cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concrete and the Engineered Picturesque: The Parc des Buttes Chaumont (Paris, 1867)

Abstract Influential developments in landscape architecture paralleling those in architecture, industrial design, and engineering occurred during the French Second Empire (1851–1870). The civil engineer J.C.A. Alphand oversaw the design and construction of the Parc des Buttes Chaumont located in Paris's 19th arrondissement. The park opened concurrently with the Exposition Universelle on April 1, 1867; it is the only extant installation associated with the exposition. The park demonstrated advances in landscape design through numerous innovations in construction and materials, particularly concrete. Alphand's theoretical treatise and the physical presentation of the park as an engineered landscape fundamentally shifted the practice of landscape design.
The X-ray crystal and molecular structure of 2-methylpiperidinepentacarbonyl-tungsten

Abstract The X-ray crystal structure of 2-methylpiperidinepentacarbonyltungsten has been determined from single crystal diffraction data. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2 1 with four molecules in the unit cell having dimensions a = 8.56(3), b = 11.61(4), c = 13.925(4) A , and β = 91.84°. The structure was solved by the Patterson method and refined to a final R value of 4.6%. The chirality of the molecule is ( S ) at position 2 and ( S ) at the prochiral N, for the enantiomer which preferentially precipitates as a diastereoisomeric salt with ( R , R )-tartaric acid. The ring is in the chair conformation. The equatorial carbonyls are all bent away from the 2-Me-Pip ring such that W is 0.08 A out of the plane of the carbons. The average WC-(axial) distance is about 0.1 A shorter than the WC-(eq) average, indicative of carbonyl having a greater affinity for the metal electrons than piperidine. A CD spectrum showed no optical rotation induced on the visible-UV bands of the complex, probably due to dissociation of the piperidine ligand in solution.
Microbial Pathogenesis: Mechanisms of Infectious Disease

The FASEB Summer Research Conference on Microbial Pathogenesis: Mechanisms of Infectious Disease was held in Colorado, USA in July 2007. The central theme was the interplay between pathogenic microbes and their mammalian hosts. Here, we review the presented research that highlights this theme, including studies of both short-term and long-term interactions between microbes and their hosts.
The universality of various types of SIMD machine interconnection networks

SIMD machine architects must choose an interconnection network to provide interprocessor communication. The universality of a network is its ability to simulate arbitrary interconnections of the processing elements. We examine the universality of five particular networks which cover the types used in the Illiac IV, STARAN, Omen, SIMDA, and RAP machines. They also cover the types discussed by Feng, Lang, Lawrie, Orcutt, Siegel, and Stone. We give O((log2N)2) algorithms, where N is the number of processing elements, for the Perfect Shuffle, PM21, WPM21, and Cube networks to simulate arbitrary interconnections (Orcutt has given an O(N1/2log2N) algorithm for the Illiac network). We analyze Batcher's bitonic sorting method and show how each network can implement it on an SIMD machine. We discuss how sorting destination tags is equivalent to simulating interconnections.
Parallel Factor Analysis (PARAFAC) of Target Analytes in GC × GC−TOFMS Data: Automated Selection of a Model with an Appropriate Number of Factors

PARAFAC (parallel factor analysis) is a powerful chemometric method that has been demonstrated as a useful deconvolution technique in dealing with data obtained using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC−TOFMS). However, selection of a PARAFAC model having an appropriate number of factors can be challenging, especially at low S/N or for analytes in the presence of chromatographic and spectral overlapping compounds (interferences). Herein, we present a method for the automated selection of a PARAFAC model with an appropriate number of factors in GC × GC−TOFMS data, demonstrated for a target analyte of interest. The approach taken in the methodology is as follows. PARAFAC models are automatically generated having an incrementally higher number of factors until mass spectral matching of the corresponding loadings in the model against a target analyte mass spectrum indicates overfitting has occurred. Then, the model selected simply has one le...
Millimeter-wave Array Receivers for Remote Sensing

Recent developments in millimeter-wave receiver have enabled new remote sensing capabilities. MMIC circuits operating at frequencies as high as 200 GHz have enabled low-cost mass producible integrated receivers suitable for array applications. We will describe several ground-based demonstrations of this technology including development of integrated spectral line receivers for atmospheric remote sensing, a synthetic thinned aperture radiometer for atmospheric sounding and imaging and polarimetric array radiometers for astrophysics applications.
Differential Sensitivity to Airpuffs on Human Hairy and Glabrous Skin

To compare the relative sensitivities of glabrous and hairy skin, we measured reaction times (RTs) and detectability (d′)of airpuffs delivered to the hairy dorsum and glabrous thenar eminence of the hand of six human subjects. In contrast to previous studies with mechanical contact stimuli, airpuffs applied to hairy skin were detected with equal or greater fidelity than airpuffs tested on glabrous skin. Mean RTs to three simultaneously applied airpuffs were significantly shorter (p <. 005) on hairy skin in five of six subjects, and in 74% of paired sessions; no significant difference in mean RTs was observed in 16% of the sessions. The superiority of hairy skin was less evident, however, when single airpuffs were tested, as significantly shorter responses were observed on only 45% of the paired sessions, and nearly identical responses on 38% of the sessions. Detectability of airpuffs (d′), which is independent of the value of RTs, was identical on hairy and glabrous skin at high airpuff intensities (1,600...
Use of a modified urea gel isoelectric focusing method for species identification of raw or boiled white, pink, and rock shrimp.

