cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Festschrift for Dr. John M. Opitz: Pathogenesis of cardiac conduction disorders in children genetic and histopathologic aspects

Fetal dysrhythmias are usually transient. Abnormal fetal rates and rhythms during labor are "functional." Fetal dysrhythmias may be associated with congenital heart disease and fetal hydrops. Bradycardia is usually related to fetal distress; supraventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation may be associated with severe congestive heart failure. Ventricular fibrillation is rare in the fetus and infant and is usually associated with myocardial necrosis with perimembranous septal defect; the nonbranching atrioventricular (AV) bundle may have an aberrant position and result in cardiac arrhythmia. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome with conduction abnormalities and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is due to an accessory pathway that bypasses the AV sulcus and results in faster conduction. Carnitine deficiency may be primary or secondary and may result in cardiac arrhythmia. Histiocytoid cardiomyopathy is characterized by cardiomegaly, incessant ventricular tachycardia, and frequently sudden death. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) results in ventricular tachycardia and left bundle branch block. Noncompaction of the left ventricle predisposes to potentially fatal arrhythmias. Long Q-T syndromes (LQTS) are a heterogeneous group of disorders with many genetic mutations. Brugada syndrome is an autosomal dominant trait with right bundle branch block and ST elevation. Barth syndrome is an X-linked disorder with dilated cardiomyopathy, cyclic neutropenia and skeletal myopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in infancy may be related to metabolic diseases, particularly glycogen storage diseases; the familial form predisposes to sudden death. Arrhythmias following cardiac surgery may occur after closure of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) or damage to the conduction system.
Effective performance improvement and management strategies for the information technology industry

Information technology (IT) not only has a significant impact on various fields of human endeavor, it also creates the potential for greater operational efficiency and influences changes in the way business activities are performed. Nevertheless, it is still perceived as more of an operational cost than a benefit. Use of effective performance improvement and management strategies in the IT industry provides a means to ensure that IT remains a pivotal force in driving businesses to achieve strategic competitive advantage and success.
Integration of Engine, Plume, and CFD Analyses in Conceptual Design of Low-Boom Supersonic Aircraft

This paper documents an integration of engine, plume, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses in the conceptual design of low-boom supersonic aircraft, using a variable fidelity approach. In particular, the Numerical Propulsion Simulation System (NPSS) is used for propulsion system cycle analysis and nacelle outer mold line definition, and a low-fidelity plume model is developed for plume shape prediction based on NPSS engine data and nacelle geometry. This model provides a capability for the conceptual design of low-boom supersonic aircraft that accounts for plume effects. Then a newly developed process for automated CFD analysis is presented for CFD-based plume and boom analyses of the conceptual geometry. Five test cases are used to demonstrate the integrated engine, plume, and CFD analysis process based on a variable fidelity approach, as well as the feasibility of the automated CFD plume and boom analysis capability.
Transformation of the rat uterine estrogen receptor after partial purification

Abstract Warming crude rat uterine cytosol after the addition of [ 3 H] estradiol accelerates the association of the 4-S estrogen-binding protein with a second macromolecule, resulting in the formation of the 5-S estrogen-binding protein. To determine whether the 5-S estrogen-binding protein consists of two similar or dissimilar subunits, uterine cytosol was subjected to a number of fractionation procedures that separate macromolecules by solubility, molecular gel sieving, sedimentation rate, ionic charge, and heat lability. Following each of these methods, the fraction containing the 4-S estrogen-binding protein was incubated at 28°C; each of these 4-S estrogen-binding protein-containing fractions retained its capacity to completely transform to the 5-S estrogen-binding protein. In samples subjected to partial purification procedures, it was necessary that the buffer contain 40 mM Tris, 60 mM KCI, 1–10 mM dithiothreitol, and 1 M urea at pH 7.4, in order to accomplish the 4-S to 5-S estrogen-binding protein transformation at 28°C. Formation of the 5-S estrogen-binding protein requires association of the 4-S estrogen-binding protein with a molecule identical to or very similar to itself.
Electrophysiology of rat thalamo-cortical relay neurons: an in vivo intracellular recordingf and labeling study

Membrane properties and responses to frontal cortical stimulation were studied on electrophysiologically and morphologically identified thalamo-cortical neurons in anesthetized rats. Those neurons generated membrane responses resembling the low-threshold Ca-spike, gK(Ca) and IA that have been previously demonstrated in in vitro studies of thalamic neurons. Stimulation of the frontal cortex evoked a sequence of responses; antidromic spike, initial depolarization, long duration hyperpolarization and a short period of depolarization. The initial depolarization was considered to be a monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) which overlapped with an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP). Major constituents of the long duration hyperpolarization were considered to be short duration IPSPs and long duration disfacilitations of cortical inputs.
A positive fever response in Agama agama and Sceloporus orcutti (Reptilia: Agamidae and Iguanidae).

