cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dispersion and attenuation of acoustic waves in randomly heterogeneous media

We derive the effective displacement relation for acoustic waves in a spatially random heterogeneous one-dimensional medium. This relationship is expressed in terms of parameters σR and σA which represent the standard deviations of the randomly varying density ρ(x) and the randomly varying Young's modulus α(x), of the medium. In this way, we build the contributions into the total displacement relationship for the spatially random heterogeneous medium and apply this result to determine the dispersion and attenuation of acoustic waves propagating in the random heterogeneous medium. Attenuation and dispersion of waves propagating in media with randomly varying properties has been the subject of much study. Most of this work has neglected the effects of intrinsic dispersion and attenuation in order to concentrate on the effects of the medium inhomogeneities. We demonstrate how intrinsic attenuation may be easily included in the theoretical development, and explore the combined effects of scattering-based and intrinsic attenuation and dispersion on wave propagation. We apply the solution to model interwell acoustic waves propagating in the Kankakee formation at the Buckhorn Test Site, IL. The modeling results show that the strong dispersion in the frequency range of 500–2000 Hz is due to the reservoir heterogeneity. Alternatively, the velocity dispersion for frequencies greater than 2000 Hz corresponds to the intrinsic properties of the reservoir.
White matter imaging in holoprosencephaly in children.

Purpose of review Holoprosencephaly is a disorder of forebrain development characterized by a failure of the brain to separate into two hemispheres during early development. It is now clear that many cases of holoprosencephaly are caused by alterations in the genetic programmes that pattern the nervous system. Less is known about how a holoprosencephalic brain either forms or fails to form connections between various brain structures. Recent findings Abnormalities in the corpus callosum, corticospinal tract, medial lemniscus and cerebellar peduncles can be seen in holoprosencephaly. Diffusion tensor imaging has been and will continue to be an important tool for imaging white matter in the brain, and will be reviewed here. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that holoprosencephaly can be associated with delays or abnormalities in myelination. The functional implications of white matter abnormalities in children with holoprosencephaly is only beginning to be understood. Summary Modern neuroimaging has led to a better appreciation of the variability seen in holoprosencephaly, an anomaly known to have multiple etiologies. Recent reviews of the biology of holoprosencephaly identify the condition as a defect in dorsoventral patterning. More detailed white and grey matter structure-function studies are likely to shed light on how a brain with drastically altered composition and connectivity does or does not organize itself to accomplish increasingly complex developmental functions.
TGF-β1-mediated differentiation of fibroblasts is associated with increased mitochondrial content and cellular respiration.

Objectivs Cytokine-dependent activation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, a key event in fibrosis, is accompanied by phenotypic changes with increased secretory and contractile properties dependent on increased energy utilization, yet changes in the energetic profile of these cells are not fully described. We hypothesize that the TGF-β1-mediated transformation of myofibroblasts is associated with an increase in mitochondrial content and function when compared to naive fibroblasts. Methods Cultured NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts treated with TGF-β1, a profibrotic cytokine, or vehicle were assessed for transformation to myofibroblasts (appearance of α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] stress fibers) and associated changes in mitochondrial content and functions using laser confocal microscopy, Seahorse respirometry, multi-well plate reader and biochemical protocols. Expression of mitochondrial-specific proteins was determined using western blotting, and the mitochondrial DNA quantified using Mitochondrial DNA isolation kit. Results Treatment with TGF-β1 (5 ng/mL) induced transformation of naive fibroblasts into myofibroblasts with a threefold increase in the expression of α-SMA (6.85 ± 0.27 RU) compared to cells not treated with TGF-β1 (2.52 ± 0.11 RU). TGF-β1 exposure increased the number of mitochondria in the cells, as monitored by membrane potential sensitive dye tetramethylrhodamine, and expression of mitochondria-specific proteins; voltage-dependent anion channels (0.54 ± 0.05 vs. 0.23 ± 0.05 RU) and adenine nucleotide transporter (0.61 ± 0.11 vs. 0.22 ± 0.05 RU), as well as mitochondrial DNA content (530 ± 12 μg DNA/106 cells vs. 307 ± 9 μg DNA/106 cells in control). TGF-β1 treatment was associated with an increase in mitochondrial function with a twofold increase in baseline oxygen consumption rate (2.25 ± 0.03 vs. 1.13 ± 0.1 nmol O2/min/106 cells) and FCCP-induced mitochondrial respiration (2.87 ± 0.03 vs. 1.46 ± 0.15 nmol O2/min/106 cells). Conclusions TGF-β1 induced differentiation of fibroblasts is accompanied by energetic remodeling of myofibroblasts with an increase in mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial content.
A weighted Hilbert space for multiparticle scattering

