cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for nasopharynx cancer: Update of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering experience

Purpose: We previously demonstrated that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) significantly improves radiation dose distribution over three-dimensional planning for nasopharynx cancer and reported positive early clinical results. We now evaluate whether IMRT has resulted in improved outcomes for a larger cohort of patients with longer follow-up. Methods and Materials: Since 1998, all 74 patients with newly diagnosed, nonmetastatic nasopharynx cancer were treated with IMRT using accelerated fractionation to 70 Gy; 59 received a hyperfractionated concomitant boost, and more recently 15 received once-daily treatment with dose painting. With the exception of Stage I disease ( n = 5) and patient preference ( n = 1), 69 patients received concurrent and adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy similar to that in the Intergroup 0099 trial. Results: Patient characteristics: median age 45; 32% Asian; 72% male; 65% World Health Organization III; 6% Stage I, 16% Stage II, 30% Stage III, 47% Stage IV. Median follow-up is 35 months. The 3-year actuarial rate of local control is 91%, and regional control is 93%; freedom from distant metastases, progression-free survival, and overall survival at 3 years are 78%, 67%, and 83%, respectively. There was 100% local control for Stage T1/T2 disease, compared to 83% for T3/T4 disease ( p = 0.01). Six patients failed at the primary site, with median time to local tumor progression 16 months; 5 were exclusively within the 70 Gy volume, and 1 was both within and outside the target volume. There is a trend for improved local control with IMRT when compared to local control of 79% for 35 patients treated before 1998 with three-dimensional planning and chemotherapy ( p = 0.11). Six months posttherapy, 21%, 13%, 15%, and 0% of patients with follow-up audiograms ( n = 24 patients) had Grade 1, 2, 3, and 4 sensorineural hearing loss, respectively. For patients with >1 year follow-up ( n = 59), rates of long-term xerostomia were as follows: 26% none, 42% Grade 1, 32% Grade 2, and zero Grade 3. Conclusions: The pattern of primary site failure within the target volume suggests locally advanced T stage disease may require a higher biologic dose to gross tumor. Rates of severe (Grade 3–4) ototoxicity and xerostomia are low with IMRT as a result of normal-tissue protection. Distant metastases are now the dominant form of failure, emphasizing the need for improved systemic therapy.
Revised Criteria for the Group Conformity Rating of the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration Study, Adult Form

Summary Revised criteria for the Group Conformity Rating (GCR) of the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration Study, Adult Form, are presented on the basis of findings from a population of 460 subjects. These criteria supersede the earlier ones based on a minimal sample of 100 subjects. The method of establishing the GCR criteria is described in detail. A comparison of GCR scores yielded by the original and the revised criteria for two samples of subjects indicates that, though the revised criteria are more complete and more stable and should supersede the earlier ones, results previously obtained with the original criteria are not invalid.
Dorsomorphin inhibits BMP signals required for embryogenesis and iron metabolism

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals coordinate developmental patterning and have essential physiological roles in mature organisms. Here we describe the first known small-molecule inhibitor of BMP signaling—dorsomorphin, which we identified in a screen for compounds that perturb dorsoventral axis formation in zebrafish. We found that dorsomorphin selectively inhibits the BMP type I receptors ALK2, ALK3 and ALK6 and thus blocks BMP-mediated SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation, target gene transcription and osteogenic differentiation. Using dorsomorphin, we examined the role of BMP signaling in iron homeostasis. In vitro, dorsomorphin inhibited BMP-, hemojuvelin- and interleukin 6–stimulated expression of the systemic iron regulator hepcidin, which suggests that BMP receptors regulate hepcidin induction by all of these stimuli. In vivo, systemic challenge with iron rapidly induced SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation and hepcidin expression in the liver, whereas treatment with dorsomorphin blocked SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation, normalized hepcidin expression and increased serum iron levels. These findings suggest an essential physiological role for hepatic BMP signaling in iron-hepcidin homeostasis.
Binding of imidazole, 1-methylimidazole and 4-nitroimidazole to yeast cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP) and the distal histidine mutant, CcP(H52L).

Abstract Imidazole, 1-methylimidazole and 4-nitroimidazole bind to yeast cytochrome c peroxidase (yCcP) with apparent equilibrium dissociation constants (KDapp) of 3.3 ± 0.4, 0.85 ± 0.11, and ~ 0.2 M, respectively, at pH 7. This is the weakest imidazole binding to a heme protein reported to date and it is about 120 times weaker than imidazole binding to metmyoglobin. Spectroscopic changes associated with imidazole and 1-methylimidazole binding to yCcP suggest partial ionization of bound imidazole to imidazolate. The pKa for ionization of bound imidazole is estimated to be 7.4 ± 0.2, about 7 units lower than that of free imidazole and about 3 units lower than imidazole bound to metmyoglobin. Equilibrium binding of imidazole to CcP(H52L) is biphasic with low- and high-affinity phases having KDapp values of 9.5 ± 4.5 and 0.13 ± 0.04 M, respectively. CcP(H52L) binding of 1-methylimidazole is monophasic with an affinity similar to those of yCcP and rCcP. Binding of 1-methylimidazole to rCcP is associated with two kinetic phases, the initial binding complete within 10 s, followed by a process that is consistent with 1-methylimidazole binding to a cavity created by movement of Trp-191 from the interior of the protein to the surface. Both the equilibrium binding and kinetics of 1-methylimidazole binding to yCcP are pH dependent. yCcP has a four-fold increase in 1-methylimidazole binding affinity on decreasing the pH from 7.5 to 4.0, an observation that is unique among the many studies on binding of imidazole and imidazole derivatives to heme proteins.
Invariant manifolds in mechanics I: The general construction of coarse theories from fine theories

