cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Empirical intrinsic geometry for nonlinear modeling and time series filtering

In this paper, we present a method for time series analysis based on empirical intrinsic geometry (EIG). EIG enables one to reveal the low-dimensional parametric manifold as well as to infer the underlying dynamics of high-dimensional time series. By incorporating concepts of information geometry, this method extends existing geometric analysis tools to support stochastic settings and parametrizes the geometry of empirical distributions. However, the statistical models are not required as priors; hence, EIG may be applied to a wide range of real signals without existing definitive models. We show that the inferred model is noise-resilient and invariant under different observation and instrumental modalities. In addition, we show that it can be extended efficiently to newly acquired measurements in a sequential manner. These two advantages enable us to revisit the Bayesian approach and incorporate empirical dynamics and intrinsic geometry into a nonlinear filtering framework. We show applications to nonlinear and non-Gaussian tracking problems as well as to acoustic signal localization.
The Sensitivity of Small Molecule Sorption to Annealing in Glassy Liquid Crystalline Polymers

The sorption of organic penetrants is found to be sensitive to thermal annealing conditions in a series of glassy, nematic, thermotropic, random copolyesters. Controlled thermal annealing of two polymers in this series permitted a systematic variation of chain packing and, presumably, higher order molecular suprastructure, ranging from a disordered amorphous morphology to more ordered nematic liquid crystalline and semi-crystalline morphologies. The development of liquid crystalline order appears to reduce or preclude small molecule solubility in nematically ordered forms of these polymers.
Coalescence of water droplets on single fibers

Abstract A photographic study was made of the coalescence rates of water droplets on single fibers positioned perpendicular to a moving emulsified jet-fuel stream containing 1000 mg of water/liter. A flow velocity of 3 to 4 ft/min was used during most of the study. The initial coalescence efficiency of emulsion droplets with a droplet on the fiber surface was approximately 1.0%, which rapidly decreased to a fairly constant 0.4%. Drops appeared to grow by acquiring free water from the main stream rather than from the surface of the fiber. Initial droplet growth rates were most rapid on fiberglass, followed by Teflon, nylon, and Dacron. A considerable amount of chain formation occurred on the nylon fiber. Also the maximum-size droplets that could be held by a single fiber were 400 to 500 μ diameter for the glass fibers and less than 100 μ diameter for the plastic fibers. The addition of 5 mg/liter of sodium sulfonate to the fuel resulted in zero coalescence and in the release of all droplets that had been formed on the fibers.
NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES IN GROUNDWATERS

The234U and230Th radionuclides are highly retarded by factors of 104 to 105 in basalt groundwater (Hanford) and briny groundwaters from Texas, and geothermal brine from the Salton Sea Geothermal Field (SSGF). In basalt groundwaters (low ionic strength), Ra is highly sorbed, while in brines (high ionic strength), Ra is soluble. This is probably because the sorption sites are saturated with Na+ and Cl− ions, and RaCl2 is soluble in brines.210Pb is soluble in SSGF brine, probably as a chloride complex. The234U/230Th ratios in basalt groundwaters and brines from Texas and SSGF are nearly unity, indicating that U is in the +4 state, suggesting a reducing environment for these aquifers.
Coordination changes and auto-hydroxylation of FIH-1: uncoupled O2-activation in a human hypoxia sensor.

Abstract Hypoxia sensing is the generic term for p O 2 -sensing in humans and other higher organisms. These cellular responses to p O 2 are largely controlled by enzymes that belong to the Fe(II) α-ketoglutarate (αKG) dependent dioxygenase superfamily, including the human enzyme called the factor inhibiting HIF (FIH-1), which couples O 2 -activation to the hydroxylation of the hypoxia inducible factor α (HIFα). Uncoupled O 2 -activation by human FIH-1 was studied by exposing the resting form of FIH-1 (αKG + Fe)FIH-1, to air in the absence of HIFα. Uncoupling lead to two distinct enzyme oxidations, one a purple chromophore ( λ max = 583 nm) arising from enzyme auto-hydroxylation of Trp 296 , forming an Fe(III)–O–Trp 296 chromophore [Y.-H. Chen, L.M. Comeaux, S.J. Eyles, M.J. Knapp, Chem. Commun. (2008), doi:10.1039/B809099H]; the other a yellow chromophore due to Fe(III) in the active site, which under some conditions also contained variable levels of an oxygenated surface residue (oxo)Met 275 . The kinetics of purple FIH-1 formation were independent of Fe(II) and αKG concentrations, however, product yield was saturable with increasing [αKG] and required excess Fe(II). Yellow FIH-1 was formed from (succinate + Fe)FIH-1, or by glycerol addition to (αKG + Fe)FIH-1, suggesting that glycerol could intercept the active oxidant from the FIH-1 active site and prevent hydroxylation. Both purple and yellow FIH-1 contained high-spin, rhombic Fe(III) centers, as shown by low temperature EPR. XAS indicated distorted octahedral Fe(III) geometries, with subtle differences in inner-shell ligands for yellow and purple FIH-1. EPR of Co(II)-substituted FIH-1 (αKG + Co)FIH-1, indicated a mixture of 5-coordinate and 6-coordinate enzyme forms, suggesting that resting FIH-1 can readily undergo uncoupled O 2 -activation by loss of an H 2 O ligand from the metal center.
A decomposition for strongly perfect graphs