The paper is devoted to the operator x2e−2iϑ − Δe2iϑ on L2, which is denoted by Z(ϑ). If ϑ is close to 0, there is an operator Zγ(ϑ) for any real γ. If γ > 0, then Zγ(ϑ) has a bounded inverse Z−γ(ϑ) which takes analytic functions of xe−iϑ into analytic functions. The operator Zγ(ϑ) is used in the context of the n-body problem in quantum mechanics. The Hamiltonian is denoted by H(0). It is assumed that H(0) has an analytic continuation H(ϑ) with resolvent R(λ, ϑ). It is well known that the continuous spectrum of H(ϑ) consists of half-lines starting at the thresholds of scattering channels and making angles 2ϑ with the real axis. Choosing a fixed γ > 0 and assuming that each two-body interaction Vij(ϑ) is such that Zijγ(ϑ) Vij(ϑ) belongs to the Schmidt class, the paper examines the operator Zγ(ϑ) R(λ, ϑ) Z−γ(ϑ) for ϑ ≠ 0 and λ in the resolvent set of H(ϑ). It is shown that the operator is bounded and square-integrable with respect to λ along straight lines parallel to, but not coinciding with, the spectrum of H(ϑ). This result is to be used in a separate paper on multiparticle scattering.
Use of magnetostrictive wire for image plane digitizing of bubble chamber pictures

Abstract We describe an inexpensive method of converting conventional scanning tables for bubble chamber film into image plane digitizers with an accuracy of 0.1 mm on the table top.
The war between the rent seekers

In conclusion, it seems some states have experienced spending growth to the point where economic and political constraints on that growth have led to a situation where rent seekers can gain only at the expense of other rent seekers. As that fact becomes recognized, peaceful, cooperative political action between rent seeking groups that prevailed when such action resulted in a larger expenditure (rent) pool might give way to war between the rent seekers. If state and local spending continues its relative growth, we would expect the war between rent seekers to spread to other jurisdictions.
Augmentation in the infectivity of SV40 virus DNA by amphotericin B methyl ester

The methyl ester of amphotericin B (100 µg/ml) enhanced the infectivity of SV40 virus DNA for CV-1 cells up to 300-fold. Amphotericin B methyl ester may prove useful for augmenting cellular penetration of macromolecules and for probing biological mechanisms.
Implementing a Discovery Tool at Two HBCUs

Web-scale discovery is rapidly becoming the chosen technology for libraries to facilitate access to and discovery of a multitude of resources. Two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)—Fort Valley State University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University—decided to take advantage of this emerging technology to improve user experiences. The article will discuss the selection and implementation process of Summon in consortium and nonconsortium environments, as well as the initial impact of implementing a discovery tool on information literacy, usage of electronic resources, and staff work flow. This discussion will provide practical insights and considerations for libraries that are considering the implementation of a discovery tool.
Site-specific cross-linking analyses reveal an asymmetric protein distribution for a box C/D snoRNP.

Methylation of the ribose 2′‐hydroxyl, the most widespread modification of ribosomal and splicesomal RNAs, is guided by the box C/D class of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). Box C/D small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs) contain four core proteins: fibrillarin, Nop56, Nop58 and 15.5 kDa. We constructed U25 snoRNAs containing a single photoactivatable 4‐thiouridine at each U position within the conserved box C/D and C′/D′ motifs. Proteins assembled on the snoRNA after injection into Xenopus oocyte nuclei were identified by cross‐linking, and reconstituted particles characterized by functional rescue and mutational analyses. Our data argue that box C/D snoRNPs are asymmetric, with the C′ box contacting Nop56 and fibrillarin, the C box interacting with Nop58, and the D and D′ boxes contacting fibrillarin. No cross‐link to 15.5 kDa was detected; its binding is disrupted by 4‐thiouridine substitution in position 1 of the C box. Repositioning the guide sequence of U25 upstream of box D instead of D′ revealed that both C/D motifs have the potential to function as guide centers, but, surprisingly, there was no alteration in protein cross‐linking.
Ambiguities from quark masses in the renormalization group

Apparent discrepancies between calculations of the quark mass dependence of the lowest order β function in gauge theories are due to an inherent convention dependence of that function. Observable, physical quantities are, however, unambiguous.
A micromachined impedance biosensor for accurate and rapid detection of E. coli O157:H7

An impedance biosensor based on interdigitated electrode (IDE) arrays was designed, fabricated and tested for detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The device consists of two sets of gold IDE arrays embedded in a SU8-PDMS microchannel. The first set of electrodes uses positive dielectrophoresis (p-DEP) force to focus and concentrate the E. coli into the centre of the microchannel, and direct it towards the detection zone microchannel which has dimensions of a third of the first channel. The bulk fluid keeps flowing toward the outer channel into the waste outlets. The second sets of electrodes are located in the centre channel and are used for impedimetric detection of the E. coli. A combination of standard photolithography, wet etching and plasma treatment techniques were used to fabricate the biosensor. The E. coli cells in the test solution were focused into the centre of the channel when an excitation signal of 5 Vp–p at 5.6 MHz was applied across the electrode arrays. Before injecting the E. coli cells, polyclonal anti-E. coli antibodies were non-specifically immobilized on the sensing electrode array. This ensures specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 bacterial cells. As the concentrated E. coli cells (antigen) reach the sensing electrode array, they bind to the immobilized antibody sites. This antigen–antibody binding causes a change in the impedance, which is measured using an impedance analyzer. The device performance was tested by measuring the impedance, between 100 Hz and 1 MHz frequency, before and after applying p-DEP on the focusing electrode array, and after applying p-DEP on both the focusing and sensing electrodes. The result shows clearly that the use of p-DEP on the focusing IDE array significantly increased the measurement sensitivity with the lower detection limit being 3 × 102 CFU mL−1. In addition, the use of p-DEP on both electrode arrays increased the measurement sensitivity by a factor of 2.9 to 4.5 times depending on the concentration.
Pathophysiology of rheumatic fever: alterations in the Na24 space and in the exchangeable sodium and potassium contents.

