] aimed at exploring the electromagnetic and spin structure of the neutron using scattering of a polarized electron beam and a polarized 3He target. Among the experiments approved in this program are the measurements of the electric and magnetic form factors of the neutron, the study of the Q2 dependence of the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn (GDH) sum rule, as well as the measurement of the neutron spin asymmetry in the large x Bjorken region. This physics program attempts not only to investigate the structure of the nucleon, but also to provide crucial data for our understanding of the transition between perturbative and nonperturbative regimes of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the theory of strong interactions.
Microestimation of phosphate in the presence of large amounts of fluoride

A method for the microestimation of orthophosphate in the presence of large amounts of fluoride is described. A lead ion-selective electrode and a double-junction reference electrode are used to monitor the potentiometric titration with 0.01M lead perchlorate. Solutions are buffered at pH 8.25 to 8.75. A computer-controlled titration system is used for titration and data processing. Up to 400 mg of fluoride, a 13000-fold excess, can be tolerated in the estimation of 10−6 M phosphate.
Civic Culture and Democracy: The Question of Causal Relationships.

A causal model of relationships between structural properties of states, civic culture attitudes of the general public, and change in level of democracy is tested with cross-national data. The model permits inferences about the possibility of unidirectional or reciprocal causation between civic culture attitudes and democracy, controlling for macrosocietal variables such as economic development, income inequality, and subcultural pluralism. Most civic culture attitudes do not have any significant impact on change in democracy. One of them, interpersonal trust, appears clearly to be an effect rather than a cause of democracy. The exception is the percentage of the general public that prefers gradual reform of society instead of revolutionary change or intransigent defense of the status quo. Support for gradual reform has a positive impact on change in democracy, and it is unrelated to a country's years of continuous democracy—findings that support the hypothesis of a unidirectional civic culture effect on democracy.
ON THE BRINK OF DECONSTRUCTING SOCIOLOGY: Critical Reading of Dorothy Smith's Standpoint Epistemology

Contrasting Dorothy Smith's critique of sociological discourse with one proposed by post-structural feminists, I argue that Smith's standpoint epistemology based on women's experiences, although an important contribution, is limited as a critique of sociological discourse. This is because it fails to reflect on sociology as itself a dominant discourse of experience.
Roberta Lamb: Mentor and Friend

Center for the Management of Medical Technology, Stuart Graduate School of Business, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60661, USA.
Exploration Rover Concepts and Development Challenges

*† ‡ § ** This paper presents an overview of exploration rover concepts and the various development challenges associated with each as they are applied to exploration objectives and requirements for missions on the Moon and Mars. A variety of concepts for surface exploration vehicles have been proposed since the initial development of the Apollo-era lunar rover. These concepts range from small autonomous rovers to large pressurized crewed rovers capable of carrying several astronauts hundreds of kilometers and for weeks at a time. This paper provides a brief description of the rover concepts, along with a comparison of their relative benefits and limitations. In addition, this paper outlines, and investigates a number of critical development challenges that surface exploration vehicles must address in order to successfully meet the exploration mission vision. Major development challenges investigated in this paper include: mission and environmental challenges, design challenges, and production and delivery challenges. Mission and environmental challenges include effects of terrain, extreme temperature differentials, dust issues, and radiation protection. Mission profiles envisioned for Lunar and Mars surface exploration is also investigated. Design methods are discussed that focus on optimum methods for developing highly reliable, long-life and efficient systems. Design modularity and its importance to inexpensive and efficient tailoring for specific missions is also investigated. Notional teaming strategies are discussed, including benefits of tapping into traditionally non-space oriented manufacturers. In addition, challenges associated with delivering a surface exploration system is explored and discussed. Based on all the information presented, modularity will be the single most important factor in the development of a truly viable surface mobility vehicle. To meet mission, reliability, and affordability requirements, surface exploration vehicles, especially pressurized rovers, will need to be modularly designed and deployed across all projected Moon and Mars exploration missions. The modular concept should start as unmanned teleoperated rovers, and grow into a variety of manned vehicles by upgrading and adding additional modules.
Ring current effects in the active site of medium-chain Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase revealed by NMR spectroscopy.

Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) catalyzes the flavin-dependent oxidation of fatty acyl-CoAs to the corresponding trans-2-enoyl-CoAs. The interaction of hexadienoyl-CoA (HD-CoA), a produc...
A randomly perturbed infomax algorithm for blind source separation

We present a novel modification to the well-known infomax algorithm of blind source separation. Under natural gradient descent, the infomax algorithm converges to a stationary point of a limiting ordinary differential equation. However, due to the presence of saddle points or local minima of the corresponding likelihood function, the algorithm may be trapped around these “bad” stationary points for a long time, especially if the initial data are near them. To speed up convergence, we propose to add a sequence of random perturbations to the infomax algorithm to “shake” the iterating sequence so that it is “captured” by a path descending to a more stable stationary point. We analyze the convergence of the randomly perturbed algorithm, and illustrate its fast convergence through numerical examples on blind demixing of stochastic signals. The examples have analytical structures so that saddle points or local minima of the likelihood functions are explicit.
Endoscopic Ultrasound: A Meta-analysis of Test Performance in Suspected Biliary Obstruction

Background & Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) achieves high-resolution images of the bile duct and pancreas, while avoiding the risks of ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography). It appears comparable to MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography), although its use is less widely disseminated. We aimed to summarize EUS test performance in suspected biliary disease with meta-analysis. Methods: MEDLINE search (January 1987–September 2006), selected reference lists, external experts, and manual search of abstracts were used. Studies permitting (re)construction of 2 × 2 tables for EUS versus a gold standard were used. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled sensitivity and specificity after adjusting for a number of potential confounders. Summary receiver operating characteristic analysis, with the sensitivity corresponding to the point on the receiver operating characteristic curve where sensitivity equals specificity (Q*) and area under the curve, was performed. The effects of sample size, quality, disease prevalence and spectrum, pancreatitis, echoendoscope type, and EUS era on diagnostic performance were assessed. Performance regarding presence of obstruction, choledocholithiasis, and malignancy was analyzed. Results: Thirty-six eligible, non-overlapping studies met inclusion criteria (3532 subjects). EUS had a high overall pooled sensitivity (88%; 95% confidence interval, 85%–91%) and specificity (90%; 87%–93%) for biliary obstruction (area under the curve=0.97; Q* = 0.92). EUS had higher sensitivity (89%; 87%–91%) and specificity (94%; 91%–96%) for choledocholithiasis than for malignancy (sensitivity, 78%; 69%–85%; specificity, 84%; 78%–91%). Smaller studies and ones mainly studying patients with suspected strictures were associated with lower test performance. Conclusions: There is excellent overall accuracy for EUS in diagnosing choledocholithiasis, with less impressive results for malignancy (when fine-needle aspiration is not used).
Light-Induced Oxidation of Aqueous Chromium(III) in the Presence of Iron(III)

Oxidation of Cr(III) to toxic Cr(VI) by Mn(IV) or MN(III) species has been identified as probably the only important oxidation pathway in soils, aquatic bodies, and atmospheric environments. The authors observed ready oxidation of Cr(III) in Fe(III) solutions in light at pH 3.2--4.4. Further kinetic study of this oxidation was performed in sunlight as well as in black light under controlled conditions. Quantum yields of Cr(VI) formation at 356 nm were 0.020--0.046 for initial levels of 50--800 {micro}M Cr(III) and 200 {micro}M Fe(III). The Cr(VI) formation reached steady state in 0.5 h. The best linearity found only for log[Cr(III)] vs t in the first 1 or 1.5 min of the reaction suggests apparent first-order kinetics for the disappearance of Cr(III) at 356 nm over the period; afterward, it failed to comply with any regular rate law. The Cr(III) oxidation decreased at high initial levels of Cr(III) or Fe(III) and upon removal of O{sub 2}, and it was found to be very limited at pH 5.0. Cr(III) was hypothesized to be oxidized to Cr(VI) by {sup {sm_bullet}}OH radicals from photolysis of FeOH{sup 2+} complexes; Cr(VI) also was reduced by the formed Fe(II) and intermediates such as HO{sub 2}.more » This study suggests that light-induced oxidation of aqueous Cr(III) in the presence of Fe(III) would be one potential pathway for the oxidation of Cr(III) to toxic Cr(VI), more possibly in atmospheric waters or in acidic surface waters with low dissolved organic carbon content; it would not be expected to occur in surface soils because of their universal association with organic carbon.« less
KTeV Search for the Lepton-Flavor Violating Decay π0→μ±e∓

KTeV (Kaons at the Tevatron) experiment E799 Phase II at Fermilab has been using data collected in 1997 to study rare kaon and π0 decays. Included in the study is the search for the lepton-flavor violating mode π0→μ±e∓, where the π0's are tagged from decays. We establish a new, preliminary limit BR(π0→μ±e∓)<7.85×10-10.
Preparation of carbon‐14 labeled hair dyes: Nitrophenylenediamine

