cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Racial and ethnic health disparities are a national health issue. They are well described in other chronic diseases, but in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), research into their causes, outcomes, and elimination is in its early stages. Health disparities occur in a complex milieu, with system-level, provider-level, and individual-level factors playing roles. Dissecting the overlapping aspects of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic variables, and how their individual components combine to explain the magnitude of disparities in RA can be challenging. Recent research has focused on the extent to which treatment preferences, adherence, trust in physicians, patient-physician communication, health literacy, and depression have contributed to observed disparities in RA. Practicing evidence-based medicine, improving patient-physician communication skills, reducing language and literacy barriers, improving adherence to therapies, raising awareness of racial/ethnic disparities, and recognizing comorbidities such as depression are steps clinicians may take to help eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in RA.
An In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As/n/sup +/-In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As heterostructure field-effect transistor with an In-enriched channel

In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As/n/sup +/-In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As HFETs have been fabricated with InAs fractions between 0.53 and 0.7 in the channel. These HFETs, also called MIDFETs (metal-insulator doped-channel FETs), have a doped channel and an undoped wide-bandgap insulator. The enhancement of InAs in the channel results in a marked improvement in transconductance and peak drain current. Devices with L/sub g/=1 mu m and x=0.7 display an unprecedented I/sub d/ of 656 mA/mm and g/sub m/ of 296 mS/mm. As x is increased, however, there is an increase in the gate current, a dramatic decrease in the breakdown voltage, and a degradation of pinch-off. Leakage at the gate-mesa edge overlap is found to be partially responsible for these effects. To achieve the substantial gains in transport that higher InAs fractions offer, better isolation technology is required. >
Response of Class IV patients to alpha blockade prior to open-heart surgery.

Abstract Seven bedridden functional Class IV patients were given phenoxybenzamine intravenously (1 mg. per kilogram) over a 90 minute period prior to anesthesia for intracardiac surgery and valve replacement. Their mean central venous pressure fell maximally by 72 mm. H 2 O. Mean maximum fall in systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure was 20 and 13 mm. Hg, respectively. Volume was required in five patients to maintain the central venous pressure and blood pressure. The central venous oxygen saturation rose by 25.9 per cent. The A-V oxygen difference narrowed by 40.2 per cent. The cardiac output and cardiac index rose 43.3 and 36.8 per cent, respectively, when measured in the last three consecutive patients. High flow rates were achieved in perfusing the dilated vascular bed. Pump weaning required volume and inotropic drugs. Postoperative peripheral vasoconstriction was absent, volume loading was well tolerated, urinary output was large, and inotropic drugs were effective. The central venous pressure, blood pressure, and pH were stable. All patients survived in this anticipated high mortality group with one late death. The low cardiac output syndrome did not occur. Alpha blockade may be a significant adjunct in the preoperative preparation of the functional Class IV patient prior to open-heart surgery and valve replacement.
Benefit of a Single Dose of Preoperative Antibiotic on Surgical Site Infection in Varicose Vein Surgery

Background Ligation and division of the saphenofemoral junction (L/D SFJ) can protect against the danger of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with greater saphenous vein (GSV) radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Although this procedure is regarded as clean from an infection standpoint, surgical site infection (SSI) can offset its thromboembolic benefit. We questioned whether SSI associated with L/D SFJ could be minimized by a single preoperative dose of antibiotic. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed on 902 ambulatory surgery patients who underwent 953 consecutive RFAs of the GSV in combination with L/D SFJ. A single dose of preoperative antibiotic was administered 1 hour before incision to some patients (n = 449 extremities), with all other patients receiving no antibiotic (n = 504). Primary outcome measure was SSI categorized based on type of therapy required (1: oral antibiotic, 2: hospitalization for intravenous antibiotic and/or wound debridement), with a secondary outcome measure of VTE. Results VTE occurred in 10 patients (1%) and included three pulmonary emboli. The majority of VTE were calf deep vein thromboses (n = 7). SSI developed in 78 patients (8.2%) with groin, thigh, and calf distributions of 47%, 8%, and 45%, respectively. All category 2 infections (n = 8, 10%) occurred in control subjects, and the majority were located in the groin. Body mass index significantly increased risk for both overall (odds ratio [OR]: 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.14, P Conclusions L/D SFJ combined with RFA of the GSV, when treated as a clean procedure and not prophylaxed with antibiotic, carries a significant risk of SSI. While diabetes and high body mass index are patient-associated SSI risk factors, a single dose of preoperative antibiotic significantly reduces the rate of all infection, eliminates the danger of serious infection, and is associated with minimal VTE.
The Influence of Perceived Product Risk on Consumers’ e-Tailer Shopping Preference