Radioisotopic technics were used to explore physiologic aberrations that may characterize individuals with acute rheumatic fever. No significant changes were noted in serial measurements of the blood volume or serum sodium and potassium concentrations. Most of the individuals with severe disease showed an initial value for radiosodium space of more than 330 ml./Kg. of body weight, with no evidence of edema. The exchangeable sodium content of the body correlated well with the radiosodium space. These changes are difficult to explain solely on the basis of extracellular edema, and are interpreted as suggesting that the intracellular content of sodium or that in bone is increased during acute rheumatic fever. An intracellular increase in sodium may be due to an alteration in the permeability of cell membrane induced by an immune mechanism.
Arginine decarboxylase as the source of putrescine for tobacco alkaloids

The putrescine which forms a part of nicotine and other pyrrolidine alkaloids is generally assumed to arise through the action of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). However, we have previously noted that changes in the activity of arginine decarboxylase (ADC), an alternate source of putrescine, parallel changes in tissue alkaloids, while changes in ODC activity do not. This led us to undertake experiments to permit discrimination between ADC and ODC as enzymatic sources of putrescine destined for alkaloids. Two kinds of evidence presented here support a major role for ADC in the generation of putrescine going into alkaloids: (a) A specific 'suicide inhibitor' of ADC effectively inhibits the biosynthesis of nicotine and nornicotine in tobacco callus, while the analogous inhibitor of ODC is less effective, and (b) the flow of 14C from uniformly labelled arginine into nicotine is much more efficient than that from ornithine.
Mitosis detection of hematopoietic stem cell populations in time-lapse phase-contrast microscopy images

Understanding the heterogeneous behavior of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is required for the expansion of the cells without loss of their regenerative capacity. As such, it is essential to establish their lineage relationships by tracking the history of individual cells in a cell population. However, the quality of lineage relationships is often degraded because of undetected or misdetected mitotic events, which lead to missed or inaccurate mother-daughter cell relationships. In this paper, we present an automated mitosis detection method for HSCs in time-lapse phase-contrast microscopy images. Since HSCs are nonadherent, i.e., free-floating in the culture medium, the method is distinguished from the recent mitosis detection methods developed for adherent cells that are attached to the surface of a petri dish. The proposed mitosis detection method detects individual cells in each image frame and subsequently tracks them over time and in so doing identifies newly appeared cells, each of which is considered as a candidate of a newborn cell. Each candidate is then examined to determine whether it is indeed a newborn cell based on temporal change of cell sizes of potential mother and daughter cells. Our method was quantitatively evaluated on 14 HSC populations, each of which is observed for four days, resulting in a precision of 97.4% and a recall of 96.6%.
Wind measurements from four airliners in 1988 Denver microburst

Flight and radar position records are analyzed to determine the winds encountered by four airliners that penetrated a microburst on approach to Denver's Stapleton International Airport on July 11, 1988. The four encounters provide information about the time-varying changes in the strength, size, and location of the microburst phenomenon. The results show significant expansion in the size of the microburst and indicate the presence of fluctuations in the internal wind velocity associated with multiple microburst cells. At its peak strength, as experienced by the second aircraft, the microburst produced a headwind-to-tailwind velocity change of 115 ft/s. It is shown that the developing wind patterns derived from the flight-data analysis are in general agreement with results derived from ground-based Doppler weather radar and from a numerical microburst simulation. The data from the four aircraft complement these other findings by providing a more detailed analysis of the microburst's internal wind environment.
Colonization and succession in deep-sea ecosystems.

