cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geometric decay of infection probabilities for the anisotropic contact process

Abstract Consider the anisotropic symmetric contact process on a homogeneous tree T 2d of degree 2d⩾2 with a single initially infected site at the root vertex of the tree. We show that, for all values of the infection vector λ, each integer n⩾1, and each vertex x∈ T 2d at distance n from the root vertex, the probability P (x is ever infected )=u x (λ) satisfies ux(λ)⩽[βc(λ)]n−1 for some function βc that we will specify. This geometric decay property governs the growth and dispersal behaviour of the process and lies at the core of the method of Hueter (preprint, arXiv: math.PR/0109047), which applies the thermodynamic formalism and the theory of Gibbs states by Bowen (Equilibrium States and the Ergodic Theory of Anosov Diffeomorphisms, Lecture Notes in Mathematics, Vol. 470, Springer, Berlin, 1975) to the contact process on trees. We leave open the question as to when (if at all) λc is the maximal infection rate among the components of λ.
Induction of FucT-VII by the Ras/MAP kinase cascade in Jurkat T cells

Induction of the α1,3-fucosyltransferase FucT-VII in T lymphocytes is crucial for selectin ligand formation, but the signaling and transcriptional pathways that govern FucT-VII expression are unknown. Here, using a novel, highly phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)–responsive variant of the Jurkat T-cell line, we identify Ras and downstream mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways as essential mediators of FucT-VII gene expression. PMA induced FucT-VII in only a subset of treated cells, similar to expression of FucT-VII in normal activated CD4 T cells. Introduction of constitutively active Ras or Raf by recombinant retroviruses induced FucT-VII expression only in that subset of cells expressing the highest levels of Ras, suggesting that induction of FucT-VII required a critical threshhold of Ras signaling. Both PMA treatment and introduction of active Ras led to rolling on E-selectin. Pharmacologic inhibition studies confirmed the involvement of the classic Ras-Raf-MEK–extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK) pathway in FucT-VII induction by PMA, Ras, and Raf. These studies also revealed a second, Ras-induced, Raf-1–independent pathway that participated in induction of FucT-VII. Strong activation of Ras represents a major pathway for induction of FucT-VII gene expression in T cells.
Tagging the tags… Process, observations and analysis of conversations in metatagging at an ASIST interactive poster session

Results from a 2006 ASIST poster session on tagger's motivations are presented. Researcher's conducted short conversations with conference participants as they viewed the researchers' poster and tagged its contents. Using a content analysis method, researchers' conversations with participants were analyzed. Content analysis revealed six broad themes or “clusters” of interest: 1) General, 2) Observations, 3) Specific Uses/Suggestions, 4) Curricular, 5) Concerns and 6) Opportunities/Potentials. Within those clusters various specific points were ranked by frequency of occurrence. Overall findings indicate the ASIST community is interested in seeing what happens with this phenomenon, but voiced very real concerns about the longevity of tagging, specific uses in scholarly environments, and the effect it will have on annotation, bibliographic, and subject analysis.
Surgical Intervention in Chronic Postinfarction Cardiac Failure

Seven patients with severe, chronic postmyocardial infarction cardiac failure underwent open intracardiac operation following catheterization and quantitative biplane angiocardiographic studies. Four patients with mitral incompetence had valve replacements; three had dilated mitral rings and did not survive the immediate postoperative period. In contrast, the single surviving patient had papillary muscle dysfunction evident at surgery and had less severe myocardial impairment as indicated preoperatively by a lower end-diastole volume and higher ejection fraction. Three patients demonstrated significant clinical and hemodynamic improvement after resection of a sccared akinetic area of left ventricular myocardium. Although two of the three patients died within the first year of operation, neither died in congestive failure. The results of this study indicate that certain patients with chronic postinfarction heart failure may benefit from surgery.
What I did on my fall vacation - a pervasive computing class

This Column describes a project-based, hands-on pervasive computing course offered at MIT during the fall 2001 semester. Later, I helped distill the course into an intensive one-week experience that MIT offered in spring 2002 and once again in winter 2003. Much has been carried from these three instantiations.
The Finite Upper Half Space and Related Hypergraphs

Abstract A space generalizing the finite upper half plane is presented along with a projective action by the finite general linear group. A volume generalizing the pseudo-distance on the finite upper half plane is also given. Then this volume is used to create hypergraphs which are analyzed with respect to the Ramanujan property.
Ascending cholangitis diagnosed by percutaneous hepatic aspiration.

