cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrating PHIGS and user interface systems

The past five years has seen an explosion of rich and effective user interface management systems and toolkits and an increase in the expectations regarding application portability. Nearly a decade old, the PHIGS input model is inadequate in the face of this variety. “Fixing PHIGS” input would be a long and arduous task. Instead, PHIGS should be adapted to cooperate, not compete, with user interface systems. This can be done in two ways. An application can use both PHIGS input and input from a user interface system to accomplish its goals. Alternatively, an application can use input only from a user interface system, but in this case it needs utilities in PHIGS to gain access to information only PHIGS can supply. Specifically the utilities are needed for application-initiated picking and for coordinate mapping.
Can We Now Find the Needle in the Haystack

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is rarely performed today to determine the etiology of cardiomyopathies or to guide the therapy of patients who present with cardiomyopathies of unknown etiology. There are a number of reasons for this, including a lack of specific therapies for most cardiomyopathies, a
Global suburbia and the transition century: Physical suburbs in the long term

Over the current century, when the world’s population will grow by some billions, much of the increase in the human population will be housed in suburbs. However, sometime after the middle of this century the world’s total population is also likely to level off, increasing in some areas while declining in others, causing new challenges. In this transition century, suburbs are a key technology and setting for managing a number of public concerns and problems: population change, aging, environmental issues, and tensions between continued poverty and expectations of affluence. Suburbs are very diverse internationally but share some common problems and opportunities related to their relative newness and outer location. Although planned solutions to suburban growth are important, a great deal of work in the coming century will be retrofitting opportunistic suburban development. A global view of suburban growth is important because physical planning and urban design have long shared ideas internationally, and because of global economic, environmental and cultural linkages.
Anorectal malformations—management and outcome

Anorectal malformations are a complex group of congenital disorders. Despite significant development in understanding the pathophysiology and anatomy of these anomalies, the results of surgical treatment are still far from perfect. In the newborn, accurate diagnosis of the type of anomaly is required for appropriate neonatal surgical management. Low anomalies with a perineal anal opening are treated with neonatal anoplasty; all other types require a diverting colostomy. The best physiological method for reconstructing the anorectum in high and intermediate anomalies is posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, which preserves available sphincter structures under direct vision. Associated anomalies, some of them life-threatening, are common in patients with anorectal malformations. Neonatal management of these patients includes a careful search for concomitant defects. In the long term, half of patients with low anomalies and one third of the patients with high or intermediate anomalies have normal or near-normal bowel function. Severe impairment in fecal continence causing significant social problems occurs in 30% of patients with high and intermediate anomalies and in 10% of those with low anomalies. Long-term follow-up and early treatment of defective fecal continence is mandatory in the postoperative management of these patients.
The endoglin–BMP9 axis as a predictor of methotrexate resistance in low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Objectives: Universal screening for Lynch syndrome (LS) using immunohistochemistry (IHC) is recommended for patients with new colon cancer. While the sentinel malignancy in women with Lynch syndrome is equally as likely to be endometrial cancer compared to colon cancer, universal screening in endometrial cancer has not been implemented on such a large scale. Our study aims to determine any associations between loss of MMR expression and tumor clinico-pathologic characteristics, as well as the number of germ line mutations identified using IHC at our institution. Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent hysterectomy for grade 1 or 2 endometrioid endometrial cancer between August 2012 and January 2014 was performed. Only patients who underwent IHC for deficiencies of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 were included in this cohort. Patient charts were reviewed and patient demographics, tumor size, grade, invasion, and stainingwere abstracted from electronic medical records. Results: 180 patients underwent hysterectomy for low grade EEC during the study period. Of these, 102 (56.6%) had IHC to evaluate for MMR protein deficiencies. Twenty six (25.5%) tumors had MMR loss detected via IHC, with 19 (18.6%) having deficiencies in MLH1/ PMS2 and 3 (2.9%) in MSH2/MSH6. Loss of single protein expression was observed in 4 patients, with loss of MSH6 expression noted in 2 (2.0%) and loss of MLH1 and PMS2 in 1 (1%) each. MLH1 promoter methylation analysis was performed in 7 (35.0%) of the 20 tumors, showing methylation in 6 (85.7%). One patient with MSH2 and MSH6 loss by IHC was found to have a germline mutation in MSH6. Grade 2 tumors were significantly associated with MLH1 loss on multivariate analysis (OR 5.3, p = 0.012, 95% CI 1.4–19.8). Increasing age was associated with MLH1 and PMS2 loss (OR 1.2, p = 0.021, 95% CI 1.0– 1.3). Younger age was significantly associated with MSH6 loss (OR 0.79, p = 0.025, 95% CI .64–.97). Conclusions: The most common deficiency detected via IHC involves MLH1 and PMS2 loss and is significantly associated with age. Loss of MSH6 is significantly associated with younger age. Large studies with cost-effectiveness analyses must be performed to determine if implementation of a standardized screening regimen is necessary.
Biomedical Signals and Systems