La theorie dite fine fournit potentiellement des informations tres detaillees sur le comportement du materiau et generalement plus d'informations que necessaire tandis que la theorie dite grossiere donne des informations brutes plus accessibles qui peuvent etre suffisantes dans des circonstances donnees. Presentation d'une methode permettant de deduire les theories «grossieres» des theories «fines»
An adaptive grid scheme for the discrete Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation

In this paper an adaptive finite difference scheme for the solution of the discrete first order Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation is presented. Local a posteriori error estimates are established and certain properties of these estimates are proved. Based on these estimates an adapting iteration for the discretization of the state space is developed. An implementation of the scheme for two-dimensional grids is given and numerical examples are discussed.
The contribution of regression analysis to the elimination of gender based wage discrimination in academia: A simulation

Abstract Potential responses of a university administration confronted by the existence of statistical evidence of sex discrimination in their salary structure are explored. A description of an appropriate use of regression analysis in eliminating sex discrimination in an academic institution is followed by an examination of regression models generally accepted by the courts in discrimination cases. Salary regressions are then estimated for a large midwestern university (LMU) in 1983–1984. The LMU data base is used in a simulation exercise to explore alternative methods of eliminating the initial statistical evidence of sex discrimination. The simulation results indicate that at LMU, the statistical evidence can be eliminated within a reasonable period of time, with a relatively small expenditure, and in a manner consistent with the long-run goal of establishing a non-discriminatory wage structure. If LMU is typical, then the standards of proof being accepted by the courts give potential violators guidance and incentives which should lead toward the minimization of sex discrimination in academia.
What's ahead for health insurance in the United States?

The announcement that most of the nation's biggest insurers — Aetna, CIGNA, Humana, the United Health Group, and Wellpoint Health Network — will be introducing a new kind of health plan during the next year or two signals the beginning of a new era in health insurance in the United States.1 These plans feature a complicated menu of premiums, copayments, and deductibles that will add impetus to the trend of employers' offering a defined contribution for health benefits. Each employee will get a fixed amount of money to spend as he or she sees fit and will use the Internet . . .
The usefulness of the lateral projection in the assessment of the right coronary artery during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Optimum coronary angiographic definition of lesion morphology and side branch orientation is important during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to enhance the ease and safety of guidewire passage. This study was performed to compare the efficacy of the lateral (LAT) projection to conventional angiographic views for right coronary artery (RCA) evaluation pre- and post-PTCA. In 45 consecutive patients undergoing PTCA of 56 RCA lesions, the LAT was available to evaluate 40 lesions pre and 44 lesions post-PTCA. Angiographic comparison of the LAT versus standard LAO, LAO cranial, and RAO views were performed by two experienced angiographers with consensus reading. The LAT was the best projection for assessing lesion morphology pre-PTCA in 19/40 (48%) and in 19/44 (43%) post-PTCA, while the LAT was significantly better (P < 0.01) than standard views for assessing side branch orientation (48/56, 86%) and post-PTCA intimal disruption (18/33, 55%). In addition, LAT was the best view for assessing mid RCA lesions 13/21 (62%) pre-PTCA and 12/27 (44%) post-PTCA, while post-PTCA intimal disruption was best detected by LAT in 14/24 (58%). Lesions only recognized in the LAT view occurred in five instances, four involving right ventricular branch ostia and one involving the proximal posterior descending. Thus, the LAT projection appears helpful during PTCA to assess lesion morphology, eccentricity, side branch orientation, and intimal disruption pre- and post-PTCA as an adjunct to conventional views.
Children's understanding of inferential knowledge

The understanding of inference as a source of knowledge for 4- and 6-year-old children was investigated. Children and a puppet were shown 2 toys of different colors. The toys were hidden in separate plastic cans. After the puppet looked into 1 of the cans, 6-year-olds, but not 4-year-olds, usually judged that the puppet knew the color of the toy in the other can as well. The finding that 6-year-olds attributed inferential knowledge to another observer is interpreted as evidence that children begin to understand the role of cognitive processes in knowledge acquisition around the age of 6 years.
A behavioral economic analysis of polydrug abuse in alcoholics: asymmetrical substitution of alcohol and cocaine