Isoelectric focusing (IEF) polyacrylamide gel containing an 80% pH 4–6.5 and 20% pH 3–10 ampholyte mixture greatly improved protein banding pattern for species identification of water extracts of raw pink, white and rock shrimp compared with the system using only the pH 3–10 range ampholyte. Identification of a specific species in mixture samples was achieved by the detection of water-extractable shrimp specific protein bands present in the gel. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was a better protein extractant than water for cooked shrimp. Both water and SDS extracts of cooked shrimp showed specific protein banding patterns and improved resolution for species identification.
Expression of Id-1 Is Regulated by MCAM/MUC18: A Missing Link in Melanoma Progression

The acquisition of the metastatic melanoma phenotype is associated with increased expression of the melanoma cell adhesion molecule MCAM/MUC18 (CD146). However, the mechanism by which MUC18 contributes to melanoma metastasis remains unclear. Herein, we stably silenced MUC18 expression in two metastatic melanoma cell lines, A375SM and C8161, and conducted cDNA microarray analysis. We identified and validated that the transcriptional regulator, Inhibitor of DNA Binding-1 (Id-1), previously shown to function as an oncogene in several malignancies including melanoma, was downregulated by 5.6-fold following MUC18 silencing. Additionally, we found that MUC18 regulated Id-1 expression at the transcriptional level via ATF-3, which itself was upregulated by 6.9 fold in our cDNA microarray analysis. ChIP analysis showed increased binding of ATF-3 to the Id-1 promoter after MUC18 silencing. To complement these studies, we rescued the expression of MUC18, which reversed the expression patterns of Id-1 and ATF-3. Moreover, we showed that MUC18 promotes melanoma invasion through Id-1, as overexpression of Id-1 in MUC18-silenced cells resulted in increased MMP-2 expression and activity. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that MUC18 is involved in cell signaling regulating the expression of Id-1 and ATF-3 in contributing to melanoma metastasis.
Designing a rule-based hourly rainfall prediction model

Rainfall prediction is important in many aspects of our economy and general livelihood by preventing any serious natural disasters. Although numerous methodologies have been introduced to predict hourly rainfall, most of them cannot provide transparency of predicted outcomes. To overcome this limitation, we propose a computer-aided rule-based rainfall prediction model using CART and C4.5. To correctly perform rainfall prediction, the chance of rain is first determined. Then, hourly rainfall prediction is performed only if there is any chance of rain. As outcomes, rules for rainfall prediction are provided, which may provide hidden, but important patterns with transparent reasons. To validate the rules, ten-fold cross validation method is performed and its average accuracy with precision and recall is reported. As results, the average accuracies of classifying and predicting raining conditions with CART and C4.5 are 99.2% and 99.3%, respectively. And the average prediction accuracies of estimating hourly rainfall with CART and C4.5 are 92.8% and 93.4%, correspondingly. Overall, we believe that the generated rules are useful for predicting the chance of rain and quantitatively measuring hourly rainfall.
Secular trends in Cherokee cranial morphology: Eastern vs Western bands

Background: The research objective was to examine if secular trends can be identified for cranial data commissioned by Boas in 1892, specifically for cranial breadth and cranial length of the Easte...
SU-E-T-406: Online Image-Guidance for Prostate SBRT: Dosimetric Benefits and Margin Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric benefits of online image guidance during prostate stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT) and the potential on margin reduction. Methods: 28 prostate SBRT patients were retrospectively studied, each treated with 37Gy in 5 fractions. RTOG recently opened a similar protocol (0938). During treatments, per‐beam couch corrections were made based on the actual target motion provided by dynamic tracking with either Calypso or per‐beam OBI imaging.Dosimetric benefits of online correction were evaluated by comparing delivered dose distributions with and without such correction. The dose distribution without correction was generated in the same treatment planning system by accumulating doses without online correction from the each beam and each fraction. Quantitative analyses include the dosimetric difference between delivered doses with and without correction; the correction magnitude and frequency; and the potential on margin reduction based on the margin recipe by Van Herk et al. Results: (1) Delivery without online correction results in small reduction on target mean dose (0.03±0.05Gy), maximal dose (0.01±0.06Gy), and conformity index (<0.06). (2) Delivery without online correction has small impact on OAR dose: 26 out of 28 patients have <1%/1.5cc differences in V18.5Gy/V24Gy/V28Gy/V33Gy/V37Gy for both the bladder and the rectum. Maximal differences are 4cc of the bladder and 1.6cc of the rectum in mid‐dose regions (V18.5Gy). (3) For femoral heads, <1cc/1Gy differences are observed in V20Gy/Dmean/D1cc.(4) Average number of couch corrections per fraction is 0.49. The magnitudes are: (−0.2±2)mm vertically, (−0.1±2.1)mm longitudinally, and (−0.2±1.4)mm laterally. (5) Margin determined by actual target motion in this patient population is 2.5mm isotropic. Conclusion: For both target coverage and OAR sparing, overall small benefit is seen from per‐beam couch correction under dynamic tracking. The target motion between beams is small and random, and indicates a population‐based margin size of 2.5mm.
Changing levels of intellectual property rights protection for global firms: A synopsis of recent U.S. and EU trade enforcement strategies