ASCENDING CtIOLANGITIS should be suspected in patients with intermittent spiking fever, jaundice, and pain in the right upper quadrant? This disease occurs especially in adults with cholelithiasis. 2 Except for biliary atresia, disease of the extrahepatic biliary tract is rare in infancy and childhood. However, as more aggressive measures are attempted to save patients with extrahepatic biliary atresia (i.e., the Kasai p rocedure -a Roux-en-Y portohepatojejunostomy), the incidence of ascending cholangitis has increased? Recently we have seen three children who presented with only two of the Charcot triad of symptoms, who were subsequently shown to have ascending cholangitis by culture and by histologic evaluation of hepatic tissue obtained by percutaneous liver biopsy. In none of the patients did multiple cultures of blood and urine prior to the biopsy yield an organism.
Adverse Outcomes in Alaska Natives Who Recovered From or Have Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Background & Aims The factors associated with adverse outcome from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are incompletely understood. To determine the incidence and risk factors associated with the development of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and liver-related death (LRD), we conducted a retrospective/prospective population-based study in a cohort of Alaska Native persons chronically infected with HCV from 1994 to 2005. Methods We followed 960 persons prospectively for an average of 7.2 years and retrospectively for 12.1 years with data from medical records and serum samples. We compared data from subjects that were chronically infected with those who recovered from HCV infection, stratified by alcohol use. Survival models were used to examine factors associated with ESLD and LRD in chronically infected patients. Results During prospective follow-up, 80 (8.8%) and 47 (5.2%) patients developed ESLD and LRD, respectively. In examining incidence per 100 person-years, no difference was found among heavy alcohol users in the incidence of LRD (2.28 versus 3.50; P = .34) or ESLD (3.21 versus 5.69; P = .13) in persons with chronic HCV compared with those recovered from HCV infection. In subjects that consumed P = .01) and of ESLD were 1.58 versus 0.36 ( P = .002), respectively, in subjects with chronic infection versus those that recovered. Multivariate analysis showed that older age, heavy alcohol use, and HCV genotype 3 were associated with ESLD. Conclusions A history of heavy alcohol use is associated with the highest incidence of LRD and ESLD, regardless of whether patients are chronically infected or recover from HCV infection.
Resveratrol attenuates the anticancer efficacy of paclitaxel in human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract It was reported recently that resveratrol could sensitise a number of cancer cell lines to the anticancer actions of several other cancer drugs, including paclitaxel. In the present study, we further investigated whether resveratrol could sensitise human breast cancer cells to paclitaxel-induced cell death. Unexpectedly, we found that resveratrol strongly diminished the susceptibility of MDA-MB-435s, MDA-MB-231 and SKBR-3 cells to paclitaxel-induced cell death in culture, although this effect was not observed in MCF-7 cells. Using MDA-MB-435s cells as a representative model, a similar observation was made in athymic nude mice. Mechanistically, the modulating effect of resveratrol was partially attributable to its inhibition of paclitaxel-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, together with an accumulation of cells in the S-phase. In addition, resveratrol could suppress paclitaxel-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequently the inactivation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins. These observations suggest that the strategy of concomitant use of resveratrol with paclitaxel is detrimental in certain types of human cancers. Given the widespread use of resveratrol among cancer patients, this study calls for more preclinical and clinical testing of the potential benefits and harms of using resveratrol as a dietary adjuvant in cancer patients.
Anti‐fab' antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis

High levels of anti-immunoglobulins that react with Fab' fragments of IgG have been observed in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To determine how much of these anti-Fab' antibodies are incorporated within immune complexes (IC), we added 125I-Fab' to sera and then measured the amount of labeled Fab' that could be precipitated by adding polyethylene glycol (PEG). Sera were either maintained at neutral pH during this procedure or acidified (pH 3) to dissociate IC. Acidification permitted the 125I-Fab' an equal chance to compete with other endogenous antigens for anti-Fab' antibodies, once excess hydrogen ion was removed. Quantities of anti-Fab' in sera of 20 seropositive RA patients were greater than in sera of 43 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, as measured by this assay and by a solid phase radioimmunoassay. However, significantly less anti-Fab' antibody was incorporated in ICs in the RA patients' sera. Supernatants from cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes of RA patients also contained relatively more "free" and less "hidden" anti-Fab' than culture supernatants from controls. Thus there appear to be qualitative as well as quantitative differences in the anti-Fab' antibodies synthesized by RA patients. This may reflect different proportions of IgM and IgG anti-Fab' in their sera, differences in the average avidity of these antibodies, or differences in the reciprocal relationships within the idiotypic network that result in release of antibodies by certain antibody-producing cells, but not by clones that produce complementary idiotypes.
Development of an Ischemic Stroke Survival Score

Background and Purpose—There has been substantial interest in identifying predictors of survival for stroke patients. Current instruments used for measuring stroke severity are confined to either neurological, functional, or disability measures. The purpose of this study was to develop a stroke survival score that combines instruments from different domains to better predict long-term survival. Methods—We took advantage of a particularly broad array of clinical and physiological variables collected during the Stroke Treatment with Ancrod Trial. Four hundred fifty-three patients completed a battery of instruments at day 7 after stroke and then were followed for 1 year. Results—Of the 453 patients, 53% were male, 77% were aged 65 years or older, and 89% were white. One hundred nine patients (24%) died during the study period. Age was a highly significant predictor of mortality (P<0.001), but there were no statistically significant differences in 12-month survival with respect to sex, race, or educational le...
A representation scheme for rapid 3D collision detection