Biomedical Signals and Systems is meant to accompany a one-semester undergraduate signals and systems course. It may also serve as a quick-start for graduate students or faculty interested in how signals and systems techniques can be applied to living systems. The biological nature of the examples allows for systems thinking to be applied to electrical, mechanical, fluid, chemical, thermal and even optical systems. Each chapter focuses on a topic from classic signals and systems theory: System block diagrams, mathematical models, transforms, stability, feedback, system response, control, time and frequency analysis and filters. Embedded within each chapter are examples from the biological world, ranging from medical devices to cell and molecular biology. While the focus of the book is on the theory of analog signals and systems, many chapters also introduce the corresponding topics in the digital realm. Although some derivations appear, the focus is on the concepts and how to apply them. Throughout the text, systems vocabulary is introduced which will allow the reader to read more advanced literature and communicate with scientist and engineers. Homework and Matlab simulation exercises are presented at the end of each chapter and challenge readers to not only perform calculations and simulations but also to recognize the real-world signals and systems around them. Table of Contents: Preface / Acknowledgments / Introduction / System Types / System Models / Laplace Transform / Block Diagrams / Stability / Feedback / System Response / Control / Time Domain Analysis / Frequency Domain Analysis / Filters / Author's Biography
Computer simulation of coal preparation plants

Abstract Coal preparation is a procedure for removing physical impurities, such as ash and pyritic sulfur, from freshly mined coal. This paper describes the development of a computer simulation model for predicting the performance of coal preparation plants. The model allows the user to interconnect individual plant components into whatever configuration may be of interest. A provision for recycle streams is also included. The paper presents a discussion of the computational methods used for each of the unit operations, and a description of the executive routine. Several examples are presented which illustrate the use of the simulator to verify theoretical predictions and to predict the performance of a realistic plant configuration.
Thermal analysis of ammonium dinitramide (ADN)

Abstract Kinetic constants of decomposition were determined for ADN and prilled ADN by DSC and TG. Pressure DSC at 550 psi air or helium had similar kinetic constants for prilled ADN, namely 29 kcal/mol activation energy and a log frequency factor of ∼14.0 min−1. These values were similar to those found in sealed sample pans in which the decomposition gases were confined. DSC and TG runs in open sample pans in nitrogen or helium had higher activation energies and frequency factors, namely 40–43 kcal/mol and 18–20 min−1, respectively. Thus, it appears that confinement of the ADN decomposition gases either under pressurization or a sealed environment accelerates the decomposition of prilled ADN. Kinetics of decomposition of unprilled ADN at atmospheric pressure in nitrogen or helium by DSC and TG were Ea=37 kcal/mol and log A=17 min−1. Unprilled ADN had lower activation energies and frequency factor for decomposition than prilled ADN which contained stabilizers. The effect of sample containment (i.e. aluminum, coated aluminum, gold, and glass ampoules) on the shape of the DSC curve of ADN was investigated. Isothermal TG in vacuum of ADN in the 45–75°C region and the DSC analysis of the TG residues showed unusual results in the 60°C region. The rate and enthalpy of decomposition of four dinitramide salts and their dielectric relaxation were related to the basicity of the cation.
Prevention of acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity by 2(R,S)-n-propylthiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acid in mice.

The cysteine (Cys) precursor 2(R,S)-n-propylthiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic acid (PTCA) was shown previously to maintain near normal levels of hepatic GSH and GSSG at 24 hr and to protect against hepatic necrosis and mortality at 48 hr after toxic doses of acetaminophen (APAP) in mice. Studies were performed in C57BL/6 mice to determine: (a) the time course of APAP-induced hepatic sulfhydryl depletion, and (b) the effectiveness of PTCA in preventing APAP-induced decreases in sulfhydryl concentrations at the time of maximal depletion. APAP (400-800 mg/kg in 50% propylene glycol; 2.65-5.29 mmol/kg) and PTCA (1-5 mmol/kg 30 min after APAP) were administered i.p. Hepatic GSH, GSSG, and Cys concentrations were determined by HPLC. Hepatocellular damage was assessed by elevations in serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) activity and histopathologic examination. APAP and PTCA produced dose-dependent effects. At 4 hr after the highest dose of APAP, hepatic GSH and Cys concentrations were reduced to 5 and 14%, respectively, of values in vehicle-treated controls, and the GSSG concentration was below the sensitivity of the analytical method. At 24 hr, recovery of hepatic sulfhydryls was incomplete, and there was hepatic necrosis with an approximately 100-fold increase in SGPT activity. At the highest dose of PTCA, the concentrations of GSH, Cys, and GSSG at 4 hr after APAP (800 mg/kg) were 66, 116, and 111%, respectively, of vehicle controls. PTCA in doses of 1.75 to 5 mmol/kg attenuated the APAP-induced increases in SGPT activity. It was concluded that the protective effect of PTCA is most likely related to prevention of hepatic sulfhydryl depletion.
Effects of domperidone in patients with chronic unexplained upper gastrointestinal symptoms: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The effects of domperidone, a peripherally acting dopamine antagonist, were compared with those of placebo in a double-blind randomized study in 16 patients with idiopathic gastric stasis, chronic symptoms of “nonulcer dyspepsia” (including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain), and altered gastroduodenal motility. Patients received either domperidone or placebo orally (20 mg before meals and at bedtime) for six weeks. Symptoms were assessed by daily diaries kept by the patients for two weeks while receiving no medication for their gastrointestinal complaints (baseline), and throughout the six-week treatment phase. Studies of gastric emptying of a radiolabeled solid-phase meal were performed at baseline and six weeks after treatment. All patients had delayed gastric emptying at baseline, defined as a half-emptying time of more than mean +1 sd (from studies of normal controls). An 18- to 24-hr recording of gastroduodenal motor function during fasting was also performed at baseline and after six weeks of either domperidone or placebo treatment. After six weeks of treatment, the symptom scores significantly improved in the domperidone group (P<0.05), but not in the placebo group. Gastroduodenal motor activity was unchanged from baseline recordings after six weeks. Solid-phase gastric emptying also showed no improvement in either the domperidone or placebo group of patients. Although domperidone therapy had no significant effect on motility, it appears to be an effective drug for the treatment of the symptoms of nonulcer dyspepsia.
Organic Rigid-Rod Linkers for Coupling Chromophores to Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