Three species of lizards (Agama agama, Mabuya perrotetii, and Sceloporus orcutti) were tested for a possible increase in mean selected body temperature (MSBT) in response to intraperitoneal injection of alcohol-killed Aeromonas sobria, a gram-negative bacterium known to be pathogenic to reptiles. A paired experimental design was utilized in which each animal was given an injection of sterile saline and 1 · 1010A. sobria. Body temperatures were monitored via indwelling cloacal thermocouples at 4-min intervals for one 12-h light period under saline injection and for two consecutive 12-h light periods under bacteria injection. Agama agama demonstrated a significant increase in MSBT on both day 1 and day 2 of bacteria injection with increases of 2.7 and 2.3°C, respectively. The latency period on day 1 averaged 6.4 h. Sceloporus orcutti demonstrated a significant decrease in MSBT on day 1 of bacteria injection and a significant increase in MSBT of 1.0°C on day 2 of bacteria injection. No fever was evident in S. orcutti until the beginning of day 2. Mabuya perrotetii did not exhibit a significant change in MSBT on either day 1 or day 2 of bacteria injection. Agama agama (family Agamidae) is the first Old World reptile to exhibit a fever response to bacteria injection, and with these results fever has now been demonstrated in the lizard families Agamidae, Iguanidae, and Teiidae.
The rise and growth of Tibet

It is not difficult to be impressed by the grandeur of high mountainous regions, but it is difficult to reconstruct how the elevation of such regions evolved. A study of the Tibetan plateau does just that.
Antioxidant pre-treatment prevents omeprazole-induced toxicity in an in vitro model of infectious gastritis.

Omeprazole is a mainstay of therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastritis, and is increasingly used as an over-the-counter remedy for dyspepsia. Omeprazole acts by selectively oxidizing thiol targets in the gastric proton pump, but it also appears to be toxic to the gastric mucosa. We hypothesized that omeprazole toxicity is due to non-specific oxidation of cell structures other than the proton pump, and tested the efficacy of antioxidants to prevent omeprazole-induced toxicity in isolated rabbit gastric glands. Toxicity was measured by uptake and converstion of calcein-AM, following three hours of exposure to omeprazole and a non-selective thiol-oxidant, monochloramine. Intracellular concentration of Zn2+ and the capacity to maintain luminal acidity were monitored using the fluorescent reporters fluozin-3 and Lysosensor DND-160, respectively. Both omeprazole and monochloramine caused marked reduction in cell viability. The toxicity of omeprazole was independent of monochloramine toxicity. The thiol reducing agent dithiothreitol protected gastric glands from injury. The oxidant scavenger Vitamin C also protected, and did not impair the anti-secretory effects of omeprazole. Thus, omeprazole toxicity appears to be oxidative and preventable with antioxidant therapy, including Vitamin C. Vitamin C may be a safe and efficacious addition to treatments requiring the use of PPIs.
Existence and uniqueness of solution of some function-space differential equations, II

Abstract Let ϱ ( τ , s ) be a symmetric and positive definite function, 0 ⩽ τ ⩽ t , 0 ⩽ s ⩽ t , satisfying a Holder condition in τ, uniformly in s . Let V ( x ) be a polynomial of degree N such that Re V ( x ) is bounded from below for x real and such that V (0) = 0. We consider functionals u ( q , x , λ ) defined for q ϵ C ([0, t ], R ), − ∞ x λ 1. (a) δu δq(τ) = (λ 2 ∝ 0 t ϱ(τ, s) q(s) ds) u − λ 2 ∝ 0 t ϱ(τ, s) V′ ( δ δq(s) ) u ds − λ 2 ϱ(t, τ) ∂u ∂x 0 , 2. (b) lim τ→t − δu δq(τ) 3. (c) λ ∂u ∂λ = ∝ 0 t q(σ) δu δq(σ) dσ − ∝ 0 t δ δq(s) V′ ( δ δq(s) u ds − u − x ∂u ∂x 4. (d) lim u λ→0 (O,X,λ)=δ(x) The above system is shown to have a unique solution in the class of functionals D N ( ϱ ), which will be defined below. We first note that there exists a Gaussian process { z(τ) ¦ 0 ⩽ τ ⩽ t } with mean zero and covariance ϱ ( τ , s ). We will denote expectation with respect to such a process by E z ϱ { }. We denote by ϱq the function given by ∝ 0 t ϱ (·, s ) q ( s ) ds . We will denote ∝ 0 t z ( σ ) q ( σ ) dσ by ( z , q ). Definition . A functional u ( q , x , λ ) on C ([0, t ], R ) × (−∞, ∞) × (0, ∞) will be said to be a member of D N ( ϱ ) if, for all τ i , 0 ⩽ τ i ⩽ t , i = 1 ··· m , m ⩽ 3( N − 1), q ϵ C ([0, t ], R ), −∞ x λ 1. (i) [ δ m u(q, x, λ) δq(τ 1 ) ··· δq(τ m ) ] exists, is jointly continuous in q and τ i , i = 1 ··· m , and is continuously differentiable in x and λ, and 2. (ii) there exists a function F (·, ·) continuous on [0, ∞) × (0, ∞), and absolute constants, M, K, α, β, 0 ⩽ α ¦ δ m u(q, x, λ) δq(τ 1 ··· δq(τ m )¦ ⩽ F(∥ ϱq ∥, λ) exp ( λ 2 2 (q, ϱq) − ¦ x ¦ β ) , ¦∝ −∞ ∞ u(q, x, λ) dx ¦ ⩽ M exp (K 2α + K ∥ λ 2 ϱq ∥ α + λ 2 2 (q, ϱq)) , ¦∝ −∞ ∞ δ m u(q, x, λ) dx δq(τ 1 ··· δq(τ m ) ¦ ⩽ M exp (Kλ 2α + K∥ λ 2 ϱq ∥ 2α + α 2 2 (q, ϱq)) . Theorem 1. There exists one and only one solution to the system (a)–(d) in the class D N ( ϱ ). The solution is given by u ∗ (q, x, λ) = 1 2π ∝ −∞ ∞ e −iμx E z λ 2 ϱ { exp (− ∝ 0 t V(z(σ)) dσ + (z,q) + iμz(t))} dμ .
The foundations of epistemological probability