Increasingly, retailers are combining Internet and store based operations to become “multi-channel” as they attempt to attract and retain customers. This study investigates how the type and level of perceived product risk (specifically economic and psychosocial risk) influence patronage preference for shopping from three types of e-tailers. The e-tailer formats studied are: pure play e-tailers (e.g., Overstock.com), value-oriented store based e-tailers (e.g., Wal-Mart.com), and prestigious store based e-tailers (e.g., Bloomingdales.com). The hypotheses, based upon prior research in the area of perceived product risk, show that type and level of risk do matter. Further, e-tailers linked with prestigious stores have an advantage over both other e-tailer types. Results also show an interaction between perceived product risk and the e-tail format. Based on samples from the Northeast and Southeast USA, the results are found to be similar in these diverse regions, improving the generalizability of the findings.
A Generic affine Virasoro action

A Weyl, diffeomorphism, and (rigidly) conformal invariant affine-Virasoro action is obtained for the generic high-k smooth affine-Virasoro construction, including the new unitary irrational constructions on affine compact g. The action of the generic theory L is gauged by its commuting K-conjugate theory L, which gives new representations of DiffS2 on group manifolds and new embeddings of DiffS2 in (classical) affine G × G. Chiral copies of (classical) affine g reside in a special gauge. We also begin construction of the gauge-invariant observables of the generic theory.
Familial history of metabolic disorders and the multiple metabolic syndrome: the NHLBI family heart study.

A case-control study was conducted to investigate the association between family history of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes and the co-occurrence of metabolic disorders associated with the multiple metabolic syndrome (MMS). Included were 1,448 African and European American men and women aged 48–71 who participated in both the third cohort examination of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, 1992–1994, and phase I of the Family Heart Study 1993–1995. The joint occurrence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes or impaired fasting glucose in an individual determined his/her status of “affected” (MMS: n = 97), while the absence of these three metabolic disorders determined his/her status of “unaffected” (Control: n = 527). First-degree relatives provided the information to calculate family risk scores (FRSs) for the phenotypes under study: obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Although the majority of cases were obese (76.3%), family history of obesity was associated only weakly with the MMS, while family history of diabetes, or hypertension was associated significantly with the MMS (controlling for age, race, gender, and sampling group). Obesity of cases and controls modified the strength of these associations-odds ratios were 2.5(95% CI:1.1–6.1) and 2.9(95% CI:1.2–7.0) for the diabetes and hypertension FRSs in the non-obese, while in obese individuals the respective odds ratios were 1.6(95% CI:0.9–2.8) and 1.7(95% CI:0.9–3.1). These results may imply that obesity, whether familial or environmental in nature, is associated with the development of the MMS, while in non-obese individuals a family history of diabetes, hypertension, or obesity is a marker of genetic predisposition to components of the MMS. Genet. Epidemiol. 19:395–409, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Development and evaluation of male-only strains of the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina

The Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) is a major pest of sheep in Australia and New Zealand. From the 1960s to the 1980s there was a major effort to develop "field female killing" or FFK strains of L. cuprina that could be used for a cost-effective genetic control program. The FFK strains carried eye color mutations that were lethal to females in the field but not under conditions in the mass rearing facility. Males did not die in the field as normal copies of the eye color genes had been translocated to the Y chromosome and an autosome. Although the FFK strains showed some promise in field tests, a genetic control program in mainland Australia was never implemented for several reasons including instability of the FFK strains during mass rearing. A stable transgenic strain of L. cuprina that carried one or more dominant repressible female lethal genes offered the potential for efficient genetic control of blowfly populations. Here I review our research on tetracycline-repressible female lethal genetic systems, Lucilia germ-line transformation and sex determination genes that ultimately led to the successful development of transgenic "male-only" strains of L. cuprina. The technology developed for L. cuprina should be directly transferable to other blowfly livestock pests including L. sericata and the New World and Old World screwworm. 29
Reduction of hypoxia-induced angiogenesis in ovarian cancer cells by inhibition of HIF-1 alpha gene expression.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of silencing HIF-1 alpha gene expression with specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) on VEGF production and angiogenesis in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. Two EOC cell lines, MDAH-2774 and SKOV-3, were cultured under normoxic (20% O2) and hypoxic (2% O2) conditions using standard techniques. After EOC cells were transfected with siRNA, HIF-1 alpha and VEGF mRNA levels were measured by real-time RT–PCR. Angiogenesis was evaluated utilizing an in vitro assay model consisting of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and polymerized ECM Matrix. Both EOC cell lines evaluated constitutively expressed HIF-1 alpha and VEGF mRNA. HIF-1 alpha and VEGF mRNA levels were significantly increased in response to hypoxia (P < 0.05). Under hypoxic conditions, inhibition of HIF-1 alpha gene expression by a specific siRNA resulted in a significant reduction in HIF-1 alpha and VEGF mRNA levels (P < 0.05). In the in vitro angiogenesis model, supernatant from the hypoxic EOC cells induced the HUVEC to form a complex tubular network, a hallmark of angiogenesis. Semi-quantitative analysis of the angiogenesis assay revealed a significant reduction in tube formation when supernatant from HIF-1 alpha siRNA-treated hypoxic EOC cell was used (P < 0.05). Inhibition of HIF-1 alpha expression by specific siRNA resulted in a significant decrease in VEGF production and angiogenesis. Further investigation of HIF-1 alpha inhibition for anti-tumor activity is warranted and may potentially prove HIF-1 alpha as a therapeutic target in the management ovarian cancer.
The transfer of interitem associations in serial learning

