cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Construction and characterization of a Salmonella typhi-based human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vector vaccine

Since the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is transmitted either parenterally or sexually, both systemic and mucosal immune responses might be required to provide protective immunity. One option is to express HIV proteins in attenuated Salmonella vectors that elicit immune responses in both compartments. The first step to constructing such a strain was achieved by integrating a gene expression cassette encoding recombinant HIV-1 gp120 (rgp120) into the aroC locus of an attenuated vaccine strain of S. typhi. This rgp120 expression cassette utilizes the strong constitutive promoter, P1pp/lacUV5, and produces rgp120 to 0.05-01% of the total bacterial cell protein. Immunoblot analysis shows that the S. typhi strains containing the integrated cassette express a protein that is both recognized by anti-gp120 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and is the appropriate size for nonglycosylated full-length gp120 (52 kDa). Immunoblot analysis also demonstrates that the recombinant S. typhi strains express the rgp120 as monomers and multimers found predominantly in the insoluble fraction of the bacteria. Antigen-capture ELISA, using antibodies specific for continuous epitopes on gp120, revealed that the exposure of these epitopes on S. typhi-expressed rgp120 differs from exposure of these epitopes on baculovirus-expressed rgp120 that binds CD4. Epitopes in the first conserved region (109-113) and the third conserved/fourth variable regions (376-380, 382-384, 395-400) are more "surface-exposed", while one epitope in the third variable region (313-324) is more "buried" relative to the corresponding epitopes of baculovirus expressed gp120. Antibodies recognizing discontinuous epitopes of the CD4 binding domain do not react with the S. typhi expressed rgp120.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ultrashort millijoule-level amplification in Ti:sapphire at 1 kHz and third harmonic conversion measurements

We report on a Ti:sapphire amplifier system which produces 21 fs, 1 mJ pulses at 1 kHz. A nanojoule-level seed pulse makes 8 passes through a highly doped Ti:sapphire crystal for a total gain of approximately 106. The crystal is pumped with 12 mJ of 527 nm light which is converted into amplified pulse energy with an efficiency exceeding 10%. We have used this laser system to generate ultra-short UV light pulses through third harmonic generation. By focusing the 21 fs pulses in argon and other gases (including air), we obtain UV pulses with energy 1 (mu) J and wavelength 267 nm. The duration of the UV pulses was measured to be approximately 16 fs, representing the shortest pulses in this wavelength range measured to date.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Further insights into digoxin-quinidine interaction: Lack of correlation between serum digoxin concentration and inotropic state of the heart

The digoxin-quinidine interaction was studied in nine healthy human subjects aged 26 to 31 years. A single oral dose (400 mg) of quinidine sulfate administered to subjects taking digoxin resulted in a mean (± standard error of the mean) increase within 1 to 6 hours in the serum digoxin concentration of 0.12 ± 0.01 ng/ml (p <0.0001), an increase of 21 percent. Continued quinidine administration for 24 hours resulted in a 59 percent increase in the mean serum digoxin concentration from 0.68 ± 0.04 to 1.04 ± 0.06 ng/ml (alpha = 0.05). At the same time, however, systolic time intervals demonstrated a lengthening of the mean left ventricular ejection time index from 406 ± 4 to 419 ± 2 ms (alpha = 0.05) and the mean Q−S2 Index from 524 ± 6 to 532 ± 7 ms (difference not significant [NS]). When compared with the shortening of these intervals predicted from the digoxin dose-response curve if digoxin were the only variable, the lengthening actually observed for both intervals was highly significant. The negative inotropic effect of quinidine administration alone was assessed with systolic time intervals in four subjects. The left ventricular ejection time index lengthened from 419 ± 3 to 425 ± 6 ms (NS) and the Q−S2 index from 541 ± 6 to 550 ± 7 ms (NS). Therefore, the lengthening of these intervals in subjects taking digitalis after the addition of quinidine represents more than just the negative inotropic effect of quinidine, and occurs despite the increase in serum digoxin concentration. The results of this study support the view that quinidine displaces digoxin from tissue-binding sites as a major mechanism of the interaction. Furthermore, it appears that quinidine may specifically displace digoxin from cardiac-binding sites. These results raise important questions concerning the recommendation to reduce the maintenance digoxin dose when concomitant quinidine therapy is initiated.
Linewidth-broadened Fabry–Perot cavities within future gravitational wave detectors

The bandwidth of LIGO-like terrestrial interferometric gravitational wave detectors is set by the pole of the Fabry–Perot cavities within the arms of the Michelson interferometer. This constraint arises because the gain of gravitational wave-induced signal sidebands is limited to frequencies within the linewidth of the cavities. The nature of standard Fabry–Perot cavities is such that one cannot independently adjust for increased gain without suffering a loss of bandwidth. If these quantities could be decoupled, the resulting improvement in bandwidth may lead to viable high frequency detectors. A pair of anti-parallel diffraction gratings within a Fabry–Perot cavity can increase the bandwidth of a LIGO-scale detector by a factor of ≈1000.
Lead competitively inhibits calcium-dependent synaptic transmission in the bullfrog sympathetic ganglion.

