cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intense focused ultrasound as a potential research tool for the quantification of diurnal inflammatory pain.

Abstract Quantifying pain through assay of a human’s or animal’s response to a known stimulus as a function of time of day is a critical means of advancing chronotherapeutic pain management. Current methods for quantifying pain, even in the context of etiologies involving deep tissue, generally involve stimulation by quantifiable means of either cutaneous (heat-lamp tests, electrical stimuli) or both cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue (von Frey hairs, tourniquets, etc.) or study of proxies for pain (such as stress, via assay of cortisol levels). In this study, we evaluate the usefulness of intense focused ultrasound (iFU), already shown to generate sensations and other biological effects deep to the skin, as a means of quantifying deep diurnal pain using a standard animal model of inflammation. Beginning 5 days after injection of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant into the plantar surface of the rat’s right hind paw to induce inflammation, the rats were divided into two groups, the light-phase test group (09:00–18:00 h) and the dark-phase test group (23:00–06:00 h), both of which underwent iFU application deep to the skin. We used two classes of iFU protocol, motivated by the extant literature. One consisted of a single pulse (SP) lasting 0.375 s. The other, a multiple pulse (MP) protocol, consisted of multiple iFU pulses each of length 0.075 s spaced 0.075 s apart. We found the night group’s threshold for reliable paw withdrawal to be significantly higher than that of the day group as assayed by each iFU protocol. These results are consistent with the observation that the response to mechanical stimuli by humans and rodents display diurnal variations, as well as the ability of iFU to generate sensations via mechanical stimulation. Since iFU can provide a consistent method to quantify pain from deep, inflamed tissue, it may represent a useful adjunct to those studying diurnal pain associated with deep tissue as well as chronotherapeutics targeting that pain.
Complete Structural Model of Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase from a Hybrid Approach

The Escherichia coli transcription system is the best characterized from a biochemical and genetic point of view and has served as a model system. Nevertheless, a molecular understanding of the details of E. coli transcription and its regulation, and therefore its full exploitation as a model system, has been hampered by the absence of high-resolution structural information on E. coli RNA polymerase (RNAP). We use a combination of approaches, including high-resolution X-ray crystallography, ab initio structural prediction, homology modeling, and single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, to generate complete atomic models of E. coli core RNAP and an E. coli RNAP ternary elongation complex. The detailed and comprehensive structural descriptions can be used to help interpret previous biochemical and genetic data in a new light and provide a structural framework for designing experiments to understand the function of the E. coli lineage-specific insertions and their role in the E. coli transcription program.
Lactating Women's Perception of the Free Health Care Initiative in Rural Sierra Leone

Introduction: On April 27, 2010 Sierra Leone implemented the Free Health Care Initiative (FHCI) for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under age five to address high mortality and morbidity. This study examined participant satisfaction with health services before and after the FHCI implementation. Methods: This was a retrospective study that assessed healthcare satisfaction in rural Sierra Leone after the implementation of the FHCI. Participants were interviewed using a structured satisfaction questionnaire about the FHCI. Conclusions: Results find a positive, statistically significant difference in participant satisfaction with ambulance services after the implementation of the FHCI compared to the level of satisfaction prior to the FHCI. Although results indicate a very slight increase in overall satisfaction with healthcare services, and a slight decrease in satisfaction with drug availability after the implementation of FHCI, the results are not statistically significant. Findings also indicate that participants attending emergency obstetric care (EmOC) facilities were less satisfied with the services provided than those attending the non-EmOC facility or hospital.
Ab-initio electrostatic molecular potential contour maps for initiation step and Ab-Initio MRD-CI calculations for propagation step of cationic polymerization of oxetanes

The initiation step in the cationic polymerization of cyclic ethers is influenced by basicity and ring strain. We carried out ab-initio MODPOT/VRDDO/MERGE calculations on a variety of substituted oxetanes and generated electrostatic molecular potential contour (EMPC) maps in three-dimensions around the molecules. The size of the negative EMPC map region around the oxygen enabled us to predict the propensity to polymerize prior to the syntheses of the actual monomers themselves. We carried out ab-initio MODPOT/VRDDO/MERGE MRD-CI calculations for the propagation step of oxetane reacting with protonated oxetanes to cause ring opening of protonated oxetane. Similar MRD-CI calculations on variously substituted oxetanes will shed insight into relative copolymerization preferences.
Sum-accelerated pseudospectral methods: the Euler-accelerated sinc algorithm

Abstract Pseudospectral discretizations of differential equations are much more accurate than finite differences for the same number of grid points N . The reason is that derivatives are approximated by a weighted sum of all N values of u ( x i ), rather than just three as in a second-order finite difference. The price is that the N x N pseudospectral matrix is dense with N nonzero elements (rather than three) in each row. Truncating the pseudospectral sums to create a sparse discretization fails because the derivative series are alternating and very slowly convergent. However, these series are perfect candidates for sum-acceleration methods. We show that the Euler summation can be applied to a standard pseudospectral scheme to produce an algorithm which is both exponentially accurate (like any other spectral method) and yet generates sparse matrices (like a finite difference method). For illustration, we use the sinc basis with an evenly spaced grid on x ∈ [- ∞, ∞]. However, the same techniques apply equally well to Chebyshev and Fourier polynomials.
Electrophoretic and immunoelectrophoretic studies of proteins in the aqueous phase of human dental plaque.