Abstract According to the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), approximately $350 billion in counterfeit goods is traded annually in the world economy. Additionally, the European Commission of Taxation and Customs Union reported that 100 million fake items were seized in 2004, a 900% increase over a 4-year period. Recent trade initiatives, such as the U.S. Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP!) and the EU Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive, target both organized pirates and consumers in effort to bolster the protection of intellectual property rights. Understanding these innovative trade initiatives will assist managers to better deal with anti-counterfeiting tactics.
The one-minute mental status examination.

The mental status examination is among the most time consuming aspects of neurologic evaluation. Comprehensive evaluations require assessment of attention, memory, language, visuospatial skills, executive function, and emotional and neuropsychiatric symptoms. There is increasing use of short, standardized mental status questionnaires such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)1 to provide brief, objective measures of mental status changes. The MMSE has proven to be a very resilient instrument but it lacks measures of executive function and, when applied to individuals with dementia, is insensitive to the earliest changes, particularly in high-functioning individuals. What brief cognitive test can provide useful information regarding the presence and possible etiology of dementia? Duff Canning et al., in this issue of Neurology , offer an interesting answer to this question.2 They have performed comprehensive evaluations …
Relations between the Ball amplitudes and the zeros of ρ 0 -decay density matrix elements

We present experimental evidence that in ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\rho}}^{0}n$, $^{t}\ensuremath{\rho}_{1\ensuremath{-}1}^{11}\ensuremath{\approx}0$ in an extended range of $s$ and $t$ and $\mathrm{Re}^{s}\ensuremath{\rho}_{10}^{11}=0$ at $t\ensuremath{\approx}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{2}$ independently of $s$. These two facts are shown to be correlated and imply fundamental relations between the Ball invariant amplitudes.
A technique for optimizing sample size (replication)

Abstract Current methods for estimating sample size are not appropriate in situations where a minimum detectable difference cannot be specified a priori. For these cases, a method is proposed which incorporates resolving power as a primary factor and expended effort (feasibility) as a secondary factor. Trade-offs between resolving power and expended effort are evaluated over a range of sample sizes. The Se is used as a measure of resolving power and the greatest limiting factor on sample size is used as a measure of sample effort. Techniques for obtaining a range of sample sizes from a single large collection or from a preliminary experiment also are given.
COX-2 expression in adenoma: an imperfect marker for chemoprevention

Four randomised, placebo-controlled studies have each shown that daily aspirin use reduces the occurrence of colorectal adenomatous polyps among individuals with a history of prior colorectal adenomas or cancer.1–4 In one of these trials, conducted by the Association pour la Prevention par l'Aspirine du Cancer Colorectal (APACC), 272 patients were randomised to two doses of a soluble aspirin salt (lysine acetylsalicylate) at 160 mg or 300 mg or placebo after removal of at least three adenomas or one adenoma at least 6 mm in diameter in a clearing colonoscopy. Compared with placebo, aspirin treatment at either dose was associated with a 37% reduction in risk of any recurrent adenoma and 70% reduction in risk of recurrent adenoma greater than 5 mm at the year 1 surveillance colonoscopy.3 In this issue of Gut , Benamouzig and colleagues ( see page 622 ) now present a secondary analysis of a subset of 136 participants in the APACC trial.5 The authors examined immunohistochemical expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the adenomas resected at the baseline clearing colonoscopy in relation to aspirin use and risk of adenoma recurrence at the year 1 or 4 surveillance colonoscopy. Aspirin is likely, at least in part, to prevent colorectal neoplasia through inhibition of COX-2, the rate-limiting step for the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and related eicosanoids. COX-2 promotes inflammation and cell proliferation, and colorectal cancers often over-express this enzyme.6 Thus, the study by Benamouzig et al is a unique opportunity to examine whether the likelihood of overall adenoma recurrence as well as the effect of aspirin on recurrence varies according to tumorous expression of COX-2 in the baseline adenoma. As a caveat, a formal presentation of the final main results of the APACC trial incorporating the outcomes at the year 4 colonoscopy has not yet been published except …
Effects of nasal port area on perception of nasality and measures of nasalance based on computational modeling.