Epistemological probability is the kind of probability relative to a body of evidence. Many philosophers, including Henry Kyburg and Roderick Chisholm, hold that all epistemological probabilities reflect a relation between an evidential body of propositions and other propositions. But this article argues that some epistemological probabilities for empirical propositions must be relative to non-propositional evidence, specifically the contents of non-propositional perceptual states. In doing so, the article distinguishes between internalism and externalism regarding epistemological probability, and argues for a version of awareness internalism. The article draws three main concluding lessons. First, epistemological probability is not to be identified with the sort of “objective”, experience-independent probability that is familiar from statistical and propensity interpretations of probability. Second, it is doubtful that epistemological probability is measurable, in any useful way, by real numbers, even if it admits of comparative assessments. Third, contrary to the familiar claim of C. I. Lewis, epistemological probability should not be viewed as requiring a basis of certainty.
Assessment of safety and efficacy of a bipolar fractionated radiofrequency device in the treatment of photodamaged skin

AbstractBackground: A number of devices are available for skin rejuvenation and conventional devices include both ablative and non-ablative lasers. More recently, bipolar fractionated radiofrequency (RF) devices have been introduced. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel 144 pin high density tip bipolar fractionated radiofrequency (RF) device for skin rejuvenation in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. Methods and materials: This single-center, prospective, study enrolled 25 female between the ages of 35–60 years, with mild to moderate wrinkling based on the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale. The subjects were of Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. Each subject underwent 3 full-face treatments with a 144 pin fractional bipolar RF device at 30-day intervals. All subjects underwent clinical evaluations during the study period to evaluate for any adverse events. Subsequently, all subjects were evaluated for improvement in rhytides, dyschromias and skin texture based on photographic evaluation by blinded invest...
Children's Hypertext Navigation Strategies.

AbstractResearch investigating the nature of reader’s navigational choices indicates at least three recurring patterns among hypertext users. Each of these patterns is marked by the type and amount of resources visited and the level of text processing that occurs. Conclusions from prior research have highlighted that navigation seems to be a strategy some readers employ better and more efficiently than others. However, the majority of these studies have investigated experienced adult readers. Because navigational choices are made strategically, it stands to reason that children, who have less strategic knowledge with respect to reading, may navigate differently than their adult counterparts. This study was undertaken to identify if similar or different navigational profiles emerge for younger readers of hypertext documents. In addition, knowledge and interest variables were examined to illuminate why differences may or may not occur. Results indicate that both adult and adolescent readers use the same nav...
The application of ninhydrin (5HT) reaction to the spectrophotofluorometric assay of plasma serotonin

Abstract Serotonin (5HT) concentration in plasma is usually determined by the method of Crawford and Rudd (1). This method is based upon the fluorescence of serotonin in strongly acidic solutions. Since the level of serotonin in human plasma is low, this method is technically difficult. Recently, a much more sensitive method, the measurement of 5HT using the fluoresence of the ninhydrin (5HT) reaction, has been employed for the assay of tissue serotonin (2–4). However, a search of the literature indicates that this method has not been applied to determination of plasma serotonin. We have now found the optimum conditions for application of the ninhydrin reaction to the problem of plasma serotonin assay. Our method appears to be both specific and sensitive for the determination of human blood or plasma serotonin.
Human Prostatic Acid Phosphatases: II. A Double-Antibody Radioimmunoassay

A double-antibody radioimmunoassay method for prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PAP) is presented. Experimental details are outlined to assess the reproducibility and reliability of the method under various assay conditions. The upper limit of the serum PAP levels in the present assay was set at 2.4 ng/100 μl by 162 determinations of normal serum samples. The serum PAP levels of patients with nonprostatic malignant tumors fell in the normal range, whereas the levels higher than 4.0 ng/100 μl were found in patients with prostatic carcinoma.
Worry-free encryption: functional encryption with public keys