Economic concepts can be used to assess how drug prices affect consumption patterns. Increases in price for a commodity typically result in reductions in consumption. Demand is considered elastic if decreases in consumption are proportionally greater than increases in price, and inelastic if they are proportionally smaller than rises in price. The price of one commodity can also affect consumption of others. Commodities can function as substitutes, complements or independents, and these concepts refer to increases, decreases, or no change in the consumption of one item as the price of another increases. This study evaluated the effects of drug prices on hypothetical drug-purchasing decisions in 53 alcohol abusers. Experiments 1, 2, and 3 examined how alcohol, cocaine, and Valium prices, respectively, influenced purchases of alcohol, cocaine, Valium, heroin, marijuana and nicotine. As price of alcohol rose in Experiment 1, alcohol purchases decreased and demand for alcohol was inelastic. Cocaine was a complement to alcohol, but other drugs purchases were independent of alcohol prices. In Experiment 2, demand for cocaine was elastic as its price increased. Alcohol was a substitute for cocaine, but other drug purchases did not change significantly. In Experiment 3, demand for Valium was elastic as its price rose, and all other drug purchases were independent of Valium prices. Hypothetical choices were reliable between and within subjects and associated with urinalysis results and lifetime histories of drug abuse. These results suggest that, among alcohol abusers, cocaine is a complement to alcohol, but alcohol is a substitute for cocaine.
A Report of the Archaeological Investigations at the House of Thomas Cuff, a Free Black Laborer, 108 Cannon Street, Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland:

Archaeological inquiry at the home of an antebellum free black laborer in Chestertown, Maryland, has provided an opportunity to examine the material culture of 19th century African Americans on the...
Adsorption of argon on sintered tin dioxide analyzed by several methods

Argon adsorption measurements are presented over a wide range of temperature and coverage on a series of three progressively sintered SnO2 surfaces. These data are analyzed by mercury porosimetry, the BET method, the CAEDMON distribution analysis, and the Singleton-Halsey equation. Isosteric heats are computed, and the high-temperature virial expansion of the data presented. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed with particular attention to the ability of physical adsorption to discriminate among surfaces beyond the measurement of surface area.
Transient ceiling jet development in large scale fires

Abstract This study considers a buoyant plume of hot gas which impinges on an unconfined ceiling and spreads radially outward to form a boundary layer growth. The boundary layer thickness and radial velocity for the ceiling jet are obtained by a numerical solution of the derived governing equations. The results are presented for steady state and transient cases for both laminar and turbulent flows. For steady state and transient conditions, the boundary layer thickness increases due to the wall shear and radiation effects, while the radial velocity decreases for the same effects for both laminar and turbulent flows. The buoyancy effect had negligible influence on the boundary layer thickness and radial velocity. A transient “wave-like” behavior is observed for laminar and turbulent flows for a wide range of Reynolds and Rayleigh numbers.
Unilateral deep brain stimulation surgery in Parkinson’s disease improves ipsilateral symptoms regardless of laterality

Purpose Researchers have consistently observed in right-handed individuals across normal and disease states that the ‘dominant’ left hemisphere has greater ipsilateral control of the left side than the right hemisphere has over the right. We sought to determine whether this ipsilateral influence of the dominant hemisphere reported in Parkinson’s disease extends to treatments such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and whether it affects outcome. We hypothesised that among Parkinson right-handers, unilateral left DBS would provide greater ipsilateral motor improvement compared with the ipsilateral motor improvement experienced on the right side.
CO adsorption on (111) and (100) surfaces of the Pt3Ti alloy: Evidence for parallel binding and strong activation of CO

The CO adsorption on a 40 atom cluster model of the (111) surface and a 36 atom cluster model of the (100) surface of the Pt3Ti alloy was studied. Parallel binding to high coordinate sites associated with Ti and low CO bond scission barriers are predicted for both surfaces. The binding of CO to Pt sites occurs in an upright orientation. These orientations are a consequence of the nature of the CO pi donation interactions with the surface. On the Ti sites the orbitals donate to the nearly empty Ti 3d band and the antibonding counterpart orbitals are empty. On the Pt sites, however, they are in the filled Pt 5d region of the alloy band, which causes CO to bond in a vertical orientation by 5 delta donation from the carbon end.
How to Make Wars Acceptable

Qualitative analyses are presented of war-declaration speeches, announcing the out-break of World War I and World War II, given by the leaders of the major belligerent powers. Because extended war preparations and the staging of casus belli as justifications for war had made war a certainty, the artfully crafted speeches did more than declare war. Both defenders and attackers projected guilt, emphasized unity, produced a state of helpless conformity in citizens, and veiled expected suffering through euphemisms, indicating a broadly established vocabulary of motives. These similarities are contrasted with idiosyncratic features, conditioned by history or dynamics within states. In contrast to the defenders, the two attackers, Hitler and Mussolini, resorted extensively to mythology and mythologized history to arouse enthusiasm and, by implication, to promise great rewards.
Instability of tripositronium