Two new organic rigid-rod linkers, dimethyl 5-(1-pyrenylethynyl)isophthalate and dimethyl 5-(4-(1-pyrenylethynyl)-phenylethynyl)isophthalate, were used to couple pyrene to the surface of TiO2 (anatase) and ZrO2 nanoparticle thin films. The rigid-rods increase the extinction coefficient and shift to the red the long-wavelength absorbance of the pyrene chromophore. The rigid-rod linkers afford high surface coverages, ∼10-8 mol/cm2, and high surface stabilities on the nanostructured metal oxide films in acetonitrile. The appearance of a pyrene excimer-like emission on ZrO2 nanoparticles indicates that the rigid-rods do not spatially isolate the chromophores effectively. The emission on TiO2 is completely quenched, consistent with quantitative electron injection into the semiconductor. Nanosecond transient absorption measurements (λexc = 417 nm, 8−10 ns fwhm, 3.1 mJ/cm2) indicate rapid excited-state electron injection, kinj > 108 s-1, and second-order recombination with an observed average rate constant of ko...
Training Indigenous Women to Conduct Health Promotion in the Developing World: Empowering Women or Colluding with Multiple Oppressions?

Countries that have women in subservient positions have higher disease and mortality rates for women and children. Listening to Dragonflies Project is testing a sustainable model of health behavior change, training indigenous women in rural Vietnam based on the assumption that sustainability is dependent on women's empowerment. Psychological health behavior interventions are not politically neutral. This article examines the simultaneous oppressions that women in the developing countries face, while questioning the intended and unintended consequences that emerge from participating in a health behavior change program that intrinsically fosters self-efficacy and women's empowerment in the face of simultaneous interlocking oppressions.
Anti-beta2-Glycoprotein I antibody and hypertension in cerebral ischemia.

Hypertension is known as a cause of endothelial cell damage and it activates humoral immunity. Therefore, it may modulate the anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibody (aβGPI) to commit for thrombosis. To elucidate the relation between aβGPI and hypertension in cerebral ischemia, the blood aβGPI level was examined in healthy subjects, hypertensive subjects, and patients with cerebral ischemia with and without hypertension, respectively. The results showed that the blood aβGPI level increased in cerebral ischemia patients with hypertension rather than hypertensive subjects, and patients without hypertension rather than healthy individuals. However, the blood aβGPI level showed no difference between healthy individuals and hypertensive subjects, nor cerebral ischemia patients with and without hypertension. The serum globulin level did not change among them. Therefore, aβGPI displays a vital role for cerebral ischemia in both hypertensive and normotensive subjects. An activation of humoral immunity involving aβGPI ...
Quantitative lateral flow immunosensor using carbon nanotubes as label

A novel immunosensor utilizing multi-walled carbon nanotube as label on a lateral flow system for simple and quantitative electrical detection was investigated. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were first modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for uniform dispersion in aqueous solution. Then, the MWCNTs were conjugated with human immunoglobulin G (IgG) using 1-(3-(dimethylamino)-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) coupling chemistry. The lateral flow immunosensor was made of nitrocellulose membrane that transports sample and reagents through a porous structure by capillary action. The performance of the immunosensor was demonstrated using human IgG as a model analyte competing with the conjugate (MWCNT-labeled human IgG) at the capture zone. As a result of binding reaction between the conjugate and the immobilized Protein A at the capture zone, the conjugated MWCNTs formed a conducting network at the capture zone providing conductance measurement corresponding to the amount of captured conjugate. Quantitative immunoassay response for the target human IgG was demonstrated in the range of 25 to 200 µg ml−1 without an additional amplification step. The presented immunosensing technique could be expanded for the detection of various analyte-specific biomolecules with a potential for simple and rapid tests suitable for point-of-care diagnostics.
Qa alloantigen expression on functional T lymphocytes from spleen and thymus.