A scheme is presented for the representation of objects for the rapid detection of collisions in a dynamic 3D environment, such as when a proposed path for a robot-carried object is tested for collisions with obstacles along the path. The successive spherical approximation (SSA) representation provides a representation scheme which allows rapid collision detection while still providing for the exact representation of dynamic objects. The hierarchy of representation levels is based on the subdivision of a sphere. The degree of approximation of the SSA representation decreases as the scheme traverses down the representation tree. The creation of the SSA representation is illustrated using an object database containing boundary representations. The use of the SSA hierarchical representation for rapid and exact collision detection between 3D objects and the environment is shown by considering the collision detection problem between stationary and moving objects. It is shown that there is little additional cost incurred by allowing changes in position and orientation of the objects. The contribution of the SSA representation is that it leads to a time-efficient, hybrid collision detection scheme. >
Thermal springs in Lake Baikal

Pore waters extracted from sediment cores were analyzed for their oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions and major ion chemistry to determine the source of water from a vent area for diffuse lake-bottom thermal springs or seeps in Frolikha Bay, northeastern Lake Baikal. The {delta}{sup 18}O values of pore waters range from {minus}15.2{per thousand} to {minus}16.7{per thousand}, and {delta}D values range from {minus}119{per thousand} to {minus}126{per thousand} (both isotopes determined relative to standard mean ocean water (SMOW)). Bottom water in Lake Baikal has a {delta}{sup 18}O value of {minus}5.6{per thousand} and a {delta}D values of {minus}120{per thousand}. Pore waters in the vent area are significantly enriched in Mg, K, Ca, and especially Na and have the lowest {delta}D and {delta}{sup 18}O values; these pore waters are isotopically and chemically distinct from pore waters in other, more typical parts of the lake. The pore-water isotopic data fall on a local meteoric water line, and covariations in water isotopes and chemistry are not consistent with evaporation or hydrothermal water-rock interaction. The thermal springs represent discharging meteoric waters that have been gently heated during subsurface circulation and are largely unaltered isotopically. Chemical variations are most likely due to dissolution of subsurface evaporites.
Ultrafast carrier dynamics in III-V semiconductors grown by molecular-beam epitaxy at very low substrate temperatures

Ultrashort carrier lifetimes were experimentally observed in a variety of As-based III-V crystalline semiconductor layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy over a range of very low substrate temperatures. Time-resolved optical absorption, reflection, and photoconductive switching measurements with femtosecond resolution have been used to directly measure the ultrafast carrier dynamics in these materials. GaAs and In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As grown at temperatures of 200 and 150 degrees C, respectively, exhibited subpicosecond carrier lifetimes, while lattice-mismatched In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As on GaAs displayed a 7-ps carrier lifetime in material grown at 200 degrees C. A distinct decrease in carrier lifetime with decreasing growth temperature is documented for all three material systems. For epilayers annealed at high-temperature, resistivities are high, and thus these materials were found to be ideally suited for a number of ultrafast optoelectronic applications. A number of applications are reviewed and discussed. >
Risk of esophageal variceal bleeding based on endoscopic ultrasound evaluation of the sum of esophageal variceal cross-sectional surface area.

Risk of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding Based on Endoscopic Ultrasound Evaluation of the Sum of Esophageal Variceal Cross-Sectional Surface Area
Isothermal superconducting transitions in milligauss fields

Efforts to detect singularities in the thermodynamic derivatives in the superconducting-to-normal phase transition in bulk material from calorimetric measurements were reported but no deviations from the mean-field theories of superconductivity (GL or BCS) were observed.1–3 In Cochran’s search1 for a λ-type singularity in the specific heat of tantalum and tin the smearing out of the transition due to the inherent imperfections in bulk superconductors obscured any possible singularities.
The Mediating Role of Empowerment for African American Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant societal problem associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression, which in turn can cause impairment in a variety of areas. Previous research suggests that African American women experience more frequent and severe IPV than White women, yet report fewer PTSD symptoms related to their abuse. One proposed explanation for this relationship is that African American women are more resilient due to internal coping methods such as empowerment; however, this relationship has yet to be empirically tested. The current study investigates the role of empowerment in mediating IPV-related psychological distress in a sample of African American and White battered women (N = 204). As hypothesized, personal empowerment mediated the relationships between race and PTSD and race and depression, suggesting that empowered African American women may demonstrate greater resiliency when faced with IPV. Results are discussed in terms of their implication for developing culturally-sensitive empowerment-based interventions for battered women.
Effect of Calorie Restriction on Mortality Kinetics in Inbred Strains of Mice Following 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene Treatment