Ninety Ss were assigned randomly to learn one of three serial lists followed by the same paired-associated (PA) list. Twenty-seven additional Ss learned the PA list only. The pairs were composed of adjacent items in the first serial list, of nonadjacent items in the second, and of items irrelevant to the third serial list. The PA performance of Ss who learned the first serial list was superior to those who learned either the second or the third list and to those who did not receive any serial learning. All serial learning was effected by the varied starting position method (VSP). Results indicate that interitem associations were formed under VSP and positively transferred to PA learning. The failure of such transfer under the constant starting position method (CSP) is attributed to the masking effects of multiple chaining and serial position cues, both of which are stronger under CSP than under VSP.
How the American Society for Virology was Founded

The American Society for Virology, the very first such Society to be formed anywhere, was founded at a meeting of some 40 virologists at Chicago O'Hare International airport on June 9, 1981. They met after a decade and a half of intense discussion that originated at the 9th International Congress of Microbiology in Moscow in 1966 when a small group of virologists requested the International Association of Microbiological Societies to form a Virology Section within IAMS, and this request was rejected. Virologists therefore held their own First International Congress of Virology in Helsinki in 1968 which was very successful and generated intense informal discussion among leading virologists in this country as to the desirability of founding an American society for virologists. Proposals were circulated and discussed which resulted in the informal Chicago meeting that created the mechanism for founding the ASV and organizing its 1st Annual Meeting at Cornell in Ithaca in August 1982.
Constructing Homomorphism Spaces and Endomorphism Rings

We present a new deterministic algorithm for constructing homomorphism spaces and endomorphism rings of finite-dimensional modules. The modules are given via vertex projective presentations over path algebras and finite-dimensional quotients of path algebras. We use the theory of right Grobner bases to encode modules and to construct appropriate systems of equations for computing homomorphism spaces and endomorphism rings. The algorithm is implemented in the computer algebra system GAP and is included in Hopf, a computational package for noncommutative algebra. The performance of our implementation for computing endomorphism rings is experimentally compared with the implementation in Magma for the same class of modules. These experiments show that our implementation has a better time complexity.
A Simple Nested Simulation for SED-ML

simulation element (and other future simulation types), it will be arguably harder for the community to implement this standard. Currently available simulation tools do not have this functionality. Moreover, a custom implementation will be necessary for each simulation experiment encoded this way. Here, an alternative will be presented that will allow for the same functionality as the current proposal and, perhaps even more important, make it easy for developers to implement. It will also allow for the community to implement novel simulation experiments.
Super-resolution reconstruction of diffusion-weighted images from distortion compensated orthogonal anisotropic acquisitions

Increasing the spatial resolution in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is challenging with a single-shot EPI acquisition because of the decreased SNR and T2* relaxation. Recently, acquisition of orthogonal anisotropic acquisitions and super-resolution reconstruction (SRR) of the underlying high-resolution image has been proposed to achieve higher resolution. Promising results have been shown with simulations. However, practical evidence that SRR enables resolution enhancement remains unclear. Particularly, real DWI scans acquired in orthogonal directions are subject to very different distortion. This makes the precise alignment of the images impossible and strongly perturbs the reconstruction. In this work we propose to combine distortion compensation and SRR. Distortion compensation is achieved by acquisition of a dual echo field map, providing an estimate of the field inhomogeneity. The SRR is formulated as a maximum a posteriori problem and relies on a realistic image generation model. We evaluate our approach with real anisotropic acquisitions. Importantly, we demonstrate that combining distortion compensation and SRR provides better results than acquisition of a single isotropic scan for the same acquisition duration time. The SRR provides more detailed structures and better tractography results. This work provides the first evidence that SRR, which employs conventional SS-EPI techniques, may enable resolution enhancement in DWI, and may dramatically impact the way to achieve DW imaging in both neuroscience and clinical applications.
A non-distance based clustering algorithm

The clustering problem has been widely studied since it arises in many application domains. It aims at identifying the distribution of patterns and intrinsic correlations in large data sets by partitioning the data points into similarity clusters. Traditional clustering algorithms use distance functions to measure similarity and are not suitable for high dimensional spaces. In this paper, we propose a non-distance based clustering algorithm for high dimensional spaces. Based on the maximum likelihood principle, the algorithm is to optimize parameters to maximize the likelihood between data points and the model generated by the parameters. Experimental results on both synthetic data sets and a real data set show the efficiency and effectiveness of the algorithm.
Nanostructures for photon management in solar cells