Abstract The presence and amount of some anionic proteins in human plaque fluid were investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and quantitative immunoelectrophoresis. Both methods showed albumin to be the major protein component. Of the 8–17 protein bands detected by gel electrophoresis, albumin, amylase, IgG, lactoferrin and IgA were consistently present. Quantitative immunoelectrophoretic studies detected IgA at a concentration similar to that in unstimulated submandibular saliva; IgG, albumin and lactoferrin were present in higher concentrations. IgA was detected at higher concentration by antiserum with specificity for secretory component than by antiserum with specificity for heavy chain only. The mean ratios of some plaque fluid constituents were: IgA:albumin (1:25); IgG:IgA (3.8:1); IgG:albumin (1:7); lactoferrin:IgA (3.6:1); lactoferrin:albumin (1:7). The concentrations of the plaque fluid proteins studied suggest that crevicular fluid greatly influences the protein composition of plaque fluid. The biological activity of IgA or IgG cannot be inferred because of the proteolytic activity in plaque fluid.
Synergy in sequential inactivation of Cryptosporidium parvum with ozone/free chlorine and ozone/monochloramine

Abstract The main objective of this study was to investigate the inactivation kinetics of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts with sequential disinfection schemes involving ozone as a primary disinfectant, and free chlorine or monochloramine as a secondary disinfectant. Two types of synergistic effects were observed. Ozone pre-treatment resulted in the removal of the relatively more pronounced initial lag phases observed for monochloramine and hypochlorous acid. An additional and more important synergistic effect was an enhancement in the rate of secondary inactivation with both hypochlorous acid and monochloramine after complete removal of the lag phase by ozone pre-treatment. A stronger synergy was observed at a lower temperature. The secondary inactivation rate was 1.1–2.8 (hypochlorous acid) and 2.4–9.2 (monochloramine) times faster than the corresponding post lag-phase primary inactivation rate at respective temperatures of 30–10°C. Consistency between the two viability assessment methods, modified in-vitro excystation and animal infectivity, was demonstrated or shown for both primary inactivation with ozone and secondary inactivation with ozone/monochloramine.
THE FATE OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED SOLUBLE SPECIFIC SUBSTANCE OF PNEUMOCOCCUS TYPES I, II AND III

1. Rats, when fed the soluble specific substance of Types I, II and III pneumococcus, excrete a very large proportion in the feces. 2. Following ingestion of these substances, tests sensitive enough to detect 1 part in 2,000,000 of serum, and 1 part in 3,000,000 of urine, were negative. 3. The polysaccharide of Type I, when recovered from the feces, is as active an immunizing agent as it was originally.
An Improved Liquid Cell Cap for X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis

The liquid sample cell available from Siemens Corporation for use in their SRS-1 x-ray fluorescence analysis unit is particularly well designed in that a thin, widely spaced, nickel grid is provided for supporting the Hostaphan or Mylar foil upon which the liquid rests. This grid reduces the chance that the foil will break while in use and also keeps the liquid surface at a fixed position in the spectrometer as there is no opportunity for the foil to sag. The liquid sample cell, as supplied, has the disadvantage that the foil, which is held in place by being sandwiched between two O rings, is inclined to crumple when the end cap is tightened. A separate intermediate metal cap has now been designed to hold the grid and foil against one O ring and a modified plastic sleeve. The modified end cap is screwed against this intermediate cap; with this construction, no distortion of the foil occurs. Because of the reduced forces on the foil during the tightening of the end cap, it has been found possible to use a thinner foil: 6 μ rather than the 15 μ normally supplied by the manufacturer.
Electroenzyme-Catalyzed Oxidation of Styrene and cis-β-Methylstyrene Using Thin Films of Cytochrome P450cam and Myoglobin

Protein−polyion films grown layer-by-layer and cast protein−surfactant films were employed on electrodes for catalytic oxidation of styrene derivatives to epoxides. Cytochrome P450cam and myoglobin in these films mediated the electrochemical reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, which activates these heme proteins to catalyze olefin oxidation. Compared to bare electrodes with the proteins dissolved in solution, ultrathin protein−polyion films on Au electrodes coated with mercaptopropane sulfonate gave the best catalytic activities for the oxidations. Improved performance of protein−polyion films is related to efficient, reversible heme FeIII/FeII electron transfer and better mechanical stability than the surfactant films. Furthermore, dependence of product stereochemistry on oxygen availability in the reaction medium for the oxidation of cis-β-methylstyrene suggested two pathways for olefin oxidation, which had not been reported previously for cyt P450 enzymes. The stereoselective pathway depends on a...
The Dawn of 22nm Era: Design and CAD Challenges