In this work, we put forward the notion of Worry-Free Encryption. This allows Alice to encrypt confidential information under Bob's public key and send it to him, without having to worry about whether Bob has the authority to actually access this information. This is done by encrypting the message under a hidden access policy that only allows Bob to decrypt if his credentials satisfy the policy. Our notion can be seen as a functional encryption scheme but in a public-key setting. As such, we are able to insist that even if the credential authority is corrupted, it should not be able to compromise the security of any honest user.We put forward the notion of Worry-Free Encryption and show how to achieve it for any polynomial-time computable policy, under only the assumption that IND-CPA public-key encryption schemes exist. Furthermore, we construct CCA-secure Worry-Free Encryption, efficiently in the random oracle model, and generally (but inefficiently) using simulation-sound non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs.
A theoretical study of double-inhibitor-titration curves in free-energy-transducing networks

The general relationship between the double-inhibitor-titration curves and the kinetic properties of pumps in a delocalized chemiosmotic free-energy-transducing network is studied. The kinetic conditions for a delocalized system to generate the observed double-inhibitor-titration results are derived and the effectiveness of double-inhibitor experiments in discriminating between the localized and the delocalized proton-coupling mechanisms is assessed. It is found that, using simple enzymatic cycles for the kinetics of the pumps in a delocalized network, one can reproduce the experimentally measured double-inhibitor-titration curves that were widely used to argue against the delocalized mechanism. This implies that double-inhibitor-titration curves alone are not sufficient to discriminate between localized and delocalized coupling systems. Additional information concerning the kinetic responses of isolated pumps on the proton gradient across the membrane and inhibitor concentrations are required.
Parallel volume ray-casting for unstructured-grid data on distributed-memory architectures

As computing technology continues to advance, computational modeling of scientific and engineering problems produces data of increasing complexity: large in size and unstructured in shape. Volume visualization of such data is a challenging problem. This paper proposes a distributed parallel solution that makes ray-casting volume rendering of unstructured-grid data practical. Both the data and the rendering process are distributed among processors. At each processor, ray-casting of local data is performed independent of the other processors. The global image composing processes, which require inter-processor communication, are overlapped with the local ray-casting processes to achieve maximum parallel efficiency. This algorithm differs from previous ones in four ways: it is completely distributed, less view-dependent, reasonably scalable, and flexible. Without using dynamic load balancing, test results on the Intel Paragon using from two to 128 processors show, on average, about 60% parallel efficiency.
Dietary Sodium Intake Modulates Vasodilation Mediated by Nitroprusside But Not by Methacholine in the Human Forearm

Abstract Studies in animals suggest that nitric oxide production is increased under conditions of salt loading and that this increase protects against the development of salt-induced hypertension. To determine the effect of dietary sodium intake on nitric oxide–mediated vascular responses, we studied seven healthy male volunteers twice 4 weeks apart while they were receiving a diet containing 10 or 250 mmol Na+ per 24 hours. Methacholine (0.25 to 8 μg/min) and sodium nitroprusside (0.25 to 8 μg/min) were infused intra-arterially in incremental doses, and forearm blood flow was measured. The response of forearm blood flow to sodium nitroprusside was greater when subjects received a high sodium diet than when they received a low sodium diet (F=7.11, P <.05); however, the response to methacholine was not altered by sodium intake (F=0.57, P =NS). Plasma renin activity was significantly higher (3.99 versus 1.0 ng angiotensin I/mL per hour) when subjects received a low salt diet ( P <.05). Systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate, and baseline forearm blood flow were not affected by sodium status. We conclude that under conditions of salt loading, vasodilation in response to sodium nitroprusside was enhanced, whereas the response to methacholine was not affected, suggesting a differential effect of sodium intake on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent responses after the administration of methacholine and sodium nitroprusside, respectively.
Personal recollections on the discovery of the ryanodine receptors of muscle.

Abstract The intracellular Ca 2+ release channels are indispensable molecular machinery in practically all eukaryotic cells of multicellular animals. They serve a key role in cell signaling by way of Ca 2+ as a second messenger. In response to a signaling event, the channels release Ca 2+ from intracellular stores. The resulting rise in cytoplasmic Ca 2+ concentration triggers the cell to carry out its specialized role, after which the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration must be reduced so that the signaling event can again be repeated. There are two types of intracellular Ca 2+ release channels, i.e., the ryanodine receptors and the inositol triphosphate receptors. My focus in this minireview is to present a personal account, from the vantage point our laboratory, of the discovery, isolation, and characterization of the ryanodine receptors from mammalian muscle. There are three isoforms: ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1), first isolated from rabbit fast twitch skeletal muscle; ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2), first isolated from dog heart; and ryanodine receptor 3 (RyR3), first isolated from bovine diaphragm muscle. The ryanodine receptors are the largest channel structures known. The RyR isoforms are very similar albeit with important differences. Natural mutations in humans in these receptors have already been associated with a number of muscle diseases.
VENN, a tool for titrating sequence conservation onto protein structures