The concurrent development of high-performance materials, new device and system architectures, and nanofabrication processes has driven widespread research and development in the field of nanostructures for photon management in photovoltaics. The fundamental goals of photon management are to reduce incident light reflection, improve absorption, and tailor the optical properties of a device for use in different types of energy conversion systems. Nanostructures rely on a core set of phenomena to attain these goals, including gradation of the refractive index, coupling to waveguide modes through surface structuring, and modification of the photonic band structure of a device. In this review, we present recent developments in the field of nanostructures for photon management in solar cells with applications across different materials and system architectures. We focus both on theoretical and numerical studies and on progress in fabricating solar cells containing photonic nanostructures. We show that nanoscale light management structures have yielded real efficiency gains in many types of photovoltaic devices; however, we note that important work remains to ensure that improved optical performance does not come at the expense of poor electrical properties.
Parameters Affecting a Rapid Method In Which Sephadex Is Used to Determine the Percentage of Free Thyroxine in Serum

In this method, Sephadex is used to assess the percentage of free thyroxine in undiluted sera. We demonstrate that if temperature and amount of Sephadex are kept constant, reproducibility is excellent. When Sephadex is exposed to serum, equilibration between thyroxine and thyroxine-binding components of the system is instantaneous. Because it is so rapid, it is not possible to measure the true physiological fraction of free thyroxine in serum with any free-thyroxine-binding resin, but the method does give an accurate measure of fluctuations in percentage of free thyroxine, as indicated by the high correlation with values for percentage of free thyroxine as determined by equilibrium dialysis and by the appropriate response to additions of exogenous thyroxine and dilution of the serum.
Convergence and Contact in Milwaukee: Evidence From Select African American and White Vowel Space Features

Past sociophonetic research on African American speakers of the Inland North dialect of American English suggests that speakers in the region do not participate in vowel changes observed among Whit...
Effects of pair-bond and social context on male-female interactions in captive titi monkeys (Callicebus moloch, Primates : Cebidae)

In monogamous species, an abiding relationship between a specific adult male and a specific adult female is a defining feature of the social system. The interactions between these individuals are influenced by many factors, including not only the history of their relationship (for example, development of a mutual bond), but also the immediate eAects of the prevailing social context (for example, presence and sex of extra-pair conspecifics). In this study we examined the eAects of an existing bond and of social context on interactions between adult heterosexual pairs of the monogamous titi monkeys (Callicebus moloch). Twelve adult males and 12 adult females were tested with their cagemates and with an unfamiliar partner of the opposite sex in five social contexts: (1) mated male‐female pair; (2) unfamiliar pair; (3) single female; (4) single male; and (5) empty stimulus cage. Results show that mated pairs were more aAliative than unfamiliar pairs and diAerentiated social contexts more sharply. Males were more responsive to context than females. Distance between mates was less and physical contact was more frequent in the presence of male‐female pairs or a single male, than in the presence of a single female or an empty cage. These findings suggest that the presence and sex of strangers have a stronger influence on male‐female interactions when the pair has an existing relationship.
The Epistemological Struggles of Change Agents Changing Themselves

The field of organizational consulting develops its "knowledge " through direct encounters with naturally occurring changes characterizing organizational life, and through active attempts to produce transformation. The field itself thus is subjected to enormous reformation as it rides the very tides of the changes it promotes. Through one lens, the discipline seems to have grown weary over the years, perhaps worn down by the magnitude of the tasks it has adopted. Through another lens, it appears to be entering a new level of maturity. Using the other articles published in this issue as data points, the author examines some epistemological implications of the field's coming of age, especially the role of self-reflection in maintaining and restoring vitality. Four categories of change delineated in the literature-morphogenesis, morphostasis, development, and adaptation-are applied to the ways some of the authors in this issue wrestle with creating the field `s "knowledge. " Assumptions about certain time-ho...
Health Assessment at Local Level with Unknown Input Excitation

A finite-element-based procedure is proposed to identify defects in existing structures and evaluate their extent at the local element level for the purpose of health assessment. The procedure is a time-domain system identification technique where input excitation is not required to identify a structure. It estimates the dynamic properties of a structure in terms of stiffness and damping at the element level in a finite-element representation. The method can be used to precisely locate a defective spot in an element. Although input excitation information is not required, examples are used to show that the algorithm is robust enough to identify a structure excited by different types of loading. Structures can be excited simultaneously by multiple loadings, and the response information can be noise-free or noise-contaminated. Defects can be small or relatively large. In all cases, the algorithm identified the structures correctly. The error in the identification is considerably smaller than that of other available methods where input excitation information is used to identify a structure. With the help of examples, it is shown that the algorithm can potentially be used as a nondestructive evaluation technique for health assessment of existing structures with minimum disruption of operations. Since the procedure is very simple and requires only a few seconds of response information, it is expected to be very economical and efficient.
Race-Differentiated Outcomes in Multiple Special Healthcare Taxing Districts