Experimental studies reveal generally slow but variable colonization rates in deep-sea soft bottoms. Species successions following biological disturbance appear to be complex and unpredictable, potentially playing a role in structuring these diverse communities. In contrast, physical processes probably play a prominent role in the rapid species turnovers observed at hydrothermal vents. Better information concerning disturbance regimes, recruitment processes and resource utilization is required to elaborate successional mechanisms in both soft-bottom and vent environments.
The Triple Asian Olympics – Media Aspirations Realised and Unrealised; Projections Achieved and Unachieved

Much has already been written on the Olympic Games as a global mega-sporting event and the Olympics has been conceptualised and analysed according to a myriad of disciplinary frameworks; this volum...
Unemployment and Work Interruption among African American Single Mothers: Effects on Parenting and Adolescent Socioemotional Functioning

Using interview data from a sample of 241 single African American mothers and their seventh- and eighth-grade children, this study tests a model of how 2 economic stressors, maternal unemployment and work interruption, influence adolescent socioemotional functioning. In general, these economic stressors affected adolescent socioemotional functioning indirectly, rather than directly, through their impact on mothers' psychological functioning and, in turn, parenting behavior and mother-child relations. Current unemployment, but not past work interruption, had a direct effect on depressive symptomatology in mothers. As expected, depressive symptomatology in mothers predicted more frequent maternal punishment of adolescents, and this relation was fully mediated by mothers' negative perceptions of the maternal role. More frequent maternal punishment was associated with increased cognitive distress and depressive symptoms in adolescents, and consistent with predictions, these relations were partially mediated by adolescents' perceptions of the quality of relations with their mothers. Increased availability of instrumental support, as perceived by mothers, predicted fewer depressive symptoms in mothers, less punishment of adolescents, and less negativity about the maternal role. Both economic stressors were associated with higher levels of perceived financial strain in mothers, which in turn predicted adolescents' perceptions of economic hardship. Adolescents who perceived their families as experiencing more severe economic hardship reported higher anxiety, more cognitive distress, and lower self-esteem.
PMI Extensions for Scalable MPI Startup

An efficient implementation of the Process Management Interface (PMI) is crucial to enable a scalable startup of MPI jobs. We propose three extensions to the PMI specification: a ring exchange collective, a broadcast hint to Put, and an enhanced Get. We design and evaluate several PMI implementations that reduce startup costs from scaling as O(P) to O(k), where k is the number of keys read by the processes on each node and P is the number of processes. Our experimental evaluations show these extensions can speed up launch time of MPI jobs by 33% at 8,192 cores.
Learning to route queries in unstructured P2P networks: Achieving throughput optimality subject to query resolution constraints

Finding a document or resource in an unstructured peer-to-peer network can be an exceedingly difficult problem. In this paper we propose a dynamic query routing approach that accounts for arbitrary overlay topologies, nodes with heterogeneous processing capacity and heterogenous class-based likelihoods of query resolution at nodes, reflecting the query loads and manner in which files/resources are distributed across the network. Finite processing capacity at nodes, e.g., reflecting their degree of altruism, can indeed limit the stabilizable load into the system. Our approach is shown to be throughput optimal subject to a grade of service constraint, i.e., it stabilizes the query load subject to a guarantee that queries' routes meet pre-specified class-based bounds on their associated a priori probability of query resolution. Numerical and simulation results show significant improvement in capacity region and performance benefits, in terms of mean delay, over random walk based searches. Additional aspects associated with reducing complexity, learning, and adaptation to class-based query resolution probabilities and traffic loads are studied.
Probing charginos and neutralinos beyond the reach of the CERN e + e − collider LEP at the Fermilab Tevatron collider

We investigate off-resonance chargino-neutralino production via the reaction $p\overline{p}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{W}^{*}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{W}}_{1}{\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{Z}}_{2}X$ within the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. This reaction can lead to observable rates for hadronically quiet trilepton events for which standard model backgrounds are small. Evaluation of these rates allows us to conclude that, after the accumulation of 100 ${\mathrm{pb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of integrated luminosity, the Collider Detector at Fermilab and D0 experiments can explore significant regions of MSSM parameter space beyond the reach of the CERN ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ collider LEP, and in some cases beyond the reach of LEP 200. The dilepton signal from chargino pair production is also briefly discussed.
Locomotor activity and plasma corticosterone in rats with hippocampal lesions

The effects of hippccampal and neocortical lesions on open field locomotor activity and the levels of plasma corticosterone immediately after the activity testing session were examined. Rats with hippocampal lesions had significantly higher locomotor activity and lower corticosterone levels than sham-operated control, while rats with neocortical lesions were not significantly different from the controls. The results are discussed with respect to reduced fear and the perception of aversive stimuli by rats with hippocampal lesions.
Antioxidant activities of major components of γ-oryzanol from rice bran using a linoleic acid model

The change in hydroperoxides of linoleic acid incubated with constant micro air flow at 37°C was used to evaluate the antioxidant activities of three major components of γ-oryzanol from rice bran (cycloartenyl ferulate, 24-methylene cycloartanyl ferulate, and campesteryl ferulate) compared with α-tocopherol and ferulic acid. The four hydroperoxide isomers of linoleic acid, 9-hydroperoxy-10-trans, 12-cis-octadecadienoic acid [9HPODE(t,c)], 9-hydroperoxy-10-trans, 12-trans-octadecadienoic acid, 13-hydroperoxy-9-cis, 11-trans-octadecadienoic acid [13HPODE(c,t)], and 13-hydroperoxy-9-trans, 11-trans-octadecadienoic acid, were measured using normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector. The three components of γ-oryzanol evidenced significant antioxidant activity when they were mixed with linoleic acid in a molar ratio of 1∶100 and 1∶250 but not in a molar ratio of 1∶500 (P<0.05). α-Tocopherol and ferulic acid also demonstrated significant antioxidant activity at all three molar ratios (P<0.05). The highest molar ratio (1∶100) of α-tocopherol, however, caused greater levels of 9HPODE(t,c) and 13HPODE(c,t) than the other two less concentrated treatments.
Underlying Mechanism of Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan Microparticles and Implications for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases

The emergence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms is a great public health concern and has triggered an urgent need to develop alternative antibiotics. Chitosan microparticles (CM), derived from chitosan, have been shown to reduce E. coli O157:H7 shedding in a cattle model, indicating potential use as an alternative antimicrobial agent. However, the underlying mechanism of CM on reducing the shedding of this pathogen remains unclear. To understand the mode of action, we studied molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial activity of CM using in vitro and in vivo methods. We report that CM are an effective bactericidal agent with capability to disrupt cell membranes. Binding assays and genetic studies with an ompA mutant strain demonstrated that outer membrane protein OmpA of E. coli O157:H7 is critical for CM binding, and this binding activity is coupled with a bactericidal effect of CM. This activity was also demonstrated in an animal model using cows with uterine diseases. CM treatment effectively reduced shedding of intrauterine pathogenic E. coli (IUPEC) in the uterus compared to antibiotic treatment. Since Shiga-toxins encoded in the genome of bacteriophage is often overexpressed during antibiotic treatment, antibiotic therapy is generally not recommended because of high risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome. However, CM treatment did not induce bacteriophage or Shiga-toxins in E. coli O157:H7; suggesting that CM can be a potential candidate to treat infections caused by this pathogen. This work establishes an underlying mechanism whereby CM exert antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo, providing significant insight for the treatment of diseases caused by a broad spectrum of pathogens including antibiotic resistant microorganisms.
The Sequential Organization of "Explicit" Apologies in Naturally Occurring English

In this article, I use the method of conversation analysis and data from American- and British-English conversation to analyze the sequential organization of "explicit" apologies (e.g., I'm sorry, and I must apologize). I demonstrate that (a) apologies can occupy a number of different sequential positions, with different ramifications for the organization of apologizing as an action; (b) apologies can be first parts of adjacency-pair sequences; (c) apologies index particular offenses and embody a claim to have offended someone; (d) As first-pair parts, apologies have a preference organization such that preferred responses mitigate or undermine, and dispreferred responses endorse, apologies' claims to have caused offense; and (e) apology terms can be used to accomplish nonapology actions. In this article, I contribute to our understanding of the social and sequential organization of talk in interaction as well as communication practices dealing with the maintenance of social/relational harmony.
Superovulation of cattle with equine pituitary extract and porcine ESH.

Superovulation has been practiced in cattle for more than 50 years but the results have been highly variable. Scientists at six locations compared a horse pituitary extract (HAP) with a single batch of porcine FSH (pFSH) to determine the efficacy of these hormones to induce superovulation and to test for variability in the superovulatory response. Acetone-dried equine pituitaries were suspended in 40% ethanol containing 6% ammonium acetate, and the supernatant was mixed with 2.5 volumes of cold ethanol. The resulting precipitate was washed with cold ether and dried. Total doses of 18 mg of HAP and 36 mg of pFSH were injected intramuscularly (i.m.) over 4 days, two injections per day, and prostaglandin (PGF2α; 25 mg, i.m.) was administered on Day 3. Injections were begun on Days 6 to 13 of the estrous cycle. The overall ovulation rates (mean ± SEM) for HAP and FSH were 8.8 ± 0.7 and 15.1 ± 1.0, respectively (n=231; P<0.01). Location interacted (P<0.01) with the type of gonadotropin for the ovulation rate. When expressed as a proportion of the number of corpora lutea, the total number of embryos recovered was greater (P=0.03) for pFSH than for HAP, but there was no difference in the number of Quality 1 and 2 embryos. The results show that HAP can induce a satisfactory superovulatory response, but there was no evidence of reduced variability of response to HAP compared with pFSH.
The invariane group of the Zakai equation

In this paper the stochastic filter is studied as an infinite dimentional control system on the space of all densities. The Volterra series representation of the corresponding input-output map is then shown to be globally convergent, and the coordinate changes on the space of all densities that preserve the ‘estimation algebra’ structure are characterized.
Prevalence and clinical implications of hepatitis B virus genotypes in southern Taiwan

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem. HBV genotypes may be associated with progression of liver disease. The distribution and clinical implications of HBV genotyp...
Dysfunctional voiding and reflux – combined treatment with botulinum toxin A and dextranomer/hyaluronic acid