A graph G is strongly perfect if every induced subgraph H of G contains a stable set that meets all the maximal cliques of H. We present a graph decomposition that preserves strong perfection: more precisely, a stitch decomposition of a graph G = (V, E) is a partition of V into nonempty disjoint subsets V1, V2 such that in every P4 with vertices in both Viapos;s, each of the three edges has an endpoint in V1 and the other in V2. We give a good characterization of graphs that admit a stitch decomposition and establish several results concerning the stitch decomposition of strongly perfect graphs.
Hand Differences and Reported Intensity of Nociceptive Stimuli

The hypothesis tested in the present study was that subjects would report higher intensity of heat-pain sensation for the left hand than for the right given right-brain dominance for negative emotion and tactual sensitivity. Low, medium, and high temperatures (42°, 45°, and 48° C, respectively) were presented to 20 healthy subjects' left and right forearms, wrists, and backs of hands. Using a modified magnitude-estimation scale, subjects rated the intensity of “heat-discomfort” that they felt following each 5-sec. stimulus presentation. Mean magnitude estimations for the left-and right-hand responses to high, medium, and low heat were analyzed using a 2 × 3 totally within-subjects analysis of variance. No significant differences between the right and left hands were observed for intensity of pain perception.
In Vitro Assessment of In Vivo Absorption of Drug Complexes

This study determined if in vitro transfer of drug complexes across the everted rat small intestine would reflect the in vivo absorption characteristics of the complex. The in vitro transfer of prednisolone in the presence of dimethyl-, diethyl-, dipropyl-, and dibutylpropionamide was in rank-order agreement with the increase in absorption reported previously from an in situ preparation. Excellent agreement was found between the in vitro and in situ absorption of prednisolone in the presence of various concentrations of dipropylpropionamide. The interaction of atropine with eosin-B, which has been reported not to increase the transfer of the dye across the everted rat intestine, was found to have no effect on absorption from an in situ preparation. The difference in effect of complexation on drug transfer across the everted rat intestine may be related to a difference in rate-limiting barriers for prednisolone and eosin-B.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the california verbal learning test in patients with epilepsy: relationship to clinical and neuropathological markers of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Latent constructs involved in California Verbal Learning Test (D. C. Delis, J. H. Kramer, E. Kaplan, & B. A. Ober, 1987) performance were examined using confirmatory factor analysis in 388 epilepsy surgery candidates. Eight factor models were compared. A single-factor model was examined, along with 7 models accommodating constructs of auditory attention, inaccurate recall, and delayed recall in different combinations. The retained model consisted of 3 correlated factors: Auditory Attention, Verbal Learning, and Inaccurate Recall. Validity of this factor structure was examined in a subsample of patients with left and right temporal lobe epilepsy. All 3 factors were related to seizure focus and magnetic resonance imaging hippocampal volume. Only Verbal Learning was related to hippocampal neuropathology, supporting the distinction between learning and attention in the factor structure.
Adaptive Measurement of Vigilance Decrement.

This paper describes a computer-baserd monitoring task which is adaptive, or self-adjusting, with the size of the signal stimulus (compared to a fixed non-signal stimulus) being mediated by the detection score of the subject, so as to maintain a constant detection rate. Data are presented which indicate that in order to maintain a fixed detection criterion over a 48-min vigil, the adaptive variable (separation distance of a pair of dots presented simultaneously) behaved in a manner consistent with the usual measures of vigilance decrement. Several adaptive strategies are discussed
Fine needle aspiration cytology of primary sphenoid sinus esthesioneuroblastoma metastatic to the skin

Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) is a rare tumor derived from olfactory neuroepithelium. ENB in a site outside of where olfactory epithelium exists is exceedingly rare with only five cases of ENB isolated to the sphenoid sinuses described in the literature to date. To the best of our knowledge, a skin metastasis of ENB outside the head and neck region has not been reported. We present an unusual case of a 33-year-old male diagnosed with primary sphenoid sinus ENB, who underwent surgical resection of the tumor followed by chemoradiation. About 5 months later, the patient developed a dermal mass in the sternal region, clinically suspicious for metastasis. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) revealed a tumor with morphological features and immunophenotype consistent with the metastasis from patient's known primary sphenoid sinus ENB. Our case demonstrates that the skin may be a rare site of a metastatic ENB, and FNA is a cost-effective and reliable diagnostic method of a suspected cutaneous metastasis.
132. Increased GFP Gene Delivery to Human Prostate Cancer Cells Using Trancomplementing Adenoviral Vectors

Adenoviral vectors are commonly used in cancer research for transgene delivery and expression because of their rapid and significant transgene expression as well as facile production of high viral titers. Unfortunately, relatively inefficient in vivo transgene expression is a characteristic of first generation recombinant adenoviral vectors. Balancing between safety and effectiveness of transgene delivery, many approaches have been used including development of conditionally or limited replicating vectors and utilization of complementing adenoviruses. In this study we exploited two replication defective adenoviral vectors that are able to transcomplement each other to yield limited replication and greater gene delivery.
Limiting Performance of Generalized Sign Test Detector