The cell-surface expression of the class I alloantigen Qa-2 was analyzed on resting and activated spleen and thymus cells using cytotoxic elimination and immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Spleen cells activated by mitogens or alloantigen were homogeneously positive for cell surface Qa-2, but activated splenic T cells expressed only about one-third as much Qa-2 per cell as did nonstimulated T cells. These data correlated with the ability to perform cytotoxic elimination with Qa-2-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in that cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity was completely abrogated by pretreatment of spleen cells prior to in vitro culture but was only partially eliminated by treatment of CTL effectors. Qa-2-positive cells constituted only a small subpopulation of fresh normal thymocytes, but were enriched (>40% positive) among cortisone-resistant thymocytes (CRT). These Qa-2-positive CRT contained mature thymocytes as defined by Ly phenotype Ly-2−, Ly-1hi. When normal thymocytes were treated with Qa-2-specific mAb and complement prior to in vitro sensitization for generation of allogeneic CTL, CTL activity was completely abrogated despite the fact that the fraction of cells eliminated were undetectable as assessed by cell recovery. CTL effectors from alloantigen-stimulated thymocytes were also susceptible to cytotoxic elimination with Qa-2-specific mAb. These data suggest that the Qa-2 molecule may serve not only as a marker on resting and activated peripheral T cells, but also as a unique marker for functionally mature T cells in the thymus.
Digital processing of back-scatter electron imagery: A microscopic approach to quantifying chemical weathering

This paper introduces digital processing of back-scattered electron (BSE) imagery as a microscopic approach to measure porosity from in situ dissolution of minerals. Four case studies exemplify this technique. Cases 1 and 2 explore the initiation and maintenance of weathering forms. In case 1, alveoli start in the Sedona area of Arizona when sandstone porosity exceeds ∼32%. This threshold is probably the point at which intergrain cohesion is reduced enough for shear stresses to erode grains. Case 2 examines the maintenance of gnamma pits and polygonal cracks on a basalt boulder on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Rock dissolution progresses while the surface of the rock is preserved under coatings of silica glaze. When a porosity of ∼37%–47% is reached, the weathering rind loses cohesion and spalls. Then, the protective silica glaze starts to accrete again, and another cycle begins. Cases 3 and 4 involve measuring rates of dissolution over thousands of years. Case 3 concerns rock dissolution in weathering rinds formed on ventifacted aplite boulders. Weathering rinds lost mass for the last 14 k.y. at a rate of 40 ± 15 g/m 2 /k.y., and for the last 17 k.y. at a rate of 43 ± 16 g/m 2 /k.y. Dissolution rates increased over time to 67 ± 23 g/m 2 /k.y. for the last 60–65 k.y. Case 4 addresses the classic topic of which variable is most important in chemical weathering: temperature, precipitation, or microenvironment. In situ measurements of plagioclase dissolution in ∼3-k.y.-old basalt flows reveal that warmer temperatures enhance rates of plagioclase dissolution by about 0.07%/°C, when precipitation and microenvironment are controlled. Plagioclase dissolution increases as precipitation increases at higher elevations, even though temperature decreases. However, microenvironment is a more important control on plagioclase dissolution; organic-rich positions (under lichens) weather two to seven times faster than adjacent organic-poor positions away from epilithic organisms and rock coatings. Rates of rock weathering are often established indirectly, by measuring the erosion of weathered material. In contrast, this microscopic method measures only in situ weathering. Conventional measures of rock weathering usually involve units, for example, depth of weathering pits or thickness of weathering rinds, that are not readily comparable to other data. In contrast, cases 3 and 4 illustrate that in situ measurements of rock and mineral porosity can yield data on mass weathered per unit area over time. This information is comparable to mass balance approaches in watershed- and soil-based weathering research.
Matrix-specific FAK and MAPK reorganization during Caco-2 cell motility.