The stability of tripositronium, a system consisting of three electrons and three positrons, has been investigated systematically by varying the repulsion strength between like-charged particles. The possibility of the existence of a Ps${}_{3}$ bound state that is stable against dissociation appears utterly unlikely based on the results of variational calculations employing all-particle explicitly correlated Gaussian basis functions.
Vitamin D deficiency and parathyroid hormone levels following renal transplantation in children

The objectives were to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 10 ng/ml] in pediatric renal transplant (RTx) recipients, compared with controls and identify correlates of changes in 25(OH)D and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels following transplantation. Serum 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, and iPTH were measured once in 275 healthy controls and at transplantation, and 3 and 12 months posttransplantation in 58 RTx recipients. Multivariate logistic regression models determined the odds ratio (OR) of vitamin D deficiency in RTx recipients vs. controls adjusted for age, sex, race, and season. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess changes following transplantation. At transplantation, 22% of nonblack and 27% of black RTx recipients were vitamin D deficient. The adjusted OR of vitamin D deficiency was greater in RTx recipients (p < 0.001) compared with controls; however, the transplant association was greater in nonblack vs. black individuals (interaction p = 0.02). Overall, 25(OH)D levels did not change significantly following transplantation. Younger age (p < 0.01), nonblack race (p < 0.001), visits in nonwinter months (p < 0.001), and supplementation with ≥400 IU/day ergo/cholecalciferol (p < 0.001) were associated with increases (or lesser declines) in 25(OH)D following transplantation. Increases in 25(OH)D levels (p < 0.001) and vitamin D supplementation (p < 0.01) were associated with greater reductions in iPTH levels following transplantation, independent of 1,25(OH)2D levels.
Image profile upon passage through a Fabry-Perot interferometer of large Fresnel number

Using two independent techniques, a determination is made of the quality of an optical image upon passage through a Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI). Curves relating the Fresnel number, finesse, number of image elements, image frequency spectrum, and FPI transfer function are presented. It is determined that for interferometers of large Fresnel number, the phase shift per transit of each transverse mode plays a dominant role in distortiom of the image, unlike cases of low Fresnel number the power loss per transit is a significant factor. Based in the results, it is concluded that the value of employing an FPI in an configuration is limited by the amount of distortion which can be tolerated.
Comparison of Storage Conditions for Human Vaginal Microbiome Studies

Background The effect of storage conditions on the microbiome and metabolite composition of human biological samples has not been thoroughly investigated as a potential source of bias. We evaluated the effect of two common storage conditions used in clinical trials on the bacterial and metabolite composition of the vaginal microbiota using pyrosequencing of barcoded 16S rRNA gene sequencing and 1H-NMR analyses.
Deep-sea carbonate and the deglaciation preservation spike in pteropods and foraminifera

The aragonite compensation depth fluctuated considerably during the last 20,000 yr. This fluctuation culminated in a preservation spike at about 14,000 yr BP. The aragonite preservation stratigraphy parallels that in calcitic foraminifera, and constitutes part of a worldwide phenomenon signalling considerable changes in ocean chemistry and providing a useful tool for correlation.
Bifurcation routes in a laser with injected signal.

With the help of time-dependent solutions, their power spectra, Poincare maps, and the complete set of Lyapunov exponents, we have carried out a detailed investigation of the bifurcation routes of three attractors in a single-mode model of a laser with injected signal. In addition to a sequence of ordinary period-doubling bifurcations leading to chaos, we have observed subcritical and supercritical Hopf bifurcations of limit cycles. We have also observed the sudden disappearance of trajectories due to the coalescence of a pair of stable and unstable tori and the possible collision of a limit cycle with an unstable torus.
Quantifying Apoptosis in Banked Human Brains Using Flow Cytometry

Fragmentation of genomic DNA, a major biochemical feature of programmed cell death (apoptosis), is easily detected when apoptosis is prevalent. In brain tissue apoptotic cells are usually scarce and detection requires more sensitive techniques. We describe a highly sensitive method to quantify apoptosis in frozen human brain tissue using flow cytometry. Nuclei from homogenized brain specimens were isolated to purity using discontinuous isopyknic centrifugation through 2.2 M sucrose. DNA strand breaks in apoptotic nuclei were conjugated with biotinylated-dUTP using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) and tagged with streptavidin-conjugated FITC (TUNEL). Negative controls excluding the TdT step, and positive controls using DNAase pretreatment to create 3'-OH strand breaks were run in parallel. The proportion of nuclei with TdT-dependent labeling in adult brain specimens was < 0.01% in 6 out of 7 specimens. In 3 fetal brains it averaged 0.86 +/- 0.11%. Apoptotic cells were readily detected in 2 malignant glial neoplasms and in a patient with HIV encephalitis. Comparable frequencies of stained nuclei were present in adjacent specimens embedded in paraffin and labeled in situ. By screening millions of nuclei cytometry detected very rare apoptotic events, producing quantitative results using banked frozen brains. The method has potential applications to studies of human brain development, neurodegenerative diseases, and brain tumors.
Nicotine Withdrawal and Psychiatric Symptoms in Cigarette Smokers with Schizophrenia