The limiting performance of the generalized sign test detector as the number M of target returns becomes infinite has been derived by Hansen and Olsen [1]. Simple expressions are derived herein for the limiting performance for finite M as K, the number of noise samples in the reference set, becomes infinite. Curves are presented which indicate how this limiting performance is approached as K is increased for both constant target returns and fluctuating target returns.
Information-Based Design for Environmental Problem Solving

Summary Axiomatic design is a general method that helps designers structure and understand design problems, thereby facilitating the synthesis of suitable design requirements, solutions, and processes. The approach also provides a consistent framework from which the merits of designs can be quantified. In this paper we briefly review the tenets of axiomatic design, and demonstrate how information content can be applied to environmental design problems-an issue that is becoming increasingly important. A prototypical computer program is used to illustrate the approach.
Determination of glucose by capillary electrophoresis/laser-induced fluorescence in transdermally collected samples

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection has been used for the determination of glucose in samples collected by noninvasive means. The method uses an enzymatic reaction scheme that provides for the determination of small quantities of glucose with detection limits of 80 nM. This approach is used to evaluate passive transdermal diffusion as a noninvasive means to sample glucose in vivo. A simple sampling cell design is presented. Sample collection was performed on volunteer human subjects. Our experiments show that fluctuations in blood glucose concentration are reflected in the samples obtained by passive transdermal diffusion after glucose intake. The results indicate that glucose from the subcutaneous fluid can be accessed by passive diffusion.
d-Alanylation of Lipoteichoic Acid: Role of the d-Alanyl Carrier Protein in Acylation

The biosynthesis of d-alanyl-lipoteichoic acid (LTA) requires the 56-kDa d-alanine–d-alanyl carrier protein ligase (AMP) (Dcl) and the 8.8-kDa d-alanyl carrier protein (Dcp) (11, 12). Heaton and Neuhaus (12) showed that d-alanyl-Dcp donates its d-alanyl residue to the poly(Gro-P) moiety of membrane-associated LTA. Neither the mechanism nor the topology of this d-alanylation reaction is known. To address this key reaction, several groups have identified the genes in a number of organisms containing the dlt operon (11, 21, 23). In addition to the genes encoding Dcl (dltA) and Dcp (dltC), dltB and dltD encode a putative transport protein (20) and a protein which facilitates the binding of Dcl and Dcp for ligation with d-alanine and has thioesterase activity for mischarged d-alanyl acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) (5), respectively. A gene encoding an enzyme which catalyzes the transfer of the d-alanine residue from d-alanyl-Dcp to membrane-associated LTA has not been identified. Dcp provides the essential link between the ligase (Dcl) and the incorporation of d-alanine into LTA. This carrier protein is a homologue of those ACPs which function in fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism (4, 26). However, it was unexpected to find that Dcl will ligate d-alanine to ACPs from Escherichia coli, Vibrio harveyi, Saccharopolyspora erythraea, and Bacillus subtilis (12). Nevertheless, only Dcp participates in the d-alanylation of LTA. These observations suggested that there are at least two determinants for interaction of Dcp with its cognate partners, one of which is recognized by Dcl and one of which is recognized by the membrane acceptor LTA. It is this second determinant which is the focus of structural studies on Dcp (B. F. Volkman, Q. Zhang, D. Debabov, E. Rivera, G. Kresheck, and F. C. Neuhaus, unpublished results), and the biochemical studies to be reported here. For Staphylococcus aureus, it was found that growth in the presence of NaCl resulted in a lower d-alanine ester content in LTA (8). The mechanism by which the ester content was reduced during growth in NaCl is unknown and was not correlated with the reaction catalyzed by DltD (5). Instead, an NaCl-activated, thioesterase-like activity specific for d-alanyl-Dcp which is distinct from that catalyzed by DltD was discovered (5, 20). Our goal here was to establish the mechanism of d-alanine transfer from d-alanyl-Dcp to LTA. To accomplish this goal, the thioesterase-like activity of LTA specific for d-alanyl-Dcp was examined in incubations containing LTA in different microenvironments: (i) purified, (ii) membrane associated, and (iii) membrane associated (salt treated). The results suggested that complex formation between d-alanyl-Dcp and LTA is one of the features resulting either in the transfer of d-alanine from d-alanyl-Dcp to LTA when this amphiphile is membrane associated or in the hydrolysis of d-alanyl-Dcp when the LTA is not membrane associated.
Nucleation and Growth of μc-Si:H n- and p-Type Layers in a-Si:H p-i-n AND n-i-p Solar Cells: Real Time Spectroellpsometry Studies