Objective: This study examined the relation between nasal port area, nasalance, and perceptual ratings of nasality for three English corner vowels, /i/, /u/, and /a/. Design: Samples were simulated using a computational model that allowed for exact control of nasal port size and direct measures of nasalance. Perceptual ratings were obtained using a paired stimulus presentation. Participants: Four experienced listeners. Main Outcome Measures: Nasalance and perceptual ratings of nasality. Results: Findings show that perceptual ratings of nasality and nasalance increased for samples generated with nasal port areas up to and including 0.16 cm2 but plateaued in samples generated with larger nasal port areas. No vowel differences were noted for perceptual ratings. Conclusions: This work extends previously published work by including nasal port areas representative of those reported in the literature for clinical populations. Continued work using samples with varied phonetic context and varying suprasegmental an...
Relationship Styles of Self-Focused Autonomy, Other-Focused Connection, and Mutuality Among Mexican American and European American College Students

The author examined relationship styles of self-focused autonomy (SFA), other-focused connection (OFC), and mutuality among 415 European and Mexican American young adults in 2 U.S. colleges. Mutuality was the most commonly reported style for both ethnic groups, although Mexican American men were more likely than the others to indicate that they had the SFA style. Mexican American participants perceived their fathers' styles as SFA more often than did the others regarding either of their parents' styles. Mutuality was associated with the best mental-health outcomes regardless of gender or ethnicity. The present results indicate that the cultural influences on autonomy and connection are complex and that collectivistic cultural contexts may sometimes promote autonomy concerns in men.
Measures of executive functioning as predictors of functional ability and social integration in a rehabilitation sample.

Abstract Objective: To examine the utility of executive function tests in predicting rehabilitation outcome. Design: A prospective, descriptive study of the value of neuropsychologic and motor functioning measures in the prediction of functional outcome 6 months after acute rehabilitation. Setting: A Midwestern, urban, university-affiliated rehabilitation hospital. Patients: Ninety consecutive admissions to traumatic brain injury, orthopedic, and spinal cord injury units. Age of the participants ranged from 17 to 73. Main Outcome Measures: Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ), Disability Rating Scale (DRS), SF-36 Health Survey. Results: Canonical correlation analyses indicated that measures of executive functioning and verbal memory were strongly related to measures of functional outcome 6 months after rehabilitation, as measured by the DRS and the CIQ. In contrast, perceived health status as measured by the SF-36 was highly related to estimated premorbid IQ and modestly related to visuospatial impairment. Conclusions: Executive functioning, verbal memory, and estimated premorbid intelligence predict functional dependence after discharge from rehabilitation beyond information regarding basic sensory and motor skills. Moreover, there is a dissociation between measures of functional outcome, such that objective and behaviorally oriented measures of disability (CIQ and DRS) are strongly related to each other; however, they are not related to perceptions of general health status (SF-36).
Biological oceanography: Plastic plankton prosper

Phytoplankton support most marine food webs, but little is known about their intraspecific diversity. Research shows the strains that are most responsive to changes in CO2 concentration may outcompete less flexible types in an acidifying ocean.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole-Induced Tremor in an Immunocompetent Patient

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is a widely administered antibiotic that is well tolerated by most patients. Hypersensitivity reactions and gastrointestinal intolerance are the most common adverse events associated with it. Central nervous system adverse effects such as tremors are less common and occur primarily in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. A 29-year-old immunocompetent man developed a tremor while taking TMP-SMX. The tremor resolved within 2 days after the drug was discontinued.
Fear of hypnosis: the role of labeling in patients' acceptance of behavioral interventions

One hundred and five outpatient cancer chemotherapy patients were interviewed to assess their attitudes toward hypnosis and relaxation as well as to determine their beliefs in and willingness to try a behavioral procedure. Patients were randomly assigned to groups receiving identical descriptions labeled “hypnosis,” “relaxation,” or “passive relaxation with guided imagery.” The description stressed the behavioral components of hypnosis and relaxation rather than the nonbehavioral techniques often associated with hypnosis such as age regression and posthypnotic suggestion. Patients believed hypnosis to be a powerful process that involved loss of control and altered states of consciousness. When compared with a group of college students, patients held significantly more fearful, conservative views about hypnosis. Patients who received a description of an intervention labeled “hypnosis” were significantly less likely to believe the procedure would effectively control their nausea and vomiting and were significantly less likely to state they would try the procedure than patients in the other two label conditions. This reaction to the label occurred independently of patients' degree of nausea, vomiting, and pain due to their chemotherapy treatments.
Relationship of age and cellularity to metabolic activity in C57B mice.