The prevalence of smoking is markedly elevated in schizophrenia. Low smoking cessation rates and reports that some smokers with schizophrenia experience an acute increase in symptoms during attempts to quit smoking, suggest a self-medication model. Alternatively, smoking may modulate medication side effects. The effects of treated and untreated smoking abstinence on psychotic symptoms and medication side effects were examined in this study. Nineteen outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participated in a randomized, double-blind, balanced crossover study: 1 day of ad libitum smoking followed by 3 days of acute smoking abstinence while wearing 22 mg/day active or placebo transdermal nicotine patches, with a return to 3 days of smoking between patch conditions. Daily symptom and side-effect ratings, nicotine and cotinine blood levels were collected. Twelve subjects completed the study. Neither positive symptoms nor mood symptoms changed. An increase in negative symptoms during the first abstinent day occurred in both placebo and active patch conditions, but was not sustained over subsequent abstinent days. Despite physiological signs of withdrawal, completers did not endorse increased nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Dropouts reported higher withdrawal symptoms, but also had no increase in psychiatric symptoms in either phase of the study. Of note, dyskinesias decreased during abstinence and placebo patch treatment, but increased during abstinence and the active patch conditions. Acute exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms is an unlikely explanation for any difficulty smokers with schizophrenia have in early abstinence.
Orexin neurons are necessary for the circadian control of REM sleep.

MANY RESEARCHERS HAVE HYPOTHESIZED THAT THE POORLY CONSOLIDATED WAKE AND INAPPROPRIATELY TIMED RAPID EYE MOVEMENT (REM) SLEEP of narcolepsy could be caused by disruption of the circadian rhythms of sleep and wakefulness.1–4 The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is essential for the timing and consolidation of sleep and wakefulness;5 and squirrel monkeys with SCN lesions lose the circadian rhythms of sleep and wakefulness and are unable to produce long bouts of wakefulness.6 Similarly, people with narcolepsy have difficulty maintaining wakefulness, and their naps often include bouts of REM sleep, regardless of the time of day.1 Most likely, this is not caused by a primary defect in the generation of circadian rhythms because the daily rhythms of body temperature and cortisol are essentially normal.7 Instead, people with narcolepsy may have a specific defect in the circadian control of sleep and wakefulness. Considerable basic research supports this hypothesis. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is caused by a loss of the orexin/hypocretin-producing neurons.8–10 Since the orexin neurons receive both direct and indirect signals from the SCN and send projections to many state-regulatory brain regions, they are anatomically well positioned to mediate the circadian timing of sleep and wakefulness.11–17 Extracellular levels of orexin vary in a circadian pattern, with high levels during the waking period, and lesions of the SCN abolish this rhythm.18–20 Furthermore, nonspecific lesions of the orexin field or of the pathways between the SCN and the orexin neurons disrupt the timing of sleep/wake behavior.12,13,21 We therefore hypothesized that the orexin neurons are an essential relay for the circadian signals that time and consolidate sleep and wake. To determine whether the orexin neurons are necessary for the circadian control of sleep and wakefulness, we examined free-running circadian rhythms in 2 different strains of orexin deficient mice: orexin/ataxin-3 (Atx) mice with an acquired, selective loss of the orexin/hypocretin neurons and orexin peptide knockout (KO) mice.22,23
On-Line Characterization of Bulk Permeability and Race-Tracking During the Filling Stage in Resin Transfer Molding Process

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is widely used to manufacture polymer composite materials. In this process, the fiber preform is placed in a closed mold and thermoset resin is injected to saturate the preform. After the resin cures the mold is opened and the net shape composite part is obtained. With RTM, one is capable of making complex and high quality composite parts with short cycle times. However, by introducing more complexity into the part, one also introduces higher probability of disturbances, such as race-tracking of resin during impregnation along preform edges. This can lead to incomplete saturation of fiber preform forming flaws such as dry spots in the composite part. The strength and existence of race-tracking is a function of the fabric type, perform manufacturing method, and their placement in the mold. It can vary from one part to the next in the same production run and usually it is not repeatable. The characterization of race-tracking and preform permeability is a key input for simulation...
On the state and parameter estimation for maneuvering reentry vehicles

This paper examines several versions of the extended Kalman filter which can be used to estimate the position, velocity, and other key parameters associated with maneuvering reentry vehicles. These filters are discussed in terms of the fundamental problems of modeling accuracy, filter sophistication, and the real-time computational requirements. Techniques which adaptively increase the process noise to compensate for modeling errors during the maneuvers are examined.
Tighter bounds on the exact complexity of string matching