We have applied real time spectroellipsometry (RTSE) to study the growth of microcrystalline silicon n- and p-layers [μc-Si:H:(P,B)] incorporated into amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) p-i-n and n-i-p solar cells, respectively. In previous research, we have applied RTSE to characterize a-Si:H solar cells having only amorphous component layers. The μc-Si:H(P,B) component layers, however, pose a more difficult RTSE analysis problem for two reasons. First, the near-surface of the underlying i-layer is modified in the μc-Si:H:(P,B) growth process, and second, the microstructural evolution near the i/(n,p) interfaces is very complicated. From RTSE spectra (1.5 ≤ hv ≤ 4 eV) collected every ~4-15 s during growth, we have extracted the time evolution of the μc-Si:H:(P,B) layer microstructure, thicknesses, and optical properties along with the modifications that the near-surface i-layer properties undergo in the formation of the i/(n,p) interfaces. We suggest that the beneficial optical properties of the microcrystalline layers may be due to size effects in the crystallites that make up the films.
Biological, cellular, and molecular characteristics of an inducible transgenic skin tumor model: a review

The genetically initiated Tg.AC transgenic mouse carries a transgene consisting of an oncogenic v-Ha-ras coding region flanked 5' by a mouse zeta-globin promoter and 3' by an SV-40 polyadenylation sequence. Located on chromosome 11, the transgene is transcriptionally silent until activated by chemical carcinogens, UV light, or full-thickness wounding. Expression of the transgene is an early event that drives cellular proliferation resulting in clonal expansion and tumor formation, the unique characteristics now associated with the Tg.AC mouse. This ras-dependent phenotype has resulted in the widespread interest and use of the Tg.AC mouse in experimental skin carcinogenesis and as an alternative carcinogenesis assay. This review examines the general biology of the tumorigenic responses observed in Tg.AC mice, the genetic interactions of the ras transgene, and explores the cellular and molecular regulation of zeta-globin promoted transgene expression. As a prototype alternative model to the current long-term rodent bioassays, the Tg.AC has generated a healthy discussion on the future of transgenic bioassays, and opened the doors for subsequent models for toxicity testing. The further exploration and elucidation of the molecular controls of transgene expression will enhance the usefulness of this mouse and enable a better understanding of the Tg.AC's discriminate response to chemical carcinogens.
Energy Cost of Food Utilization in the Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

Abstract A respirometer was utilized to determine the energy cost of food utilization in the bluegill Lepomis macrochirus. Prior to the study, fish were acclimated to the experimental photoperiod (16 hr light) and temperature (15, 20 and 25 C) for 90 and 14 days, respectively. Each fish was tested in the respirometer for 3-day periods. After an initial acclimation period of 24 hr, metabolic rates were determined at 2-hr intervals for the next 48 hr and were converted to their caloric equivalents. Fish were fed to satiation on mayfly nymphs (Hexagenia limbata) in the morning and evening of day 3. We calculated the energy cost of food utilization by determining the increase in energy of respiration subsequent to feeding. Metabolic rates ranged from 30.7 to 160.9 mg O2/kg-hr. Nocturnal rates were 26% higher for both fed and unfed fish at each experimental temperature. Daily food intake was influenced somewhat by body weight and temperature. Values ranged from 1.16 to 3.43% of the wet weight of the fish. Ener...
A new caged Ca2+, azid-1, is far more photosensitive than nitrobenzyl-based chelators

Abstract Background: Photolabile chelators that release Ca 2+ upon illumination have been used extensively to dissect the role of this important second messenger in cellular processes such as muscle contraction and synaptic transmission. The caged calcium chelators that are presently available are often limited by their inadequate changes in Ca 2+ affinity, selectivity for Ca 2+ over Mg 2+ and sensitivity to light. As these chelators are all based on nitrobenzyl photochemistry, we explored the use of other photosensitive moieties to generate a new caged calcium with improved properties. Results: Azid-1 is a novel caged calcium in which a fluorescent Ca 2+ indicator, fura-2, has been modified with an azide substituent on the benzofuran 3-position. Azid-1 binds Ca 2+ with a dissociation constant (K d ) of ∼230 nM, which changes to 120 μM after photolysis with ultraviolet light (330–380 nm). Mg 2+ binding is weak (8–9 mM K d ) before or after photolysis. Azid-1 photolyzes with unit quantum efficiency, making it 40–170-fold more sensitive to light than caged calciums used previously. The photolysis of azid-1 probably releases N 2 to form a nitrenium ion that adds water to yield an amidoxime cation; the electron-with-drawing ability of the amidoxime cation reduces the chelator's Ca 2+ affinity within at most 2 ms following a light flash. The ability of azid-1 to function as a caged calcium in living cells was demonstrated in cerebellar Purkinje cells, in which Ca 2+ photolytically released from azid-1 could replace the normal depolarization-induced Ca 2+ transient in triggering synaptic plasticity. Conclusions: Azid-1 promises to be a useful tool for generating highly controlled spatial and temporal increases of Ca 2+ in studies of the many Ca 2+ -dependent biological processes. Unlike other caged calciums, azid-1 has a substantial cross section or shows a high susceptibility for two-photon photolysis, the only technique that confines the photochemistry to a focal spot that is localized in three dimensions. Azide photolysis could be a useful and more photosensitive alternative to nitrobenzyl photochemistry.
Impact of an alcohol withdrawal syndrome practice guideline on surgical patient outcomes.