Technology scaling clearly has been the driver of semiconductor and thereby EDA industry. In the semiconductor industry today, 45nm CMOS designs are in full production and 32nm design rules and infrastructure are already in place for designs starting later this year. It will not be long before the beat of 22nm will be upon us. Due to ever increasing cost of doing design, design productivity and more specifically, cost of design has become a major bottleneck in large scale design projects. Due to this cost crunch, automated synthesis techniques have been becoming increasingly important and this is bound to become a major trend going into 22nm for high performance SoCs. In addition, in 22nm and beyond, 3D IC technology has the potential of easing the system performance challenge problem. In order to exploit the full potential of 3D technology, new challenges in the area of physical design, thermal analysis, system level design and analysis need to be addressed. 3D interconnects have the potential of reducing critical paths delays significantly, which are typically between memory and the interfacing logic. In addition, now that the physical limits are beginning to impact scaling, the question is: how can we cost effectively design with complicated technology requirements presented by 22nm node and how the design automation community can help to achieve this goal? What are the challenges at 22nm and what would design look like going into 22nm and beyond? In this paper, we will focus on the major design and CAD challenges associated with 22nm and beyond.
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) of Rhenium(III) Halides: A Characterization Tool for Metal Atom Clusters

The laser desorption/ionization (LDI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra of trinuclear Cs3Re3Cl12 and Cs3Re3Br12 and dinuclear (Bu4N)2[Re2Cl8] are reported. In each case, characteristic fragments due to the loss of halogen atoms give ion signals that can be used to identify the number of rhenium atoms and the identity of ligands bound to the cluster. The ion signals are identified by both m/z values and distinctive isotope patterns. The results presented here illustrate the usefulness of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in the characterization of metal atom clusters.
Kupka-Smale theorem for polynomial automorphisms of ℂ2 and persistence of heteroclinic intersections

A map is Kupka-Smale if all periodic points are hyperbolic and the stable and unstable manifolds of any two saddle points are transverse. Here we prove that Kupka-Smale maps form a residual set of full Lebesgue measure in the space $\mathcal{P}_d$ of polynomial automorphisms of ℂ2 of fixed dynamical degree d≥2. We also prove that a heteroclinic point of two saddle periodic orbits may be continued over (almost) the entire parameter space for this set of maps. This is one of the first persistence theorems proved in holomorphic dynamics in several variables.
Rationale for the development and current status of calcitriol in androgen-independent prostate cancer

Calcitriol, the principal active metabolite of vitamin D, has significant antineoplastic activity in pre-clinical models of prostate cancer and many other tumor types. Reported mechanisms of activity include inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, and reduction of invasiveness and angiogenesis. Different mechanisms may be responsible in different tumor types and under different experimental conditions. Importantly, preclinical data suggest that calcitriol acts in a synergistic and/or additive manner when combined with antineoplastic agents that are relevant to prostate cancer, including dexamethasone and several classes of cytotoxic agents. The antineoplastic effects of calcitriol occur at concentrations that substantially exceed the normal physiologic range and cannot be safely achieved with conventional daily dosing. Intermittent administration of calcitriol has allowed significant dose escalation. In combination with weekly docetaxel, the agent produced encouraging results in a single-institution phase II study. An international placebo-controlled randomized trial that is currently under way will provide more robust information about the safety and efficacy of this combination.
Implementing fuzzy logic controllers using a neural network framework

Abstract We describe a system for implementing fuzzy logic controllers using a neural network. A significant aspect of this system is that the linguistic values associated with the fuzzy control rules can be general concave continuous fuzzy subsets. By using structures suggested by the fuzzy logic framework, we simplify the learning requirements. On the other hand the adaptive aspect of the neural framework allows for the necessary learning.
Encapsulation of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) Using Oil-in-Water (O/W) Submicrometer Emulsions Stabilized by ι-Carrageenan and β-Lactoglobulin

Oil-in-water (O/W) submicrometer emulsions stabilized by ι-carrageenan and β-lactoglobulin were successfully prepared by high-pressure homogenization (HPH), with the goal to develop biocompatible carriers for the active component of green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The effects of pressure and the number of cycles on the physical properties of emulsions, such as droplet sizes, microstructure, and rheological properties were investigated. The increase in both processing pressure and the number of HPH cycles resulted in a decrease in droplet sizes and viscosities. A submicrometer O/W emulsion with a droplet size of about 400 nm was used to encapsulate EGCG. The results showed that, when EGCG concentration was up to 0.5% in the emulsion, EGCG could be successfully encapsulated in the O/W emulsions stabilized by ι-carrageenan and β-lactoglobulin. Within 14 days, emulsion droplet sizes showed negligible changes. However, when EGCG concentration was >0.5%, significant instability of the O/W emulsion...
J/ψ suppression in heavy ion collisions at the CERN SPS