MANY polyvalent cations have been used in studies of synaptic transmission either as tools for gaining a better understanding of synaptic processes or, in their own right, as potentially toxic substances1–7. Inorganic lead although long known to have neurotoxic effects, has not been studied extensively at the synaptic level until recently. Kostial and Vouk8 found that lead blocked transmission in the perfused superior cervical ganglion of the cat in vitro by reducing the amount of acetylcholine released from presynaptic nerve terminals without affecting the response of ganglion cells to applied acetylcholine. The addition of excess calcium to the perfusion solution restored acetylcholine output and relieved the lead block. Manalis and Cooper9, working with the frog sciatic nerve-sartorius muscle preparation in vitro, showed that lead depresses phasic transmitter release evoked by nerve stimulation and increases spontaneous release as evidenced by an increase in frequency of miniature endplate potentials. Lead had only a weak, curare-like effect on the postsynaptic response to applied acetylcholine. In this paper we show, using electrophysiological techniques, that PbCl2 blocks synaptic transmission pre-synaptically by competitive inhibition of calcium. In support of this data, we further show, using 45Ca, that lead in fact does reduce the uptake of calcium by preganglionic nerve terminals.
A history of Far Eastern art

This is an account of the visual arts of Asia, from the Indus River to Japan and Java, between the fifth millennium BC and AD 1850. This comprehensive fifth edition includes astonishing recent archaeological discoveries. Each chapter begins with a concise historical introduction providing a political and social setting for artistic process and development. The discussions are chronologically structured and cover various mediums, including sculpture and architecture in India and Southeast Asia, painting and ceramics in China and Korea, painting and decorative arts in Japan, and sculpture in religious art everywhere. A general bibliography lists all major works and periodicals in the field, followed by expanded and specialized bibliographies for each chapter. Revised chronologies, maps, a detailed index and a pronunciation guide for the Indian, Japanese, and Chinese names and terms assist the reader. This is an integrated general introduction to its field, and a basic reference work for students.
The formation of cyclic inositol 1,2-monophosphate, inositol 1-phosphate, and glucose 6-phosphate by brain preparations stimulated with deoxycholate and calcium: a gas chromatographic study.

Abstract A gas chromatographic method has been developed for the separation and isolation of water-soluble phosphates as trimethylsilyl ethers. With this method cyclic inositol 1,2-monophosphate and inositol 1-phosphate, derived from endogenous phosphatidylinositol, have been shown to increase when a particulate portion of brain homogenate is stimulated with deoxycholate and Ca ++ , confirming earlier observations of Lapetina and Michell (1). Concomitant with the appearance of inositol phosphates is the stimulated formation of glucose 6-phosphate in the whole homogenate. Although ATP can replace deoxycholate and Ca ++ in a dialyzed homogenate, glucose 6-phosphate apparently does not arise by any known metabolic pathway but from another unidentified source.
Trade pattern reversals in time-phased Ricardian systems and intertemporal efficiency

Abstract A timeless Ricardian system specializes geographically to minimize localized labor, just as a timeless neoclassical system specializes to minimize primary factor totals (in a vectoral sense). The steady states of a time-phased system, for zero interest or profit rate, similarly specialize to minimize primary factors. By contrast, when there is a positive interest rate, the observed steady states do not minimize primary totals. Thus, positive profit rates make a system superficially appear inefficient, much like systems with distorting taxes. However, from an intertemporal efficiency standpoint, which goes beyond steady states, it is shown that so long as the profit rates are geographically equal, the observed steady state is Pareto efficient, not Pareto inefficient. In contrast to the Emmanuel view that profit equalization leads to ‘unequal exchange’ and deadweight loss from trade, deadweight loss is shown to come from the absence of international lending markets. The present paper illustrates these truths, works out implications for factor-price equalization or nonequalization, gives conditions of trade equilibrium for time-phased systems, shows their multiplicity, and the possible Metcalfe-Steedman ‘instability’ from the standpoint of the global correspondence principle. A factor-price frontier is deduced, which gives the negative interest rate as a quasi-concave function of the real returns (in terms of any good) of the primary factors, and its well-behaved quantities dual is contrasted with the actual ill-behaved steady-state quantity relation.
Single Wall Carbon Nanotube/Polyethylene Nanocomposites: Nucleating and Templating Polyethylene Crystallites

The crystallization kinetics and resulting morphology of polyethylene (PE) in the presence of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are investigated in isotropic and aligned composites. A hot coagulation method was developed to incorporate SWNT loadings as high as 30 wt % with uniform distribution. Thermal analysis interpreted using the Avrami equation showed that the nanotubes provide nucleation sites to PE and accelerate the PE crystal growth rate while reducing the crystal dimensionality from spherulitic to disk-shaped. Nucleating on SWNT bundles significantly increases the shish density during melt fiber spinning, so that the PE microstructure is shish kebab with straight (not twisted) lamellae in 1 wt % SWNT-HDPE composite fibers. By comparing the orientations of SWNT and PE produced by various processing conditions, we show that SWNT bundles template the growth of PE crystals by imposing a growth direction perpendicular to the SWNT. This provides a new route toward controlling the SWNT-polymer interface and thereby the physical properties of nanocomposites.
Children's and Adults' Judgments of the Certainty of Deductive Inferences, Inductive Inferences, and Guesses.