Background Dysfunctional voiding (DV) may exacerbate vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) or cause breakthrough UTI. DV has also been implicated as a risk factor for failure of Dextranomer/Hyaluronic acid (Deflux) injection. Endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin A (Botox) at the external sphincter has been used for DV, but simultaneous therapy for VUR with Deflux has not been reported. Methods Retrospective review of children undergoing endoscopic therapy with Botox or Deflux was performed over 2 years to identify children receiving simultaneous injections. Results Over a 2 year period, 31 children underwent subureteric injection of Deflux for VUR and 11 children underwent intrasphincteric injection of Botox for DV. Of these cases, 5 involved simultaneous therapy. These children ranging in age from 5–16 years, presented with incontinence, constipation, and/or prior pyelonephritis. In spite of biofeedback in 80%, symptoms persisted with urodynamic testing showing an interrupted uroflow pattern / increased EMG activity and postvoid residual. VUR ranged from grade 2-4, on the more severely affected side, with 50% showing reflux nephropathy. Botox injection of 100 units was transurethral in boys, and periurethral in girls with EMG guidance. All patients showed improvement in voiding parameters and symptoms. Deflux injections were successful in all cases of primary VUR. Conclusion VUR and DV often coexist. Combined therapy with Botox / Deflux allows both disorders to be treated simultaneously, with good outcomes.
Management of large traumatic zonular dialysis with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation using the capsular tension ring

. Purpose: To report our results and to evaluate the longterm effect of capsular tension ring (CTR) insertion in eyes with large traumatic zonular dialysis that underwent phacoemulsification with posterior chamber (PC) intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods: This prospective study included 17 eyes of 17 consecutive patients with cataract and large traumatic zonular dialysis (range 80–160 degrees determined pre-or intraoperatively). After insertion of a CTR, phacoemulsification with foldable acrylic PC IOL implantation was performed. Posterior capsule rupture, vitreous loss, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) in the pre- and postoperative periods and postoperative IOL decentration were recorded. Results: The mean follow-up period was 25.9 months (range 15–35 months). Capsule collapse did not occur in any eye with a CTR. Postoperatively, four eyes developed raised IOP that responded well to medical therapy. An improvement in BCVA was observed in all eyes except one because of co-existing fundus pathology. No IOL was found to be decentrated at the end of the follow-up period, apart from one eye in which the PC IOL was dislocated due to a postoperative trauma, in which an anterior chamber IOL was implanted. Conclusions: In cases of cataract associated with large traumatic zonular dialysis, implanting a CTR before or during phacoemulsification with an in-the-bag PC IOL is relatively safe technique with a high success rate. The CTR was found to be efficient in preventing IOL decentration in eyes with traumatic zonular deficiency.
Promoting Statistics: On Becoming Valued and Utilized

(1989). Promoting Statistics: On Becoming Valued and Utilized. The American Statistician: Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 71-72.
Highly Nonlinear Solitary Waves for the Inspection of Adhesive Joints

In this paper we propose the use of highly nonlinear solitary waves (HNSWs) to monitor the curing process of an adhesive layer utilized to bond two aluminum sheets, and to inspect an adhesively-bonded aluminum lap-joint. HNSWs are mechanical waves that can form and travel in highly nonlinear systems, such as a chain of spherical particles where they are generated by means of a mechanical impact. They are characterized by a constant spatial wavelength and possess the important property that their speed, amplitude, and duration can be tuned by modifying the particles’ material or size, or the velocity of the impact. In the study presented in this paper, we investigate the feasibility of HNSWs for the nondestructive testing of adhesively-bonded structures. Two experiments are illustrated. In the first experiment we observe the curing process of a commercial 2-Ton Clear epoxy used to bond two aluminum sheets. In the second experiment, six types of bond quality were created on an aluminum lap-joint. In both experiments we noted that certain characteristics of the HNSWs such as time-of-flight and amplitude are affected by the physical conditions of the test specimen.
Characterization of Multicomponent Monosaccharide Solutions Using an Enzyme-Based Sensor Array

Abstract We report the development of a sensor for rapidly and simultaneously measuring multiple sugars in aqueous samples. In this strategy, enzyme-based assays are localized within an array of individually addressable sites on a micromachined silicon chip. Microspheres derivatized with monosaccharide-specific dehydrogenases are distributed to pyramidal cavities anisotropically etched in a wafer of silicon (100) and are exposed to sample solution that is forced through the cavities by a liquid chromatography pumping system. Production of fluorescent reporter molecules is monitored under stopped-flow conditions when localized dehydrogenase enzyme systems are exposed to their target sugars. We demonstrate the capability of this analysis strategy to quantify β- d -glucose and β- d -galactose at low micromolar to millimolar levels, with no detectable cross-talk between assay sites. Analysis is achieved either through fluorescence detection of an initial dehydrogenase product (NADH, NADPH) or by production of a secondary fluorescent product created by hydride transfer from the reduced nicotinamide cofactor to a fluorogenic reagent. The array format of this sensor provides capabilities for redundant analysis of sugars and for monitoring levels of other solution components known to affect the activity of enzymes. The use of this strategy to normalize raw fluorescence signals is demonstrated by the determination of glucose and pH on a single chip. Alternatively, uncertainties in the activity of an immobilized enzyme can be accounted for using standard additions, an approach used here in the determination of serum glucose.
The pupation rhythm in Aedes taeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae). II. Ontogenetic timing, rate of development, and endogenous diurnal rhythm of pupation.