Residue conservation is an important, established method for inferring protein function, modularity and specificity. It is important to recognize that it is the 3D spatial orientation of residues that drives sequence conservation. Considering this, we have built a new computational tool, VENN that allows researchers to interactively and graphically titrate sequence homology onto surface representations of protein structures. Our proposed titration strategies reveal critical details that are not readily identified using other existing tools. Analyses of a bZIP transcription factor and receptor recognition of Fibroblast Growth Factor using VENN revealed key specificity determinants. Weblink: http://sbtools.uchc.edu/venn/.
Coating thermal diffusivity and effusivity measurement optimization using regression-based sensitivity

Measurements of thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity are critical to developing a complete description of thermal transport within thermal barrier coating systems. Thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity of coatings can be measured nondestructively using the phase of photothermal emission analysis experimental measurement. However, the complexity of the regression analysis required in this measurement makes determining the uncertainties associated with the best-fit values nontrivial. The aim of this paper is to develop a framework to carry out this uncertainty analysis and to minimize the uncertainties in fitted parameters. It is shown that the physical model can be used as an effective tool for identifying and removing data points afflicted by excessive bias error, which can occur in the limits of the observational data. It is revealed that this reduction in the dataset offers a tradeoff between increasing agreement between the data and the model while reducing the uniqueness of fitted parameter values. The current analysis demonstrates that this situation can be treated as an optimization problem, whereby uncertainties in fitted parameters can be minimized.
Two-Level Control of Doubly Fed Induction Generator Using Flatness-Based Approach

In this study, implementation of flatness-based control on doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) is investigated. Flatness-based approach is well adopted to control systems in two-level control structure where the tasks of planning, trajectory generation, and tracking the desired trajectories can be easily separated. As a result, the system is decoupled into two trivial linear systems. While in vector control the trajectories are found using PI controllers, in the proposed control structure the trajectories are computed directly, through algebraic equations. Desired active and reactive power are used to develop the set points for trajectory generation. Tracking of the desired trajectories is guaranteed through feedback linearization. The two-level control structure enables active power control and the opportunity for wind plants to contribute in frequency regulation. The proposed control shows promising results in tracking the desired reactive power and the active power across a variety of scenarios and in providing ancillary service to support the frequency regulation of the grid.
PACT, a Stress-modulated Cellular Activator of Interferon-induced Double-stranded RNA-activated Protein Kinase, PKR

The interferon (IFN)-induced, double-stranded (ds)RNA-activated serine-threonine protein kinase, PKR, is a key mediator of the antiviral activities of IFNs. In addition, PKR activity is also involved in regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and signal transduction. In virally infected cells, dsRNA has been shown to bind and activate PKR kinase function. Implication of PKR activity in normal cellular processes has invoked activators other than dsRNA because RNAs with perfectly duplexed regions of sufficient length that are able to activate PKR are absent in cellular RNAs. We have recently reported cloning of PACT, a novel protein activator of PKR. PACT heterodimerizes with PKR and activates it by direct protein-protein interaction. Overexpression of PACT in mammalian cells leads to phosphorylation of the α subunit of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), the cellular substrate for PKR, and leads to inhibition of protein synthesis. Here, we present evidence that endogenous PACT acts as a protein activator of PKR in response to diverse stress signals such as serum starvation, and peroxide or arsenite treatment. Following exposure of cells to these stress agents, PACT is phosphorylated and associates with PKR with increased affinity. PACT-mediated activation of PKR leads to enhanced eIF2α phosphorylation followed by apoptosis. Based on the results presented here, we propose that PACT is a novel stress-modulated physiological activator of PKR.
Lanczos eigenvalue algorithm for large structures on a minicomputer

Abstract This paper considers the problem of determining the partial eigensolution of linearized symmetric eigenvalue equations on a minicomputer arising from the finite element analysis of structural vibration problems. The Lanczos algorithm for transforming the problem to a symmetric tridiagonal eigensystem is discussed. The algorithm is implemented using an out of core skyline storage technique for the stiffness and mass matrices. This storage method is efficient when the matrices are sparse and of large order. Numerical results are given comparing the Lanczos algorithm with the Subspace Iteration and the Determinant Search methods.
Operating Considerations in Generation Reliability Modeling-An Analytical Approach

The paper presents a new analytical approach to the calculation of generating system reliability indices. The new approach makes it possible to relax idealizing assumptions and to explicitly model the effects of operating considerations such as: (1) unit duty cycles reflecting load cycle shape, reliability performance of other units, unit commitment policy, and operating reserve policy; (2) start-up failures; (3) start-up times; and (4) outage postponability. The models presented can also be used to consider the effects of basic energy limitations and to give production cost estimates.
Boltzmann and Einstein: Statistics and dynamics: An unsolved problem

The struggle of Boltzmann with the proper description of the behavior of classical macroscopic bodies in equilibrium in terms of the properties of the particles out of which they consist will be sketched. He used both a dynamical and a statistical method. However, Einstein strongly disagreed with Boltzmann’s statistical method, arguing that a statistical description of a system should be based on the dynamics of the system. This opened the way, especially for complex systems, for other than Boltzmann statistics. The first non-Boltzmann statistics, not based on dynamics though, was proposed by Tsallis. A generalization of Tsallis’ statistics as a special case of a new class of superstatistics, based on Einstein’s criticism of Boltzmann, is discussed. It seems that perhaps a combination of dynamics and statistics is necessary to describe systems with complicated dynamics.
Practical experience with wastage at elevated temperatures in coal combustion systems