Children and adults rated their own certainty following inductive inferences, deductive inferences, and guesses. Beginning in kindergarten, participants rated deductions as more certain than weak inductions or guesses. Deductions were rated as more certain than strong inductions beginning in Grade 3, and fourth-grade children and adults differentiated strong inductions, weak inductions, and informed guesses from pure guesses. By Grade 3, participants also gave different types of explanations for their deductions and inductions. These results are discussed in relation to children's concepts of cognitive processes, logical reasoning, and epistemological development.
Heme lysis of the bloodstream forms of trypanosoma brucei

Abstract The bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei were found to be lysed in vitro by the addition of heme. For each μg/ml of heme, approximately 2 × 10 5 organisms/ml were killed in 20min at 37°. The mechanism for the lysis is believed to be mediated by heme-induced homolytic cleavage of intracellular H 2 O 2 (70 μM) to form hydroxyl radicals. The highly reactive radicals particularly disrupt various membranes and eventually kill the organisms. Heme and several porphyrins which are active in vitro are inactive in vivo due to very tight binding to albumin and other body proteins. Hematoporphyrin, which binds albumin weakly, is curative in vivo (160 mg/kg). Hopefully, new and more effective agents will be found that will enter the trypanosomes and generate free radicals to kill the cells.
Krylov methods preconditioned with incompletely factored matrices on the CM-2

The performance is measured of the components of the key interative kernel of a preconditioned Krylov space interative linear system solver. In some sense, these numbers can be regarded as best case timings for these kernels. Sweeps were timed over meshes, sparse triangular solves, and inner products on a large 3-D model problem over a cube shaped domain discretized with a seven point template. The performance of the CM-2 is highly dependent on the use of very specialized programs. These programs mapped a regular problem domain onto the processor topology in a careful manner and used the optimized local NEWS communications network. The rather dramatic deterioration in performance was documented when these ideal conditions no longer apply. A synthetic workload generator was developed to produce and solve a parameterized family of increasingly irregular problems.
Organisational learning for performance excellence: A study of Branch-Smith Printing Division

This paper represents the first formal study of Baldrige Award feedback comments in attempting to better understand the process of developing performance excellence maturity in organisations and the fundamental differences that characterise award recipients from non-recipients. Using qualitatively coded data from Branch-Smith Printing Division, a 2002 Baldrige recipient, we suggest that the cross-cutting elements of a performance excellence culture, characterised by the Baldrige Core Values of organisational and personal learning, agility, managing for innovation and systems perspective, are more vital to driving rapid and successful change in organisations and achieving high levels of performance excellence than are typical improvements in functional management processes.
Laser Energy Deposition at Sapphire Surfaces Studied by Pulsed Photothermal Deformation

A surface deformation technique measures the energy deposited in sapphire surfaces irradiated by focused excimer laser light. The absorbed energy creates ≲3 electron-hole pairs/oxygen atom, consistent with a photochemical etching mechanism.
Formation of a biologically active complex from two complementary fragments of horse heart cytochrome‐c

This report describes the formation of a non-covalent complex between two tryptic peptides of horse heart cytochrome-c. All amino functions of cytochrome-c were completely protected with the methylsulfonylethyloxycarbonyl (Msc) group. Trypsin split the protected product specifically at Arg38. After separation the fragments were deprotected by a very short treatment with a base. The complex resulting from the deprotected peptides, exhibited a completely developed 695 nm band, and an enhanced oxidase but diminished reductase activity in comparison with native horse heart cytochrome-c.
Lagged average predictions in a predictability experiment

Lagged average predictions are examined here within the context of an idealized predictability experiment. Lagged predictions contribute to making better forecasts than the forecasts obtained from using only the latest initial state. Analytic models suggest that lagged predictions contribute the greatest amount when the error growth rates are small. Little dependence upon the magnitude of the intial error is found if the growth rates remain constant. It is also shown how lagged average forecasts can be used to predict the error. Discriminating forecasts made only when the error is predicted to be small are shown to have much better than average skill.
Medium Dependence of Intramolecular Vibrational Modes Coupled to MLCT Transitions in Metal Polypyridyl Complexes