We have previously reported that Caco-2 cell motility redistributes FAK, paxillin, and activates p38. However, the subcellular organization of these intracellular signals during cell migration is unclear. We, therefore, investigated the organization of actin, FAK, paxillin, and activated ERK and activated p38 during Caco-2 motility across collagen I, fibronectin, laminin, and tissue culture treated glass. Differential density seeding generated homogeneous static and migrating populations. Expression of actin, FAK, paxillin, phospho-ERK, and phospho-p38 were examined by immunofluorescent staining in static and motile cells. Actin was concentrated toward the peri-nuclear central area of cells migrating on matrix proteins studied. Actin immunoreactivity was decreased in the leading edge of lamellipodia. FAK immunoreactivity was weaker in migrating cells than in static cells on the same matrix. FAK was expressed along cell-cell contacts of both cell populations, but absent in migrating lamellipodia of matrix-cultured cells. Paxillin staining was diffuse in static cells but organized toward migrating lamellipodia in a radial manner. Like FAK, phosphorylated ERK was expressed in the central region of migrating cells but was dramatically decreased at areas of cell-cell contact and free lamellipodia. Fibronectin exerted the greatest effect on ERK activation in all matrix proteins studied. In contrast, phosphorylated p38 staining was stronger in migrating cells on matrix than in static cells on the same matrix. Phosphorylated p38 was expressed in the nuclear of migrating cells and disappeared in the cell-cell contact side and free lamellipodia. Interestingly, the reorganization of these proteins was distinctly different on tissue culture treated glass without a physiologic matrix substrate. For instance, FAK staining increased rather than decreased in motile cells on plastic, and lamellipodial FAK staining could be discerned. Matrix may influence Caco-2 biology during migration not only by triggering intracellular phosphorylation events but also by reorganizing the cytoskeleton and the subcellular localization of these intracellular signals. Microsc. Res. Tech. 51:191–203, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Lies, damned lies and statistics

Statistical physics can reveal the fabric of complex networks, for example, potential oligarchies formed by its best-connected members. But care has to be taken to avoid jumping to conclusions.
Experimental cyathostome challenge of ponies maintained with or without benefit of daily pyrantel tartrate feed additive: comparison of parasite burdens, immunity and colonic pathology

Abstract Eighteen mixed-breed, naturally infected ponies ranging in age from 1 to 16 yr and four cyathostome-naive ponies reared and maintained under parasite-free conditions ranging in age from 1 to 4 yr were used in this study. Naturally-infected ponies were treated with 1 dose of ivermectin (IVM) at 200 μg kg−1, followed by a 5-day regimen of oxibendazole (OBZ) at 20 mg kg−1 to remove existing cyathostome burdens; cyathostome-naive control ponies were treated with IVM alone. The naturally infected ponies were matched on age and gender, then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups of six animals per group; the four cyathostome-naive ponies constituted a fourth group. Following OBZ treatment, Group 1 ponies were treated with pyrantel tartrate (PT) in their pelleted ration; the remaining ponies received only the pelleted ration. Beginning on experiment Day 3, a daily challenge infection of 104 mixed cyathostome larvae was administered orally to ponies of Group 1, Group 2 and the cyathostome-naive controls. Group 3 ponies served as unchallenged controls to determine residual parasite burdens following IVM/OBZ treatment. Necropsy examinations were performed on three Group 3 ponies on Day 1; the remainder of the necropsy examinations began on Day 41. Cyathostome burdens were evaluated by recovery of larvae and adults from the luminal contents, by digestions of the intestinal mucosa, and by mural transillumination of full-thickness intestinal sections. Differences in postchallenge clinical responses were also compared. Necropsy examinations included comparisons of grossly visible inflammation of the large bowel, weights of biopsy specimens from each region, and histologic evaluations of these biopsies. Parasite recoveries at necropsy indicated a strong protective effect derived from daily PT treatment. Mean weights of intestinal biopsies corresponded with worm burdens, but histological evaluation did not reveal architectural or cellular changes to account for the increase in weight; therefore, edema was suspected. A strong age-related resistance to challenge infection was apparent in both the PT-treated and control groups by virtue of the lower mean worm burdens found in older ponies compared to younger ponies of the same treatment group; however, daily PT treatment of older ponies reduced the variability of their worm burdens to a uniformly low level. Comparisons of luminal and mucosal parasite burdens of age stratified nontreated controls further suggest that the age related resistance, which is acquired, targets increasing numbers of parasite stages as this resistance matures. Further, there is no evidence for an immune mediated acquisition of hypobiotic L3.
Survey estimates of drug-use trends in urban communities: general principles and cautionary examples.

Surveys to depict substance abuse rates and monitor trends in specific areas have become increasingly important policy tools. Yet, as illustrated by two national multiwave surveys, using small sample survey data and making longitudinal comparisons is fraught with interpretative problems. In the case of the metropolitan area “over-sample” of the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, for example, interpreting apparent declines in drug use has to take account of the devastating effects of Hurricane Andrew in the Miami Metropolitan area. In the case of a 41-community survey sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to evaluate substance abuse prevention, the difficulty is how to interpret small differences in drug use, which seem to follow no reasonable pattern with respect to treatment or comparison sites. Inferences from such surveys are confounded with statistical anomalies and unforeseen events. They are limited by the sample size. In part, the solution to these problems is to use other survey an...
A nonimaging optics approach for photoelectric sensor applications

This paper discusses the application of a hybrid TIR lens, a nonimaging optics, in photoelectric sensors. The performances and design are evaluated using a commercial nonsequential ray tracing software. The results of the TIR lens in a conceptual thru-beam photoelectric sensor system are compared with the results from a CPC and an imaging optics.
Workers in the Russian Federation