Calorie restriction (CR) has long been known to increase longevity and to delay the onset and to decrease the incidence of many age-related disease processes. The mechanism(s) by which these outcomes are attained is unidentified. This experiment was designed to examine whether differences existed in the extent to which various inbred strains of mice respond to CR. This work explored whether carcinogen-treated animals could be used to facilitate this aim by decreasing the time needed to observe differences in mortality kinetics between CR mice and ad libitum (AL) fed controls. Female mice from each of eight strains (A/J, BALB/c, C3H, C57BL/6, DBA/2J, FVB/J, NMRI, and 129/J) were given a single oral dose (65 mg/kg) of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and subsequently fed AL or calorically restricted. Following carcinogen treatment, the spectrum of lesions observed demonstrated genotypic variability, thereby complicating comparison among the inbred strains examined. However, in terms of the magnitude of alteration in mortality kinetics observed, a statistical analysis revealed that differences exist among the various strains of mice in their response.
A Model for the Microwave Emissivity of the Ocean's Surface as a Function of Wind Speed

A quantitative model is presented, which describes the ocean surface as an ensemble of flat facets with a normal distribution of slopes. The variance of the slope distribution is linearly related to frequency up to 35 GHz and constant at higher frequencies. These facets are partially covered with an absorbing nonpolarized foam layer. Experimental evidence is presented for this model.
I-WARP: Individual Water mAin Renewal Planner

Abstract. I-WARP is based upon a nonhomogeneous Poisson approach to model breakage rates in individual water mains. The structural deterioration of water mains and their subsequent failure are affected by many factors, both static (e.g., pipe material, pipe size, age (vintage), soil type) and dynamic (e.g., climate, cathodic protection, pressure zone changes). I-WARP allows for the consideration of both static and dynamic factors in the statistical analysis of historical breakage patterns. This paper describes the mathematical approach and demonstrates its application with the help of a case study. The research project within which I-WARP was developed, was jointly funded by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), and the Water Research foundation (formerly known as the American Water Works Association Research Foundation – AwwaRF) and supported by water utilities from USA and Canada.
Implementation of a test generation algorithm for hardware fault diagnosis in asynchronous sequential circuits

The implementation of an algorithm to build test sequences to diagnose stuck-at type faults and bridge-faults in asynchronous sequential circuits is presented in this paper. Every path of signal flow (including the feedback wires) is enumerated in the circuit. An algebraic expansion method is used to sensitize each enumerated path in order to send the binary signals along the path, unimpeded at any gate, to the primary output of the path. A present sequence is built to fix the feedback wires in each path at the values required to sensitize the path. The algorithm will yield test sequences to detect and locate all the multiple stuck-at type faults and bridge-faults. The algorithm is implemented by storing the circuit description in a data structure. All the paths are enumerated using the information in the data structure and the test sequences are built by sensitizing the enumerated paths. Fault dictionary for the circuit is built from single fault ranges of the test sequences.
First-pass contrast bolus hemodynamics contain information on right ventricular function, remodeling, and lung resistance in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients

Background In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), increased vascular resistance causes functional and structural changes in the right ventricle (RV), ultimately leading to right heart failure and death. Predictors of patient survival include RV cardiac index (RVCI) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). First-pass contrast bolus hemodynamics, such as cardiopulmonary transit time (PTT), full-width-half-maximum (FWHM), and time-to-peak, have been associated with left ventricular (LV) function; however, their relation to RV function and pulmonary hemodynamics as well as their significance in PAH have not been investigated.
Use of Prepositioned Grid Electrofishers for the Collection of Robust Redhorse Broodstock

Abstract We investigated the potential of prepositioned grid electrofishers as a means of collecting broodstock for the rare robust redhorse Moxostoma robustum. We found that combined with visual observation, this technique allowed for the efficient capture of fish in breeding condition. We were able to harvest eggs in the field and bring only fertilized eggs into the hatchery. There was no need to induce spawning hormonally. Although their use is limited by water depth and clarity, prepositioned grid electrofishers used in conjunction with visual observation warrants further consideration as an effective tool for the collection of reproductively active broodstock for conservation purposes.
Surface orientation from a projected grid

Two simple methods are given for obtaining the surface shape using a projected grid. After the camera is calibrated to the 3-D workspace, the only input date needed for the computation of surface normals are grid intersect points in a single 2-D image. The first method performs nonlinear computations based on the distortion of the lengths of the grid edges and does not require a full calibration matrix. The second method requires that a full parallel projection model of the imaging is available, which enables it to compute 3-D normals using simple linear computations. The linear method performed better overall in the experiments, but both methods produced normals within 4-8 degrees of known 3-D directions. These methods appear to be superior to methods based on shape-from-shading because the results are comparable, yet the equipment setup is simpler and the processing is not very sensitive to object reflectance. >
IT offshoring in the professional media (1999-2003): a social representations analysis

The offshore outsourcing of information technology services has been called an 'irreversible megatrend.' Management decisions regarding IT offshoring have major impacts on companies, their IT departments and IT professionals. The dislocation of IT jobs to countries such as India and China has also become a concern as offshore outsourcing continues to ramp up. Management decision-making concerning IT offshoring takes place within a complex and dynamic landscape of issues and options. Organizational actions related to IT offshoring are influenced by the cognitions, or mental models, of the managers making these decisions. The purpose of the research-in-progress study described in this paper is to examine one of the factors expected to influence how senior IT managers (CIOs, CTO's, VPs of IT, etc.) make sense of and assign meaning to IT offshore outsourcing: the IT professional media. Social representations theory will be used to identify and compare 'common sense knowledge' and discourse represented in five periodicals from the IT professional press with high readerships of senior IT managers. The paper presents an overview of social representations theory. Social representations are defined as the shared images and concepts through which we organize our world. The processes of objectification and anchoring in the formation of social representations are described, as well as the structural view of social representations including central core and peripheral elements. The research method for the study is content analysis and correspondence analysis to identify the social representations of IT offshore outsourcing in the professional media for each year from 1999-2003.
Some formulas for the smallest number of generators for finite direct sums of matrix algebras

We obtain an asymptotic upper bound for the smallest number of generators for a finite direct sum of matrix algebras with entries in a finite field. This produces an upper bound for a similar quantity for integer matrix rings. We also obtain an exact formula for the smallest number of generators for a finite direct sum of 2-by-2 matrix algebras with entries in a finite field and as a consequence obtain a formula for a similar quantity for a finite direct sum of 2-by-2 integer matrix rings. We remark that a generating set the ring L k=1 Mni (Z) ni may be used as a generating set of any matrix algebra L k=1 Mni (R) ni where R is an associative ring with a two-sided 1.
Representation and recovery of road geometry in YARF

YARF, like several other road following systems, models the road as features which form concentric circular arcs lying in a flat ground plane. Two approximations are made in order to use a linear estimation technique to determine the spine parameters. The paper demonstrates that errors due to these approximations are reduced substantially by estimating the spine parameters in a data-dependent coordinate system rather than in a vehicle-centered coordinate system. It discusses the problem of estimating the spine parameters in the presence of outlying data. Using standard least squares estimation can result in the vehicle drifting off the road due to errors in the parameter estimates caused by such contaminants in the data. The use of least median squares estimation to overcome these problems is discussed. >
Design and modeling of 4-bit slow-wave MEMS phase shifters

A true-time-delay multibit microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) phase-shifter topology based on impedance-matched slow-wave coplanar-waveguide sections on a 500-mum-thick quartz substrate is presented. A semilumped model for the unit cell is derived and its equivalent-circuit parameters are extracted from measurement and electromagnetic simulation data. This unit cell model can be cascaded to accurately predict N-section phase-shifter performance. Experimental data for a 4.6-mm-long 4-bit device shows a maximum phase error of 5.5deg and S11 less than -21 dB from 1 to 50 GHz with worst case S21 less than -1.2 dB. In a second design, the slow-wave phase shifter was additionally loaded with MEMS capacitors to result in a phase shift of 257deg/dB at 50 GHz, while keeping S11 below -19 dB (with S21<-1.9 dB). The beams are actuated using high-resistance SiCr bias lines with typical actuation voltage around 30-45 V
CYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF 5'-NUCLEOTIDASE IN SUBCELLULAR FRACTIONS ISOLATED FROM RAT LIVER : I. The Origin of 5'-Nucleotidase Activity in Microsomes

A procedure has been developed for the cytochemical localization of 5'-nucleotidase in isolated, unfixed, rat liver microsomes. Membranes were incubated with adenosine 5'-phosphate (5'-AMP) and Pb(NO3)2 and then isolated on sucrose density gradients: all the phosphate released was recovered with the membranes by this procedure. Adenosine 2'-phosphate (2'-AMP) and adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic phosphate (3',5'-AMP) were shown to be competitive inhibitors, but not substrates, for purified 5'-nucleotidase and were employed to determine the specificity of the cytochemical reaction. It was found that the incubation conditions for the cytochemical assay did not affect the specificity of 5'-nucleotidase. Microsomes incubated as controls with Pb2+, or Pb2+ and 2'-AMP or 3',5'-AMP were of the same density, although slightly denser than microsomes incubated without Pb2+, and were unassociated with lead precipitate when examined by electron microscopy; microsomes incubated with Pb2+ and 5'-AMP were much denser and were stained heterogeneously with lead phosphate when examined by electron microscopy. Precipitates formed artificially from Pb2+ and inorganic phosphate did not resemble the reaction product. Microsomes were, therefore, separated on sucrose gradients and the subfractions were examined cytochemically. Lead precipitates were associated with the majority of rough-surfaced vesicles, and the reaction product was distributed heterogeneously in all fractions. Vesicles which stained like the membranes of the bile canaliculi in isolated plasma membranes were observed in the lightest subfraction. The reaction product was localized on the outside surface of the microsomal membranes, and was solubilized by low concentrations of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. It is concluded that 5'-nucleotidase is present in the endoplasmic reticulum and that the microsome fraction contains, in addition, vesicles derived from the plasma membrane.
Diagnostic Consistency in Catatonic Schizophrenia

Two basic methods have been used to study consistency in diagnosing schizophrenia: 1) surveillance of diagnoses as they are routinely given within a community and 2) comparison of judgments of a limited number of experts observing selected patients. An example of the surveillance approach is the study conducted by Babigian et al. (1965), who found that 70 percent of patients first diagnosed as schizophrenic in the Monroe County Psychiatric Case Register were again diagnosed as schizophrenic in their subsequent Register contacts. An example of the selective comparison approach is the study of Beck (1962). In that study, four psychiatrists agreed in 53 percent of their diagnoses on a group of outpatients with possible or definite schizophrenia. But neither these nor other recent studies of diagnostic consistency (Ash 1949, Cooper 1967, Hordern et al. 1968, Kaelblingand Volpe 1963, Kendell et al. 1971, Sandifer et al. 1968, and Schmidt and Fonda 1956) have focused primarily on diagnostic consistency for a particular type of schizophrenia . The investigators in the present study have surveyed an aspect of current diagnostic practice as part of an earlier investigation (Guggenheim and Babigian 1974) into the epidemiology and outcome of patients diagnosed as having catatonic schizophrenia. It was demonstrated in those studies that, in comparison to patients with other types of schizophrenia , patients consistently diagnosed as having catatonic schizophrenia are significantly more often females than males and come from a lower socioeconomic class. Moreover, those consistently diagnosed as having catatonic schizophrenia have longer episodes than those inconsistently diagnosed as having catatonic schizophrenia. This study was designed to investigate the consistency of diagnoses applied to 572 patients who obtained treatment in Monroe County, N.Y. All had multiple diagnostic contacts and had been considered by at least one psychiatrist to have catatonic schizophrenia.
THE EFFECTS OF ALTERING EXTRACELLULAR POTASSIUM ION CONCENTRATION ON THE MEMBRANE POTENTIAL AND CIRCADIAN CLOCK OF PARAMECIUM BURSARIA

In some neural models of circadian rhythmicity, membrane potential and transmembrane flux of potassium and calcium ions appear to play important roles in the entrainment and central mechanisms of the biological clock. We wondered whether these cellular variables might be generally involved in circadian clocks, even non-neural clocks. Therefore, we tested the impact of changing extracellular potassium level on the circadian rhythm of photoaccumulation of Paramecium cells, whose membrane potential responds to changes of extracellular potassium in a manner similar to that of neurones. We found that pulse or step changes of extracellular potassium concentration did not phase-shift the circadian clock of P. bursaria cells in a phase-specific manner. Furthermore, modifying the extracellular concentration of calcium did not affect the magnitude of light-induced phase resetting. Therefore, while membrane potential and calcium fluxes may be crucial components of the circadian clock system in some organisms, especially in neural systems that involve intercellular communication, the P. bursaria data indicate that membrane potential changes are not necessarily an intrinsic component of circadian organization at the cellular level.
Development of Syndrome Severity Scores for Pediatric Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: A severity rating for each of the pediatric epilepsy syndromes can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of seizure condition severity. We describe the development of the Epilepsy Syndrome Severity Scores–Child (ESSS–C). Methods: The Delphi Technique was used to establish severity scores for pediatric epileptic syndromes as defined by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Pediatric neurologists with expertise in epilepsy were asked to rate the severity of each syndrome on a scale of 1 to 10, considering: (a) response to medical treatment, (b) seizure severity, and (c) long-term prognosis. Syndrome severity ratings took place in four different rounds. Experts provided initial scores in rounds 1 and 2. Results: Of the 18 experts who agreed to participate in the development of the scale, 12 completed all four rounds. The median served as the syndrome severity score if the mean and median agreed within 0.5. Otherwise, whichever of these two numbers was closest to the mode was selected. Syndromes that were rated with high severity scores (9 or 10) or low severity scores (1 or 2) had unanimous or near unanimous ratings. The syndromes with scores in the middle range (4 to 8) had a wider range of ratings. Conclusions: If further studies provide empirical support for the validity of these epileptic syndrome severity scores, then the ESSS-C has potential for use both clinically and in future research in the prediction of outcomes of treatments.
DEFINING OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE PROJECT SUCCESS

Information systems success is one of the most widely used dependent variables in information systems research. In this paper, we identify a range of measures that can be used to assess the success of open source software (OSS) projects. We identify measures based on a review of the literature, a consideration of the OSS development process and an analysis of the opinions of OSS developers. For each measure, we provide examples of how they might be used in a study of OSS development.
TNF-α modulates expression of the tissue transglutaminase gene in liver cells

One of several postulated roles for tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is the stabilization and assembly of extracellular matrix via peptide cross-linking. We previously determined that tTG activity inc...
Designing health insurance information for the Medicare beneficiary: a policy synthesis

Can Medicare beneficiaries make rational and informed decisions about their coverage under the Medicare program? Recent policy developments in the Medicare program have been based on the theory of competition in medical care. One of the key assumptions of the competitive model is the free flow of adequate information, enabling the consumer to make an informed choice from among the various sellers of a particular product. Options for Medicare beneficiaries in supplementing their basic Medicare coverage include the purchase of private supplementary insurance policies or enrollment in a Medicare HMO. These consumers, in a complex health insurance market, have only limited information available to them because many health plans do not make adequate comparable product information available. Moreover, since the introduction of the Medicare HMO option, the long-range plan for management of the Medicare budget has become based on the large-scale voluntary enrollment of beneficiaries into capitated health plans. The policy instrument that has been used to improve beneficiary decisions on how to supplement Medicare coverage is the informational or educational program. This synthesis presents findings regarding the relative effectiveness of different types of health insurance information programs for the Medicare beneficiary in an effort to promote practical use of the most effective types of information.
One-Photon Plasmon Luminescence and Its Application to Correlation Spectroscopy as a Probe for Rotational and Translational Dynamics of Gold Nanorods

A strong intrinsic signal is advantageous over labeling for optical detection of nanoparticles. Intense scattering and absorption by the surface plasmon resonance, which exceeds molecular cross sections, provides a direct method for visualizing noble metal nanoparticles. While two-photon luminescence in gold nanoparticles yields a strong signal, one-photon luminescence is generally regarded to be much weaker and has seldom been employed for optical nanoparticle detection. In this article we investigated one-photon luminescence of gold nanospheres and nanorods using single particle spectroscopy with excitation at 514 and 633 nm. We characterized the polarization dependence, determined the quantum yield, and present a mechanism describing one-photon luminescence. Our results suggest fast interconversion between surface plasmons and hot electron–hole pairs and show that the luminescence occurs via emission by a surface plasmon. Using the information obtained from the single particle studies, we were able to ...
VOC Fate Model Verification at Multiple Pulp Mill Wastewater Treatment Sites

A model of organic compound removal by biological wastewater treatment processes receiving pulp and paper industry wastewaters has been developed and initial model verification performed at a single mill site. This paper presents the results of further model verification conducted at multiple mill sites, including replication of the original site. In addition, VOC losses at other unit processes are quantified. Activated sludge basin chloroform volatilization rates are predicted to within twelve percent of the measured rates. Predicted overall methanol removals are consistent with observed removals although difficulties encountered during off-gas sampling preclude determination of the extent of removal due to volatilization.
Production of N1-Acetyl Spermidine by Renal Cell Tumors

Abstract In the RPMI mouse renal cell tumor, N 1 -acetylspermidine (N 1 AS) was found to be a constant and major component (18 to 25%) of the polyamine pool Early i.m. growth induced urinary N 1 AS excretions up to tenfold normal, equivalent to a daily turnover of the entire tumor polyamine pool INPAS excretion was correspondingly lower during more limited s.c. tumor growth. In nine other mouse tumors, N 1 AS pools were low or negligible, and correspondingly urinary N 1 AS or N 8 AS increased only in advanced growth, and less significantly. Urinary N 1 AS was elevated likewise in immature untumored mice. Thus, the enriched INPAS pool of the renal cell tumor was separately distinguishable as a direct source of elevation of urinary INPAS. INPAS was selectively abolished from the renal cell tumor by prolonged BCNU treatment, but was not rapidly depleted by the polyamine inhibitor DFMO. In cell culture, the RPMI renal cell tumor contained unusually high uninduced levels of sperm(id)ine N 1 -acetyltransferase, a potential source of INPAS. N 1 AS pools were also significantly elevated in human renal cell tumors.
Abstract 1815: High Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factor Clustering and Suboptimal Treatment among Poor Urban Diabetics

Patients with diabetes often have multiple comorbid cardiovascular (CV) risk factors that interact synergistically to accelerate CV pathogenesis and dramatically increase risk for CV events. The purpose of this analysis was to examine CV risk factor clustering and quality of CV risk factor management among diabetics. Data were collected during baseline evaluation for a randomized trial of multiple risk factor intervention to reduce total CV risk in urban community clinics. CV risk factors were measured directly using standardized procedures. Sociodemographic characteristics, current medications, and medication adherence were obtained via self-report questionnaire. The sample of primary care, diabetic patients (n=138) was 74% female, 89% Black with mean age 55 ± 11 years, 68% had at least high school education, and 60% had annual household income 2 for 73%. BP was uncontrolled (≥130/80 mmHg) for 69%. Of those with uncontrolled BP, 19% were not on antihypertensive medications. LDL was ≥ 100 mg/dl for 58%. Of those with LDL ≥ 100 mg/dl, 57% were not on lipid lowering meds. In addition to diabetes, 42% had at least 2 other CV risk factors. More than one CV risk factor (HgA1C ≥ 7, BP ≥130/80 mmHg, LDL ≥100 mg/dl) was uncontrolled for 22%. Exploratory logistic regression models identified the following significant predictors of risk factor control: HgA1C
[The Clinical Features of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks--Based on Our Experiences]