Study Objective. To standardize treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in surgical patients using an AWS practice guideline with a symptom-triggered approach. Design. Prospective interventional (pilot group) and retrospective (comparison group). Setting. University teaching hospital. Patients. Thirty-eight trauma, orthopedic, and general surgery patients identified at risk for AWS in the pilot group, and 34 patients who were managed using nonstandardized approaches. Interventions. At-risk patients in the pilot group were assessed using the AWS Type Indicator. They received lorazepam, clonidine, or haloperidol, based on AWS Type Indicator assessment and AWS practice guideline criteria. Measurements and Main Results. A standardized symptom-triggered approach to managing AWS was expected to decrease the use of benzodiazepines, avoid undertreatment of adrenergic hyperactivity and delirium, decrease the need for sitters and physical restraints, and reduce hospital length of stay. Pilot patients received a mean of 23 mg less benzodiazepine (p=0.01), 0.1 mg more clonidine (p=0.01), and 20 mg less haloperidol (p=0.06) than comparison patients. Pilot patients also required significantly fewer sitter hours (p=0.04) and hours of restraint use (p=0.09) than comparison patients. No significant differences were found between groups for length of stay (p=0.77). Conclusions. This pilot project suggests that trauma, orthopedic, and general surgery patients at risk for AWS can be safely and effectively managed with a standardized, symptom-triggered approach. Moreover, this approach decreased the amounts of benzodiazepines and haloperidol administered to patients at risk for AWS.
Reproducibility of masked hypertension in adults with untreated borderline office blood pressure: comparison of ambulatory and home monitoring.

BACKGROUND We examined short-term reproducibility of masked hypertension (MH) among adults with recent "borderline" office blood pressure (BP) and compared agreement of ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and home BP monitoring (HBPM) in detecting MH. METHODS Fifty participants underwent repeated office BP measurements, 24-h ABPM, and HBPM sessions 1-week apart. Participants with office average <140/90 mm Hg were considered to have MH if daytime ABPM average was ≥135/85 mm Hg; they were considered to have MH by HBPM if the average was ≥135/85 mm Hg. Agreements were quantified using κ. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of daytime ABPM-office average pairing and HBPM session-office average pairing for diagnosing MH using a "standard" of two pairings of office and 24-h average ABPM (using a cutoff ≥130/80 mm Hg). RESULTS Prevalence rates of MH based on office-daytime ABPM pairings were 54 and 53%, with agreement of 73% (κ = 0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21-0.72). MH was less prevalent (43 and 35%) using HBPM-office pairings, with agreement of 69% (κ = 0.34; 95% CI 0.06-0.62). Office-HBPM pairings and office-daytime ABPM pairings had poor agreement on MH classification on both occasions, with κ of -0.06 and 0.10. Sensitivity and specificity of daytime ABPM-office pairing were 93 and 83%. Sensitivity and specificity of HBPM-office pairing were 23 and 67%. CONCLUSIONS MH appears to have fair-to-moderate reproducibility, favoring the hypothesis that office BP measurement systematically fails to identify some patients who should be treated as hypertensive. HBPM may not be adequate for detecting MH, or may identify a different "type" of MH than ABPM.
Inference for imputation estimators

We derive an estimator of the asymptotic variance of both single and multiple imputation estimators. We assume a parametric imputation model but allow for non- and semiparametric analysis models. Our variance estimator, in contrast to the estimator proposed by Rubin (1987), is consistent even when the imputation and analysis models are misspecified and incompatible with one another.
COMPARATIVE HISTOGENESIS OF THE AREOLES IN HOMALOCEPHALA AND ECHINOCACTUS

IN THE sub-tribe Echinocactanae, Britton anc Rose (1922) recognized 28 genera. Among these are the large barrel cacti (Echinocactus and Fero. cactus) and smaller forms which are interesting be. cause of their unusual morphology. Lophophora (peyote) and Ariocarpus include some of the strangest plants on earth. Since the time of Britton and Rose other oddities such as Encephalocarpus, Aztekium, Obregonia, and Neogomezia have been discovered and placed in the sub-tribe by some authors. As might be expected, there is a divergence of taxonomic opinion regarding relationships among certain genera. Berger (1926) thought that the group was polyphyletic. Backeberg (1950) divided the Echinocactanae into two taxa on the basis of geographic distribution. He made further modifications by erecting new genera and by transferring certain genera to or from other sub-tribes. Buxbaum (1951) created a new phylogenetic scheme and expanded the group so as to include the Coryphanthanae of Britton and Rose in his new taxon, Euechinocactineae. It is evident, then, that there is no general agreement regarding the phylogenetic positions of many genera. For one thing, many species are rare in collections and are therefore little known. Likewise, display specimens in private collections are, in general, not available for the dissections which might yield information useful in taxonomy. The author believes that developmental studies will contribute to the improvement of systematics within the Cactaceae and that they may prove decisive in delimiting tribes and sub-tribes. A recent study of development in Epithelantha (Boke, 1955), for example, suggested that this genus may not belong in the echinocactus group, but rather with the mammillarias. The author has accepted Buxbaum's (1951) system as an outline for an attack upon developmental problems in the Echinocactanae. Since Buxbaum regards Echinacactus and Homalocephala as primitive on the basis of seed structure, areole morphology, and floral characteristics, it seems desirable to provide information on these genera before proceeding to those which he considers more advanced. MATERIALS AND METHODS.-Homalocephala texensis is native to western and northern Texas, southwestern Oklahoma, southeastern New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Specimens were collected in several localities, but the majority came from two
Clinical Science Review Article: Understanding the Implications of Diabetes on the Vascular System