Abstract We reexamine the production of J/ψ and other charmonium states for a variety of target-projectile choices at the SPS, in particular for the interesting comparison between S+U at 200 GeV/c and Pb+Pb at 158 GeV/c as observed in the experiments NA38 and NA50 respectively. The result is a description of the NA38 and NA50 data in terms of a conventional, quasi-hadronic picture. The apparently anomalous suppression found in the most massive Pb+Pb system arises in the present simulation from three sources: destruction in the initial nucleon-nucleon cascade phase, use of coupled channels to exploit the larger breakup in the less bound x i and ψ′ states, and comover interaction in the final low energy phase.
Multiple bioassays to assess the toxicity of a sanitary landfill leachate

Fitchburg, Massachusetts sanitary landfill leachate was subjected to toxicity tests using: fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), zooplankton (Daphnia magna), green algae (Selenastrum capricornutum) and aerobic luminescent bacteria (Photobacterium phosphorium). The leachate was highly toxic to the test bacteria, moderately toxic to daphnids, and slightly toxic to fathead minnows. Algal cells, unable to grow at the 10-percent leachate exposure level, recovered after centrifugation and reinnocuation into algal nutrient medium. Low-flow summer hydrological data indicated that the leachate contributed about 7% to the total flow of the receiving stream, Flagg Brook, and about 0.6% to Sawmill Pond water located further downstream from the leachate outfall. These data, together with observed toxicity values for the test organisms, indicate that the leachate concentration in Flagg Brook impacts the diversity of aquatic life in this system, but may be less severe in Sawmill Pond where increased dilution results in leachate levels below the acutely toxic level. The considerable variation between toxicity test results obtained with the four test organisms, demonstrates the importance of conducting several such toxicity tests using organisms from different trophic levels, to assess the potential impact of a pollutant discharge on an aquatic ecosystem.
Prostitution and Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation

The paper aims to enhance understanding of sex trafficking and prostitution and provides distinction between the two. It argues that it is not prostitution itself which may fuel sex trafficking, but the exploitation of prostitution. Examples of the pro-prostitution and anti-prostitution policies are provided to support this argument.
Some theoretical considerations of polarized light effects on unoriented biological systems

Abstract Macromolecules, viruses, and cells may be anisotropic with regard to light absorption in part or the whole of their structures. Anisotropies could arise as a result of a regular non-random orientation or coiling of ultraviolet-absorbing macromolecules such as DNA, RNA or protein within the organism. For example, oriented parallel fibers of DNA are known to be anisotropic at 260 mμ due to the regular orientation of the ultraviolet-absorbing purines and pyrimidines. If there is only one anisotropic part of an organism, the anisotropy may be masked by isotropic absorption in other components and may not be detected by absorption measurements with polarized light. An absorption anisotropy in an ultraviolet sensitive component could be resolved as an inactivation anisotropy for the organism (or molecule) if one were to study the biological effects of incident polarized ultraviolet. One need only make the reasonable assumption that the quantum yield for the biological effect is the same for all absorbed energy of a given wavelength and that the more energy is absorbed, the greater the biological effect. Hence incident polarized light may have a greater or less effectiveness for a given biological alteration, depending on the direction of the electric vector with regard to some axis of the organism. Although alignment of organisms would be preferred to implement this idea, many organisms of interest cannot be easily aligned. In this paper, we explore the possibilities for detecting such inactivation anisotropies by the polarized ultraviolet irradiation of an unoriented stationary collection of units. If the organisms are assumed to be randomly oriented in three dimensions but held stationary during irradiation, differences between polarized light and unpolarized fight survival curves are theoretically expected. However, the magnitude of the differences is so small as to make experimental resolution improbable with anything except unreasonably large dichroic ratios. If one axis of the organism is constrained to stay fixed in a plane, then the possibility of experimentally resolving an anisotropy is considerably improved. For dichroic ratios less than one, the best resolution is obtained from a comparison of the survival curve for the electric vector parallel to the plane of the organism axes to the survival curve for the electric vector perpendicular to that plane. For dichroic ratios > 1, the best resolution is obtained from a comparison of the survival curve for unpolarized light incident perpendicular to the plane to that for polarized light with the electric vector perpendicular to the plane. For dichroic ratios to be expected from some DNA configurations, it seems possible that this resolution is good enough to detect inactivation anisotropies.
Infant sleep: a review of normative and problematic sleep and interventions

Providing families with information about infant sleep can positively impact parents' well‐being and infants' sleep habits. Few parents receive professionally based information about sleep, perhaps due to contradictory information found in the literature. This review summarizes: (1) normative sleep patterns for infants; (2) factors that affect sleep patterns; and (3) the effectiveness of intervention and prevention approaches commonly implemented. This information will be useful for practitioners working with new parents and families with questions about infant sleep.
The Modifier of Hemostasis (MH) locus on chromosome 4 controls in vivo hemostasis of Gp6 -/- mice

Platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is a key receptor for collagens that mediates the propagation of platelet attachment and activation. Targeted disruption of the murine gene Gp6 on a mixed 129 × 1/SvJ × C57BL/6J background causes the expected defects in collagen-dependent platelet responses in vitro. The extent of this dysfunction in all Gp6 −/− mice is uniform and is not affected by genetic background. However, the same Gp6 −/− mice exhibit 2 diametrically opposed phenotypes in vivo. In some mice, tail bleeding times are extremely prolonged, and thrombus formation in an in vivo carotid artery ferric chloride-injury model is significantly impaired. In other littermates, tail bleeding times are within the range of wild-type mice, and in vivo thrombus formation is indistinguishable from that of control mice. Directed intercrosses revealed that these phenotypes are heritable, and a genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism scan revealed the most significant linkage to a single locus (8 megabases) on chromosome 4 (logarithm of the odds [LOD] score = 6.9, P Modifier of hemostasis ( Mh ). Our results indicate that one or more modifier genes in Mh control the extent to which in vivo platelet thrombus formation is disrupted by the absence of platelet GPVI.
The effect of subacute denervation on the electrical anisotropy of skeletal muscle: implications for clinical diagnostic testing.

Objective Applied electrical current flows preferentially along rather than across muscle fibers, a characteristic called anisotropy. In this study, we investigate the alteration in muscle anisotropy after denervation.
Stabilizing of the Ru26+ core. Use of highly charged ligands such as sulfate and phosphate

Abstract A new, more convenient, and cleaner synthetic route starting from an Ru 2 (II, III) carbonate complex to Ru 2 (II, III) sulfate complexes has been developed. This route has also provided, for the first time, a new Ru 2 (II, III) phosphate complex, K 4 [Ru 2 (HPO 4 ) 3 (PO 4 )(H 2 O) 2 ] ( 1 ). Electrochemical oxidation has further transformed these sulfate and phosphate complexes to the corresponding Ru 2 (III, III) complexes. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on K 2 [Ru 2 (SO) 4 ) 4 (H 2 O) 2 ] from 10 to 300 K have confirmed the assignment of the ground state as one arising from an unusual σ 2 φ 4 δφ *2 δ * configuration. The crystal structure of 1 has been determined to be as follows. Space group P 2 1 / n (No. 14), a = 9.049(1), b =9.418(1), c = 10.235(1) A, β =90.480(9)°, V =872.2(2) A 3 , Z = 2, R =0.023, RuRu distance = 2.3052(4) A.
STUDIES ON THE BACTERIOPHAGE OF D'HERELLE : II. EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON THE BACTERIOPHAGE OF D'HERELLE.

When bacteriophage is precipitated by alcohol at room temperature its activity rapidly and progressively decreases until it is totally destroyed, between 6 and 24 hours after exposure. If the percipitation is carried out at 7 degrees C. the destruction of lytic activity is considerably slower; measurable traces may be detected even after 4 weeks exposure to alcohol. Although the major portion of the lytic activity is found in the precipitate, the supernatant alcohol carries a measurable amount of lytic principle which remains active for several days. In all cases the residual lytic activity was found to be transmissible in series. In no instance were we able to observe the non-transmissible action ascribed by d'sHerelle to the enzyme. The persistence of traces of active principle after many weeks of exposure to alcohol at low temperature is not found to be due to the existence in the original filtrate of a fraction relatively resistant to the effect of alcohol. The inactivation of bacteriophage by alcohol seems, therefore, analogous to the alcoholic inactivation of certain enzymes and toxins.
Integrating Multiple Toxicological Endpoints in a Decision-Making Framework for Contaminated Sediments

Contaminated sediment has been identified as one of the major impediments to ecosystem restoration, but there has been little progress made in the management of sediment contaminants. Four primary lines of evidence are generally required for informed assessments yet the integration of these various lines of evidence is problematic. Using data from 220 reference sites located in the nearshore zone of the Laurentian Great Lakes the normal response of four species of laboratory organisms to sediments representing a wide range of sediment characteristics was examined. The toxicity data from the reference sites were used to establish categories of responses to test sediments. The delineations for the three categories were developed from the standard statistical parameters of population mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD) of an endpoint measured in all reference sediments. Three approaches for integrating information were examined; the first two are score based, the third approach uses a multivariate statis...
Increased Rigidity in Complexes Formed from Negatively Charged Lariat Ethers and Alkali Metal Cations

Abstract C-13 NMR longitudinal relaxation times have been measured for lariat ether complexes in which a negative charge is present in the ligand but the system is diamagnetic. A -CH2COO− group connected to the nitrogen of aza-15-crown-5 results in drastically increased T1's in the presence of Li+ compared to the values for the free carboxylic acid and for the acid in the presence of LiClO4. Longer relaxation times upon complexation show the ‘cryptand-like’ behavior of the complexes, resulting from overall molecular reorientation rates due to compression. These conclusions are supported by molecular mechanics calculations described herein.
Black/Queer/Diaspora at the Current Conjuncture