The temperature and solvent dependent emission spectra of fac-[(bpy)Re(CO)3(4-Etpy)]PF6 were recorded in 4:1 (v:v) EtOH−MeOH and CH2Cl2−MeOH mixtures (bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine; 4-Etpy = 4-ethylpyridine). The temperature-dependent emission of [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 and the emission spectra of [(bpy)2Ru(bpyc-NHMe)](PF6)2 (bpyc-NHMe = 4-methyl-4‘-(N-methyl carboxamido)-2,2‘-bipyridine) in 10 solvents were also analyzed for comparison purposes. The data reveal a significant dependence of the effective vibrational quantum spacing (ℏωM) with the energy difference between the ground and excited states (E0) as the medium properties are systematically varied. Initial attempts to explain this dependence in terms of a medium induced modulation of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer energy were not fully successful. That model is based on the relationship between the energy gap, the extent of charge transfer, and excited state distortions. A more satisfactory explanation of the experimental data was achieved by a model that i...
Couple-based behavioral HIV interventions: Placing HIV risk-reduction responsibility and agency on the female and male dyad.

Despite the importance of the dyad in HIV risk reduction in both domestic and international settings, there is a gap in behavioral HIV prevention science regarding the availability of effective couple-based intervention strategies. This article presents the advantages of behavioral, couple-based HIV interventions; highlights the state of the science; addresses the challenges and clinical implications of delivering a couple-based prevention intervention; identifies the gaps in couple-based HIV prevention science; and recommends new directions for HIV couple-based prevention.
Arteriosclerotic events are less frequent in persons with chronic anemia : Evidence from families with hereditary spherocytosis

Because anemic persons have lower cholesterol and whole blood viscosity than those who are not anemic, we hypothesized that subjects with hereditary spherocytosis who have not had the spleen removed should have fewer arteriosclerotic events than unaffected family members. We defined arteriosclerotic events as myocardial infarct, stroke, coronary artery surgery, and carotid artery surgery. We compared the rate of these events in affected-not splenectomized persons to the rate in unaffected family members. The relative risk of an arteriosclerotic event in hereditary spherocytosis patients with a spleen was one fifth that in unaffected family members. These data support the hypothesis that chronic anemia retards the development of arteriosclerosis. Spherocytosis is another example of an inherited condition that conveys an advantage in one system and a disadvantage in another.
The L 1 theory of estimation of monotone and unimodal densities

This paper investigates the L1-norm of the MLE of monotone and unimodal densities.In the monotonecase, it is shown that converges in distribution to the sum of anormal r.v and the maxima of a Brownian bridge over the flat ranges of the monotone density. In the unimodal case, itis shown that, if an -consistent mode estimate is used to construct the plug-in MLE of the unimodal density with unknown mode, the L1-norm of the plug-in MLE is equal to that of the MLE of theunimoral density with known mode up to the order . Therefore, the limiting distributions of the L1-norms of these two estimates are the same.
Intractability and the Frontier of the Field

Intractable conflicts are those that lie at the frontier of the field—the conflicts that stubbornly seem to elude resolution, even when the best available techniques are applied. We discuss the nature of intractability—its causes and why it is so important to learn more about it. We also discuss why it is essential that we address the problem of intractability head-on rather than ignoring these conflicts because they are viewed as impossible.
Investigation of Flow Boiling on Nanostructured Surfaces

Flow boiling experiments were performed on copper, bare silicon and carbon nanotube (CNT) coated silicon wafer using water as the test fluid. Wall heat flux was measured by varying the wall superheat. The experiments were performed under pool boiling conditions (zero flow rate) as well as by varying the flow rates of water. The liquid sub-cooling was varied between 40 ∼ 60 °C. An infra–red camera was used to calibrate the surface temperature of the silicon wafers and the copper surface. Heat flux measurements were performed by using a calorimeter apparatus. High speed visualization experiments were performed to measure the bubble departure diameter, bubble departure frequency and bubble growth rate as a function of time. Heat flux values for all three surfaces were calculated from the temperature differences obtained by sheathed thermocouples inside the copper block in the calorimeter apparatus. Flow boiling curves were plotted to enumerate the enhancements in heat transfer. It was observed that MWCNT coated silicon surface enables higher heat fluxes compared to bare silicon surface. This enhancement can be ascribed to be due to the high thermal conductivity of the carbon nanotubes, micro-layer effect, enhancement of transient heat transfer due to periodic solid-liquid contact and increase in active nucleation sites on nanostructured surfaces.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Like Mother, Like Child: Intergenerational Patterns of Age at First Birth and Associations with Childhood and Adolescent Characteristics and Adult Outcomes in the Second Generation.

A 30-year follow-up of 1,758 inner-city children and their mothers in the Pathways to Adulthood Study revealed significant associations in transgenerational timing of age at 1st birth between mothers and their daughters and sons. Intergenerational age patterns were associated with the children's family and personal characteristics during childhood and adolescence and self-sufficiency at age 27-33. Continuity in teenage parenthood was associated with family and personal characteristics unfavorable for optimal child development and successful adult outcomes. Delay in 1st parenthood to age 25 or older was associated with significantly greater odds of more favorable environmental and developmental characteristics and greater adult self-sufficiency. The authors concluded that age at 1st birth of both mothers and children contributes, but in subtly different ways for daughters and sons, to the children's development and adult self-sufficiency.
Brain stem neurons governing the discharges of sympathetic nerves.