Patients with diabetes comprise an extremely complex subset of patients for the vascular surgeon. Often, they have numerous comorbidities that can further complicate matters. The diabetic environment is highly complex and the interplay of various diseases makes this an extremely challenging condition to manage. Knowing the mechanisms by which diabetes inflicts adverse microscopic changes in the vasculature allows the clinician to anticipate problems and minimize the heightened risks observed in diabetic patients undergoing surgery. In this review, we will illustrate how diabetes affects the vasculature and how the molecular and cellular derangements that occur in diabetic environments lead to these pathophysiologic consequences.
Absolute Instability Induced by Dissipation

Abstract A two-layer quasigeostrophic model is used to investigate whether dissipation can induce absolute instability in otherwise convectively unstable or stable background states. It is shown that dissipation of either temperature or lower-layer potential vorticity can cause absolute instabilities over a wide range of parameter values and over a wide range of positive lower-layer velocities (for positive vertical shear). It is further shown that these induced absolute instabilities can be manifested as local instabilities with similar properties. Compared to the previously known absolute instabilities, the induced absolute instabilities are characterized by larger scales, weaker absolute growth rates, and substantially weaker vertical phase tilt (typical values for subtropical states are zonal wavenumber 1–3, absolute growth rate 80–100 days, and period 7–10 days). The analysis of absolute instabilities, including the case of multiple absolute instabilities, is reviewed in an appendix. Because the disp...
Reproducibility of sample separation using liquid or forced air convection thermostatted high performance capillary electrophoresis systems

Run-to-run sample separation reproducibility has been compared on two commercial high performance capillary electrophoresis units which differ in the mode by which the capillary temperature is thermostatted. Three standard analytes, differing dramatically in molecular character and size, were used for the analysis: benzoic acid, a 14 amino acid peptide from human chorionic gonadotropin, and ribonuclease A represent, respectively, small stable organic molecules, small peptides with little or no secondary structure, and proteins with secondary structure. These standards were evaluated with regard to reproducibility of migration time, peak area, and peak height. The analyses, performed in buffers of optimum pH for the separations, demonstrated that the liquid and forced air convection thermostatted systems both performed extremely well. The reproducibility, as judged by the percent coefficient of variance (% CV) of replicate analyses, was generally found to be less than 1 % (migration time); the reproducibility decreased in the order migration time > peak height > peak area. Whereas the absolute % CV values for MTrel (migration relative to a standard) observed with the liquid thermostatted system were 2- to 4-fold lower than those observed with the forced air convection thermostatted system, there was little statistically significant difference between the two. As expected, the data indicated a reduction in reproducibility as the complexity of the analyte increased, perhaps as the result of an increased potential for wall interactions. Comparing separations in which low (≈1 watt/meter [W/m] of capillary) and high (>5 W/m) Joule heat was generated by altering the sodium chloride content of the buffer revealed few statistically significant differences in the reproducibility obtained from the two systems. With these particular standard analytes and their respective buffer systems, there appears to be little difference between forced air convection and liquid thermostatting of the capillary.
Effects of adrenalectomy on AGRP, POMC, NPY and CART gene expression in the basal hypothalamus of fed and fasted rats

Glucocorticoids regulate body energy balance through both peripheral and central mechanisms. In order to understand the central mechanisms that mediate these effects of glucocorticoids we studied the effects of adrenalectomy (ADX) and food deprivation on the expression of four neuropeptide genes (measured by S1 nuclease protection assay) in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), which are known to regulate energy balance: pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), agouti-related peptide (AGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART). Adult male rats were ADX or sham operated (SHAM), and studied 1-2 weeks later. In the first study effects of ADX and corticosterone replacement on POMC and AGRP expression were determined. ADX decreased POMC and AGRP gene expression in the MBH by 27 and 38%, respectively, compared to SHAM rats. Corticosterone treatment increased the expression of POMC by 87% and AGRP by 45% in ADX rats. The second study was designed to determine if glucocorticoids are necessary for the fasting induced changes in POMC, AGRP, NPY and CART in the MBH. ADX caused a 20-30% decrease in the expression of all four neuropeptide genes in the MBH. As expected, fasting suppressed POMC and CART expression and increased AGRP and NPY expression. The fasting-induced increases in AGRP and NPY persisted after ADX but no further significant decreases in POMC or CART were noted after fasting in ADX rats. Plasma leptin and insulin declined significantly after ADX and increased with corticosterone replacement; both leptin and insulin declined further in fasted, ADX animals. In conclusion, ADX decreases both anorexigenic, POMC and CART, and orexigenic, AGRP and NPY, neuropeptide gene expression in the MBH. AGRP and NPY decrease after ADX despite the fall in plasma leptin and insulin concentrations which in other situations would increase these neuropeptides. Furthermore, glucocorticoids are not required for fasting-induced upregulation of AGRP and NPY expression.
The EPQ with partial backordering and phase-dependent backordering rate