Abstract The present study examines workers' responses to the post-communist transition in the Russian Federation from 1989 through 1993. It considers how workers defined, articulated, and organized around their interests under conditions of simultaneous democratization and economic reform, focusing on: the impacts of reform, particularly declining real wages and employment security; labor strikes, including incidence, demands, and settlement; activities of trade unions; political and electoral behavior of workers and unions. The study concludes that strikes and trade union activism have had a limited impact in shielding workers from the effects of shock therapy; that unions are divided and relatively weak; and that labor exercises no coherent influence in electoral politics.
Rates of Urea Synthesis in the Human Newborn: Effect of Maternal Diabetes and Small Size for Gestational Age

Rates of Urea Synthesis in the Human Newborn: Effect of Maternal Diabetes and Small Size for Gestational Age
Arabidopsis mutants lacking long chain base phosphate lyase are fumonisin sensitive and accumulate trihydroxy 18:1 long chain base phosphate

The sphingoid long chain bases (LCBs) and their phosphorylated derivatives (LCB-Ps) are important signaling molecules in eukaryotic organisms. The cellular levels of LCB-Ps are tightly controlled by the coordinated action of the LCB kinase activity responsible for their synthesis and the LCB-P phosphatase and lyase activities responsible for their catabolism. Although recent studies have implicated LCB-Ps as regulatory molecules in plants, in comparison with yeast and mammals, much less is known about their metabolism and function in plants. To investigate the functions of LCB-Ps in plants, we have undertaken the identification and characterization of Arabidopsis genes that encode the enzymes of LCB-P metabolism. In this study the Arabidopsis At1g27980 gene was shown to encode the only detectable LCB-P lyase activity in Arabidopsis. The LCB-P lyase activity was characterized, and mutant plant lines lacking the lyase were generated and analyzed. Whereas in other organisms loss of LCB-P lyase activity is associated with accumulation of high levels of LCB/LCB-Ps and developmental abnormalities, the sphingolipid profiles of the mutant plants were remarkably similar to those of wild-type plants, and no developmental abnormalities were observed. Thus, these studies indicate that the lyase plays a minor role in maintenance of sphingolipid metabolism during normal plant development and growth. However, a clear role for the lyase was revealed upon perturbation of sphingolipid synthesis by treatment with the inhibitor of ceramide synthase, fumonisin B1.
Temperature Dependence of the Upper Critical Field in bcc Solid 3 He

The temperature dependence of the upper critical field for the antiferromagnetic high-field phase of bcc solid 3He has been calculated by Iwahashi and Masuda utilizing the Green-function method with Tyablikov decoupling. In the low temperature limit the upper critical field, Hc2(T), is found to decrease from Hc2(0) with increasing temperature as a power law with exponent 3/2. Interestingly, the same power law dependence has been predicted for a system of dilute magnons undergoing Bose–Einstein condensation and has been observed in the spin-gap antiferromagnets TlCuCl3, BaCuSi2O6, and NiCl2–4SC(NH2)2. An experiment has been attempted to determine precisely the temperature dependence of the upper critical field in bcc solid 3He by measuring the pressure of the solid during adiabatic demagnetization through the critical field. The theoretical framework motivating the experimental study is presented along with details of the experimental setup.
Comment on Löfstedt’s ‘The substitution principle in chemical regulation: a constructive critique’

This commentary on Ragnar Lofstedt’s constructive critique of the substitution principle observes that while the principle is intuitively appealing, it begins to unravel on closer examination. When considering government intervention to effect societal improvements, it is important to be aware of two problems. First, predicting the actual outcome of an intervention is very difficult, and second, people disagree about what constitutes ‘societal improvements’. This commentary examines the substitution principle in light of those problems and offers a set of guiding principles for evaluating and developing alternative policy frameworks that will improve public health and welfare.
The Ryobi “Air-Clean” 4-Cycle Engine: A Case Study in Engineering and Manufacturing Management

AbstractA number of TQM processes were employed during the rapid development of the revolutionary “Air Clean” (AC), four cycle engine recently introduced by the Ryobi Group of companies. A dynamic, cross functional team organization was used to involve all functions. A simple form of quality function deployment was used to identify desirable product design, safety and service features. The challenges presented by the QFD data were combined with identified design for assembly and design for manufacturing concerns to create the project schedule together with a flow plan for concurrent engineering. Statistical process control of critical machined dimensions was introduced to avoid tolerance stack-up and performance variability. The actual performance of the team verses planned scheduling targets will be compared. Team dynamics and midterm organizational changes required to satisfy design, cost and performance objectives will be reviewed. Important planning mnemonics and graphics used to educate team members ...
Phosphorylation and Nuclear Translocation of a Regulator of G Protein Signaling (RGS10)