SummaryOur results indicate that isolated adipose cells from older mice convert glucose to carbon dioxide as rapidly as cells from young mice. Therefore, a slowed basal glucose conversion rate in isolated cell preparations is not exclusively age-related, but depends on the number of cells in the aliquot. Our data do not substantiate an age difference in rate of glucose conversion to CO2 per cell by adipocytes in C57B mice. Decreased insulin response in adipocytes may represent cell size changes rather than direct age-related changes.The authors wish to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Anita Zorzoli at Vassar College for providing the mice for this study. We also wish to thank Mrs. Kirsten Glasser and Miss Florence Oetjen for their excellent technical assistance.
An inert prototype of an ion pump

Abstract A simple inert prototype system has been devised which exhibits the principal characteristics required of an active transport mechanism. The system has been shown to exhibit an ability to accumulate both anions and cations against very significant concentration gradients. It has been shown to be able to induce efflux of one cation in preference to another and thereby exhibit specificity. The system has been shown to be able to transport H+ ions against a concentration gradient as high as 3‐thousand‐fold extending ‘outward’ through the membrane. The anion used for inducing efflux transport was caprylate; in the model it represents an anion being produced in the cell as an end‐product of metabolism. The model accordingly provides a simple way to link efflux transport to metabolism. Unlike traditional carrier models, which require a very large fraction of the energy made available from metabolism, the present model requires no energy for its operation inasmuch as the driving force is the diffusion o...
New physics and the Landau pole

In scalar field theories the Landau pole is an ultraviolet singularity in the running coupling constant that indicates a mass scale at which the theory breaks down and new physics must intervene. However, new physics at the pole will in general affect the running of the low energy coupling constant, which will in turn affect the location of the pole and the related upper limit (''triviality'' bound) on the low energy coupling constant. If the new physics is strongly coupled to the scalar fields these effects can be significant even though they are power suppressed. We explore the possible range of such effects by deriving the one loop renormalization group equations for an effective scalar field theory with a dimension 6 operator representing the low energy effects of the new physics. As an independent check we also consider a renormalizable model of the high-scale physics constructed so that its low energy limit coincides with the effective theory.
A comparison of time series and econometric models for forecasting restaurant sales

Abstract Historically, forecasting of restaurant sales in the hospitality industry has been ‘judgementally’ based. Given the importance of both short-term and long-term sales forecasts for effective restaurant management, we have investigated various forecasting models for accuracy and efficiency. The results of the study show that for the actual restaurant sales in this sample, time series models (specifically Box-Jenkins and exponential smoothing models) performed as well or better in forecasting sales than an econometric model. Since time series models (especially exponential smoothing models) are typically more economical in terms of time and skill levels of the users, the results of this study have important implications for the use of forecasting techniques in the restaurant industry.
The isovolumic index: A new noninvasive approach to the assessment of left ventricular function in man

Abstract Both a high ratio of preejection period (PEP) to left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and a prolonged isovolumic relaxation time are associated with left ventricular dysfunction. In pilot studies in instrumented dogs, we measured a combined isovolumic index, defined as (isovolumic contraction + isovolumic relaxation time)/LVET and found an inverse correlation with changes in fractional shortening. To test the utility of this index in human subjects, we used the electrocardiogram, mitral valve (MV) echogram, and indirect carotid arterial tracing to calculate isovolumic index as (time from R wave to MV opening — LVET)/LVET × 100%. Normal subjects had isovolumic index values that averaged 24 ± 7% (standard deviation), in contrast to patients with cardiomyopathy who averaged 5 ±14% (p 32%. Of patients with coronary artery disease, 72% (21 of 29) had an isovolumic index >32%. An isovolumic index >32% identified 20 of 22 patients (91%) with a reduced ejection fraction and 12 of 14 (86% ) with a segmental wall motion abnormality, and it was a more sensitive marker of these abnormalities than abnormal E point-septal separation. In 6 patients with coronary artery disease who had simultaneous echocardiograms and measurements of left ventricular pressure by micromanometer tip catheter, the time constants of isovolumic pressure decrease were uniformly increased in association with an isovolumic index >32%. In contrast, all had normal PEP/LVET ratios. The isovolumic index is thus a sensitive, potentially useful noninvasive marker of left ventricular dysfunction that is easily obtained from the routine echocardiogram.
The Democratic Minimum: Is Democracy a Means to Global Justice?

I argue that transnational democracy provides the basis for a solution to the problem of the “democratic circle”-that in order for democracy to promote justice, it must already be just-at the international level. Transnational democracy could be a means to global justice. First, I briefly recount my argument for the “democratic minimum.” This minimum is freedom from domination, understood in a very specific sense. Employing Hannah Arendt's conception of freedom as “the capacity to begin,” the form of nondomination sufficient for the democratic minimum is the capability to initiate deliberation and thus democratic decision-making processes. My point in developing this argument further concerns the political form of a transnational polity: its citizens enjoy the democratic minimum as members of various demoi. In the case of the European Union, this leads to a potential for democratic domination. I call this the demoi problem, a difficulty that holds for any multilevel polity, for bounded as well as transnational political communities. Second, I argue that such domination is overcome so long as the capacity to initiate deliberation is distributed among various units and various levels. The democratic minimum could fail to obtain not only because individuals or groups are dominated by nondemocratic means, but also because they are dominated democratically to the extent that the demos of one unit lacks the normative power to initiate deliberation and thus is subordinated to others.
Executive function in individuals with subthreshold autism traits.