Abstract Recent work from our laboratory revealed that the brain stem is inherently capable of generating a 2–6 cycles/s rhythm in sympathetic nerve discharge (SND) of the baroreceptor denervated cat. It is believed that this rhythm is representative of the fundamental organization of those brain stem networks responsible for the background discharges in sympathetic nerves. As a consequence, an attempt was made to identify brain stem neurons with activity patterns related to the 2–6 cycles/s rhythm in inferior cardiac SND of the baroreceptor denervated cat. Specifically, the relationships between the spontaneous discharges of single brain stem neurons and the inferior cardiac nerve were analyzed with the technique of spike-triggered averaging. Neurons whose discharges were synchronized either to the rising or falling phase of inferior cardiac SND were located in the classic pressor region of the lateral medullary reticular formation. These neurons may comprise or receive inputs from the oscillator responsible for the 2–6 cycles/s rhythm in SND. In addition, neurons which reset the 2–6 cycles/s rhythm were identified. These neurons may provide inputs to the 2–6 cycles/s oscillator in the brain stem.
Two manpower location aspects of energy resource development: Case of the Wyoming uranium industry

Several strip-mine mineral industries in the West--particularly coal, uranium, and oil shale--are currently the center of concern to energy and rural development policy makers. In addition to numerous environmental and social ramifications of development of these industries, large numbers of jobs may be generated in what are presently sparsely populated rural areas. This raises questions regarding places of origin of employees and creation of new mining towns versus location of employees in existing towns. In order to gain insights and direction for future developments, the existing Wyoming uranium industry work force is examined in this study with respect to 1) the locational origins of employees and 2) employee commuting patterns. Manpower location considerations in rural development are conceptualized in the first portion of the paper. Work force patterns in three uranium areas of Wyoming are then analyzed and compared. Implications of the empirical findings for manpower and development policies are explored in the concluding section of the paper. Manpower training and transportation policies are addressed.
Paying attention to correlated neural activity.

Correlations in firing rate between pairs of neurons can change depending on task and attentional demands. This new finding suggests that measuring correlations can help to reveal how neural circuits process information.
Resonances and complex scaling: a rigorous overview

Certain aspects of the theory of resonances are reviewed, and a comprehensive review of the rigorous aspects of complex scaling is given. 46 references.
Overlapping distribution of the 130- and 110-kDa myosin I isoforms on rat liver membranes.

The biochemical and mechanochemical properties and localization of myosin I suggest the involvement of these small members of the myosin superfamily in some aspects of intracellular motility in higher cells. We have determined by quantitative immunoblotting with isoform-specific antibodies that the 130-kDa myosin I (myr 1 gene product) and 110-kDa myosin I (myr 2 gene product) account for 0.5 and 0.4%, respectively, of total rat liver protein. Immunoblot analyses reveal that the 130- and 110-kDa myosins I are found in several purified subcellular fractions from rat liver. The membrane-associated 130-kDa myosin I is found at the highest concentration in the plasma membrane (28 ng/microg plasma membrane protein) followed by the endoplasmic reticulum-like mitochondria-associated membrane fraction (MAM; 10 ng/microg MAM protein), whereas the 110-kDa myosin I is found at the highest concentration in Golgi (50 ng/?g Golgi protein) followed by plasma membrane (20 ng/microg) and MAM (7 ng/microg). Our analyses indicate that myosin I is peripherally associated with Golgi and MAM and its presence in these fractions is not a consequence of myosin I bound to contaminating actin filaments. Although found in relatively low concentrations in microsomes, because of the abundance of microsomes, in liver most of the membrane-associated myosin I is associated with microsomes. Neither myosin I isoform is detected in purified mitochondria. This is the first quantitative analysis addressing the cellular distribution of these mammalian class I myosins.
Parabolic Systems in Unbounded Domains I. Existence and Dynamics

Abstract In this paper we investigate the existence, uniqueness, and asymptotic behavior of a solution for a class of coupled nonlinear parabolic equations in a general unbounded domain that includes the whole space R n, the exterior of a bounded domain, and a half space in R n. The asymptotic behavior of the solution is with respect to a pair of quasi-solutions of the corresponding elliptic system, and when these two quasi-solutions coincide the solution of the parabolic system converges to a unique solution of the elliptic system.
Evaluating Evolutionary Psychology: Check Your Lens

My purpose here is, first, to motivate practitioners of evolutionary psychology to take seriously the phylogenetic critique of adaptationism, and second, to motivate less informed critics to acknowledge why they may misinterpret the field.
Lateral and Longitudinal Stability for Decentralized Formation Control

This paper analyzes the stability properties of a decentralized hybrid control system for maintaining formations. Utilizing only local sensing, the system assembles strings or “platoons” of robots that has each robot maintaining a fixed bearing to its nearest neighbor. Using these platoons, the system is able to construct more complicated geometries. A piecewise linear controller based on bidirectional controller design is utilized to ensure the stability of the system. The system is demonstrated in simulation as well as on a physical set on non-holonomic mobile robots.
THE NATURAL ELEMENT METHOD IN SOLID MECHANICS

The application of the Natural Element Method (NEM) 1; 2 to boundary value problems in two-dimensional small displacement elastostatics is presented. The discrete model of the domain consists of a set of distinct nodes N, and a polygonal description of the boundary @. In the Natural Element Method, the trial and test functions are constructed using natural neighbour interpolants. These interpolants are based on the Voronoi tessellation of the set of nodes N. The interpolants are smooth (C 1 ) everywhere, except at the nodes where they are C 0 . In one-dimension, NEM is identical to linear nite elements. The NEM interpolant is strictly linear between adjacent nodes on the boundary of the convex hull, which facilitates imposition of essential boundary conditions. A methodology to model material discontinuities and non-convex bodies (cracks) using NEM is also described. A standard displacement-based Galerkin procedure is used to obtain the discrete system of linear equations. Application of NEM to various problems in solid mechanics, which include, the patch test, gradient problems, bimaterial interface, and a static crack problem are presented. Excellent agreement with exact (analytical) solutions is obtained, which exemplies the accuracy and robustness of NEM and suggests its potential application in the context of other classes of problems|crack growth, plates, and large deformations to name a few. ? 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sequential universal lossless techniques for compression of patterns and their description length

A pattern is a sequence of indices that contains all consecutive integer indices up to some integer k in increasing order of first occurrence. If the alphabet of a source that generated a sequence is unknown, the inevitable cost of coding the unknown alphabet symbols can be exploited to create the pattern of the sequence, which, in turn, can be compressed by itself. In this paper, two low-complexity sequential schemes are proposed for universally compressing patterns that are obtained from sequences generated by independently identically distributed (i.i.d.) sources with unknown (possibly large) alphabets of unknown size. The description lengths both schemes assign to a pattern are investigated and bounded by rigorous closed form expressions in terms of the maximum likelihood (ML) probability of the underlying i.i.d. sequence. In particular, each distinct index in the pattern is shown to cost 0.5 log(n/k/sup 3/)+1.59 log e bits above the i.i.d. ML cost. This results in description length for unknown parameters that is shorter than the minimum code length of an i.i.d. sequence if there are more than e/sup 19/18//spl middot/n/sup 1/3/ indices in the pattern. The sequential performance results are then used to establish a connection between the pattern entropy and the underlying i.i.d. entropy. This final result points out that for large alphabets (including those larger than n), recently derived universal coding redundancy bounds for coding patterns are negligible compared to the reduction in entropy from the underlying i.i.d. one.
Rapidly progressive aphasic dementia and motor neuron disease

Articulatory and language impairment heralded rapidly progressive motor neuron disease in 7 patients aged 54 to 77 years. One patient had a family history of a similar disorder. Severe nonfluent aphasia developed in all 7 patients and 4 were anarthric within a year. Other cognitive domains were impaired, yet 2 patients lived alone until 1 month before their deaths. Four died within 2 years. Abnormalities were found on electromyography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography, and electroencephalography. Neuropathological examination in 3 patients showed bilateral hemispheric atrophy with neuronal loss and gliosis predominantly of superficial cortical layers. Pigmented and hypoglossal nuclei were relatively preserved. At all spinal levels there was degeneration of corticospinal tracts and loss of anterior horn cells with gliosis. Rapidly progressive aphasic dementia and motor neuron disease are a distinctive clinical entity whose nosology is poorly understood.
Polysilicon TFT technology on flexible metal foil for AMPLED displays

— A top-emitting 230-dpi active-matrix polymer light-emitting diode (AMPLED) display, having a VGA format and a 3.3-in.-diagonal size, on a flexible stainless-steel-foil substrate is reported. The active-matrix array was fabricated with laser-crystallized polysilicon TFTs at a maximum process temperature of 700°C. The top-emitting PLED diodes were prepared by spin-casting organic light-emitting polymers. This work demonstrates the compatibility of polysilicon-TFT technology with flexible metal-foil substrates for active-matrix organic light-emitting-diode (AMOLED) display applications.
Positive and negative regulatory elements of the rabbit embryonic eglobin gene revealed by an improved multiple alignment program and functional analysis