Heterotrimeric G proteins are involved in the transduction of hormonal and sensory signals across plasma membranes of eukaryotic cells. Hence, they are a critical point of control for a variety of agents that modulate cellular function. Activation of these proteins is dependent on GTP binding to their α (Gα) subunits. Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) bind specifically to activated Gα proteins, potentiating the intrinsic GTPase activity of the Gα proteins and thus expediting the termination of Gα signaling. Although there are several points in most G protein controlled signaling pathways that are affected by reversible covalent modification, little evidence has been shown addressing whether or not the functions of RGS proteins are themselves regulated by such modifications. We report in this study the acute functional regulation of RGS10 thru the specific and inducible phosphorylation of RGS10 protein at serine 168 by cAMP-dependent kinase A. This phosphorylation nullifies the RGS10 activity at the plasma membrane, which controls the G protein-dependent activation of the inwardly rectifying potassium channel. Surprisingly, the phosphorylation-mediated attenuation of RGS10 activity was not manifested in an alteration of its ability to accelerate GTPase activity of Gα. Rather, the phosphorylation event correlates with translocation of RGS10 from the plasma membrane and cytosol into the nucleus.
A comparative study of 500 mg BID and 250 mg BID of prophylactic oral ganciclovir in post-kidney transplant "CMV at risk" recipients.

HUMAN cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen that is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, such as organ transplant recipients. As many as 70%–80% of recipients of solid organ transplants show evidence of CMV infection. It is well recognized that the incidence of posttransplant CMV infection depends on various factors including overall immunosuppression, underlying CMV status of both donor and recipients, and antiviral prophylaxis. Recently, we reported on the effectiveness of an oral formulation of ganciclovir in reducing CMV infection in kidney transplant recipients. This study prospectively examines the efficacy of two different regimens of oral ganciclovir in microemulsion cyclosporine/“low-dose” mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-treated renal transplant patients.
Different nonlinear functions in hippocampus and perirhinal cortex relating functional MRI activity to memory strength

Findings from functional MRI (fMRI) studies of recognition memory and the medial temporal lobe often suggest qualitative differences in the contribution of the hippocampus and perirhinal cortex. This interpretation is complicated by the fact that most of the methods intended to demonstrate qualitative differences also separate strong memories from weak memories. Thus, apparent qualitative differences might reflect quantitative differences in how measured activity in medial temporal lobe structures varies with memory strength. We tested the hypothesis that the relationship between activity at the time of study and subsequent memory strength is nonlinear in hippocampus and perirhinal cortex and also distinctly different in those two structures. We found that activity in the hippocampus was characterized by a positively accelerated function and that activity in the perirhinal cortex was associated with a statistically different, negatively accelerated function. Our results do not count against the possibility that these structures differ qualitatively in their contributions to memory. Rather, our findings show how an alternative interpretation based on quantitative differences can also account for a good deal of data, and they suggest that a demonstration of qualitative differences requires more stringent criteria than are achieved in most fMRI studies.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia presenting with thrombosis of multiple saphenous vein grafts and myocardial infarction

We report herein a patient with coronary artery disease that developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia after coronary artery bypass graft with resulting thrombosis of multiple saphenous vein grafts and myocardial infarction after heparin exposure. The patient required lepirudin and a cardiac catheterization with placement of stents.
Regulation of membrane and subunit interactions by N-myristoylation of a G protein α subunit in yeast

Initiation of the mating process in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires the action of secreted pheromones and G protein-coupled receptors. As in other eukaryotes, the yeast G protein alpha subunit undergoes N-myristoylation (GPA1 gene product, Gpa1p). This modification appears to be essential for function, since a myristoylation site mutation exhibits the null phenotype in vivo (gpa1(G2A)). Here we examine how myristoylation affects Gpa1p activity in vitro. We show that the G2A mutant of Gpa1p, when fused with glutathione S-transferase, can still form a complex with the G protein betagamma subunits. The complex is stabilized by GDP and is dissociated upon treatment with guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate). In addition, there is no apparent difference in the relative binding affinity of Gbetagamma for mutant and wild-type Gpa1p. Using sucrose density gradient fractionation of cell membranes, Gpa1p associates normally with the plasma membrane whereas Gpa1pG2A is mislocalized to a microsomal membrane fraction. A portion of Gbetagamma is also mislocalized in these cells, as it is in a gpa1Delta strain. In contrast, wild-type Gpa1p reaches the plasma membrane in cells that do not express Gbetagamma or cell surface receptors. These findings indicate that mislocalization of Gpa1pG2A is not caused by a redistribution of Gbetagamma, nor is it the result of any difference in Gbetagamma binding affinity. These data suggest that myristoylation is required for specific targeting of Gpa1p to the plasma membrane, where it is needed to interact with the receptor and to regulate the release of Gbetagamma.
On orthogonal m-pods on a cone*