The paper considers how many character comparisons are needed to find all occurrences of a pattern of length m in a text of length n. The main contribution is to show an upper bound of the form n + O(n/m) character comparisons, following preprocessing. Specifically, the authors show an upper bound of n+8/3(m+1)(n-m) character comparisons. This bound is achieved by an online algorithm which performs O(n) work in total, requires O(m) space and O(m/sup 2/) time for preprocessing. In addition the following lower bounds are shown: for online algorithms, a bound of n+11/5(m+1) (n-m) character comparisons for m = 10 + 11 k, for any integer k >or= 1, and for general algorithms, a bound of n+2(n-m)/m+3 character comparisons, for m=2 k+l, for any integer k>or=1. >
First Record of a Northern Snakehead (Channa argus Cantor) Nest in North America

Abstract A population of Channa argus (Northern Snakehead) has been established in the Potomac River catchment, VA and MD, for approximately ten years, and is increasing rapidly in abundance. Little is known about life-history strategies of this species in North American environments. We report the first discovery of a Northern Snakehead nest in North America and discuss some of its nesting habits. Adult Northern Snakeheads constructed a circular nest in a patch of dense Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrilla) by clipping stems, thus creating a canopy of floating plants. They laid eggs atop floating stems, and larvae hatched within three days. Both male and female parents were observed guarding the eggs and fry in the nest. Parents also continuously guarded the school of fry as they dispersed from the nest. Prolonged schooling behavior after leaving the nest accompanied parental guarding for up to several weeks. Floating nests and parental care likely increase reproductive success in a tidally influenced ecosyst...
A Least Squares Procedure for Aligning Antennas

A procedure is described for aligning transmitting and receiving antennas in a communications link with a minimum number of positionings of the antennas. A statistical formalization of the interpretation of the received signal levels permits that combination of receiving and transmitting antenna orientations to be chosen which most probably represents the aligned combination. A criterion is also developed for estimating the goodness of the alignment.
Prolactin: The Hypophyseal Factor That Terminates Embryonic Diapause in Mink

The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether prolactin (PRL) is the factor that activates the quiescent corpus luteum (CL) and terminates the delay that precedes implantation in mink. Animals were hypophysectomized or sham-hypophysectomized 6 days after the second of two matings. Eight hypophysectomized mink received 0.5 mg ovine PRL (NIH-P-Si 3) daily through Days 21-24 of the experiment (Day 0 = day of surgery). Five sham-hypophysectomized and one hypophysectomized animal received no hormone therapy after surgery. All animals were bled at 3 day intervals until termination by exsanguination between Days 21 and 24. Uteri were observed by means of midventral laparotomy between Days 14 and 16. The hypophysectomized, untreated mink displayed neither luteal activation nor embryo implantation throughout the duration of the experiment. In hypophysectomized mink injected with PRL, luteal activation, as indicated by an increase in peripheral progesterone above pretreatment levels, had begun by Day 3 and persisted through Day 15 (P<0.05). Uterine swellings were present in six of eight PRL-treated mink at Days 14-16 and in seven of eight at Days 21-24. These swellings were found to contain implanted embryos at necropsy. Luteal activation occurred by Day 9 in sham.hypophysectomized mink, and progesterone continued to increase through Day 24. No evidence of implantation was present at Days 14-16 in this group but three of five had implanted by Days 2 1-24. The results demonstrate that PRL alone will induce tuteal activation and embryo implantation in hypophysectomized mink. However, PRL alone appeared not to be able to sustain luteal function. It is suggested that photoperiod acts through hypophyseal PRL secretion to terminate em
Mechanical Properties of Polyglycolic Acid Sutures in Oral Surgery

The virgin ultimate strength of polyglycolic acid (PGA) suture material exceeded that of silk or gut, but it decreased significantly after residence in oral tissue of surgery patients. Low-cycle tensile fatigue tests showed that breaking strengths of PGA sutures were decreased appreciably by cyclic loading and by degradation in oral tissue.
The role of lithium in modulation of brain genes: relevance for aetiology and treatment of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a debilitating disorder of the brain with a lifetime prevalence of 1.0 % for bipolar I, 1.1 % for bipolar II disorder and 2.4–4.7 % for subthreshold bipolar disorder. Medications, including lithium, have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of bipolar disorder, but their molecular targets and mode of action are largely unknown. A few studies have begun to shed light on potential targets of lithium treatment that may be involved in lithium’s therapeutic effect. We have recently conducted a microarray study of rat frontal cortex following chronic treatment (21 days) with lithium. Chronic treatment with lithium led to a significant (at least 1.5-fold) down-regulation of 151 genes and up-regulation of 57 genes. We discuss our results in the context of previous microarray studies involving lithium and gene-association studies to identify key genes associated with chronic lithium treatment. A number of genes associated with bipolar disorder, including Comt (catechol-O-methyltransferase), Vapa (vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein A), Dtnb (dystrobrevin β )a ndPkd1 (polycystic kidney disease 1), were significantly altered in our microarray dataset along with genes associated with synaptic transmission, apoptosis and transport among other functions.
Crickets with extravagant mating songs compensate for predation risk with extra caution