Abstract Coal as mined is a mixture of a combustible solid hydrocarbon, with a high C:S ratio, and largely incombustible mineral matter. During combustion, the non-carbonaceous mineral matter may undergo some changes, both physical and chemical; but in most combustion processes some part of it ends up as solid particles of a size which enables them to be entrained in the combustion gas as it flows through the system. This is usually called fly ash. The hot combustion gas flows over solid, usually metallic, surfaces which are designed to extract the energy from the gas: these may be tubular heat exchangers, for example; or turbine airfoils. The fly ash particles can result in mechanical damage to these surfaces. Depending on the system, this mechanical damage may be erosion or abrasion; and it may be complicated by corrosion. This paper describes some of the more important wastage processes encountered in practice.
Creative Paradoxical Thinking and Its Implications for Teaching and Learning Motor Skills

(2011). Creative Paradoxical Thinking and Its Implications for Teaching and Learning Motor Skills. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 82, No. 9, pp. 19-50.
Abstract PL07-04: Engineered T cell transfer for cancer immunotherapy in the era of synthetic biology: Challenges and opportunities.

Adoptive T cell transfer for cancer and chronic infection is an emerging field that shows promise in recent trials. Synthetic-biology-based engineering of T lymphocytes to express high-affinity antigen receptors can overcome immune tolerance, which has been a major limitation of previous immunotherapy-based strategies. Advances in cell engineering and culture approaches to enable efficient gene transfer and ex vivo cell expansion have facilitated broader evaluation of this technology, moving adoptive transfer from a "boutique"’ application to the cusp of a mainstream technology. Recent observations from ongoing clinical trials in patients with leukemia and carcinomas will be discussed. The major scientific challenge currently facing the field is identification of cancer specific targets to avoid on-target, off-tissue toxicity. As the field of adoptive transfer technology matures, the major engineering challenge is the development of automated cell culture systems, so that the approach can extend beyond specialized academic centers and become widely available. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):PL07-04. Citation Format: Carl H. June. Engineered T cell transfer for cancer immunotherapy in the era of synthetic biology: Challenges and opportunities. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PL07-04.
Gender Studies and Eighteenth‐Century British Literature

A chronological sketch of the kinds of questions and methods characteristic of recent work in eighteenth-century gender studies, drawing on representative book-length studies as examples. It compares the histories and purposes of Women's Studies, Feminist Studies and Gender Studies, and concentrates on critical work dealing with early novels.
Dependence of argon K-shell vacancy production on the electronic structure of swift heavy projectiles

Thin gas targets of argon were bombarded with C, N, O, and F projectiles of various incident charge states at energies from l to 2 MeV/amu. Argon K x rays were observed with a Si(Li) detector, and x-ray-production cross sections were obtained. For a given-energy projectile. the cross sections decrease approximately exponentially as the number of electrons bound to the incident projectile increases from 0 to 3. For three or more electrons. the measured cross sections change very little. Hartree-Fock calculations of fluorescence yields as a function of target configuration were used to obtain argon K-shell vacancy- production cross sections. Target configurations were chosen by comparing the experimental argon K alpha and K BETA x-ray energies and K BETA /K alpha relative intensities with the values obtained by Hartree-Fock calculations. For projectiles with more than one electron, the vacancy-production cross sections scale as the square of projectile nuclear charge as expected for Coulomb ionization. but the absolute magnitudes of the cross sections do not agree with Coulomb-ionization results. For projectiles with 0 to 1 electron. however, Coulomb ionization alone cannot explain the observed cross sections. Charge exchange from the argon K shell to projectile bound states has been proposed asmore » a significant vacancy-producing mechanism for collisions involving highly charged projectiles. Although calculations of the charge-exchange cross sections are in reasonable relative agreement with the data, additional vacancy-producing mechanisms cannot be ignored. (auth)« less
Temperature‐allelochemical interactive effects on performance of Manduca sexta caterpillars

A series of experiments was conducted to ascertain the effects of temperature and allelochemicals on the performance of an insect herbivore, with the goal of methodically expanding the cumulative data set on interactive effects of temperature and allelochemicals. The allelochemicals examined were caffeine, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, tannic acid and tomatine with the thermal regimes 20:15 °C versus 30:15 °C. Growth, molting time and food utilization efficiencies of third instar tobacco hornworms (Manduca sexta (L.)) were measured. Our results indicated that reductions in developmental rate by the phenolics were primarily due to effects occurring around and during molt initiation, that different phenolics may affect molt processes differently, and that some of the effects of the phenolics were a function of temperature, with greater negative effects at cool temperature. Negative effects of caffeine were most pronounced earlier in the stadium rather than during molt processes and, for some variables, the effect of caffeine was also a function of temperature.
Management of Paradoxical Coronary Embolism