Abstract Let S={a1≥a2≥…≥am} be a sequence of real numbers. If ai≥0, aj≤0 then the replacement of ai, aj by ai+aj will be called a merger. The set S can be transformed into a set S1 of s≤m real numbers by a sequence of mergers if and only if ∑ 1 s a j ⩾ ∑ 1 m a j ⩾ ∑ m − s + 1 m a j Applying this result the maximum number of orthogonal lines which can be inscribed into a cone is computed. In this paper I prove three theorems. Theorem 1 has been previously derived by M. Marcus [2] applying results of Ky Fan [3] but an independent constructive proof of Theorem 1 might be of interest. Theorem 2 is a consequence of Theorem 1 which has previously been stated only for n=3. Theorem 3 is a combinatorial theorem and is new as far as I can ascertain.
Perceptual Wiener filtering for image restoration

Proposes a perceptual Wiener filter for image restoration, a linear space-variant filter which accounts for the human visual system response to image details and noise in the vicinity of an edge. This filter provides a reduction in the ringing artifact observed in the vicinity of edges, when compared to the response of the widely used linear space-invariant classical Wiener filter. A fast, approximate implementation of the filter is discussed. >
Turbulent Flow Simulation: A Large Eddy Simulator’s Viewpoint

The state of knowledge of turbulent flows is reviewed very briefly. An argument is posed that, for the near term, the best hope for engineering simulation of turbulent flows lies in the use of phenomenological models tuned for particular flow classes. Input from experiments and higher-level simulations will aid in model construction. Finally, the state of the art in higher-level simulations is reviewed, and a number of difficulties that are impeding progress are pointed out.
Scalable QoS-aware disk-scheduling

A new quality of service (QoS) aware disk scheduling algorithm is presented. It is applicable in environments where data requests arrive with different QoS requirements such as real-time deadline, and user priority. Previous work on disk scheduling has focused on optimizing the seek times and/or meeting the real-time deadlines. A unified framework for QoS disk scheduling is presented that scales with the number of scheduling parameters. The general idea is based on modeling the disk scheduler requests as points in the multi-dimensional space, where each of the dimensions represents one of the parameters (e.g., one dimension represents the request deadline, another represents the disk cylinder number and a third dimension represents the priority of the request, etc.). Then the disk scheduling problem reduces to the problem of finding a linear order to traverse these multi-dimensional points. Space-filling curves are adopted to define a linear order for sorting and scheduling objects that lie in the multi-dimensional space. This generalizes the one-dimensional disk scheduling algorithms (e.g., EDF SATF, FIFO). Several techniques are presented to show how a QoS-aware disk scheduler deals with the progressive arrival of requests over time. Simulation experiments are presented to show a comparison of the alternative techniques and to demonstrate the scalability of the proposed QoS-aware disk scheduling algorithm over other traditional approaches.
Risk Averters that Love Risk? Marginal Risk Aversion in Comparison to a Reference Gamble

We propose an analytical distinction between standard risk aversion based on the valuation of a single gamble and marginal risk aversion based on the change in valuation between two gambles. We measure marginal risk aversion in two dimensions—mean and variance. Data from a field experiment is used to study marginal risk aversion. Our results suggest that individuals rely on a reference gamble when assessing marginal risk. Individual responses to marginal changes in mean and variance are nearly identical in direction and magnitude—suggesting that information on both standard and marginal risk aversion is needed to accurately model behavior. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Reelfoot rift and its impact on Quaternary deformation in the central Mississippi River valley

Geophysical and drill-hole data within the Reelfoot rift of Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky, USA, were integrated to create a structure contour map and threedimensional computer model of the top of the Precambrian crystalline basement. The basement map and model clearly defi ne the northeast-trending Cambrian Reelfoot rift, which is crosscut by southeast-trending basement faults. The Reelfoot rift consists of two major basins, separated by an intrarift uplift, that are further subdivided into eight subbasins bound by northeast- and southeast-striking rift faults. The rift is bound to the south by the White River fault zone and to the north by the Reelfoot normal fault. The modern Reelfoot thrust fault, responsible for most of the New Madrid seismic zone earthquakes, is interpreted as an inverted basement normal fault. Geologic interpretation of 5077 shallow borings in the central Mississippi River valley enabled the construction of a structure contour map of the Pliocene‐Pleistocene unconformity (top of the Eocene‐base of Mississippi River alluvium) that overlies most of the Reelfoot rift. This map reveals both river erosion and tectonic deformation. Deformation of the Pliocene‐Pleistocene unconformity appears to be controlled by the northeast- and southeast-trending basement faults. The northeast-trending rift faults have undergone and continue to undergo Quaternary dextral transpression. This has resulted in displacement of two major rift blocks and formation of the Lake County uplift, Joiner ridge, and the southern half of Crowley’s Ridge as compressional stepover zones that appear to have originated above basement fault intersections. The Lake County uplift has been tectonically active over the past ~2400 yr and corresponds with a major segment of the New Madrid seismic zone. The aseismic Joiner ridge and the southern portion of Crowley’s Ridge may refl ect earlier uplift, thus indicating Quaternary strain migration within the Reelfoot rift.