Abstract In previous work we established a closed-form optimal stocking strategy for an EPQ model with partial backordering at a constant rate β. Here we extend this work to allow for the possibility that the percentage of demand backordered will increase when production starts again. We show how our previous model can be adapted to find the optimal decision variable values for this new assumption and develop the condition that the initial value of β must meet for partial backordering to be optimal.
The temperature dependence of the UV—visible absorption cross-sections of NOCl

Abstract The absorption cross-sections for NOCl were measured between 350 and 650 nm and between 223 and 343 K using a photodiode array spectrometer system. This study represents the first measurement of the temperature dependence of the NOCl UV—visible absorption spectrum and will provide a useful set of data for the calculation of the atmospheric photolysis rate of NOCl and for the use of NOCl as a gas-phase actinometer.
Anxiety sensitivity, self-reported motives for alcohol and nicotine use, and level of consumption

We examined the relationship between anxiety sensitivity, alcohol and nicotine use, and drinking and smoking motives in a nonclinical university population. Participants (n=293) completed the 16-item Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) Index and a drinking and smoking history questionnaire. Sixty percent of participants completed the Drinking Motives Questionnaire and 29% completed the Smoking Motives Questionnaire. Level of alcohol and cigarette consumption was not related to AS but was related to motives. AS was directly related to coping-related drinking and moderated the relationship between level of smoking and mood-related smoking motives. Although AS may be more predictive of coping-related drinking motives than of level of alcohol consumption, given the relationship between these types of drinking motives and abusive drinking, high AS individuals might be an at-risk group due to their reasons for drinking. In addition, striking differences were found between drinkers who smoke and those who do not smoke, suggesting that this subgroup may also represent an at-risk group of drinkers.
Urbanization, Technology, and Traditional Values in Guatemala: Some Consequences of a Changing Social Structure

Though the relationship between social structural and psychological change has long been a primary concern for sociologists, few studies have reported explicit associations among the component variables. This study represents an attempt to assess the effect of increasing industrialization and urbanization on personal value orientations, using data gathered from a sample of male respondents in Guatemala City. The results show (1) that "traditionalism" has declined slightly more rapidly than would be anticipated from a knowledge of recent modernization trends in Guatemala, and (2) that variations in the degree of "traditionalism" are related to age, level of education, and occupational status.
Fast and robust image mosaicking for monocular video

Image mosaicking is the process of mapping an image series onto a common image grid, where the resulting mosaic forms a comprehensive view of the scene. This paper presents a near-real-time, automatic image mosaicking system that is designed to operate in real-world conditions. These conditions include arbitrary camera motion, disturbances from moving objects and annotations, and luminance variations. In the proposed algorithm, matching filters are used in conjunction with automatic corner detection to find several critical points within each image, which are then used to represent the image efficiently and accurately. Numerical techniques are used to distinguish between those points belonging to the actual scene and those resulting from a disturbance, and to determine the movement of the camera. The affine model is used to describe the frame-to-frame differences that result from camera motion. A local-adaptive fine-tuning step is used to correct the approximation error due to the use of the affine model, and to compensate for any luminance variation. The mosaic is constructed progressively as new images are being added. The proposed algorithm has been extensively tested on real-world, monocular video sequences, and it is shown to be very accurate and robust.
Identification of a new crosslinking amino acid in elastin

Abstract Recently, Partridge et al . (1963) described the occurrence in elastin of two hitherto unrecognized amino acids for which evidence has now accrued to show their origin from lysine residues in a “pre-elastin” (Partridge et al ., 1964; Miller et al ., 1964). These substances, called desmosine and isodesmosine, are in fact quaternary pyridinium compounds with four side-chain substituents that function in crosslinking of elastin chains (Thomas et al ., 1964). An examination of peptide fractions of elastin selected for enrichment with respect to the desmosines revealed the presence of an additional amino acid, called X4′ also previously undescribed (Franzblau et al ., 1965). The present communication presents data to show that X4 can be represented by the formula, Nϵ-(5-amino 5-carboxypentanyl)-lysine.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron-Emission Tomography Imaging in the 21st Century as Tools for the Evaluation and Management of Patients With Invasive Cervical Carcinoma

For over 4 decades, the delivery of definitive radiotherapy to patients with carcinoma of the cervix has involved both external beam and brachytherapy. Both of these therapeutic modalities have been traditionally linked to 2-dimensional radiographic guidance. Currently, the staging of these tumors still resides in clinical examinations and 2-dimensional diagnostic x-rays. Recently, there have been significant technological developments in imaging, namely magnetic resonance imaging and positron-emission tomography. These novel radiologic advances have subsequently led to a number of investigational studies, which in turn have shown a "paradigm shift" not only in the diagnosis but also in the radiation delivery used for patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix.
Embedded Refractive Index Sensing in Microchannels Using Multiplexed Silicon-on-Insulator Microring Resonators