The ϵ-globin genes of mammals are expressed in early embryos, but are silenced during fetal and adult erythropoiesis. As a guide to defining the regulatory elements involved in this developmental switch, we have searched the sequences of ϵ-globin genes from different mammals for highly conserved segments. The search was facilitated by the development of a new program, called yama, to generate a multiple alignment of very long sequences using an improved scoring scheme. This allowed us to generate a multiple alignment of sequences from a more divergent group than previously analyzed, as demonstrated here for representatives of four mammalian orders. In parallel experiments, we constructed a series of deletion mutations in the 5′ flank of the rabbit ϵ-globin gene and tested their effect on an ϵ-globin-luciferase hybrid reporter gene. These results show that 121 bp of 5′ flank, containing CACC, CCAAT and ATA motifs, is sufficient for expression in erythroid K562 cells. Both positive and negative cis-acting c...
Binary trees and parallel scheduling algorithms

This paper examines the use of binary trees in the design of efficient parallel algorithms. Using binary trees, we develop efficient algorithms for several scheduling problems. The shared memory model for parallel computation is used. Our success in using binary trees for parallel computations, indicates that the binary tree is an important and useful design tool for parallel algorithms.
Views of primary care providers regarding the return of genome sequencing incidental findings.

Sequencing of the entire exome or genome is increasingly used in clinical practice. Debate continues, however, regarding which incidental findings (IFs) should be returned and who should be involved in those decisions. Previous empirical research regarding stakeholder attitudes to the return of IFs has primarily involved genetics professionals; non-genetics health professionals have not been widely surveyed. Given this, a survey regarding return of IFs was administered at the Best Practices in Pediatrics Conference following an educational presentation on genetics terminology and genetic condition examples. A total of 258 participants completed the survey. Of particular note, respondents who were positively disposed to sequencing did not always report wanting to learn about IFs, even if actionable. This is noteworthy given recent American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines recommending particular actionable IF be returned 'without reference to patient preference'. This study's findings are important because they provide insight regarding the attitudes to the return of genome sequencing results for an important professional group, primary care providers. Ultimately, as likely gatekeepers to referrals for this technology, their opinions about the test will be key to its successful deployment.
Experimental and Computational Studies of the Gamma-Ray Energy Deposition Rate in the Purdue Fast Breeder Blanket Facility

Experimental and computational studies of the gamma-ray energy deposition rate in the Fast Breeder Blanket Facility (FBBF) were performed with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). Various correctio...
Ionomeric electroactive polymer artificial muscle for naval applications

Specialized propulsors for naval applications have numerous opportunities in terms of research, design, and fabrication of an appropriate propulsor. One of the most important components of any propulsor is the actuator that provides the mode of locomotion. ionomeric electroactive polymer may offer an attractive solution for locomotion of small propulsors. A common ionomeric electroactive polymer, ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) give large true bending deformations under low driving voltages, operate in aqueous environments, are capable of transduction, and are relatively well understood. IPMC fabrication and operation are presented to further elucidate the use of the material for a propulsor. Various materials, including IPMCs, are investigated and a simplified propulsor model is explored.
Synthesis of palladium icosahedra with twinned structure by blocking oxidative etching with citric acid or citrate ions

For this reason, anicosahedron with 12 corners and 30 edges is anticipated tobe a superior substrate for SERS detection. These opportu-nities inspired us to target the synthesis of Pd icosahedra.Pd is a face-centered cubic (fcc) noble metal, and Pdnanoparticles may take three different shapes when fastnucleation and growth are involved: truncated cubes oroctahedra, decahedra, and icosahedra.
A double blind randomized cross over trial comparing rate of decortication and efficacy of intrapleural instillation of alteplase vs placebo in patients with empyemas and complicated parapneumonic effusions.

Summary Aim A double blind randomized cross over trial to compare the rate of decortication, safety and efficacy of intrapleural instillation of Alteplase vs. Placebo in empyema and complicated parapneumonic effusions (CPE). Methods Patients diagnosed with empyema or CPE and considered for surgery were given the option to enter into this trial. Intrapleural instillation of the ‘Drug' was given daily for three days. Patient that failed the first arm of the trial were offered surgery or to cross over to the second arm. Failure was documented if pleural effusions did not improve by 50% on CT scans after three doses of the ‘Drug' or if these effusions recurred within six weeks. Results One hundred and eight patients were evaluated and one hundred enrolled in the trial. 32 patients were excluded, 29 for noninfectious loculated effusions, two for protocol violation and one for bleeding at chest tube site. There were 17 patients with empyema and 51 patients with CPE. 58 of the 61 patients (26 crossed over) with empyema/CPE resolved with Alteplase therapy compared to 4 of the 32 patients (one crossed over) treated with Placebo ( p value Conclusion Intrapleural instillation of Alteplase is significantly more effective than Placebo in patients with empyema and PPE (95% vs.12%). This study demonstrates it is safe and efficacious with minimal adverse reactions.
The isolation and identification of Pantoea dispersa strain JFS as a non-pathogenic surrogate for Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 42 in flour