Ontogenetic timing, rate of growth, and endogenous rhythms of pupation and emergence in Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann) were found to be affected, though unequally, by 5 major environmental factors: nutrition, population density, salinity of the rearing medium, light-dark regime, and temperature. Eggs of this mosquito undergo quiescence after completing embryogenesis (the latter being controlled by temperature and humidity only), and hatch only if conditioned prior to the application of an artificial stimulus. Development through the first 3 instars was affected mainly by temperature, and only slightly by salinities other than the optimum 10% sea water. All 5 factors affected the length of time when fourth instars were present in the cultures. This time was shortened by increased food rations, and lengthened by higher population densities and increased salinity of the medium, but of these, crowding had the least effect at 27°C and LD 12:12. Increased salinity of the medium lengthened the duration of the fourth stadium. All 5 factors also affected the endogenous diurnal rhythm of pupation, which showed a periodicity of 21.5 hours between means of the peaks in 10% sea water, under DD, at either 27° or 32°C, and on basic ration. However, the periodicity could be modified by controlling the time of feeding the larvae. Under LD 12:12, rather than DD, but with the other factors unchanged, the diurnal pupation rhythm had distinct peaks with average periods of 22.3±0.2 hours; higher salinity (more than 25% sea water) delayed the onset of pupation, while excessive numbers of larvae (200) per pan and still higher salinity (50% sea water or more) lengthened the duration of pupation and resulted in 7–8 pupation peaks; the periodicity of the ensuing pupation rhythm was about 23.5 hours. Periods between peaks of pupation became exactly 24 hours under LD 12:12 only when larvae were reared on basic ration, under crowded conditions, and in high salinity. LD regimes affected the endogenous rhythm by producing an advance peak outside the diurnal pattern. Under different 24-hour LD cycles, at 30°, means of pupation peaks were observed between 12h and 18h of the LD cycles. Light-dark cycles had much stronger effects on the pupation rhythm than did temperature cycles. On basic ration, in 10% sea water, and at any temperature between 22° and 34°C, the periodicity of pupation peaks varied from 22.3 to 23.0 hours, thus showing a high degree of temperature compensation. Continuous light delayed the onset of pupation. That the pupation rhythm is a truly endogenous or circadian rhythm was confirmed by entrainment to LD 12:12 and by the high degree of temperature compensation in the periodicity of the pupation peaks. This study also confirmed the hypothesis that the emergence rhythm is dependent on the pupation rhythm, separated by an interval affected by temperature and not by light regime.
Small molecule inhibitors of PCNA/PIP-box interaction suppress translesion DNA synthesis

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential component for DNA replication and DNA damage response. Numerous proteins interact with PCNA through their short sequence called the PIP-box to be promoted to their respective functions. PCNA supports translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) by interacting with TLS polymerases through PIP-box interaction. Previously, we found a novel small molecule inhibitor of the PCNA/PIP-box interaction, T2AA, which inhibits DNA replication in cells. In this study, we created T2AA analogues and characterized them extensively for TLS inhibition. Compounds that inhibited biochemical PCNA/PIP-box interaction at an IC50 <5 μM inhibited cellular DNA replication at 10 μM as measured by BrdU incorporation. In cells lacking nucleotide-excision repair activity, PCNA inhibitors inhibited reactivation of a reporter plasmid that was globally damaged by cisplatin, suggesting that the inhibitors blocked the TLS that allows replication of the plasmid. PCNA inhibitors increased γH2AX induction and cell viability reduction mediated by cisplatin. Taken together, these findings suggest that inhibitors of PCNA/PIP-box interaction could chemosensitize cells to cisplatin by inhibiting TLS.
On the number of solutions to the complementarity problem and spanning properties of complementary cones

Abstract The relationship between the number of solutions to the complementarity problem, w = Mz + q , w⩾0, z⩾0, w T z=0 , the right-hand constant vector q and the matrix M are explored. The main results proved in this work are summarized below. The number of solutions to the complementarity problem is finite for all q ϵ R n if and only if all the principal subdeterminants of M are nonzero. The necessary and sufficient condition for this solution to be unique for each q ϵ R n is that all principal subdeterminants of M are strictly positive. When M ⩾0, there is at least one complementary feasible solution for each q ϵ R n if and only if all the diagonal elements of M are strictly positive; and, in this case, the number of these solutions is an odd number whenever q is nondegenerate. If all principal subdeterminants of M are nonzero, then the number of complementary feasible solutions has the same parity (odd or even) for all q ϵ R n which are nondegenerate. Also, if the number of complementary feasible solutions is a constant for each q ϵ R n , then that constant is equal to one and M is a P -matrix. In the cartesian system of coordinates for R n , an orthant is a convex cone generated by a set of n -column vectors in R n , {A. 1 ,…,A. n }, where for each j = 1 to n , A . j is either the j th column vector of the unit matrix of order n (denoted by I. j ) or its negative - I. j . There are thus 2 n orthants in R n , and they partition the whole space. It is interesting to know what properties these orthants possess if we obtain them after replacing - I. j by some given column vector - M. j for j = 1 to n . Orthants obtained in this manner are called complementary cones , and their spanning properties are studied.
Money and Banking in a Mature Walrasian Economy