Background Communities with locally generated special healthcare taxes have demonstrated a generally favorable association with selected population health status outcomes. Purpose This research attempted to determine if that positive association with health outcomes is race differentiated. Methods Florida counties with multiple special taxing districts were grouped and compared against counties that had either no special healthcare taxing authority or had such authority but were inactive (did not tax). Outcomes of interest were five combined groups and eight cause-specific mortality indicators and five categories of hospitalizations from the 6-year period 2000–2005 analyzed in 2007. Standard mortality ratios and standard hospitalization ratios were calculated separately for white and black populations in four age bands. Results Compared to blacks and whites living in communities without special taxing districts, black residents of communities with such districts had larger reductions in mortality for chronic conditions such as cancers, diabetes, stroke, and pneumonia/influenza. The same holds true for hospitalizations for diabetes, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and asthma. These differences were not found in mortality due to HIV, homicide, or motor vehicle crashes. Some differences by taxing district were also age and race differentiated. Conclusions In communities with health-related taxing authorities, reductions in health disparities between whites and blacks can be demonstrated. These differences are not uniform and vary by the specific type of outcome, race, and age. These findings support the need for studies that prospectively determine whether implementing new taxing strategies may help reduce health disparities.
Use of Electronic Tools to Enhance Student Evaluation Feedback

Classroom assessment techniques (CATs) can be adapted for use with technology to create additional opportunities for students to provide input.
Ezetimibe ameliorates cholecystosteatosis.

Background Cholecystosteatosis is the accumulation of gallbladder wall fats leading to decreased gallbladder emptying. Ezetimibe inhibits intestinal fat absorption and prevents murine gallstone formation. However, the influence of ezetimibe on gallbladder emptying and cholecystosteatosis has not been studied. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that ezetimibe would improve gallbladder motility by preventing the buildup of fats in the gallbladder wall. Methods Forty lean female mice were fed either a control diet or a lithogenic diet for 6 weeks. Half of the mice on each diet received ezetimibe. At 11 weeks of age, all mice were fasted overnight and underwent gallbladder ultrasonography to determine ejection fraction. One week later, the mice were fasted and underwent cholecystectomy. Bile was examined for cholesterol crystals. The gallbladders were snap-frozen for lipid analysis. Results The lithogenic diet significantly ( P P Conclusions These data suggest that ezetimibe lowers serum cholesterol, prevents biliary crystals, and normalizes gallbladder wall fat and function. We conclude that ezetimibe ameliorates cholecystosteatosis and may be an effective agent for gallstone prevention.
Cre Reporter System To Monitor the Translocation of Type III Secreted Proteins into Host Cells

Central to the study of type III secretion systems is the availability of reporter systems to monitor bacterial protein translocation into host cells. We report here the development of a bacteriophage P1 Cre recombinase-based system to monitor the translocation of bacterial proteins into mammalian cells. Bacteriophage P1 Cre recombinase fused to the secretion and translocation signals of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium of the type III secreted protein SopE was secreted in a type III secretion system-dependent fashion. More importantly, the SopE-Cre chimera was translocated into host cells via the type III secretion system and activated the expression of luciferase and green fluorescent protein reporters of Cre recombinase activity.
Ehrlichia phagocytophila genogroup rickettsiae in ixodid ticks from California collected in 1995 and 1996.

A total of 1,246 ixodid ticks collected in 1995 and 1996 from seven California counties were examined for the presence of Ehrlichia phagocytophila genogroup rickettsiae by using a nested PCR technique. Of 1,112 adult Ixodes pacificus Cooley and Kohls ticks tested, nine pools, each containing five ticks, were positive (minimum percentage of ticks harboring detectable ehrlichiae, 0.8%). Positive ticks were limited to four of the seven counties (Sonoma, El Dorado, Santa Cruz, and Orange). In Santa Cruz County, three positive pools were identified at the home of an individual with prior confirmed human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. In El Dorado County, positive ticks were found at sites where cases of granulocytic ehrlichiosis in a horse and a llama had recently occurred. Among 47 nymphal I. pacificus ticks collected in Sonoma County, one positive pool was identified. Fifty-seven adult Dermacentor occidentalis Marx and 30 adult D. variabilis Say ticks, collected chiefly in southern California, were negative. These data, although preliminary, suggest that the prevalence of E. phagocytophila genogroup rickettsiae in ixodid ticks of California may be lower than in cognate vector populations (i.e., I. scapularis Say = I. dammini Spielman, Clifford, Piesman, and Corwin) in the eastern and midwestern United States.
Doppler-free ultraviolet excitation spectra of CΠ1 u −XΣ1g+ in Na 2 by modulated population spectroscopy