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which usually occurs idiopathically or traumatically as a rare situation, is a rare disease that causes orthostatic headache or idiopathic chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). We report our therapeutic experience of consecutive 20 cases for this disease, and review the current status and problems. Consecutive 20 patients (11 women; age 44.7±12.1 years) between April, 2006 and March, 2014, who were diagnosed by MRI and/or CT myelography (CTM), were evaluated retrospectively about clinical features. The main symptoms were as follows: orthostatic headache only; 10 cases, orthostatic headache with CSDH; 6, and none-orthostatic headache accompanied with CSDH; 4. As a treatment, direct surgeries were performed in 2 cases. Epidural blood patch (EBP) was applied in 14 cases (direct surgery was performed finally in the early one case), and widespread EBP with a single lumbar entry point utilizing an intravenous catheter was performed especially in the latest 9 cases. Another 5 cases were treated simply with the administration of a drip infusion regardless of the drainage for CSDH. Of 10 cases suffering from headache only, the headache disappeared completely or it was relieved in 9 cases. Of 10 cases accompanied with CSDH, recurrence of hematoma was prevented in all cases with a drip infusion after the drainage in one case and EBP after the drainage in another 9 cases. It was certified that we could diagnose CSF leak correctly with MRI and/or CTM and control this disorder almost completely with widespread EBP utilizing an intravenous catheter.
The Political Context — Taking Sides?

I have been focusing on Hobbes’s relationship to royalism and on his personal political beliefs. I will continue to place Hobbes in his historical context, but now looking at what he actually says, rather than speculating about what he might have thought, in the context of the other political thinkers and theorists who were writing at the time. I shall examine the positions taken on four important political principles or concepts that were highly contested during this period, namely: sovereignty, law, equality and rights. What will become evident is that on at least two out of the four, Hobbes takes up positions closer to the parliamentarians than to the royalists.
Comparison of the polymorphs of VOPO4 as multi-electron cathodes for rechargeable alkali-ion batteries

Multi-electron polyanion cathodes offer the potential for achieving both high voltage and high capacity in rechargeable alkali-ion batteries. Among the few materials known to exhibit multi-electron cycling, the polymorphs of VOPO4, which operate on the V3+–V4+–V5+ redox couples, are particularly promising due to the high gravimetric capacities that have been achieved and the high voltage of the V4+/5+ couple. In this work, we performed a systematic first principles investigation, supported by careful electrochemical characterization and published experimental data, of the relative thermodynamic stability, voltage, band gap, and diffusion kinetics for alkali intercalation into the β, e and αI polymorphs of VOPO4. We find that all VOPO4 polymorphs remain reasonably stable with the insertion of one alkali ion per V, but are significantly destabilized with the insertion of two alkali ions per V. The voltages for Na insertion are ∼0.33–0.69 V lower than those for Li insertion. We find that the αI polymorph is predicted to have higher Li+ migration barriers and larger band gaps than the β and e polymorphs, which account for the relatively worse electrochemical cycling performance observed. On the other hand, only the αI polymorph exhibits reasonably low barriers for Na+ migration compared to the β and e polymorphs, which are consistent with observed electrochemical performances reported thus far in the literature. We also show that differences in the voltage, kinetics and rate capability of these different polymorphs for Li and Na insertion can be traced back to their fundamentally different VO6/VO5–PO4 frameworks.
Effects of Key Travel Distances on Biomechanical Exposures and Typing Performance During UltraLow Key Travel Keyboards

This study investigated how differently ultra-low key travel (< 2.0 mm) keyboards affect typing force, muscle activity, and typing productivity as compared to a conventional keyboard. In a repeated...
Numerical evaluation of RF-induced heating for gap and pitch variation of helical stent under MRI

In this study the helical stent is evaluated of the radio frequency (RF)-induced heating for the variation of gap and pitch under 1.5 T and 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is shown that the gap increment can reduce the peak 1 g averaged SAR and the pitch variation can also alter the heating. The detailed discussions are presented.
Evidence based and intensity specific services in the integrated care setting: Ethical considerations for a developing field.

The brief nature of service delivery in the integrated care (IC) setting raises concerns in regard to American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines based on traditional mental health service delivery. Interventions in the IC setting, at the moment, lack empirical support when compared to those