Nitration of N-ethoxycarbonyl-[U- 14 C]aniline with two equivalents of nitric acid in sulfuric acid afforded N-ethoxycarbonyl-2,4-dinitro-[U- 14 C]aniline which was deprotected quantitatively to 2,4-dinitro-[U- 14 C]aniline. Selective hydrogenation provided 99.5% radiochemically pure [U- 14 C]nitrophenylenediamine with specific activity 25.6 mCi/mmol in 20% radiochemical yield.
Calyculin synthetic studies. 3. Enantiomeric purity determination for the C(26)–C(32) oxazole segment via the silks-odom 77Se NMR method

An improved preparation of the C(26)–C(32) oxazole subunit of calyculin A is described. The enantiomeric purity was determined via the exceptionally sensitive Silks-Odom method, which can probe remote stereocenters by 77Se NMR analysis.
Nontraumatic focal lesions of the spleen: Assessment of imaging and clinical evaluation

Fifty-nine cases of nontraumatic splenic disease were reviewed to evaluate the roles of clinical findings, computed tomography, ultrasound, and radionuclide scanning in diagnosis and management. Patient groups included lymphoma (30 patients), infarct (11 patients), abscess (9 patients), cyst (5 patients), hemangioma (3 patients), and hamartoma (1 patient). In no case were clinical findings alone sufficient to diagnose a splenic lesion. Clinical and laboratory manifestations were nonspecific in all groups. Moreover, no radiologic study reliably diagnosed splenic lymphoma or leukemia. All other focal splenic lesions were consistently diagnosed noninvasively. Cross-sectional imaging was more useful than radioisotope scanning, and often provided adjunctive diagnosis of extrasplenic pathology. The superior detail, spatial resolution, and sensitivity of computed tomography made it the single most valuable diagnostic modality.
Ascent properties for pairs of modules

Given a flat local ring homomorphism $${R \rightarrow S}$$ and two finitely generated R-modules M and N, we describe conditions under which the modules $${{\rm Tor}^{R}_{i}(M,N)}$$ and $${{\rm Ext}^{i}_{R}(M,N)}$$ have S-module structures that are compatible with their R-module structures.
Nanosilica formation at lipid membranes induced by the parent sequence of a silaffin peptide.

Diatoms are unicellular eukaryotic algae found in fresh and marine water. Each cell is surrounded by an outer shell called a frustule that is composed of highly structured amorphous silica. Diatoms are able to transform silicic acid into these sturdy intricate structures at ambient temperatures and pressures, whereas the chemical synthesis of silicabased materials typically requires extremes of temperature and pH. Cationic polypeptides, termed silica affinity proteins (or silaffins), recently identified from dissolved frustules of specific species of diatoms, are clearly involved and have been shown to initiate the formation of silica in solution. The relationship between the local environment of catalytic sites on these peptides, which can be influenced by the amino acid sequence and the extent of aggregation, and the structure of the silica is not understood. Moreover, the activity of these peptides in promoting silicification at lipid membranes has not yet been clarified. In this work, we developed a model system to address some of these questions. We studied peptide adsorption to Langmuir monolayers and subsequent silicification using X-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. The results demonstrate the lipid affinity of the parent sequence of a silaffin peptide and show that the membrane-bound peptide promotes the formation of an interfacial nanoscale layer of amorphous silica at the lipid-water interface.
The Chromosomes of the New World Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys volans and Glaucomys sabrinus) with Special Reference to Autosomal Heterochromatin

The chromosome complement of both species of New World flying squirrels, Glaucomys volans and Glaucomys sabrinus, comprise 48 chromosomes, with identical karyotypes. The northern flying squirrel (Gl. sabrinus) distinguishes itself from its southern counterpart (GlL volans) mainly by different geographical distribution and by minor skeletal and coat differences. The discrete morphological differences and the identical karyotypes suggest that the two animals are taxonomically closely related.Autoradiographic studies of somatic chromosomes have revealed the presence of large blocs of autosomal heterochromatin in both species. This heterochromatin was expressed at mitosis by a particular fuzziness of the respective chromosome segments, at interphase as large chromocenters, and at meiosis by heteropycnosis during the first prophase and by diakinetic figures suggesting absence of pairing. The meiotic findings are interpreted as indirect evidence of genetic inactivity of heterochromatin.Autosomal heterochromatin was present in all animals studied (5) and in both species. Two different locations of heterochromatin were found in different animals of the same species (Gl. volans). The two late-labelling patterns appeared mutually exclusive and did not express tissue specificity. This variability of the location of heterochromatin remains unexplained.
Image-Based Automated 3D Crack Detection for Post-disaster Building Assessment

AbstractNatural disasters all too often place human lives and property at risk. Recovery efforts following a disaster can be slow and painstaking work, and potentially put responders in harm’s way. A system which helps identify defects in critical building elements (e.g., concrete columns) before responders must enter a structure could save lives. In this paper we propose such a system, centered around an image-based three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction method and a new 3D crack detection algorithm. The image-based method is capable of detecting and analyzing surface damages in 3D. We also demonstrate how a robotic platform could be used to gather the set of images from which the reconstruction is created, further reducing the risk to responders. In this regard, image-based 3D reconstructions represent a convenient method of creating 3D models because most robotic platforms can carry a lightweight camera payload. Additionally, the proposed 3D crack detection algorithm also provides the advantage of being...
Maxwell's macroscopic equations, the energy-momentum postulates, and the Lorentz law of force

We argue that the classical theory of electromagnetism is based on Maxwell's macroscopic equations, an energy postulate, a momentum postulate, and a generalized form of the Lorentz law of force. These seven postulates constitute the foundation of a complete and consistent theory, thus eliminating the need for actual (i.e., physical) models of polarization $\mathbf{P}$ and magnetization $\mathbf{M}$, these being the distinguishing features of Maxwell's macroscopic equations. In the proposed formulation, $\mathbf{P}(\mathbf{r},t)$ and $\mathbf{M}(\mathbf{r},t)$ are arbitrary functions of space and time, their physical properties being embedded in the seven postulates of the theory. The postulates are self-consistent, comply with the requirements of the special theory of relativity, and satisfy the laws of conservation of energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum. One advantage of the proposed formulation is that it sidesteps the long-standing Abraham-Minkowski controversy surrounding the electromagnetic momentum inside a material medium by simply ``assigning'' the Abraham momentum density $\mathbf{E}(\mathbf{r},t)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathbf{H}(\mathbf{r},t)∕{c}^{2}$ to the electromagnetic field. This well-defined momentum is thus taken to be universal as it does not depend on whether the field is propagating or evanescent, and whether or not the host medium is homogeneous, transparent, isotropic, dispersive, magnetic, linear, etc. In other words, the local and instantaneous momentum density is uniquely and unambiguously specified at each and every point of the material system in terms of the $\mathbf{E}$ and $\mathbf{H}$ fields residing at that point. Any variation with time of the total electromagnetic momentum of a closed system results in a force exerted on the material media within the system in accordance with the generalized Lorentz law.
The Ecuador Project: the five 'R's' of an education collaboration.

Background: The Ecuador Project is an ongoing venture with hospitals in Guayaquil, Ecuador owned by the Junta de Beneficencia working with the College of Nursing at Brigham Young University, Utah, USA. Aims: In efforts to positively change patient outcomes in these large charity hospitals, a cultural exchange of staff and student experiences have taken place for the past 6 years. Materials and methods: Over 900 hospital personnel in Ecuador have participated in classes including neonatal resuscitation, paediatric and adult advanced life support, and basic life support. The courses were organized and implemented through combined efforts from both groups and have been well received by all participants. Results: Positive changes have been observed and are improving health care in Ecuador. Discussion: This paper reviews our experiences through the ‘Ecuador Project’ which have shown there are five ‘R's’ that guide an international educational exchange: realistic goals, repetition, reinforcement, reassessment and remaining open to change (Table 1). First, realistic expectations must be set. Are the intended outcomes desired by all individuals involved, and are they attainable? Repetition and reinforcement of new concepts are important in all types of education, especially where there are cultural and language differences. Reassessment of the outcome is essential in determining the effectiveness and alignment of teaching strategies. Lastly, remaining open to change is vital to maintaining open and lasting relationships in an international setting. Table 1. Five ‘R's’ of an International Educational Collaboration (Sheri P. Palmer and Deborah R. Bracken)Five ‘R's’ of an International Educational Collaboration: Realistic goals Repetition Reinforcement Reassessment Remain open to change Conclusion: Using these five ‘R's’ can guide the success of any international venture.
SU‐E‐T‐259: Implementation of An Automated Workflow Auditing and Notification System for Radiation Oncology

Purpose: To develop an automated notification and reporting system that uses a series of database queries to monitor and audit the Radiation Oncology workflow, and provide feedback to users via e‐mail notification to reduce human errors and improve consistency in the department workflow. Methods: A set of SQL queries was developed to monitor elements of the workflow that correspond directly with data recorded in the database. These queries were automated using a combination of third‐party querying and formatting tools including iSQL and Infomaker (Sybase, Inc), Acrobat Professional (Adobe), and Windows XP batch programming and task scheduling. The output of these queries was stored in the form of PDF or plain text results files. An interpreter was written in Visual Basic 2010 (Microsoft) to read in a text files created by a SQL database query, sort out appropriate recipients, and send out reminders via e‐mail based on e‐mail addresses stored in Aria. Results: The automated system was first used to replace manual notification of physicians of upcoming simulation appointments with missing documentation. . In a survey of recipients, the feedback was positive, indicating acceptance of the system in the clinic. A retrospective audit of the workflow showed no change in the rate of on‐time completion of documentation, indicating successful replacement of the manual process. Conclusions: The software package for the automated notification/reporting system has been implemented successfully, and its feedback was very positive. Application to additional parts of the workflow is in development.
Kinetic-Dynamic Model for Conformational Control of an Electron Transfer Photocycle : Mixed-Metal Hemoglobin Hybrids

It is becoming increasingly clear that the transfer of an electron across a protein-protein interface is coupled to the dynamics of conformational conversion between and within ensembles of interface conformations. Electron transfer (ET) reactions in conformationally mobile systems provide a "clock" against which the rapidity of a dynamic process may be measured, and we here report a simple kinetic (master equation) model that self-consistently incorporates conformational dynamics into an ET photocycle comprised of a photoinitiated "forward" step and thermal return to ground. This kinetic/dynamic (KD) model assumes an ET complex exists as multiple interconverting conformations which partition into an ET-optimized (reactive; R) population and a less-reactive population ( S). We take the members of each population to be equivalent by constraining them to have the same conformational energy, the same average rate constant for conversion to members of the other population, and the same rate constants for forward and back ET. The result is a mapping of a complicated energy surface onto the simple "gating", two-well surface, but with rate constants that are defined microscopically. This model successfully describes the changes in the ET photocycle within the "predocked" mixed-metal hemoglobin (Hb) hybrid, [alpha(Zn), beta(Fe3+N 3 (-))], as conformational kinetics are modulated by variations in viscosity (eta = 1-15 cP; 20 degrees C). The description reveals how the conformational "routes" by which a hybrid progresses through a photocycle differ in different dynamic regimes. Even at eta = 1 cP, the populations are not in fast exchange, and ET involves a complex interplay between conformational and ET processes; at intermediate viscosities the hybrid exhibits "differential dynamics" in which the forward and back ET processes involve different initial ensembles of configurational substates; by eta = 15 cP, the slow-exchange limit is approached. Even at low viscosity, the ET-coupled motions are fairly slow, with rate constants of <10 (3) s (-1). Current ideas about Hb function lead to the testable hypothesis that ET in the hybrid may be coupled to allosteric fluctuations of the two [alpha 1, beta 2] dimers of Hb.
High damping functional materials prepared by spray deposition

Abstract High damping materials with good mechanical properties suppress undesirable mechanical vibration and wave propagation, and have wide application in noise control and in the stability of vehicles and instruments. The effects of alloying and extrusion on the damping behavior and mechanical properties of as-spray-deposited alloy ZA27 were investigated to develop a new functional material possessing high damping capacity and good mechanical properties. Three levels of cerium content, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 wt.%, were adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of modification. The damping capacities were measured at frequencies of 1 and 4 Hz over the 30–200°C temperature range. At temperatures below 80°C, the as-spray-deposited materials appear to have virtually no frequency dependency. Above 80°C, the materials become temperature sensitive, with the lower frequency exhibiting the higher damping. The extruded, as-spray-deposited material has the highest damping capacity and elongation values amongst all of them. The microstructure of the as-spray-deposited high silicon alloy ZA27 modified by 0.5 wt.% cerium was made up of fine lamella eutectoid, pores, light dot-like phases and polygonal silicon-rich phases. The damping mechanisms are discussed in the light of the data obtained from characterization of the microstructure and the damping capacity.
Ureteral endometriosis diagnosed at ureteroscopy.

Abstract Background: Intrinsic ureteral endometriosis is rare. Early detection and treatment is extremely important to preserve renal function. Case: A 37-year-old woman with right flank pain was diagnosed with a polypoid lesion at excretory urogram. The polyp was removed under ureteroscopy and was found to be endometriosis. Subsequent exploratory laparotomy and ureterolysis failed to document other foci of endometriosis. Resection of the ureter was not needed. She received medroxyprogesterone for 6 months, and a ureteral stent was left in place for 3 months postoperatively. Excretory urogram showed no obstruction 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: This appears to be the first reported case of ureteral endometriosis documented initially at ureteroscopy. Prompt treatment may relieve symptoms and preserve renal function. Resection of the ureter may be avoided in some patients.
Neuron numbers in Alzheimer's disease: Cell-specific pathology

The significance of the particular neurons lost in Alzheimer's disease is discussed in the context of their likely anatomic role as projection neurons. The location and function of affected neurons is emphasized, rather than absolute number.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence in SiO2 sol-gel polymer composites

Composites composed of a Ru-bpy-derivatized polystyrene polymer [PS−(CH2CH2NHCO−(RuII)18]Cl36 in SiO2 sol-gels have been prepared and deposited as thin films on the surface of transparent ITO electrodes. When exposed to an aqueous solution of Na2C2O4, the composite films yield a bright-orange electrochemiluminescence, upon potential step from 0 V to potentials ≥ +1.0 V (versus SSCE). Intense electroluminescence, observable by eye under ambient lighting, was also observed in acetonitrile upon rapid potential pulsing beyond the oxidation and first reduction potential of the complex.
Transplantation of tectal tissue in rats. III. Functional innervation of transplants by host afferents.

Fetal tectal tissue was transplanted adjacent to the superior colliculus of neonatal rats. In mature recipient animals, ultrastructural studies provided evidence of host cortical synapses on cells within the transplants. To determine whether these synapses were functionally effective in driving transplant cells, tungsten in glass microelectrodes were used to record from single units in the transplants and the host cerebral cortex was electrically stimulated. Of the 214 tested units which were shown histologically to be within the transplants, 25 (11.7%) were orthodromically excited from host cortex at latencies of 15 ms or less (mean 7.3 ms). A further four transplant units were activated at relatively long latencies (40–300 ms). The presence of a functional host retinal input was also tested by electrically stimulating the host optic nerves. No transplant units were activated from these sites, apparently because very few electrode penetrations passed through the localized zones of optic axon distribution. The possible functional interrelationships between transplant and host are discussed.
Strain sensors based on the electrical resistance change accompanying the reversible pull-out of conducting short fibers in a less conducting matrix

A new class of strain sensors has been discovered. These sensors are short-fiber composites. Their sensing ability is based on the electrical resistance change accompanying the reversible pull-out of conducting short fibers in a less conducting matrix. The fiber pull-out is associated with crack opening; the fiber push-in is associated with crack closing. The fiber pull-out, though slight, causes an increase in the fiber-matrix contact resistivity, thereby increasing the overall resistance of the composite. An example of these sensors is carbon fiber reinforced concrete.
Some Hilbert spaces of analytic functions. III

This paper continues the study of Hilbert spaces of analytic functions which are involved in the structural analysis of nonself-adjoint transformations in Hilbert space. The theory of nonself-adjoint transformations originates in the quantum mechanical problems of nuclear scattering theory. Although the ordinary use of the Schriidinger equation leads to self-adjoint transformations, it is customary for physicists to subdivide the nuclear reaction in such a way that nonself-adjoint transformations occur. This observation, made by Livgic [l], caused him to found a general theory of nonself-adjoint transformations. Although LivBic’s theory is extensive and powerful, it has received very little recognition because no one, apparently, can follow his arguments. The difficulties are so great that Dolph and Penzlin [2] have attempted an independent derivation of the main results. The trouble is due not so much to logical gaps as it is to insufficient motivation of the main tool, the characteristic operator function. This quantity arises in the description of fundamental solutions of formally self-adjoint differential equations under variations of the boundary conditions. Yet the characteristic operator function is applied to transformations which have no connection with differential equations. The trouble is that LivGc has missed the meaning of the characteristic operator function, which is to be found in the construction of certain Hilbert spaces of analytic functions [3]. To explain how these spaces originate, we must go back to the basic work of Stone [4] and to our previous work with entire functions [5-81. Stone’s book has two different objectives, apart from a general formulation of concepts. The first is the study of self-adjoint transformations. It is important to note how he goes about the study of these transformations. From his point of view the structure theorem is an abstract analogue of the integral representation of functions which are analytic and have a nonnegative real part in the upper half-plane. (See, for example, Nevanlinna and Nieminen [9] for a more detailed reconstruction of the same argument.) It has
Recommender systems for evaluating computer messages

Free-riding leads to too few evaluations. Beyond this, evaluations will be provided by an unrepresentative group—those who most enjoy the evaluation process. Hence, their evaluations may be misleading. Free-riding implies neither sloth nor conscious selfinterested calculation; it can arise innocently. For instance, a newsgroup reader with the flu may not evaluate messages for several days. Upon return, that reader should find a set of the best messages as selected by other readers, and none of the worst. Such an experience would probably diminish the reader’s zeal to evaluate. Figure 1 shows payoffs for Example 1. There are two potential readers for a particular message that is equally likely to be either “good” or “bad.” A single evaluation is assumed to completely identify the value of the message. Table (b) is derived by calculating expected outcomes from section (a). For example, assume B reads. If A also reads immediately, her payoff is 10 if the message is good and -12 if it is bad, implying -1 on average. If A waits, she will read only if the message is good, yielding an expected payoff of 5. In Example 1, it would be optimal for one person to read immediately and the other to wait, giving a total payoff of 4. Unfortunately, reader B gains by waiting no matter what reader A does, and vice versa. Thus, neither player reads immediately, although the social benefits (that is, benefits to the other player) of an evaluation by either person (+5 on average) outweigh its cost (-1 on average). No one will read a message unless it offers a positive expected personal payoff, and many useful messages will never be read. (Moreover, if effort in evaluations can be chosen when a message is read, it will be insufficient.) Analogously, any John Grisham novel sells well, regardless of initial reviews, but excellent novels by Recommender Systems for Evaluating Computer Messages
Detection and disposition of JWH-018 and JWH-073 in mice after exposure to “Magic Gold” smoke ☆

The disposition in mice of the cannabimimetics JWH-018 and JWH-073 in blood and brain following inhalation of the smoke from the herbal incense product (HIP) “Magic Gold” containing 3.6% JWH-018, 5.7% JWH-073 and less than 0.1% JWH-398 (w/w) is presented. Specimens were analyzed by HPLC/MS/MS. The validation of the method is also presented. Five C57BL6 mice were sacrificed 20 min after exposure to the smoke of 200 mg of “Magic Gold” and a second set of five exposed mice were sacrificed after 20 h. Twenty minutes after exposure to “Magic Gold” smoke, blood concentrations of JWH-018 ranged from 42 to 160 ng/mL (mean: 88 ng/mL ± 42) and those of JWH-073 ranged from 67 to 244 ng/mL (mean: 134 ng/mL ± 62). Brain concentrations 20 min after exposure to “Magic Gold” smoke for JWH-018 ranged from 225 to 453 ng/g (mean: 317 ng/g ± 81) and those of JWH-073 ranged from 412 to 873 ng/g (mean: 584 ng/g ± 163). Twenty hours after exposure to “Magic Gold” smoke, JWH-018 was detected and quantified in only two of the five blood samples. Blood concentrations of JWH-018 were 3.4 ng/mL and 9.4 ng/mL. JWH-073 was detected in only one blood specimen 20 h after exposure at 4.3 ng/mL. Brain concentrations 20 h post exposure for JWH-018 ranged from 7 to 32 ng/g (mean: 19 ng/g ± 9). JWH-073 was not detected in 20 h post exposure brain specimens. JWH-398 was not detected in any of the blood or brain samples. The disposition data presented with the limited data available from human experience provide reasonable expectations for forensic toxicologists in JWH-018 or JWH-073 cases. As with THC after smoking marijuana, blood and brain concentrations of JWH-018 and JWH-073 after HIP smoking can be expected to rise initially to readily detected values, and then drop dramatically over the next few hours to several ng/mL or ng/g, and finally to be at extremely low or undetectable concentrations by 24 h apparently due to extensive biotransformation, and redistribution to body fat.
Assembly and Orientation of Flp Recombinase Active Sites on Two-, Three- and Four-armed DNA Substrates: Implications for a Recombination Mechanism

The normal recombination reaction catalyzed by the Flp (pronounced flip) site-specific recombinase between two full-site DNA substrates requires the action of four recombinase monomers in concert. Each monomer of the recombinase harbors an incomplete active site, and is hence chemically incompetent. In order to organize the strand cleavage pocket, it must accept the catalytic tyrosine (Tyr 343) from a second Flp monomer. We address the issue of the potential modes of assembling the shared active site in substrates containing two, three or four Flp binding arms. In normal full-sites (two Flp binding arms), strand cleavage occurs within a substrate and not across substrates. Flp is able to resolve a Y structure (three Flp binding arms) into linear plus hairpin recombinants. Strand cleavage by Flp in a Y structure and in a Holliday structure (four Flp binding arms) follows the trans rather than the cis mode. Within the context of two normal full-sites, all of the strand cutting patterns are best accommodated by a single-cleavage mode, namely the trans-horizontal mode. The assembly and orientation of a Flp active site is determined by whether two Flp-bound DNA arms have the stacking flexibility to accommodate the relevant protein-protein interactions. These results provide support for a model in which pairs of monomers bound within each of the two DNA partners contribute to the strand cleavage reactions that initiate and terminate a normal recombination event. Thus all four Flp monomers are required to mediate the cleavage/joining events at either end of the strand exchange region.
Concurrent Acute Monoblastic Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma in a 66-Year-Old Chemotherapy-Naive Woman

Concurrent acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and multiple myeloma (MM) is rare, more so in chemotherapy-naive patients. Concurrent occurrence of these two malignancies portends poor prognosis. Although anthracycline-based AML regimen, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, tipifarnib and bortezomib have shown promising results in small number of patients, there is a lack of established therapy. We describe a case of concurrent AML and MM in a 66-year-old woman and review previously published literature.
Simulation of misfit dislocation loops at the Ag/Cu(111) interface

Molecular dynamics simulations combined with the nudged elastic band method for finding transition states and corresponding activation energies are used to study mechanisms of nucleation, growth, and motion of misfit dislocation loops at the Ag/Cu(111) interface. A variety of mechanisms involving concerted motion of several atoms are identified. Nucleation has the highest activation energy, $\ensuremath{\sim}1\mathrm{eV}.$ Growth and motion of the loops have activation energies in the range $0.3--0.7\mathrm{eV}.$
A novel time-domain technique using wavelet-like basis functions

A novel technique for the solution of electromagnetics problems in the time domain is proposed. In this technique, wavelet-like functions are used as the basis set for the field components. The time-domain algorithm is derived and examples using the technique are presented. Comparisons with analytic results and numerical results obtained using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique will be provided. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 221–226, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11175
Initial Characterization of Micafungin Pulmonary Delivery via Two Different Nebulizers and Multivariate Data Analysis of Aerosol Mass Distribution Profiles

Pharmaceutical aerosols have been targeted to the lungs for the treatment of asthma and pulmonary infectious diseases successfully. Micafungin (Astellas Pharma US, Deerfield, IL, USA) has been shown to be an effective antifungal agent when administrated intravenously. Pulmonary delivery of micafungin has not previously been reported. In the present pilot study, we characterize the performance of two nebulizers and their potential for delivering micafungin to the lungs as well as the use of multivariate data analysis for mass distribution profile comparison. The concentration of micafungin sodium increased by 21% when delivered by the Acorn II nebulizer and by 20% when delivered by the LC Plus nebulizer, respectively, from the first to the second sampling period. The Acorn II nebulizer delivered a fine particle fraction FPF5.8 (%<5.8 μm) of 92.5 ± 0.8 and FPF3.3 (%<3.3 μm) of 82.3 ± 2.1 during the first sampling period. For the LC Plus nebulizer, FPF5.8 was 92.3 ± 0.1 and FPF3.3 was 67.0 ± 0.7 during the first sampling period. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) increased from 1.67 ± 0.05 to 1.77 ± 0.04 μm (Acorn II nebulizer) and from 2.09 ± 0.01 to 2.20 ± 0.01 μm (Pari LC Plus nebulizer) from the first to the second sampling periods. These changes in MMAD were statistically significant by paired t test. Multivariate data analysis showed that this could be explained systematically by greater drug deposition on stages with larger cutoff sizes and reduced drug deposition on stages with smaller cutoff sizes rather than multimodal deposition or other anomalies in size distribution.
Measuring current emission and work functions of large thermionic cathodes

We have constructed a small facility called the Cathode Test Stand (CTS) to investigate engineering and physics issues regarding large thermionic dispenser-cathodes. In particular, we have looked at the issues of temperature uniformity on the cathode surface and cathode quality as measured by its work function. We have done thermal imaging of both 8" and 6.5" cathodes. Here we report on measurements of the cathode work function, both the average value and how it varies across the face of the cathode.
Tracking and recognition of airborne targets via commercial television and FM radio signals

We formulate a Bayesian approach to the joint tracking and recognition of airborne targets via reflected commercial television and FM radio signals measured by an array of sensors. Such passive system may remain covert, whereas traditional active systems must reveal their presence and location by their transmissions. Since the number of aircraft in the scene is not known a priori, and targets may enter and leave the scene at unknown times, the parameters space is a union of subspaces of varying dimensions as well as varying target classes. Targets tracks are parameterized via both positions and orientations, with the orientations naturally represented as elements of the special orthogonal group. A prior on target tracks is constructed from Newtonian equations of motion. This prior results in a coupling between the position and orientation estimates, yielding a coupling between the tracking and recognition problems.