Modern models for the evolution of conspicuous male mating displays assume that males with conspicuous displays must bear the cost of enhanced predation risk. However, if males can compensate behav...
Modeling of Bandgap Narrowing for Consistent Simulation of SiGe HBTs Across a Wide Temperature Range

We investigate the modeling of bandgap narrowing (BGN) for consistent TCAD simulation of SiGe HBTs across wide temperature ranges. At present, such consistency can only be achieved near room temperature in commercial device simulators, because of the inconsistent accounting of the temperature dependence of the Fermi-Dirac statistics correction factor to the effective bandgap. A consistent Fermi-Dirac statistics correction to the bandgap is proposed and implemented in Sentaurus (previously DESSIS) using a C++ physical modeling interface (PMI), and then compared to measured data for advanced SiGe HBTs. This new BGN correction factor leads to consistent simulation results between Boltzmann and Fermi-Dirac statistics from 77 K to 500 K. Furthermore, we explore the temperature dependence of apparent BGN by comparison of simulation and measured data.
A Longitudinal Examination of Physiological Regulation in Cocaine-Exposed Infants Across the First 7 Months of Life.

This study examined the association between prenatal exposure to cocaine and physiological regulation across the first 7 months of age. Measures of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were obtained from 169 (82 cocaine-exposed and 87 nonexposed) infants during baseline periods at 1 month and 7 months of age and during tasks designed to elicit positive and negative affect at 7 months of age. After controlling for maternal age, gestational age, and obstetrical risk, structural equation modeling indicated that the association between prenatal exposure to cocaine and baseline RSA at 7 months of age was direct even in the presence of an indirect effect through baseline RSA at 1 month of age. There were no indirect effects through maternal affect during mother–infant interactions assessed at 1 month of age. Analyses also indicated a direct association between prenatal exposure to cocaine and RSA regulation to negative affect at 7 months of age.
A new control scheme for a current-injection three-phase high power factor rectifier based on the linear decoupling principle

In this paper, a new control law, based on the linear decoupling strategy, is designed for a three-phase current injection rectifier. The proposed control scheme is based on the pulse-width-modulation technique and on the elaboration of a small-signal mathematical model that represents the converter in the frequency domain. The basic model of the converter is derive from the application of the state-space-averaging technique. The control feedback loops are designed on two levels. Firstly, an inner multivariable feedback subsystem is established in order to ensure line current shaping. The decoupling principle has been used in order to avoid the cross-dependency between the variables and to ensure, consequently, a high dynamic performance. Then, an outer loop is constructed for the regulation of the output voltage. Both current and voltage loops are elaborated using optimizing criteria discussed in the linear control theory. The performance characteristics of the new proposed control approach are highlighted through numerical simulations carried out using Matlab/Simulink. Moreover, the efficiency of the proposed control approach is emphasized through a comparative evaluation with respect to other control laws yet applied to the topology considered in the paper.
182 nJ all thulium fiber CPA system

150 fs pulses spectrally centered at 2020 nm were generated in a Raman amplifier. Pulses were temporal stretched and amplified to 182 nJ with a spectral width of 60 nm.
Heterologous protection against lethal A/HongKong/156/97 (H5N1) influenza virus infection in C57BL/6 mice

The continual threat posed by newly emerging influenza virus strains is demonstrated by the recent outbreak of H5N1 influenza virus in Hong Kong. Currently, immunization against influenza virus infection is fairly adequate, but it is imperative that improved vaccines are developed that can protect against a variety of strains and be generated rapidly. Since humoral immunity is ineffective against serologically distinct viruses, one strategy would be to develop vaccines that emphasize cellular immunity. Here we report the successful protection of C57BL/6 mice from a lethal A/HK/156/97 (HK156) infection by immunizing first with an H9N2 isolate, A/Quail/HK/G1/97 (QHKG1), that harbours internal genes 98% homologous to HK156. This strategy also protected mice that are deficient in antibody production, indicating that the immunity is T-cell-mediated. In the course of these studies, we generated a highly pathogenic H5N1 reassortant which implicated NP and PB2 as having an important contribution to pathogenesis when present with a highly cleavable H5. These results provide the first demonstration that protective cell-mediated immunity can be established against the highly virulent HK156 virus and have important implications for the development of novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of HK156 infection and the design of future influenza vaccines.
Structural basis of HIV-1 activation by NF-kappaB--a higher-order complex of p50:RelA bound to the HIV-1 LTR.