Objective Recent research has documented increased psychosocial difficulties in individuals who report higher-than-typical autistic traits but without an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Less is known, however, regarding the cognitive profile of individuals with subthreshold autism symptomatology. The objective of the present study was to provide additional insight into this issue and examine whether young adults who report higher degrees of autism traits also report experiencing increased difficulties with executive control. Method The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function was utilized to evaluate behavioral aspects of executive functioning in 66 and 28 individuals who endorsed high and low subthreshold levels of autism symptomatology, respectively. Results After accounting for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptomatology at both the group and individual participant levels, we found that autism traits continued to explain a significant amount of variance in participants' overall level of executive function (Global Executive Composite) as well as within most individual executive domains. Interestingly, the high and low trait groups did not differ on the inhibitory control and organization of materials scales, areas of functioning that appears to be largely spared in individuals with ASD as well. Conclusions Findings from the present study are consistent with past research linking ASD and executive control impairment. In addition, ASD and ADHD traits were associated with unique contributions to the executive control profile of individuals with subthreshold autism symptomatology. This finding underscores the importance of accounting for ADHD symptomatology in studying ASD.
Observations of periodic variations in the X-ray intensity of Cygnus X-3.

A 4.8 hour periodicity in the X-ray intensity of Cygnus X-3 has been reported1–3. The Uhuru observations of May 8 to May 17, 1972, show a smooth, nearly sinusoidal modulation of about half the source intensity1–2. The Copernicus data3, which have a similar appearance, were collected during September 1972. This was after the first outburst of a radio source4,5 which may be associated with Cygnus X-3. We present here a study of the time variability of the X-ray intensity of Cygnus X-3 with data collected by the OSO-7 satellite in December 1971 and in January, June and July 1972.
Comparative statics of a two-country capital/money model

Abstract This paper presents a two country version of James Tobin's capital/money model, with international trade and capital transactions. The model is used to derive comparative static properties of financial market equilibrium under four alternative regimes: fixed or flexible exchange rates combined with a pegged foreign government interest rate or a fixed supply of foreign government debt. The comparative static results derived by Tobin for a closed economy, and by William Branson for a small country with an open economy, are preserved in the model developed here only in the case where both the exchange rate and the foreign interest rate are pegged. The reasons for this are explored.
Aortic Valve Replacement with Cryopreserved Allografts: Mid‐Term Results

Objective: Analysis of the clinical and echocardiographic mid-term results following aortic valve replacement (AVR) with cryopreserved allografts. Design and setting: A cohort study in a tertiary care center. Patients: Fifty patients underwent allograft AVR during the years 1987 through 1992. There were 44 men and 6 women with a mean age of 47.6 ± 12.2 years (range 22 to 72 years). Indications for operation included: aortic stenosis (AS) 15 patients, aortic regurgitation (AR) 24, and mixed 11. The etiology was: congenital 22, rheumatic 8, degenerative 5, senile calcific 4, malfunctioning aortic valve prosthesis 5, and active endocarditis 6. Outcome measures: Early mortality and morbidity; mid-term survival, functional class, and valve related complications; and two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography to assess valve structure and function. Results: Two patients (4%) died perioperatively of non-cardiac or valve related causes. Long-term follow-up ranged from 4 to 60 months (median 34 months), with no late mortality, recurrence of endocarditis, or thromboembolic events. Thirty-nine patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class 1 (83%) and 7 (15%) in Class II. Of these, echocardiogram showed trace or no AR in 42 (98%) and 2+ AR in 1. One allograft was re-replaced with a mechanical valve due to technical failure. One patient was in NYHA Class III with normal allograft function and 4+ mitral regurgitation. Conclusions: Replacement of the aortic valve by a cryopreserved allograft can be performed safely, and is particularly useful in the setting of active endocarditis and failed prior prosthetic valve. Mid-term clinical results and valve durability at 5 years are excellent. (J Card Surg 1994;9:292–297)
A photonic true time delay processor for Global Positioning System (GPS) null steering

This paper presents a novel architecture for independently steering broadband nulls for phased array antennas. Measurements taken over a ten percent fractional bandwidth on a three-element proof-of-concept system shows a null depth of better than 40 dB uniform across the entire band in this laboratory setup. The architecture presented is best suited for small antenna array applications, for example GPS guided airborne munitions. In a fully integrated, optimized system, null depths of 50-70 dB or greater across a multi-gigahertz bandwidth are anticipated and the critical factors, which influence this performance, are examined.
Intermediate-term durability of bicuspid aortic valve repair for prolapsing leaflet.