To the Editor: I read with interest the dramatic case report by Egred et al.1 However, I was somewhat puzzled by the indication of a left internal mammary artery graft insertion into the left anterior descending coronary artery at the time of the emergency thromboembolectomy. Although the patient had suffered an anterolateral non–Q-wave myocardial infarction 2 months previously, coronary arteriography revealed essentially normal vasculature apart from mild (40%) plaque disease in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. The most likely cause of his myocardial infarction was paradoxical coronary embolism,2 because he had experienced paradoxical embolism to …
RF3:GTP promotes rapid dissociation of the class 1 termination factor

Translation termination is promoted by class 1 and class 2 release factors in all domains of life. While the role of the bacterial class 1 factors, RF1 and RF2, in translation termination is well understood, the precise contribution of the bacterial class 2 release factor, RF3, to this process remains less clear. Here, we use a combination of binding assays and pre-steady state kinetics to provide a kinetic and thermodynamic framework for understanding the role of the translational GTPase RF3 in bacterial translation termination. First, we find that GDP and GTP have similar affinities for RF3 and that, on average, the t1/2 for nucleotide dissociation from the protein is 1-2 min. We further show that RF3:GDPNP, but not RF3:GDP, tightly associates with the ribosome pre- and post-termination complexes. Finally, we use stopped-flow fluorescence to demonstrate that RF3:GTP enhances RF1 dissociation rates by over 500-fold, providing the first direct observation of this step. Importantly, catalytically inactive variants of RF1 are not rapidly dissociated from the ribosome by RF3:GTP, arguing that a rotated state of the ribosome must be sampled for this step to efficiently occur. Together, these data define a more precise role for RF3 in translation termination and provide insights into the function of this family of translational GTPases.
What Drove Her to Do It? Theories of Depression and Suicide

In Chap. 2, psychosocial theories are presented that provide the most promise for understanding and treating young Latinas. We begin with the theories that focus on depression (cognitive behavioral therapy and acculturative stress models) and then move onto theories that are specific to suicidal behavior, including the interpersonal theory of suicide and Zayas’s ecodevelopmental model. Depression is one of the leading risk indicators for suicide. Over the life course, people with untreated depression have a nearly 20 % risk of suicide; about two-thirds (2/3) of people who commit suicide are believed to be depressed at the time of their deaths. Depression was the most robust predictor of suicidality in a sample of urban Latino and Black adolescents. Any theory that increases our understanding of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Latina adolescents should take into account depression as a precursor.
Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction in a Cohort of Seronegative Intravenous Drug Users

The frequency of serologically undetected human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection among a large cohort of seronegative intravenous drug users (IVDUs) was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In total, 2159 blood specimens were obtained from 945 seronegative IVDUs; of these, 182 had 1 specimen, 339 had 2, 397 had 3, and 27 had 4 semiannual specimens. No proviral DNA was detected in 2134 (98.8%) of the samples. Specimens from 7 persons (0.3%) were reactive by PCR. Within 6 months, all 5 of these 7 who returned for follow-up visits had seroconverted. Serum from 19 persons (0.9%) were equivocal by PCR analysis, that is, single primer pair amplification; 1 person seroconverted while others subsequently remained seronegative and nonreactive by PCR. The concordance between PCR and serology was 98.6%. It is concluded that immunosilent HIV-1 infection is uncommon and that serologic screening for HIV-1 antibodies is highly sensitive in this population.
Time Remembered: A Dynamic Model of Interstate Interaction

Over time, states form relationships. These relationships, mosaics of past interactions, provide political leaders with information about how states are likely to behave in the future. Although intuitive, this claim holds important implications for the manner in which we construct and evaluate empirically our expectations about interstate behavior. Empirical analyses of interstate relations implicitly assume that the units of analysis are independent. Theories of interstate interaction are often cast in the absence of historical context. In this article we construct a dynamic model of interstate interaction that we believe will assist scholars in empirical and theoretical studies by incorporating a substantively interpretable historical component into their models of interstate relations. Our conceptual model includes both conflictual and cooperative components, and exhibits the basic properties of growth and decay that characterize dyadic relationships. In an empirical exposition, we derive a continuous measure of interstate conflict from the conflictual component of the model. We rely on Oneal and Russett's (1997) analysis of dyadic conflict for the period 1950–1985 as a benchmark, and examine whether the inclusion of our measure of interstate conflict significantly improves our ability to predict militarized conflict. We find empirical support for this hypothesis, indicating that our continuous measure of interstate conflict significantly augments a well-known statistical model of dyadic militarized conflict. Our findings reinforce the assertion that historical processes in interstate relationships represent substantively important elements in models of interstate behavior rather than econometric nuisances.
Real-time 3D pose reconstruction of human body from monocular video sequences