Abstract The activation and latency of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are tightly controlled by the transcriptional activity of its long terminal repeat (LTR) region. The LTR is regulated by viral proteins as well as host factors, including the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) that becomes activated in virus-infected cells. The two tandem NF-κB sites of the LTR are among the most highly conserved sequence elements of the HIV-1 genome. Puzzlingly, these sites are arranged in a manner that seems to preclude simultaneous binding of both sites by NF-κB, although previous biochemical work suggests otherwise. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of p50:RelA bound to the tandem κB element of the HIV-1 LTR as a dimeric dimer, providing direct structural evidence that NF-κB can occupy both sites simultaneously. The two p50:RelA dimers bind the adjacent κB sites and interact through a protein contact that is accommodated by DNA bending. The two dimers clamp DNA from opposite faces of the double helix and form a topological trap of the bound DNA. Consistent with these structural features, our biochemical analyses indicate that p50:RelA binds the HIV-1 LTR tandem κB sites with an apparent anti-cooperativity but enhanced kinetic stability. The slow on and off rates we observe may be relevant to viral latency because viral activation requires sustained NF-κB activation. Furthermore, our work demonstrates that the specific arrangement of the two κB sites on the HIV-1 LTR can modulate the assembly kinetics of the higher-order NF-κB complex on the viral promoter. This phenomenon is unlikely restricted to the HIV-1 LTR but probably represents a general mechanism for the function of composite DNA elements in transcription.
Osmotic stress–induced increase of phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate requires Vac14p, an activator of the lipid kinase Fab1p

Phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns[3,5]P2) was first identified as a nonabundant phospholipid whose levels increase in response to osmotic stress. In yeast, Fab1p catalyzes formation of PtdIns(3,5)P2 via phosphorylation of PtdIns(3)P. We have identified Vac14p, a novel vacuolar protein that regulates PtdIns(3,5)P2 synthesis by modulating Fab1p activity in both the absence and presence of osmotic stress. We find that PtdIns(3)P levels are also elevated in response to osmotic stress, yet, only the elevation of PtdIns(3,5)P2 levels are regulated by Vac14p. Under basal conditions the levels of PtdIns(3,5)P2 are 18–28-fold lower than the levels of PtdIns(3)P, PtdIns(4)P, and PtdIns(4,5)P2. After a 10 min exposure to hyperosmotic stress the levels of PtdIns(3,5)P2 rise 20-fold, bringing it to a cellular concentration that is similar to the other phosphoinositides. This suggests that PtdIns(3,5)P2 plays a major role in osmotic stress, perhaps via regulation of vacuolar volume. In fact, during hyperosmotic stress the vacuole morphology of wild-type cells changes dramatically, to smaller, more highly fragmented vacuoles, whereas mutants unable to synthesize PtdIns(3,5)P2 continue to maintain a single large vacuole. These findings demonstrate that Vac14p regulates the levels of PtdIns(3,5)P2 and provide insight into why PtdIns(3,5)P2 levels rise in response to osmotic stress.
Food Fads: Safe Feeding of Children

... in some important aspects, our rational scientific approach fails to fulfill the desperate needs of suffering people, and it is to these needs that quacks and cultists address themselves. Strong emotions have a profound effect fect on one9s well-being ... if they are aroused in a setting of massive human and supernatural encouragement, and in a context of hopefulness, they can be healing ....A cult gains its power from its culturally determined symbolic meaning.1 When it comes to food, variety is literally the spice of life. It is the large variety of foods available, taken together with our efficient transportation and storage facilities, and food fortification techniques that render the average American diet so nutritious. Young infants will thrive if they are provided with sufficient milk, and dietary deficiencies are rare in children whose diets include the "basic four" food groups: (1) meat, fish, poultry, and eggs; (2) milk, cheese, and milk products; (3) fruits and vegetables; (4) cereal grains, potatoes, and rice. Dietary surveys have shown that the vast majority of Americans have a varied diet and are free of overt nutritional deficiencies, with the possible exception of iron deficiency anemia. Americans consume large quantities of meat, milk, and eggs. Set in the midst of this sea of abundance are growing numbers of citizens who have chosen to deviate from modern dietary norms by adopting so-called "fad diets."
Identification of a Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate-Responsive Element in the Rat Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Gene

The molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of expression of the rat CRH gene have been examined in rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells transiently transfected with a chimeric gene containing 1.4 kilobases of rat CRH 5′-flanking DNA fused to the bacterial reporter gene encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. Cyclic AMP analogs and activators of adenylate cyclase positively regulate the expression of this chimeric gene in PC-12 cells, inducing chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity more than 15-fold. The DNA sequence required for this response to cAMP has been localized to a 59 base pair region located between 238 and 180 base pairs 5′ to the putative CRH mRNA cap site. This sequence can confer cAMP-responsiveness on a heterologous promoter in an orientation independent fashion and has homology to cAMP regulatory regions from a number of other eukaryotic genes.
Symposium on Work, Retirement and Wealth: Current Data and Future Needs: an International Perspective

. This symposium brought together a unique set of scholars who are both actively involved in ageing research and in the creation of the new generation of multiperiod social science-based longitudinal datasets for research. The symposium provided a description of the new data and examples of its use with respect to the work, retirement and wealth of older persons. The datasets discussed included: the US Health and Retirement Study, the Netherlands Household Panel Study, the German Socioeconomic Panel, the US Panel Study of Income Dynamics, and several East and Southeast Asian datasets.