Salmonella is a common pathogen which has been the cause of foodborne illness outbreaks implicating a variety of commodities, including low-moisture foods such as flour. Salmonella costs more than any other pathogen in the United States in terms of health care expenses and time of lost work. Heat treatment can be used to reduce Salmonella and other pathogens in flour to safe levels. However, in low-moisture foods, process times must be increased to achieve adequate lethality, possibly resulting in changes in the flour's functionality such as changes in the gluten quality, vitamin content, and the level of starch gelatinization. There is a need to determine the minimal heat treatment required to achieve desired lethality in flour and other low-moisture foods, with the goal of retaining the flour's functionality. Currently there is no published data about a nonpathogenic bacterial surrogate for Salmonella in flour. In this study, a surrogate, which closely matches the thermal death rate of Salmonella in flour, has been isolated. The surrogate was identified following an evaluation of thermal death curves of ten different strains of bacteria isolated from heat-treated flour and two nonpathogenic surrogates used in other commodities. Flour samples were inoculated with Salmonella or one of the twelve bacterial isolates, and then subjected to heat (70, 75, and 80 °C) for 12-60 min. The heat tolerance for each organism was determined by plating out at least four different time points for each temperature and comparing the death curve to those from Salmonella. The death curve from Pantoea dispersa was not statistically different (p<0.05) than the death curve of Salmonella. This strain of P. dispersa (strain JFS) can be used as a conservative, slightly more heat resistant, surrogate for Salmonella. It can be used to verify the combination of heat and time necessary to kill Salmonella in flour using a commercial heat-treatment process.
Absorption of Internal Waves by the Benthic Boundary Layer

Abstract The interaction of near-inertial velocities with the benthic boundary layer above a flat bottom is investigated using a diagnostic model and a 3-month time series of velocity from a fixed array of current meters. The observed near-inertial motions are assumed to be due to internal waves and diurnal tides. If the vertical wavelength of the internal waves is much larger than the boundary-layer thickness, the turbulent stresses acting on the near-inertial motions and the work done by the stresses on these motions can be computed. The boundary layer is estimated to absorb –0.003 to 0.024 erg cm−2 s−1 from the near-inertial motions, with one-third coming from the K1 diurnal tide and the rest from the internal-wave field. This is far less than estimated by Leaman (1976) and suggests that the benthic boundary layer on a flat bottom plays a minor role in dissipating internal-wave energy. This is also much less than the total energy dissipation in the boundary layer, suggesting that the boundary layer is ...
The Restatements, the Uniform Act and the Status of American Trade Secret Law

Trade secret law is state law. For most of its history it was also common law. However, trade secret law was dramatically transformed by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, which has been enacted in forty-seven states. Although now statutory law, the law of trade secrets retains the basic character of its common law roots, often relying without significant elaboration on concepts developed through common law adjudication. Harvey Perlman and I were the Reporters for the American Law Institute’s Restatement (Third) of Unfair Competition, which includes an analysis of trade secret law applicable to actions under the Uniform Act. The trade secret sections of the Restatement do not of course substitute for the statutory text, but they can be helpful aids in interpreting the statute. This article examines the changes in trade secret law made by the Uniform Act as analyzed in the Restatement (Third) of Unfair Competition.
Alternative-Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide for Nonmalignant Disorders

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is curative for many nonmalignant pediatric disorders, including hemoglobinopathies, bone marrow failure syndromes, and immunodeficiencies. There is great success using HLA-matched related donors for these patients; however, the use of alternative donors has been associated with increased graft failure, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and transplant-related mortality (TRM). HSCT using alternative donors with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PT/Cy) for GVHD prophylaxis has been performed for hematologic malignancies with engraftment, GVHD, and TRM comparable with that seen with HLA-matched related donors. There are limited reports of HSCT in nonmalignant pediatric disorders other than hemoglobinopathies using alternative donors and PT/Cy. We transplanted 11 pediatric patients with life-threatening nonmalignant conditions using reduced-intensity conditioning, alternative donors, and PT/Cy alone or in combination with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. We observed limited GVHD, no TRM, and successful engraftment sufficient to eliminate manifestations of disease in all patients. Allogeneic HSCT using alternative donors and PT/Cy shows promise for curing nonmalignant disorders; development of prospective clinical trials to confirm these observations is warranted.
Morphology and seasonal incidence of infection of Proctoeces maculatus (Looss, 1901) Odhner, 1911 (Trematoda) in Mytilus edulis L.

Abstract The morphology of adult Proctoeces maculatus from the mussel, Mytilus edulis, is described and compared to previous descriptions of the worm from fish and the bivalve, Scrobicularia plana. Stages in the mussel include two generations of sporocysts, cercariae and progenetic adults. Both sporocysts and adults exhibited seasonal variation in the incidence of infection during one year of sampling at two sites. Sporocysts were most common in late summer and the incidence of infection increased with increase in the size class of the host. The incidence of adult trematode infection peaked in early winter and rapidly declined with no worms being recovered by late May. Sporocysts appeared to persist until host death whereas adults matured, released eggs, and died during late winter. The mussel appears to represent an alternative final host of this trematode, perhaps replacing tropical fish hosts in temperate waters.