The C1Πu state of Na2 has been studied in detail by cw UV Doppler-free excitation spectra from its ground state, simplified by modulated population spectroscopy. 270 levels of e parity and 180 levels of f parity with 11 ≤ υ ≤ 35 and 8 ≤ J ≤ 70 were measured with high resolution. The observations reveal that many of the e levels with 15 ≤ υ ≤ 24 are perturbed. A likely candidate for the perturbing state is the (3)Σ1u+ state. A set of Dunham coefficients was deduced to fit the spectroscopic data after deperturbation and used to construct the Rydberg–Klein–Rees potential for the C1Πu state. In addition, Λ-type doubling of the state was observed directly.
Computed tomographic angiography for localizing the site of plaque disruption/thrombus: is detection so complex?

In the 1980s, our group published a series of articles using invasive angiography (ICA) to investigate the pathogenesis of unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction.1–5 In individuals in whom an angina-producing lesion could be assessed angiographically and the vessel was <100% occluded at the time of angiography, the qualitative morphology of these lesions was different from that of lesions associated with stable angina.1 Unstable angina was precisely defined as either the acute onset of rest pain or crescendo angina with an abrupt increase in duration and/or frequency in angina pectoris. Myocardial infarction was defined according to the terminology of the day as either subendocardial or transmural myocardial infarction. Article see p 105 Unstable angina or infarct lesions were severe (>70% diameter stenosis) and were usually eccentric with irregular borders, overhanging edges, ulcerations, and/or intra luminal filling defects. These lesions were found in more than two-thirds of the culprit vessels and were initially called type II eccentric lesions; later, they were called complex lesions.6 We proposed that these lesions represented plaque disruption and/or intracoronary thrombus formation, based on the postmortem angiographic/histological correlations of Levin and Fallon.7 These authors found that eccentric and irregular lesions on postmortem angiography in patients dying after myocardial infarction represented plaque disruption and or intracoronary thrombus formation in 79% on pathological examination. Other angiographic studies and other modalities including angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound have corroborated our initial observations in acute coronary syndromes (ACS).8,9 In patients with stable angina and a complex culprit lesion, it has also …
Second messenger systems and adaptation.

Adaptive changes represent shifts in the equilibrium state of biologic systems in reponse to long standing alterations in their surrounding environment. Adaptation encompasses a variety of cellular changes ranging from very specific responses, such as variation in the production of a single protein, to broader responses including alterations in the rate of cell growth. It is certain that the effectors for adaptive responses involve a complex and multilevel cellular network. As indicated by Figure 1, it can be anticipated that these effectors will include various ligands and their receptors, signal transduction pathways, and transcriptional and translational mechanisms. Our current understanding of each of these components is growing, and warrants a consideration of potential mechanisms whereby the signals for adaptive responses may be transmitted to their intracellular targets. Adaptation appears to be governed by two general types of transduction mechanisms. The first acts through the modulation of traditional second messenger pathways known to be directed by calcium, lipids, and cyclic nucleotides. A second type of
An RGF Delta-Gap Source for Thin-Wire EFIE

The derivation of a novel delta source based on a reduced Green's function (RGF) is presented for thin-wire scattering problems. The impressed electric field, typically represented by a delta source, is generated by a current defined at the source location. By using electrically small assumptions at the source location, the electric field integral equations (EFIEs) representing the impressed field created by the defined current can be evaluated analytically with an RGF. This impressed field is denoted here as the RGF delta source, or simply, the RGF source. The RGF source is in the range of the EFIE operator and does not contain the dipole that is present in the traditional delta source. The numerical results show the improved convergence of the new RGF source while maintaining accuracy comparable to that of existing delta source models used in other thin-wire models, such as the numerical electromagnetics code.
Signal detectors for arrays with randomly perturbed sensor locations

A general passive signal detector is proposed for hydrophone arrays in which the position of each sensor is randomly perturbed. The proposed configuration permits division of the array into arbitrary partitions with power measurement on each partition. Linear filters in the processor are optimized using the deflection criterion as the performance measure. Using the same measure, performance of the optimal filters is compared with that of more practical sub-optimal choices for a large planar array. The study confirms existence of practical processors which are superior to the standard detector in this application.
Powder diffraction of sodalite in a multiphase ceramic used to immobilize radioactive waste