All financial transactions in the original Walrasian economy, as written in the Edition definitive of the Elements, occur in the markets for short-term money services (the short-term bond market) and commodity E (the equity market). However, introduction of the long-term bond and the deposit markets requires only minor surgery to the original and they are now supplied, inspiring the name mature Walrasian economy. Transactions in numeraire then entail all institutions of the banking system and provide completely for money and credit. Into this economy the condition of inconvertibility, a discretionary numeraire with reserve requirements, and a central bank are introduced and clarified. Finally, multiple monetary subsystems in the same global economy are recognized and reconciled, thus establishing a global economy with a single numeraire commodity.
On-line processing of textual illustrations in the visuospatial sketchpad: evidence from dual-task studies.

We present evidence that the comprehension of illustrated tee makes use of the visuospatial sketchpad component ofworking memory. The results from three experiments demonstrate that the comprehending of teats that are accompanied by pictures interferes with the performance of a spatial short-term memory task more than does the comprehending of texts that have no pictures. A fourth experiment demonstrates that the interference is found only when there is a requirement to comprehend the text; that is, the simple presentation of the texts and their pictures did not degrade performance on the spatial task. Finally, we show that the comprehension of illustrated texts does not differentially interfere with a verbal short-term memory task. These results are consistent with the claim that illustrations accompanying a text encourage the formation of a spatial mental model with the use of the working memory's sketchpad.
Wireless link simulations using multi-level Markov models

Modeling the behavior of 802.15.4 links is a non-trivial problem because of the widespread heterogeneity in the quality of any given link over short and long time scales. We propose a novel multilevel approach involving Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and Mixtures of Multivariate Bernoullis (MMBs) for modeling the long and short time scale behavior of wireless links using experimental data traces collected from multiple 802.15.4 testbeds. We characterize the synthetic traces generated from the proposed model in terms of statistical characteristics as compared to an empirical trace with similar PRR characteristics.
Ritualistic chewing behavior induced by mCPP in the rat is an animal model of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Abstract Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, anxiety-producing thoughts accompanied by unwanted, overwhelming urges to perform ritualistic behaviors. Pharmacological treatments for this disorder (serotonin uptake inhibitors) are problematic because there is a 6–8 week delayed onset and half of the patients do not adequately respond. The present study evaluated whether Ritualistic Chewing Behaviors (RCBs) induced by the serotonin agonist mCPP in the rat is a behavioral model for OCD. The effects upon the RCBs induced by mCPP (1 mg/kg) were evaluated following treatments with either the serotonin antagonist mianserin (3 mg/kg), the dopamine antagonist haloperidol (1 mg/kg), the GABA modulator diazepam (10 mg/kg), or the serotonin uptake inhibitors clomipramine and fluvoxamine (15 mg/kg). The response to mCPP was blocked by acute treatment with mianserin, but not with acute haloperidol or diazepam. Further experiments revealed that the effects of mCPP were blocked by chronic, but not acute, treatment with clomipramine and fluvoxamine. A time-course demonstrated that 14 days of chronic treatment were required for blockade of the mCPP-evoked response. The current study demonstrates that mCPP-evoked RCBs may be a rodent model for OCD that can be used to predict the clinical efficacy and time course of novel OCD treatment. Future investigations may be able to use the current model as a tool for bench-marking corresponding changes in other measures of neurological activity that may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying OCD.
Decimal pseudo-random number generator:

A pseudo-random generatar for decimal numbers (biquinary pairs) based on a combination of a binary and a quinary maximal-length sequence is presented. With an appropriate vector mapping of the combined maximal-length sequences the autocorrelation function is shown to be tri- level with approximate values of 1, 0.5, and 0. This effectively renders the numbers uncorrelated except at values equal to the lengths of the individual maximal-length sequences, where this autocorrelation is 0.5. The first peak value of the autocorrelation function occurs at a value equal to the length of the shorter of the component sequences.
Heckscher-Ohlin Trade Theory with a Continuum of Goods

This paper studies trade theory for the case of a continuum of goods, two factors, two countries, and Cobb-Douglas demand functions. If factor endowments are similar, factor price equalization obtains and geographic patterns of production are indeterminate; nonetheless the effects of changes in factor endowments on prices and welfare in each country are well defined. Factor price equalization does not obtain if factor endowments are far apart, and the geographic pattern of specialization is then determinate. The effects of changes in endowments on the range of goods produced in each country and on prices of goods and factors are analyzed for this case, and the elasticity of substitution in production is shown to play an important role in determining comparative static outcomes.