We present an effective real-time approach for automatically reconstructing 3D human body poses from monocular video sequences. In this approach, human body is automatically detected from video sequence, then image features such as silhouette, edge and color are extracted and integrated to infer 3D human poses in an iterative way by minimizing the cost function defined between 2D features from the projected 3D model and image sequence. After convergence, the reconstruction result is evaluated for detecting tracking failure, which can be quickly recovered by adjusting initial pose to restart the minimization procedure. The results show the efficiency and robustness of the proposed approach.
HEDGING RISK FOR FEEDER CATTLE WITH A TRADITIONAL HEDGE COMPARED TO A RATIO HEDGE

Traditionally, feeder cattle have been hedged on a This paper compares hedging risk for various one-to-one basis. That is, one pound of futures is weights of feeder cattle hedged with a traditional used to hedge one pound of cash cattle (CME 1986, cross hedge and a ratio cross hedge. A traditional 13-15; Ikerd Davis, et al.). A pound-to-pound hedge calls for the purchase/sale of one pound of hedge is appropriate for steers weighing 600-800 futures for each pound of cash feeder cattle. By pounds because this is the weight range of steers contrast, a ratio hedge requires estimation of a hedge used to compute the cash settlement index used to ratio to determine the number of pounds of futures settle feeder cattle futures. For heavier needed to hedge one pound of cash feeder cattle. weight feeder cattle, a pound-to-pound hedge is not Hedge ratios were found to be larger than 1.0 for generally the risk minimizing hedge. The problem light-weight feeder cattle. By using the estimated in hedging either heavier or lighter-weight feeder hedge ratios, it was shown that hedging risk could cattle, hereafter referred to as off-weight cattle, is be reduced 20-50 percent compared to that achieved that no futures contract exists for these animals. by using a hedge ratio of 1.0. Anderson and Danthine theorize that when dealing with a commodity for which no futures contract exists, a cross hedge may be appropriate. "To cross
A Stretched Exponential Bound on Time Correlations for Billiard Flows

We construct Markov approximations to the billiard flows and establish a stretched exponential bound on time-correlation functions for planar periodic Lorentz gases (also known as Sinai billiards). Precisely, we show that for any (generalized) Holder continuous functions F,G on the phase space of the flow the time correlation function is bounded by const⋅ $$e^{-a\sqrt{|t|}}$$ , here t ∊ ℝ is the (continuous) time and a > 0.
Automated registration of ventilation-perfusion images with digital chest radiographs

Rationale and Objectives. The authors have developed an automated computerized technique for registering radionuclide lung scan images with digital chest radiographs. Methods. Threshold analysis was used to construct contours around the high-activity regions of radionuclide ventilation-perfusion images. Analogous contours were constructed around the lung regions of the corresponding digitized radiographs. Contour dimensions and anatomic landmark locations were then used to superimpose the radiographic, ventilation, and perfusion images. Results. Evaluation of 25 sets of images indicated that the scheme provided adequate to excellent registration in 91% of the pairwise combinations. Conclusion. This automated scheme for registering ventilation-perfusion images with digital chest radiographs has the potential to aid radiologists in the interpretation of these images.
A Radical Solution to the Species Problem

Ghiselin, M. T . (Department of Zoology and Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, P. 0.Box 247, Bodega Bay, California 94923). 1975. A radical solution to the species problem. Syst. 2001.23:536-544.-Traditionally, species (like other taxa) have been treated as classes (universals). In fact they may be considered individuals (particular things). The logical term "individual" has been confused with a biological synonym for "organism." If species are individuals, then: 1) their names are proper, 2 ) there cannot be instances of them, 3 ) they do not have defining properties (intensions), 4 ) their constituent organisms are parts, not members. "Species" may be defined as the most extensive units in the natural economy such that reproductive competition occurs among their parts. Species are to evolutionary theory as firms are to economic theory: this analogy resolves many issues, such as the problems of "reality" and the ontological status of nomenclatorial types. [Biological species; systematics; philosophy.] It would appear that the philosophy of taxonomy is about to undergo a major upheaval. Symptomatic is its Gordian knot, the species problem. Some years ago (Ghiselin, 1966a) I attempted to cut it with the sword, casually remarking that, in the logical sense, species are individuals, not classes. So entrenched had the habit become of treating species as universals rather than as particular things, and their names as general rather than proper, that it took some time before this pronouncement was taken seriously. The position in question is hardly new. It goes back at least to Buffon, but I believe this was the first explicit use of it against what has been misleadingly called the nominalistic species concept. Even Ruse ( 1973), a philosopher who cites the foregoing work, passes the notion over in silence. On the other hand Hull (1974) has lately endorsed the idea that, from the point of view of evolutionary theory, biological species and monophyletic taxa are individuals. And Mayr (1969a), while not going so far, strongly emphasizes the point that species are more than just nominal classes. It would appear that the subject deserves further analysis and comment.
Critical window hypothesis of hormone therapy and cognition: a scientific update on clinical studies.

Objective The critical window hypothesis of hormone therapy (HT) and cognitive function states that the effects of HT depend on the timing of initiation with respect to age and/or the menopausal transition and that optimal effects are evident with early initiation. This article reviews the clinical studies that bear on this hypothesis.