The title compound, ∣Na 6 Li 1.6 K 0.4 Cl 2 ∣[Al 6 Si 6 O 24 ]‐SOD, is similar to sodalite proper, but the introduction of Li and K into the structure creates a reduction in unit-cell volume and additional collapse of the framework tetrahedra. Refinement of an X-ray powder diffraction pattern of a multiphase material yielded for sodalite a lattice parameter of 0.88427 (2) nm, an Al–O–Si bond angle of 137.9(3°), and Al–O and Si–O bond lengths of 0.1730(5) nm and 0.1620(5) nm, respectively. The angle of the unique Al–O–Si bond corresponds well with the 138° obtained by 29 Si solid-state magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This characterization is important since the compound constitutes an essential part of a radioactive waste form intended for a high-level waste repository.
Functions of FUS/TLS From DNA Repair to Stress Response: Implications for ALS

Fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS or FUS) is a multifunctional DNA-/RNA-binding protein that is involved in a variety of cellular functions including transcription, protein translation, RNA splicing, and transport. FUS was initially identified as a fusion oncoprotein, and thus, the early literature focused on the role of FUS in cancer. With the recent discoveries revealing the role of FUS in neurodegenerative diseases, namely amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration, there has been a renewed interest in elucidating the normal functions of FUS. It is not clear which, if any, endogenous functions of FUS are involved in disease pathogenesis. Here, we review what is currently known regarding the normal functions of FUS with an emphasis on DNA damage repair, RNA processing, and cellular stress response. Further, we discuss how ALS-causing mutations can potentially alter the role of FUS in these pathways, thereby contributing to disease pathogenesis.
ASYMMETRY IN THE SEROLOGICAL RESPONSE AND MIXED LYMPHOCYTE REACTIONS BETWEEN C57B1/6 AND THE CONGENIC MUTANT C57B1/6. CH-2ba [H(Z1)]

SUMMARY Asymmetry in the relationship between the H-2K mutant strain C57B1/6. CH-2ba (H-2ba) and the wild-type congenic C57B1/6 has been demonstrated both in MLR and serologically by haemagglutination. MLR between these strains, when B6 was the responder, was as strong as that toward allogeneic stimulator cells: H-2ba was regularly less responsive toward B6. Responses in both directions were increased, in terms of augmented proliferative responses, by prior immunization. In this context the MLR resembles that towards minor H-locus antigens rather than those controlled by the H-2 locus. Immunization of (H-2ba× BALB/c)F1 hybrids with B6 lymphoid cells induced the production of a haemagglutinating antibody not directed toward any known H-2 specificity. The B6 haemagglutinogen, termed He, was present on B6 lymphoid as well as red blood cells. Segregation studies of F2 and back-cross progeny of (H-2ba x BALB/c)F1 hybrids suggest that the response to He is controlled by two Ir genes, one of which is linked to H-2.
Faunal indicator taxa selection for monitoring ecosystem health

Maintaining healthy ecosystems is a prerequisite for conserving biodiversity. The complex nature of ecosystems often necessitates the use of indicator taxa to monitor ecosystem health. However, ambiguous selection criteria and the use of inappropriate taxa have brought the utility of indicator taxa under question. This review compiles existing selection criteria from the literature, evaluates inconsistencies among these criteria, and proposes a step-wise selection process. In addition, 100 vertebrate and 32 invertebrate taxa documented in the conservation science literature as indicators of ecosystem health are examined to assess how well they adhere to the referenced criteria. Few vertebrate taxa fulfill multiple criteria, as most are highly mobile generalists that lack established tolerance levels and correlations with ecosystem changes. Most suggested invertebrate taxa also lack correlations to ecosystem changes, but satisfy other selection criteria. However, invertebrate taxa are often suggested at high taxonomic levels, encompassing many species, making it diAcult to measure specific attributes, and potentially including many unnecessary and even inappropriate species. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Effects of Strong Coupling. Critical Temperature

Many formulas of the BCS theory are of a universal character, for example, 2Δ = 3.52T c and β = (C s − C n )/C n = 1.43. In connection with this, we should note first of all that experimentally some pronounced deviations from this universality are observed (see Table 6.1). For example, for lead β = 2.4, and for the alloy Pb—Bi, 2Δ = 5T c .
User-generated online video: The next public sphere?

In this exploratory paper we examine the potential as well as the limitations of user-generated online video (UGOV) to facilitate political discourse between citizens within a dasiavirtualpsila public sphere. The potential of UGOV lies in the opportunities it presents to citizens for online self-expression and exchange that is open, accessible, compelling, unconstrained and unmediated. The limitations mirror those of the public sphere itself; they are closely related to the technological, socio-economic, geographic, ethnic, and age-related constraints on accessibility, as well as digital divides that have limited the democratic potential of the Internet as a whole.
Identification of some lipid peroxides by thin-layer chromatography.

SUMMARY Solvent systems are described which permit class separations of various peroxidized lipids by thin-layer chromatography. This procedure has proved useful in biological studies and for testing the deterioration of lipids. Proof is given that the least polar peroxides of methyl esters, glycerides, and fatty acids are monoperoxides; it is then assumed that the least polar peroxides in the other tested groups (cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and phospholipids) are also monoperoxides. The more polar peroxides probably represent highly peroxidized and polymeric forms.
Ranking Objects by Exploiting Relationships: Computing Top-K over Aggregation

document collections, documents are related to objects such as document authors, products described in the document, or persons referred to in the document. In many applications, the goal is to find such related objects that best match a set of keywords. The keywords may not necessarily occur in the textual descriptions of target objects; they occur only in the documents. In order to answer these queries, we exploit the relationships between the documents containing the keywords and the target objects related to those documents. Current keyword query paradigms do not use these relationships effectively and hence are inefficient for these queries. In this paper, we consider a class of queries called the "object finder" queries. Our goal is to return the top K objects that best match a given set of keywords by exploiting the relationships between documents and objects. We design efficient algorithms by developing early termination strategies in presence of blocking operators such as group by. Our experiments with real datasets and workloads demonstrate the effectiveness of our techniques. Although we present our techniques in the context of keyword search, our techniques apply to other types of ranked searches (e.g., multimedia search) as well.
Contrasting Principles of Synaptic Physiology: Peptidergic and Non-Peptidergic Neurons

A major unresolved theoretical issue in Neurobiology is the nature of the information encoded into chemical neurotransmitters. One aspect of that central issue is the question of whether the nervous system uses an exclusive set of chemical commands to regulate and respond to the endocrine system. Alternatively, the chemical signals of neurons and endocrine glands may simply be part of a general chemical vocabulary by which neurons communicate with cells.
The Quantification Problem in Stone-Tool Assemblages

How many tools does a lithic assemblage contain? The question is not as banal as it may seem, because tools were used as wholes but many are found broken. Pottery and faunal analysts have grappled with the problems of counting original wholes from mixed sets of whole and broken objects; lithic analysts lag behind. Assemblage size can change greatly depending on whether we count or ignore tool fragments. To systematize treatment of broken tools, I apply Orton’s pottery quantification method to several lithic assemblages and compare it to Portnoy’s MNT and raw counts. Methods do not agree in all cases, demonstrating that how we count affects our results. Until we know more, both methods should be used to quantify lithic assemblages.
Supporting inclusive and collaborative postsecondary education for adults with intellectual disabilities

Persons with disabilities face obstacles to education and employment that are both social and systemic. With rising demand for postsecondary degrees and technical skills for hourly and entry-level jobs, access to technology education is crucial. My previous and proposed research explores technology education for adults with intellectual disabilities in the context of 3D modeling and printing. Using the lens of this emergent technology, I have identified potential teaching and learning techniques that can be incorporated into an inclusive technology intervention for individualized instruction design.
Filamentation effect in a gas attenuator for high-repetition-rate X-ray FELs

A sustained filamentation or density depression phenomenon in an argon gas attenuator servicing a high-repetition femtosecond X-ray free-electron laser has been studied using a finite-difference method applied to the thermal diffusion equation for an ideal gas. A steady-state solution was obtained by assuming continuous-wave input of an equivalent time-averaged beam power and that the pressure of the entire gas volume has reached equilibrium. Both radial and axial temperature/density gradients were found and describable as filamentation or density depression previously reported for a femtosecond optical laser of similar attributes. The effect exhibits complex dependence on the input power, the desired attenuation, and the geometries of the beam and the attenuator. Time-dependent simulations were carried out to further elucidate the evolution of the temperature/density gradients in between pulses, from which the actual attenuation received by any given pulse can be properly calculated.
Heterogeneous components of chitosans.

The main objectives of the research were to compare the components of partially N-deacetylated chitins prepared identically from native chitin and a chitin regenerated from a heavily deacetylated chitosan. Additionally, to determine if any of the water-soluble components would serve as substrates in a study of a Chitinase isolated from soy bean hull. The brief heating of suspended chitins in 20% (w/w) NaOH resulted in similar degrees of N-deacetylation, the native chitin giving DAc 0.84 and the regenerated chitin DAc 0.79−0.72, with DAc indicating the proportion of glucosamine residues that are acetylated. Evidence for the nature of the hydrolysis of acetamido groups was provided by analyses of the water-soluble and -insoluble Smith degradation products. The water-soluble fraction derived from the native chitin comprised very small amounts of erythrityl N-acetyl glucosaminoside (GlcNAc1E), erythrityl N,N′-diacetyl chitobioside (GlcNAc2E), and erythrityl N,N′,N′′-triacetyl chitotrioside (GlcNAc3E), each id...
Familiarity of Stimulus-Words and Confidence in Responses on a Test of Verbal Meaning

The relationship between familiarity of stimulus-words and confidence in responses on a verbal meaning test was evaluated for 35 male and 53 female black undergraduate students. There were significant positive correlations (.72 for males, p .05) for the males and .22 (p > .05) for the females. About one-third of subjects' responses were guesses or outcome of being misled by familiarity.