Objective: To determine the durability of repair of a bicuspid aortic valve with leaflet prolapse, and to identify factors associated with repair failure. Methods: From November 1988 to January 1997, 94 patients with a bicuspid aortic valve and regurgitation from leaflet prolapse had aortic valve repair. In 66 patients, the repair employed triangular resection of the prolapsing leaflet. The remainder underwent mid-leaflet plication of the prolapsing leaflet. Mean age was 38 ∠ 10 years and 93% were male. Median follow-up was 5.5 years (range 0.2‐9 years). Factors associated with aortic valve competence and durability were identified by multivariable logistic and hazard function analyses. Results: Early valve competence was more difficult to achieve in patients with large, poor functioning ventricles (P = 0.02). Aortic valve reoperation was necessary in 12 patients that included three re-repairs and nine aortic valve replacements. Freedom from reoperation was 95, 87 and 84% at 1, 5 and 7 years, respectively. The instantaneous risk of reoperation was highest immediately after operation, and fell rapidly to approximately 2% per year and less after 2 years. The only risk factor identified was the presence of residual aortic regurgitation (trace to mild in 35 cases) on immediate intraoperative post-repair transesophageal echocardiography. Late aortic regurgitation did not progress detectably across time ( P = 0.3). There were no deaths, early or late. Conclusion: Bicuspid aortic valve repair for prolapsing leaflet is a safe procedure with good intermediate-term outcome. However, any residual aortic regurgitation jeopardizes repair durability and initial repair achievement is more difficult in patients with dilated, poor functioning ventricles. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Evaluating implicit measures to improve web search

Of growing interest in the area of improving the search experience is the collection of implicit user behavior measures (implicit measures) as indications of user interest and user satisfaction. Rather than having to submit explicit user feedback, which can be costly in time and resources and alter the pattern of use within the search experience, some research has explored the collection of implicit measures as an efficient and useful alternative to collecting explicit measure of interest from users.This research article describes a recent study with two main objectives. The first was to test whether there is an association between explicit ratings of user satisfaction and implicit measures of user interest. The second was to understand what implicit measures were most strongly associated with user satisfaction. The domain of interest was Web search. We developed an instrumented browser to collect a variety of measures of user activity and also to ask for explicit judgments of the relevance of individual pages visited and entire search sessions. The data was collected in a workplace setting to improve the generalizability of the results.Results were analyzed using traditional methods (e.g., Bayesian modeling and decision trees) as well as a new usage behavior pattern analysis (“gene analysis”). We found that there was an association between implicit measures of user activity and the user's explicit satisfaction ratings. The best models for individual pages combined clickthrough, time spent on the search result page, and how a user exited a result or ended a search session (exit type/end action). Behavioral patterns (through the gene analysis) can also be used to predict user satisfaction for search sessions.
Acute Infective Endocarditis Caused by Delftia acidovorans, a Rare Pathogen Complicating Intravenous Drug Use

Gram-negative bacilli causing infective endocarditis (IE) is rare, even in intravenous drug users. This case report underscores several clinically important aspects of Delftia acidovorans IE: the organism's ability to cause rapid destruction of normal native valves and to cause embolic occlusion of large arteries and its resistance to all aminoglycosides.
Development and implementation of a rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae in water

Assays which use real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology can be developed for the rapid identification of genetic sequences carried by waterborne pathogens. Rand Water has established facilities within which a selection of PCR assays will be developed. This paper reports on the optimisation and validation of the first assay to be implemented. This assay facilitates the detection of the ctxA gene of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae ( V. cholerae ) strains. The assay also includes an internal process control in the form of an Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) strain carrying a single genomic copy of the gfp gene from Aequorea victoria . Establishment of the assay required the selection of suitable PCR primers and probes for both the ctxA and gfp genes. This was followed by an optimisation phase where ideal PCR cycling conditions and primer/probe concentrations were established. A validation phase established the performance parameters of the assay. Parameters assessed included: limit of detection, sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility and robustness. The validation was conducted using potable water, surface water and sewage effluent matrices. The process has resulted in the establishment of a robust assay for the detection of toxigenic V. cholerae strains within 24 hours after samples are received. Keywords: real-time PCR, Vibrio cholerae O1, ctxA gene, validation
On a limited-view reconstruction problem in diffraction tomography

Diffraction tomography (DT) is an inversion technique that reconstructs the refractive index distribution of a scattering object. We previously demonstrated that by exploiting the redundant information in the DT data, the scattering object could be exactly reconstructed using measurements taken over the angular range [0, /spl phi//sub min/], where /spl pi/ < /spl phi//sub min/ /spl les/ 3/spl pi//2. In this paper, we reveal a relationship between the maximum scanning angle and image resolution when a filtered backpropagation (FBPP) reconstruction algorithm is employed for image reconstruction. Based on this observation, we develop short-scan FBPP algorithms that reconstruct a low-pass filtered scattering object from measurements acquired over the angular range [0, /spl Phi//sup c/], where /spl Phi//sup c/ < /spl phi//sub min/.
Cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin (CD62) contains the signal for sorting into the regulated secretory pathway

P-selectin (CD62), formerly called GMP-140 or PADGEM, is a membrane protein located in secretory storage granules of platelets and endothelial cells. To study the mechanisms responsible for the targeting of P-selectin to storage granules, we transfected its cDNA into COS-7 and CHO-K1 cells, which lack a regulated exocytic pathway, or into AtT20 cells, which are capable of regulated secretion. P-selectin was expressed on the plasma membrane of COS-7 and CHO-K1 cells but was concentrated in storage granules of AtT20 cells. Immunogold electron microscopy indicated that the electron-dense granules containing P-selectin in AtT20 cells also stored the endogenous soluble hormone ACTH. Activation of AtT20 cells with 8-Br-cAMP increased the surface expression of P-selectin, consistent with agonist-induced fusion of granule membranes with the plasma membrane. Deletion of the last 23 amino acids of the 35-residue cytoplasmic domain resulted in delivery of P-selectin to the plasma membrane of AtT20 cells. Replacement of the cytoplasmic tail of tissue factor, a plasma membrane protein, with the cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin redirected the chimeric molecule to granules. We conclude that the cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin is both necessary and sufficient for sorting of membrane proteins into the regulated pathway of secretion.
A computational investigation of sulfur-containing heterocyclic components from the anal sac secretions of Mustela species

A computational investigation of the sulfur-containing heterocyclic components (substituted thietanes and 1,2-dithiolanes) of Mustela anal sac secretions has been carried out. A cluster analysis of the chemical compositions of Mustela anal sac volatiles reveals little similarity with established phylogenetic relationships between members of the genus. Ab initio calculations [MP2/6–311++G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6–311++G**] show the lowest-energy C5H10S isomeric thietane to be 2,2-dimethylthietane, which is also the most abundant of the Mustela thietanes. Similarly, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-dithiolane is the lowest-energy C5H10S2 compound. 2-n-Propylthietane is the highest-energy C6H12S compound, but the most abundant Mustela C6H12S compound produced, whereas cis-2-ethyl-4-methylthietane, the lowest-energy C6H12S thietane, has never been observed in Mustela anal sac secretions. A molecular docking analysis of the Mustela sulfur-containing heterocycles into both porcine and bovine odorant binding proteins reveals the interactions of the docked ligands with the proteins to be largely hydrophobic, and have binding energies generally lower than typical odorant molecules such as linalool or eugenol.
Hyperglycemia-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in endothelial cells

Abstract Objective Hyperglycemia-induced endothelial cell dysfunction in vascular disease can occur due to increased oxidative stress and a concomitant increase in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. To investigate whether these cellular stresses are independent or causally linked, we determined whether or not specific glycolytic intermediates that induce oxidative stress also induce ER stress. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with dextrose, partially metabolizable (e.g., fructose and galactose) and non-metabolizable sugars (e.g., 3-O-methyglucose), and various intermediates of the glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid pathways. Activation of the unfolded protein response and subsequent generation of ER stress was measured by the ER stress-responsive alkaline phosphatase method, and superoxide (SO) generation was measured using the hydro-ethidene–fluorescence method. The mitochondrial origin of the SO and the generation of ER stress by dextrose and the intermediate metabolites were confirmed with experiments using allopurinol and diphenyleneiodonium chloride to block SO generation by xanthine oxidase and nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, respectively. Results Although ER stress could be induced by glycolytic intermediates up to and including pyruvate, the SO generation occurred in the presence of glycolytic and mitochondrial metabolites. Conclusion Although the mitochondria are the site of signals generated by dextrose to initiate oxidative stress, the dextrose-induced ER stress, unlike SO generation, does not require pyruvate oxidation in the mitochondria.
Bootstrap Methods for Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Prediction

This paper presents the research of using bootstrap methods for time-series prediction. Unlike the traditional single model (neural network, support vector machine, or any other types of learning algorithms) based time-series prediction, we propose to use bootstrap methods to construct multiple learning models, and then use a combination function to combine the output of each model for the final predicted output. In this paper, we use the neural network model as the base learning algorithm and applied this approach to the foreign currency exchange rate predictions. Six major foreign currency exchange rates including Australia dollars (AUD), British pounds (GBP), Canadian dollars (CAD), European euros (EUR), Japanese yen (JPY) and Swiss francs (CHF) are used for prediction (base currency is US Dollar). Simulations on the most recently available exchange rate data (January 01, 2003 to December 27, 2006) on both daily prediction and weekly prediction indicate that the proposed method can significantly improve the forecasting performance compared to the traditional single neural network based approach.