This essay sketches the parameters of black/queer/diaspora ethics, aesthetics, and methodologies vis-a-vis conjunctural moments in black queer studies, women of color feminisms, queer of color critique, queer theory, and on-the-ground expressive practices. This genealogical matrix of the present moment argues that black/queer/diaspora work's love ethic, and radical roots in black and women of color feminisms, uniquely constructs it as an organic project of multivalent and multiscalar reclamation, revisioning, and futurity toward producing deeply humane and capacious analyses that both reflect "real life" on the ground and speculate on liberatory models—projecting our imaginations forward, toward possible futures.
Sperry Rand's first-generation computers, 1955-1960: hardware and software

Sperry Rand Corporation was formed in 1955 by the merger of Remington Rand and Sperry Gyroscope. Remington Rand was an early entrant in the computer industry through its acquisitions of Engineering Research Associates and Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation. The article describes the major vacuum tube computers and the supporting software developed by Sperry Rand during the later 1950s.
Lateral sinus thrombosis: A review of seven cases and proposal of a management algorithm

Summary Objective To evaluate the demographics, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of lateral sinus thrombosis in a pediatric population, and to propose a new treatment algorithm. Methods Retrospective review of seven patients. Results Patients averaged 7.4 years of age. They commonly presented with headache and otalgia (seven of seven patients), and nausea and vomiting (six of seven patients). All patients had abnormal otoscopy, and four of seven patients had a lateral rectus palsy, but fever was not always present (only three of seven patients). All patients underwent MRI with venography (MRV) for diagnosis. All patients were admitted to the hospital (average length of stay 8 days) and treated with antibiotics (six of seven patients with IV ceftriaxone). Five of seven were treated with simple mastoidectomy and concurrent middle ear ventilation tubes; two patients received only medical treatment. The average follow up was 114 months (range 33–387 months). Two patients had long-term sequela: one had persistent mild lateral gaze diplopia and another had unilateral moderate to severe high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Six of seven patients had follow up imaging (average 15 months, range 1–40 months). Four of six patients showed recanalization of the lateral sinus on repeat imaging. Based on the current experience in the modern era of MRV and broad-spectrum antibiotics, a new treatment algorithm is proposed. Conclusions Lateral sinus thrombosis is an uncommon cranial complication of otitis media. The advent of non-invasive diagnosis and effective broad-spectrum antibiotics has drastically decreased the mortality and altered the diagnostic and treatment paradigm.
Thermal Switching Error Versus Delay Tradeoffs in Clocked QCA Circuits

The quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) model offers a novel nano-domain computing architecture by mapping the intended logic onto the lowest energy configuration of a collection of QCA cells, each with two possible ground states. A four-phased clocking scheme has been suggested to keep the computations at the ground state throughout the circuit. This clocking scheme, however, induces latency or delay in the transmission of information from input to output. In this paper, we study the interplay of computing error behavior with delay or latency of computation induced by the clocking scheme. Computing errors in QCA circuits can arise due to the failure of the clocking scheme to switch portions of the circuit to the ground state with change in input. Some of these non-ground states will result in output errors and some will not. The larger the size of each clocking zone, i.e., the greater the number of cells in each zone, the more the probability of computing errors. However, larger clocking zones imply faster propagation of information from input to output, i.e., reduced delay. Current QCA simulators compute just the ground state configuration of a QCA arrangement. In this paper, we offer an efficient method to compute the N-lowest energy modes of a clocked QCA circuit. We model the QCA cell arrangement in each zone using a graph-based probabilistic model, which is then transformed into a Markov tree structure defined over subsets of QCA cells. This tree structure allows us to compute the N-lowest energy configurations in an efficient manner by local message passing. We analyze the complexity of the model and show it to be polynomial in terms of the number of cells, assuming a finite neighborhood of influence for each QCA cell, which is usually the case. The overall low-energy spectrum of multiple clocking zones is constructed by concatenating the low-energy spectra of the individual clocking zones. We demonstrate how the model can be used to study the tradeoff between switching errors and clocking zones.
Efficient runtime-enforcement techniques for policy weaving

Policy weaving is a program-transformation technique that rewrites a program so that it is guaranteed to be safe with respect to a stateful security policy. It utilizes (i) static analysis to identify points in the program at which policy violations might occur, and (ii) runtime checks inserted at such points to monitor policy state and prevent violations from occurring. The promise of policy weaving stems from the possibility of blending the best aspects of static and dynamic analysis components. Therefore, a successful instantiation of policy weaving requires a careful balance and coordination between the two. In this paper, we examine the strategy of using a combination of transactional introspection and statement indirection to implement runtime enforcement in a policy-weaving system. Transactional introspection allows the state resulting from the execution of a statement to be examined and, if the policy would be violated, suppressed. Statement indirection serves as a light-weight runtime analysis that can recognize and instrument dynamically generated code that is not available to the static analysis. These techniques can be implemented via static rewriting so that all possible program executions are protected against policy violations. We describe our implementation of transactional introspection and statement indirection for policy weaving, and report experimental results that show the viability of the approach in the context of real-world JavaScript programs executing in a browser.
Selected Aspects of the Design of Offshore Structure for Fatigue Resistance

The problem of fatigue of welded steel connections in sea water is reviewed, and it is demonstrated that this failure mode is most troublesome in deep water or rough sea locations where 10/sup 7/ to 10/sup 8/ relatively low-stress range load excursions must be anticipated during a typical design life. Mechanical, material, and environmental variables which influence this fatigue are discussed; and attention is focused upon the effects of cathodic protection, where existing data appear contradictory. The appropriateness of a design procedure which integrates S-N and (da/dN)-/DELTA/K data is discussed, and examples of its applicability to welded specimens and connections in sea water are presented. 44 refs.
Interaction of polysaccharides in the calcium oxalate system

The stabilizing effect of various synthetic polymers as well as naturally occurring urinary mucoproteins and mucopolysaccharides upon the kinetics of the calcium oxalate system has been tested and evaluated by calculating slopes (rates) and lags (nucleation time) of calcium oxalate formation. This was accomplished by means of a Fisher Nefluorophorometer. The experimental part was carried out in aqueous as well as urinary media. This problem has been also approached by testing the calcium-bonding properties of the polymers and urinary fractions. The results of the conducted experiments show that nondialyzable urinary fractions and polymers of glucose and its sulfonated derivatives, and to a lesser extent polymers of mannuronic acid exhibit some diminishing effect upon the rate of calcium oxalate formation, while prolonging their nucleation times.
PALS: peer-to-peer adaptive layered streaming

This paper presents a new framework for Peer-to-Peer Adaptive Layered Streaming, called PALS. PALS is a receiver-driven approach for quality adaptive playback of layer encoded streaming media from a group of congestion controlled sender peers to a single receiver peer. Since the effective throughput from each sender is variable and not known a priori, it is challenging to coordinate delivery among active senders. In PALS, the receiver orchestrates coordinated delivery among active senders by adaptively determining: 1) a subset of senders that maximize overall throughput, 2) overall quality (i.e. number of layers) that can be delivered from these senders as well as distribution of overall throughput among active layers, and most importantly 3) required packets to be delivered by each active sender in order to effectively cope with any sudden change in throughput from individual senders. We describe PALS framework, identify key components of the framework and their interesting design challenges, present sample solution for the key components, and present our preliminary results.
Herpes simplex virus latency: adaptation to the peripheral nervous system. II.

AbstractDespite burgeoning progress in HSV-1 research, particularly related to the structure and organization of the viral genome, the processes and mechanisms involved in latency and reactivation remain poorly understood. This section attempts to outline current concepts and to highlight major questions and hypotheses concerning latency and reactivation. It is hoped that such discussion will serve as a stimulus and a framework for future inquiry. Discussion is divided into three sections dealing in turn with each of the major three stages of the HSV-1 life cycle: initiation, maintenance, and reactivation of latent infection. During each of these stages, three major factors interact: the virus and its gene products, the infected host cells, and systemic antiviral defenses. The first two of these are considered immediately below, while systemic immunity is considered separately in a subsequent section.
The three-dimensional structure of a Tn5 transposase-related protein determined to 2.9-A resolution.

Abstract Transposon Tn5 employs a unique means of self-regulation by expressing a truncated version of the transposase enzyme that acts as an inhibitor. The inhibitor protein differs from the full-length transposase only by the absence of the first 55 N-terminal amino acid residues. It contains the catalytic active site of transposase and a C-terminal domain involved in protein-protein interactions. The three-dimensional structure of Tn5inhibitor determined to 2.9-A resolution is reported here. A portion of the protein fold of the catalytic core domain is similar to the folds of human immunodeficiency virus-1 integrase, avian sarcoma virus integrase, and bacteriophage Mu transposase. The Tn5inhibitor contains an insertion that extends the β-sheet of the catalytic core from 5 to 9 strands. All three of the conserved residues that make up the “DDE” motif of the active site are visible in the structure. An arginine residue that is strictly conserved among the IS4 family of bacterial transposases is present at the center of the active site, suggesting a catalytic motif of “DDRE.” A novel C-terminal domain forms a dimer interface across a crystallographic 2-fold axis. Although this dimer represents the structure of the inhibited complex, it provides insight into the structure of the synaptic complex.
GENETIC REGULATION OF CARDIOGENESIS AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Developmental heart disorders are the most common of all human birth defects and occur in nearly one percent of the population. Survivors of congenital heart malformations are an increasing population, and it is becoming clear that genetic mutations that cause developmental anomalies may result in cardiac dysfunction later in life. This review highlights the progress in understanding the underlying molecular basis for cardiac formation and how disruption of the intricate steps of cardiogenesis can lead to congenital heart defects. The lessons learned from examining the early steps of heart formation are essential for informing the prevention of malformations and their long-term consequences, as well as for approaches to guide stem cells into cardiac lineages.
Collection Protocol for Human Pancreas

This dissection and sampling procedure was developed for the Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes (nPOD) program to standardize preparation of pancreas recovered from cadaveric organ donors. The pancreas is divided into 3 main regions (head, body, tail) followed by serial transverse sections throughout the medial to lateral axis. Alternating sections are used for fixed paraffin and fresh frozen blocks and remnant samples are minced for snap frozen sample preparations, either with or without RNAse inhibitors, for DNA, RNA, or protein isolation. The overall goal of the pancreas dissection procedure is to sample the entire pancreas while maintaining anatomical orientation. Endocrine cell heterogeneity in terms of islet composition, size, and numbers is reported for human islets compared to rodent islets. The majority of human islets from the pancreas head, body and tail regions are composed of insulin-containing β-cells followed by lower proportions of glucagon-containing α-cells and somatostatin-containing δ-cells. Pancreatic polypeptide-containing PP cells and ghrelin-containing epsilon cells are also present but in small numbers. In contrast, the uncinate region contains islets that are primarily composed of pancreatic polypeptide-containing PP cells. These regional islet variations arise from developmental differences. The pancreas develops from the ventral and dorsal pancreatic buds in the foregut and after rotation of the stomach and duodenum, the ventral lobe moves and fuses with the dorsal. The ventral lobe forms the posterior portion of the head including the uncinate process while the dorsal lobe gives rise to the rest of the organ. Regional pancreatic variation is also reported with the tail region having higher islet density compared to other regions and the dorsal lobe-derived components undergoing selective atrophy in type 1 diabetes. Additional organs and tissues are often recovered from the organ donors and include pancreatic lymph nodes, spleen and non-pancreatic lymph nodes. These samples are recovered with similar formats as for the pancreas with the addition of isolation of cryopreserved cells. When the proximal duodenum is included with the pancreas, duodenal mucosa may be collected for paraffin and frozen blocks and minced snap frozen preparations.
AN ANALYSIS OF PRODUCERS' YEAR-TO-YEAR CHANGES IN SLAUGHTER HOG MARKETINGS*

Much effort is devoted to explaining and rather than substitute for, analyses based on aggregate forecasting changes in marketings of agricultural data. Results relating actual period-to-period changes commodities. The usual procedure involves formu- by individual producers to their reasons for them may lating hypotheses about behavior of individual pro- complement analyses based on aggregate data. This is ducers, then testing them and quantifying relation- done by identifying factors related to size and ships by using aggregate data. The purpose of this directions of changes, by determining which factors paper is to suggest and illustrate a procedure that may are. particularly important in causing large and small provide a foundation for improved explanation and changes, and by indicating whether and how relative prediction of period-to-period changes in marketings. importance of various factors changes over time. The procedure uses data obtained from indiInformation about characteristics distinguishing vidual producers to test hypotheses about period-to- producers who make frequent period-to-period period changes. Results obtained from an application changes from those who do not may be used to of this procedure (to analysis of year-to-year changes provide additional results. Specifically, trends in these in hog marketings) suggest that expected profitability characteristics may be used to forecast both incidence alone is unlikely to provide either a very complete and magnitude of future production cycles. explanation or accurate predictions of year-to-year An analysis of year-to-year changes in hog changes. marketings illustrates the application of this proceThe procedure suggested in this paper involves dure. Hypotheses about characteristics of producers the following steps. First, hypotheses are formulated making and not making changes, and about factors about period-to-period changes in marketings by related to sizes of year-to-year changes by producers individual producers. These might include hypotheses who do make changes, are developed. Discriminant about characteristics of producers who make and do and regression analysis are applied to data collected not make period-to-period changes. Factors related to from a sample of Iowa hog producers to test these sizes and directions of period-to-period changes by hypotheses. producers who do make them might also be noted. Hypotheses are discussed next, followed by Second, information about hypothesized character- discussions of data and procedures, results and istics distinguishing producers making period-to- conclusions. period changes from those who do not, and information about actual changes and reasons then, is HYPOTHESES obtained from individual producers. Third, these data and appropriate quantitative techniques are used to Hypothesis I test hypotheses and quantify relationships.
Rapid Automatic Digitization and Sorting of Random Graphical Data

An electronic system that automatically reads recording-voltmeter charts is explained. A photoelectric scanning process produces a pulse each time it samples the recorded graph. A commutating circuit in conjunction with a matrix of vacuum-tube gates places each pulse in an electric channel corresponding to the position of the line on the chart. A calibrating arrangement then sorts these pulses and supplies them to digital count registers. Selected groups of samples may then be utilized for various automatic digital computations.