We describe the use of wavelength-multiplexed microring resonators as refractive index sensors embedded in microfluidic channels for parallel and differential sensing. The sensor geometry consists of two or more identical 45-micron diameter silicon ring resonators fabricated on silicon dioxide coupled to a single input/output bus waveguide. Two modes of sensing are described: parallel sensing with multiple sensors embedded in separate fluidic channels, and increased sensitivity refractive index sensing by the compensation of temperature dependence with a differential temperature referencing measurement. The first set of experiments demonstrates parallel sensing of water and aqueous salt solutions embedded in separate microchannels. The second set of experiments demonstrates the removal of temperature dependence, and thus improved refractive index detection limit, by temperature referencing using a differential measurement between two resonators.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Coordinated transportation systems: An alternative approach to traditional independent systems

Abstract Public service agencies are servicing increasing numbers of clients as their operating funds continue to decrease. As a result, it is becoming more and more difficult for these agencies to maintain their effectiveness. This paper focuses upon shared transportation programs which is just one of the many cost-savings approaches public service agencies are beginning to implement. As alternatives to current transportation procedures, two coordinated transportation systems are presented, evaluated, and compared in a two agency-two vehicle system network scenario on the basis of total optimal vehicle route lengths. It is illustrated that significant cost savings can be achieved by coordinating transportation resources among local agencies. The main contributions of this paper are the two optimization models that will serve as benchmarks against which heuristic vehicle routing and scheduling models for coordinated transportation systems can be compared and tested. Such heuristics could then be incorporated into affordable software for use by local public service agencies.
Apoptosis and Free Radicals

Necrotic cell death is usually a consequence of extensive insult to the cell, leading to release of intracellular contents and an inflammatory response. Apoptosis, however, is a physiological response to damaging influences that requires sufficient maintenance of homeostasis to allow execution of the pathway. Apoptosis circumvents the induction of an inflammatory response, which can be disadvantageous and, therefore, would be more beneficial than necrosis under many circumstances. The apoptotic response appears complicated and involves many factors, including the mitotic rate, the stage of differentiation, the type and strength of the initiating stimulus, and exogenous factors. Recent evidence, however, implicates free radicals as a causal agent in some types of apoptosis, both physiologically and pathologically.
Subdural empyema complicating sinusitis.

Abstract Acute sinusitis is a common childhood illness most often involving the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses. Diagnosis is usually based on a history of an upper respiratory tract infection lasting longer than 7 days with a prominent nasal component. Treatment involves 10–14 days of antibiotics. Intracranial complications of pediatric sinusitis are rare, but potentially life-threatening. These include cavernous sinus thrombosis, orbital and intracranial extension, and meningitis. Children with these complications may experience significant morbidity from their infection. In such cases, delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to irreparable brain damage or death. We report a case of sinusitis causing a subdural empyema in an otherwise healthy immunocompetent adolescent boy.
Optically induced magnetism in cobalt iron cyanide

Theoretical studies on the recently observed optically induced magnetization in nanoparticles of ${\mathrm{K}}_{0.2}{\mathrm{Co}}_{1.4}{[\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})}_{6}{]\mathrm{\ensuremath{\cdot}}6.9\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ have been carried out by simulating the solid with representative clusters. Our studies, performed within the density-functional formalism, show that the ground state is supplemented by several excited states with varying spin multiplicities. Illumination of the solid by light results in excitations to different states depending on the photon energy. In particular, it is shown that while red light enhances the magnetization, blue light reduces it---in agreement with the observed changes.
Intermediate filament protein synemin contributes to the migratory properties of astrocytoma cells by influencing the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton

We have shown previously that, in astrocytoma cells, synemin is present at the leading edge, an unusual localization for an intermediate filament (IF) protein. Here, we report that synemin down-regulation with specific small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) sharply decreased the migration of astrocytoma cells. The presence of synemin at the leading edge also correlated with a high migratory potential, as shown by comparing astrocytoma cells to carcinoma cells without synemin at the leading edge. Synemin-silenced astrocytoma cells were smaller and spread more slowly than controls. In addition, synemin silencing reduced proliferation without increasing apoptosis. The adhesion to substratum and distribution of vinculin in focal contacts of synemin-silenced astrocytoma cells were similar to those of controls. Synemin-silenced cells, however, exhibited a reduction in the amount of filamentous (F) -actin and of α-actinin, but not of vinculin, associated with F-actin. Altogether, these results demonstrate that synemin is important for the malignant behavior of astrocytoma cells and that it contributes to the high motility of these cells by modulating the dynamics of α-actinin and actin. —Pan, Y., Jing, R., Pitre, A., Williams, B. J., Skalli, O. Intermediate filament protein synemin contributes to the migratory properties of astrocytoma cells by influencing the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton.