cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Praise of Arbitrariness: The Proposed 83.7 Percent Rule of Modified Comparative Fault

A century ago the common law doctrine of contributory negligence was the universal rule of tort loss allocation in the various states and territories of the United States. The doctrine completely barred a contributorily negligent plaintiff from any recovery against a negligent defendant. Criticism of the harshness of the doctrine led first to an array of exceptions designed to ameliorate its harsh results and then to the gradual adoption of comparative fault. In 1920, Mississippi became the first state to adopt a comparative fault system. At first, other states were slow to follow Mississippi's lead, but gradually momentum grew; by the end of the century forty-six states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands had all adopted some system of comparative fault. But in devising comparative fault rules, states have created a patchwork of cutoff points at which a plaintiff will be able to proceed with the claim: some below 50%, some at 50%, and some over 50%. The arbitrariness of the chosen cutoffs is reviewed and an equally arbitrary cutoff is proposed.
Use of Oral Clonidine for Rapid Titration of Blood Pressure in Severe Hypertension

In 20 patients with severe hypertension, rapid oral clonidine titration was employed for control of blood pressure, with 0.2 mg as the initial dose followed by 0.2 or 0.1 mg at one hour and then 0.1 mg/hour, for a total dose of 0.8 mg. All 20 patients had a successful response, defined as a decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 30 mm Hg or more or attainment of a diastolic pressure of 100 mm Hg or lower. Baseline MAP was 160 +/- 4 (SEM) mm Hg (212 +/- 7/134 +/- 3) and decreased to 120 +/- 3 mm Hg (151 +/- 5/104 +/- 3). The mean dose was 0.32 +/- 0.02 mg, and mean response time 1.8 +/- 0.2 hours. Side effects were minimal, except for one patient who died of a cerebral infarct, which developed after the blood pressure was lowered with clonidine. Eighteen patients were treated in our emergency room; 14 were sent home after rapid titration. In ten who returned for a follow-up visit three to seven days later, blood pressure was reasonably well controlled, with clonidine and a diuretic only. Rapid oral clonidine titration can be effectively and, for the most part, safely used for treating severe hypertension even in an ambulatory setting. As with any other hypotensive drug, we recommended proceeding with caution, particularly in patients with symptomatic arteriosclerotic disease.
The relationship between brainstem temporal processing and performance on tests of central auditory function in children with reading disorders.

Purpose Studies using speech stimuli to elicit electrophysiologic responses have found approximately 30% of children with language-based learning problems demonstrate abnormal brainstem timing. Research is needed regarding how these responses relate to performance on behavioral tests of central auditory function. The purpose of the study was to investigate performance of children with dyslexia with and without abnormal brainstem timing and children with no history of learning or related disorders on behavioral tests of central auditory function. Method Performance of 30 school-age children on behavioral central auditory tests in common clinical use was examined: Group 1 (n = 10): dyslexia, abnormal brainstem timing; Group 2 (n = 10): dyslexia, normal brainstem timing; Group 3 (n = 10): typical controls. Results Results indicated that all participants in Group 2 met diagnostic criteria for (central) auditory processing disorder [(C)APD], whereas only 4 participants in Group 1 met criteria. The Biological M...
Folding anomalies of neuroligin3 caused by a mutation in the α/β-hydrolase fold domain

Proteins of the α/β-hydrolase fold family share a common structural fold, but perform a diverse set of functions. We have been studying natural mutations occurring in association with congenital disorders in the α/β-hydrolase fold domain of neuroligin (NLGN), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Starting from the autism-related R451C mutation in the α/β-hydrolase fold domain of NLGN3, we had previously shown that the Arg to Cys substitution is responsible for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention of the mutant protein and that a similar trafficking defect is observed when the mutation is inserted at the homologous positions in AChE and BChE. Herein we show further characterization of the R451C mutation in NLGN3 when expressed in HEK-293, and by protease digestion sensitivity, we reveal that the phenotype results from protein misfolding. However, the presence of an extra Cys does not interfere with the formation of disulfide bonds as shown by reaction with PEG-maleimide and estimation of the molecular mass changes. These findings highlight the role of proper protein folding in protein processing and localization.
Inferences and Confidence in Warning Texts: The Role of Age and Prior Knowledge

Understanding warnings is important, regardless if prior knowledge with respect to such information exists. The goal of the current study was to investigate younger and older adults' ability to draw inferences under different conditions of prior knowledge, and how confident participants were about their decisions. Participants read two-sentence text passages, which either resembled real warnings (real) or were the opposite of real warnings (reversed). Participants evaluated whether information in a given statement was consistent (true) or inconsistent (false) with information given in a text passage. Statements either repeated information explicitly or implied in the text passage. Participants also rated their confidence in the correctness of their answer. Data showed no age-related differences in accuracy when the text passages resembled real warnings. When text passages were reversed, older adults were less accurate than younger adults, yet more confident when inferences were required.
The (n, 2n) isomeric cross section ratios and the (n, 2n) and (n, α) excitation functions for 59Co

Abstract The ( n , 2 n ) isomeric cross section ratios and the ( n , 2 n ) and ( n , α) excitation functions for 59 Co have been measured in the energy range 13.4–18.1 MeV by activation techniques using the mixed-powder method and Ge(Li) detector γ-ray spectroscopy. The experimental ( n , 2 n ) isomeric cross section ratios were determined by measuring the ground state gamma activity of 58 Co and making a least squares fit to the time behavior of the activity in which the cross section ratio σ m σ g was treated as a variable parameter. The absolute cross sections were measured by using the mixed-powder method with 27 Al( n , α ) 24 Na as the monitor reaction. Measured cross section values are compared with the experimental values of others and with the theoretical values obtained from calculations based on the statistical model.
Internalization of circulating apoptotic cells by splenic marginal zone dendritic cells: dependence on complement receptors and effect on cytokine production

Under steady-state conditions, internalization of self-antigens embodied in apoptotic cells by dendritic cells (DCs) resident in peripheral tissue followed by DC migration and presentation of self-peptides to T cells in secondary lymphoid organs are key steps for induction and maintenance of peripheral T-cell tolerance. We show here that, besides this traffic of apoptotic cells mediated by peripheral tissue-resident DCs, splenic marginal zone DCs rapidly ingest circulating apoptotic leukocytes, process apoptotic cell-derived peptides into major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules, and acquire CD8alpha during their mobilization to T-cell areas of splenic follicles. Because apoptotic cells activate complement and some complement factors are opsonins for phagocytosis and play roles in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance, we investigated the role of complement receptors (CRs) in relation to phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by DCs. Apoptotic cell uptake by marginal zone DCs was mediated in part via CR3 (CD11b/CD18) and, to a lesser extent, CR4 (CD11c/CD18) and was reduced significantly in vivo in hypocomplementemic animals. Following phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, DCs exhibited decreased levels of mRNA and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), without effect on the anti-inflammatory mediator transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1). This selective inhibitory effect was at least partially mediated through C3bi-CD11b/CD18 interaction. Characterization of apoptotic cell/DC interaction and its outcome provides insight into the mechanisms by which apoptotic cells affect DC function without disrupting peripheral tolerance.
Causality and statistics

Abstract Many aspects of statistical design, modelling, and inference have close and important connections with causal thinking. These are analyzed in the paper against a philosophical background that regards formal mathematical models as having dual interpretations, reflecting both objectivist reality and subjectivist rationality. The latter aspect weakens the need for an objective theory of probabilistic causation, and suggests that a traditional image of causes as deterministic mechanisms should remain primary. It is argued that such causes should guide much preformal thinking about what to include in formal statistical models, especially of dynamic phenomena. The statistical measurement of causal effects is facilitated by good statistical design, including randomization where feasible, and requires other methodologies for controlling and assessing uncertainties, for example in model construction and inference. Illustrative examples include case studies where the problem is to assess retrospectively the causes of observed events and where the task is to assess future risks from controllable factors.
Accuracy assessment of NLCD 2006 land cover and impervious surface

Abstract Release of NLCD 2006 provides the first wall-to-wall land-cover change database for the conterminous United States from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data. Accuracy assessment of NLCD 2006 focused on four primary products: 2001 land cover, 2006 land cover, land-cover change between 2001 and 2006, and impervious surface change between 2001 and 2006. The accuracy assessment was conducted by selecting a stratified random sample of pixels with the reference classification interpreted from multi-temporal high resolution digital imagery. The NLCD Level II (16 classes) overall accuracies for the 2001 and 2006 land cover were 79% and 78%, respectively, with Level II user's accuracies exceeding 80% for water, high density urban, all upland forest classes, shrubland, and cropland for both dates. Level I (8 classes) accuracies were 85% for NLCD 2001 and 84% for NLCD 2006. The high overall and user's accuracies for the individual dates translated into high user's accuracies for the 2001–2006 change reporting themes water gain and loss, forest loss, urban gain, and the no-change reporting themes for water, urban, forest, and agriculture. The main factor limiting higher accuracies for the change reporting themes appeared to be difficulty in distinguishing the context of grass. We discuss the need for more research on land-cover change accuracy assessment.
The neurogenic basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor NeuroD6 confers tolerance to oxidative stress by triggering an antioxidant response and sustaining the mitochondrial biomass.

Preserving mitochondrial mass, bioenergetic functions and ROS (reactive oxygen species) homoeostasis is key to neuronal differentiation and survival, as mitochondria produce most of the energy in the form of ATP to execute and maintain these cellular processes. In view of our previous studies showing that NeuroD6 promotes neuronal differentiation and survival on trophic factor withdrawal, combined with its ability to stimulate the mitochondrial biomass and to trigger comprehensive antiapoptotic and molecular chaperone responses, we investigated whether NeuroD6 could concomitantly modulate the mitochondrial biomass and ROS homoeostasis on oxidative stress mediated by serum deprivation. In the present study, we report a novel role of NeuroD6 as a regulator of ROS homoeostasis, resulting in enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress. Using a combination of flow cytometry, confocal fluorescence microscopy and mitochondrial fractionation, we found that NeuroD6 sustains mitochondrial mass, intracellular ATP levels and expression of specific subunits of respiratory complexes upon oxidative stress triggered by withdrawal of trophic factors. NeuroD6 also maintains the expression of nuclear-encoded transcription factors, known to regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, such as PGC-1α (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α), Tfam (transcription factor A, mitochondrial) and NRF-1 (nuclear respiratory factor-1). Finally, NeuroD6 triggers a comprehensive antioxidant response to endow PC12-ND6 cells with intracellular ROS scavenging capacity. The NeuroD6 effect is not limited to the classic induction of the ROS-scavenging enzymes, such as SOD2 (superoxide dismutase 2), GPx1 (glutathione peroxidase 1) and PRDX5 (peroxiredoxin 5), but also to the recently identified powerful ROS suppressors PGC-1α, PINK1 (phosphatase and tensin homologue-induced kinase 1) and SIRT1. Thus our collective results support the concept that the NeuroD6–PGC-1α–SIRT1 neuroprotective axis may be critical in co-ordinating the mitochondrial biomass with the antioxidant reserve to confer tolerance to oxidative stress.
Intravenous Immune Globulin Therapy for Neurologic Diseases

High-dose intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) has emerged as an important therapy for various neurologic diseases. Different interpretations of clinical trial results; the expected benefit of IVIg compared with that of alternate therapies; and issues about IVIg's safety, cost, and mechanisms of action have raised concern and uncertainty among practitioners. To clarify these areas, this paper examines the clinical, serologic, and immunologic data on more than 110 patients with various autoimmune neurologic diseases who received IVIg during the past 6 years at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It also reviews work by other investigators on the efficacy, risks, benefits, and mechanisms of the action of IVIg in these diseases. In controlled clinical trials, IVIg has been effective in treating the Guillain-Barre syndrome, multifocal motor neuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and dermatomyositis. In other controlled or open-label trials and case reports, IVIg produced improvement in several patients with the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome and myasthenia gravis but had a variable, mild, or unsubstantiated benefit in some patients with inclusion-body myositis, paraproteinemic IgM demyelinating polyneuropathy, certain intractable childhood epilepsies, polymyositis, multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, and the stiff-man syndrome. The primary adverse reaction was headache; aseptic meningitis, skin reactions, thromboembolic events, and renal tubular necrosis occurred rarely. The most relevant immunomodulatory actions of IVIg, operating alone or in combination, are inhibition of complement deposition, neutralization of cytokines, modulation of Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis, and down-regulation of autoantibody production. Therapy with IVIg is effective for certain autoimmune neurologic diseases, but its spectrum of efficacy has not been fully established. Additional controlled clinical trials are needed.
Starr Roxanne Hiltz: Pioneer Digital Sociologist

Starr Roxanne Hiltz, coauthor of the acclaimed 1978 book The Network Nation, was one of the earliest sociologists to study online and virtual communities. Her groundbreaking work with Murray Turoff forecast the future development of virtual communities and their effects on society, politics, and law as well as helped to set a precedence for online learning and group decision-making research.
Neuromuscular relationships in the abdomen of the Californian shore crab Pachygrapsus crassipes

There are two pairs of muscles in each abdominal segment of the crab; one pair of flexors and one pair of extensors. In the early larval stages the muscles have short sarcomeres—a property of fast fibers—and high thin to thick filament ratios—a property of slow fibers. In the adult the abdominal muscles are intermediate and slow, since they have fibers with intermediate and long sarcomeres, high thin to thick filament ratios, low myofibrillar ATPase activity, and high NADH diaphorase activity. The different fiber types are regionally distributed within the flexor muscle. Microelectrode recordings from single flexor muscle fibers in the adult showed that most fibers are supplied by three excitatory motor axons, although some are supplied by as many as five efferents. One axon supplies all of the flexor muscle fibers in its own hemisegment, and the evoked junctional potentials exhibit depression. This feature together with the innervation patterns of the fibers are similar to those reported for the deep flexor muscles of crayfish and lobsters. Therefore, in the adult crab, the abdominal flexor muscles have some features in common with the slow superficial flexors of crayfish and other features in common with the fast deep flexor muscles.
Effects of Mineralocorticoids, Altered Sodium Intake, and Adrenalectomy on Urinary Kallikrein in Rats

The urinary excretion of kallikrein was examined in rats whose mineralocorticoid level was increased by the administration of deoxycorticosterone or a low-sodium diet and decreased by adrenalectomy. Administration of deoxycorticosterone by injection or by subcutaneous implantation of pellets resulted in a threefold increase in kallikrein excretion after 10-30 days (P<0.01). Low-sodium intake produced a twofold increase in kallikrein excretion after 2 and 4 weeks (P<0.01). Urine volume and blood pressure were normal and unchanged throughout the study. Sodium excretion was unaltered by deoxycorticosterone but was essentially zero during low-sodium intake. Adrenalectomized rats excreted less than half the kallikrein of shamoperated control rats (P<0.01). These data show a direct relationship between mineralocorticoids and kallikrein excretion and suggest that mineralocorticoids are a primary factor regulating the urinary excretion of kallikrein in rats.
Late-Time Radio Observations of 68 Type Ibc Supernovae: Strong Constraints on Off-Axis Gamma-Ray Bursts

We present late-time radio observations of 68 local Type Ibc supernovae, including six events with broad optical absorption lines ("hypernovae"). None of these objects exhibit radio emission attributable to off-axis gamma-ray burst jets spreading into our line of sight. Comparison with our afterglow models reveals the following conclusions. (1) Less than ~10% of Type Ibc supernovae are associated with typical gamma-ray bursts initially directed away from our line of sight; this places an empirical constraint on the GRB beaming factor of f 104, corresponding to an average jet opening angle, θj 08. (2) This holds in particular for the broad-lined supernovae (SNe 1997dq, 1997ef, 1998ey, 2002ap, 2002bl, and 2003jd), which have been argued to host GRB jets. Our observations reveal no evidence for typical (or even subenergetic) GRBs and rule out the scenario in which every broad-lined SN harbors a GRB at the 84% confidence level. Their large photospheric velocities and asymmetric ejecta (inferred from spectropolarimetry and nebular spectroscopy) appear to be characteristic of the nonrelativistic SN explosion and do not necessarily imply the existence of associated GRB jets.
Polar granules of Drosophila. II. Ultrastructural changes during early embryogenesis

Polar granules of Drosophila show distinctive variations in structure at various stages of early embryogenesis and in different species. In most species they are attached to mitochondria at fertilization, then they become free and fragment during the cleavage divisions and during the time of pole cell formation. After pole cells have formed they again coalesce. At the time of migration of the pole cells to the embryonic gonad, the polar granules again fragment and become attached to the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. Ribosomes are attached to the periphery of polar granules at the time they are fragmented prior to and during pole cell formation. An hypothesis is presented on the basis of published reports of RNA present in the granules and the ultrastructural observations reported here. This hypothesis suggests that the RNA in polar granules is m-RNA that directs the synthesis of those proteins necessary for the determination of the pole cells to become germ cells.
Bone Marrow Lymphocytes: Their Isolation, Colony-Forming Capacity and Graft-Versus-Host Potential I. The Isolation and Characterization of Subpopulations of Bone Marrow Lymphocytes

SummaryBone marrow cells sedimented through a linear sucrose gradient containing fetal calf serum, separated into four major fractions. Three of these were lymphocyte-rich fractions that may be as high as 99 percent pure. About 40 percent of total marrow lymphocytes (originally 25-28 percent) were removed in these three fractions. The technique offers the advantage of short sedimentation intervals (5 minutes) and high reproducibility in the purity and yield of lymphocytes. The technique isolates lymphocytes in a one-step procedure and further subdivides the lymphocytes on the basis of differences in sedimentation and proliferative characteristics. The availability of a technique that may differentiate subpopulations of bone marrow lymphocytes should stimulate future investigations aimed at clarifying the differentiative and functional capacities of these cells.
Bring socio-cultural contexts into activities: a localization study of mobile text messaging use

The success of mobile text messaging poses many questions for usability studies. Considering the inherent usability weaknesses of mobile phones such as the small display, poor input methods, the moving environment, and noisy surroundings, this success is hard to explain with traditional usability theories that ignore the social-cultural context. A new framework-cultural usability-is proposed for studying the intriguing processes of how cultural factors and contextual issues affect the consumption of mobile text messaging in contexts of use.
Nonimaging Optics for Illumination

The design techniques of nonimaging optics may have a useful role in illumination systems for buildings; specifically, in the areas of light capture, light transport and light pro-jection at the location of end use. General design methods for various applications are described.
The first muon spin rotation experiment

Abstract The February 15, 1957 issue of Physical Review Letters shows the first muon precession curve resulting from the stopping of ‘85 MeV’ muons in graphite, and the resulting counting rate in a gate of fixed delay, duration, and orientation, as a function of an applied vertical magnetic field. The purpose of the four-day experiment was to test the conservation of parity in the weak interactions. It involved the sudden recognition that existing muon beams would be polarized if parity were not conserved, together with the appreciation that the angular distribution of decay electrons from the population of stopped muons could be observed (much more reliably and sensitively) by the variation with time or current of the detections in a fixed counter telescope than by the measurement of the decay asymmetry of nominally fixed muon spins. This retrospective paper explains the context, the state of the art at the time, and what we expected as a consequence of this experiment. We went on to study more accurately the magnetic moment of the muon, its gyromagnetic ratio—g —and only to a small extent used μSR to investigate the environment of the muon in matter. Much of the paper treats the instrumentation of the time—especially that adopted in the early 1950s. The essential tools of nanosecond-range coincidence circuits and adiabatic light pipes for scintillation counters are discussed. The paper closes with some later work of the author and his colleagues—measurements of the magnetic moment of the muon and especially the CERN measurement of muon g–2. An expanded version of this presentation is posted at http://www.fas.org/RLG
Venous and aortic porcine endothelial cells cultured under standardized conditions synthesize heparan sulfate chains which differ in charge

The identification of a specific required carbohydrate structure for the antithrombin III binding site on heparin suggests that there may be specific structures in glycosaminoglycan chains which are necessary for other vascular functions of these carbohydrates. Determining that such differences exist requires a mechanism to isolate heparan sulfates from endothelial cells of specific vascular beds. The present report indicates that cultured venous and aortic endothelial cells synthesize heparan sulfate chains differing in charge density. There are two important conclusions from this work. (i) Endothelial cells from different blood vessels (i.e., vena cava and thoracic aorta) synthesize heparan sulfates which differ in negative charge and sulfation pattern. Specifically, aortic endothelial heparan sulfates have a higher negative charge than venous heparan sulfates. Differences are also observed in the nitrous acid degradation products of the heparan sulfates. (ii) Endothelial cells in culture retain the ability to synthesize different heparan sulfates in vitro after months of subculture under defined conditions. These results indicate that it is feasible to characterize heparan sulfates using cultured endothelial cells from a variety of vascular beds.
Turbulent junction flow with an upstream ribbed surface

Abstract Results of experimental investigations of the effects of an upstream longitudinal triangular ribbed surface on a turbulent junction flow and downstream wake are presented. The ribbed plate was placed right upstream of the wing on the flat plate surface, covering a 10 × 38 cm2 area. The junction flow was developed using a NACA0012 airfoil mounted normal to a flat plate downstream of its leading edge. The experiments were carried out at a free stream mean velocity of 31 m/s. which corresponds to a unit Reynolds number of 1.8 × 106 and the airfoil chord length Reynolds number of 5.4 × 105. Measurements were carried out at four control planes of 50%, 100%, 133%, and 166% of the wing chord length. Results show that the riblets displace the location of the horseshoe vortex away from the corner and reduce its strength. There are significant reductions in mean streamwise circulation downstream at 133% and 166% planes.
Comparison of Estimated Daughter Superiority from Pedigree Records with Daughter Evaluation

Abstract Daughter superiorities of 240 Holstein bulls of the American Breeders Service and Eastern Artificial Insemination Cooperative (EAIC) were estimated from records of paternal sisters of the sire, dam's records, and records of daughters of the maternal grandsire. Estimated daughter superiority (EDS) was then compared with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's predicted difference for American Breeders Service bulls and with the Northeast Sire Comparison for EAIC bulls. The regression equation on estimated daughter superiority was (−84 + .561 (EDS)) kg for American Breeders Service bulls and (−227 + .654(EDS)) kg for EAIC bulls. The response is not as large as theoretically predicted but does indicate that selection of young bulls with high estimated daughter superiority is an effective method of finding a superior group of young bulls for further sampling.
Extractable metal salts of carboxylic acids in green river oil shale

Abstract A study of solvent-extractable metal salts of carboxylic acids from Colorado Green River oil shale is presented. Sodium was found to be the most abundant cation present in these acid metal salts. Identification of individual components is based on combined gas Chromatographic and mass spectrometric results obtained for their respective volatile methyl esters. Normal acid salts (C 11 to C 34 ), isoprenoid acid salts (C 15 to C 17 , C 19 to C 22 ), nonisoprenoid branched acid salts (C 14 to C 19 ), terpenoid acid salts (C 30 to C 32 ), and α,ω-dicarboxylic acid salts (C 11 to C 29 ) were identified. Small concentrations of cyclohexyl acid salts and aromatic acid salts were also found. The high even-odd predominance for the distribution of normal acid salts indicates a mild thermal history for Green River oil shale. Some acid salts (45.6 wt%) were not identified because of nonvolatility of their methyl esters.
Laser Spectroscopy of Bound NaNe Molecules

We have produced the van der Waals molecule NaNe in a supersonic expansion, and have studied the $A^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}X^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ transition using a single-mode cw dye laser. Using analysis based on isotope shifts and the long-range ${R}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ behavior of the excited-state $A^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}$ potential, we find its well depth and location to be ${D}_{\mathrm{eA}}=140\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at ${\mathcal{r}}_{\mathrm{eA}}=(5.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1){a}_{0}$ and for the $X^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ ground state, ${D}_{\mathrm{eX}}=8.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at ${\mathcal{r}}_{\mathrm{eX}}=(10.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2){a}_{0}$. These results are compared with pseudopotential calculations and several recent line-broadening and collisions experiments.
The importance of zinc-binding to the function of Rhodobacter sphaeroides ChrR as an anti-sigma factor.

Abstract The Rhodobacter sphaeroides extra cytoplasmic function sigma factor, σ E , directs transcription of promoters for the cycA gene ( cycA P3) and the rpoEchrR operon ( rpoE P1). These genes encode the periplasmic electron carrier cytochrome c 2 and σ E /ChrR, respectively. Using in vitro transcription assays with purified R . sphaeroides core RNA polymerase and σ E , we show that ChrR is sufficient to inhibit σ E -dependent transcription. Inhibition is proposed to proceed through a binding interaction, since σ E and ChrR form a 1:1 complex that can be purified when expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli . Active preparations of ChrR and the σ E /ChrR complex each contain stoichiometric zinc. Removal of zinc from ChrR or a single amino acid substitution that abolishes zinc binding, results in a protein that is incapable of inhibiting σ E activity or forming a complex with the sigma factor, indicating that metal binding is important to ChrR activity. Treatment of ChrR with the thiol-modifying reagent p -hydroxymecuriphenylsulfonic acid results in the release of about one mole of zinc per mole of protein. Furthermore, two N-terminal cysteine residues are protected from reaction with the thiol-specific reagent dithionitrobenzoic acid until zinc is removed, suggesting that these residues may be involved in zinc binding. These data indicate that ChrR is a specific anti-sigma factor of σ E that requires zinc for function. Based on amino acid sequence similarity, we propose that ChrR is part of a family of similar anti-sigma factors that are found in α and γ proteobacteria.
Fractional flow reserve is a useful reference standard for myocardial perfusion studies with limitations

Plein and Motwani1, in their editorial comment on a study by Ebersberger et al. 2 in the journal, state that because the ischaemia threshold of fractional flow reserve (FFR) was initially ‘validated’ in patients with unequivocal stress-induced ischaemia by stress SPECT/echocardiogram (ECHO),3 subsequent studies using FFR as a reference standard to assess the accuracy of other non-invasive methods of assessment of stress-induced myocardial ischaemia such as CMR ‘are somewhat paradoxical and create questionable circular arguments’. I suggest an alternative conclusion based on the following reasoning: the initial ‘validation’ study3 was really to …
Vibrational control of heat and mass transfer in Bridgman melt growth configurations

Convective transport of heat and constituent components is dominated by buoyancy driven convection in many terrestrial crystal growth situations. The character of natural buoyant convection in non-uniformly heated, rigidly contained inhomogeneous fluids can be drastically altered by vibration of the container. Therefore, vibrational induced flo w can potentially be used to influence and even control transport in some crystal growth situations.
Effect of the streptokinase-induced fibrinolytic state on the healing of sutured arterial wounds in dogs

Abstract In 32 dogs a simple femoral arteriotomy was atraumatically sutured, followed by 32 hours' infusion of either Thrombolysin (in an adequate dose to induce moderate fibrinolysis) or saline (control group). Then, at various intervals of time (1, 3, and 7 days) arteries were removed and healing wounds examined histologically. In addition, the tensile strength of the fresh arterial scar was measured. No signs of impaired healing have been found in animals exposed to thrombolytic therapy. To the contrary 7 days after completion of infusion all sutured arteries taken from treated animals showed a considerably greater tensile strength than those from the controls. This finding corresponds very well with the histological picture of these arteries, showing smoother and firmer healing. It is postulated that removal of the fibrin layer from the endothelium may be beneficial to the healing mechanism of the affected artery.
Optically stabilized EDFA for in-band WDM systems

The wavelength-dependent gain-saturation characteristics of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) make the use of channel-equalization and gain-control techniques essential for their use in wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) optical networks. A particular problem in a practical WDM system is the necessity for re-equalization in the event of the removal or loss of one or more input channels.
Self-Broadening Effects in the Infrared Bands of Gases*

Various techniques for measurement of the self-broadening of spectral lines of absorbing gases as compared with the line-broadening effects of nitrogen have been tested and are critically compared. Mean values of self-broadening coefficients applicable to entire absorption bands have been redetermined with improved precision for CO, CO2, N2O, CH4, and NH3; agreement with earlier results is good except for NH3. Low-resolution studies of the variation of self-broadening coefficients across absorption bands indicate that the coefficients generally have maximum values in the spectral regions where absorption is greatest; however, the coefficients for individual vibration–rotation lines determined at higher resolution do not, in general, show striking variations from line to line in a given band. Certain apparent anomalies in the results for NH3 are discussed.
SU‐GG‐T‐562: Dosimetric Comparison of 3D Conformal Proton Therapy and IMRT for Retroperitoneal‐Sarcoma Treatments

Purpose: To determine the difference in dose to target and critical structures when treating retroperitoneal sarcoma with 3D conformal proton therapy or IMRT, and to evaluate the sensitivity to setup errors for both techniques. Method and Materials: 3D conformal proton,IMRT, and 3D conformal photon plans were made for 8 patients. GTV volumes varied between 277 and 3482cc. A uniform 2cm GTV to CTV margin was applied, followed by a 0.5cm CTV to PTV margin. Laterally the proton plans were conformed to the PTV, while a distal margin equal to 1.5% of the range plus 1mm was applied to the CTV. Range‐compensator smearing of 0.5cm was used. For proton plans 2 to 4 beams were used; 5 to 8 for photon plans. Prescribed dose is 50.4CGE. To evaluate the effect of setup uncertainty on target coverage and dose to critical structures, proton and IMRT plans were re‐calculated for 5mm shifts along the cardinal axes. Pinnacle (Philips) treatment planning system was used to generate photon plans; Eclipse (Varian) to generate proton plans. Results: The bowel V15Gy is lower in the proton plan (19.9% versus 51.7% averaged over all patients), while V45Gy is near identical (6.9% versus 6.3%). Mean dose to liver is 5.8 and 13.2Gy for proton and IMRT respectively. When not involved in the CTV, the V20Gy of the ipsilateral kidney is significantly lower in proton plans (by up to 45%). Both techniques avoid the contralateral kidney giving comparable V20Gy (0.2% and 2.3%). Conclusion: Conformity of the dose to the target is comparable for both techniques. Critical‐structure volumes receiving high doses are comparable, while the volume receiving low dose is reduced significantly in proton plans. IMRT plans are less sensitive to variations in setup.
Life-Saving Organ Transplants Accompanied by Stealthy and Unexpected Pathogens

In this issue, Hocevar and colleagues discuss their investigation into an illness cluster among 3 solid organ transplant recipients from a common donor, which they found to be due to infection with...
External validation of the cancer of the prostate risk assessment (CAPRA) score in a single-surgeon radical prostatectomy series

Objectives Prostate cancer clinical staging has significant limitations in the ability to accurately risk-stratify patients for prompt treatment or expectant management. The University of California San Francisco Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (UCSF CAPRA) was recently described as a straightforward staging system that uses clinical variables to generate a score ranging from 0 to 10. Our objective was to perform an external validation of the CAPRA score as a predictor of 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) in a single-surgeon radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) series.
Relation of polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 device efficiency with junction depth and interfacial structure

Abstract The surface versus bulk composition, electronic and physical structure of polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 thin-film interfaces have been characterized using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). Angle-resolved high resolution photoemission measurements on the valence band electronic structure and Cu 2p, In 3d, Ga 2p and Se 3d core lines were used to evaluate the surface and near surface chemistry of CuInSe 2 and Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 device grade thin films. XPS compositional depth profiles were also acquired from the near surface region. PAS was used as a nondestructive, depth-sensitive probe for open-volume-type defects. Device efficiencies are correlated with these results to show the effects of compositional variations and defect concentrations in the near surface region on device performance.
Rehabilitation of the maxillary arch with implant-supported fixed restorations guided by the most apical buccal bone level in the esthetic zone: a clinical report

This article describes a prosthetically-driven protocol for the rehabilitation of the completely edentulous maxillary arch using immediate implant placement and loading techniques. After the incisal edges of the planned maxillary central incisors are determined, the most apical buccal bone level in the esthetic zone serves to guide complete arch rehabilitation. (J Prosthet Dent 2012;107:213-220)
Artists' Statements Can Influence Perceptions of Artwork

A total of 98 undergraduates participated in two experiments designed to investigate the effects of providing different artist's statements on ratings of representational and non-objective artworks...
An update on the regulation of adipogenesis

Obesity, a major risk factor for the development of type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, is rising at an alarming rate worldwide. Obesity is caused by a chronic imbalance between energy expenditure and energy storage by adipose tissue. Adipogenesis is the process governing the formation and function of adipose tissue. This review article will discuss the most recent advances in understanding the regulation of adipogenesis, including adipose tissue lineage determination, the identity of the adipocyte progenitor cells, novel regulators controlling energy storage and expenditure and lastly the newly identified beige/brite cells.
“PALS for life!” a required trauma-oriented pediatric advanced life support course for pediatric and emergency medicine housestaff

While advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and advanced trauma life support (ATLS) courses have become accepted standards for physicians who care for the critically ill and injured patient, only recently have pediatric advanced life support (PALS) courses been developed. The American Academy of Pediatrics has shown renewed interest in pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest after impressive gains made in adult resuscitation. The American Heart Association filled a void by including new chapters on Pediatric and Neonatal Resuscitation in the Textbook of Advanced Cardiac Life Support, 1981. A joint committee of AHA and AAP is seeking to unify course objectives and materials for standard curriculum. Because trauma is the most common cause of death and disability in children, pediatric trauma life support measures should be incorporated into any program directed toward emergency physicians and pediatricians who function in an emergency department or rural primary care setting. The Department of Pediatrics and Surgery and its division of Emergency Medicine has developed and implemented a PALS curriculum which is different from most other programs in that emphasis has been placed on pediatric trauma in addition to traditional cardiac (ACLS) resuscitation. This 20-hour program combines a modified ACLS curriculum with specific pediatric trauma lectures and laboratory sessions. It includes a canine surgical procedure lab and modified ATLS skill stations. At the completion of the course, students are eligible for ACLS certification. In the two years in which the course was given, 39 pediatric houseofficers were enrolled in the course. The success rate for retesting (24%) and ultimate certification (91%) of pediatric housestaff was not statistically different from rates of all other housestaff (19% and 93%, respectively). To test the attainment of trauma evaluation and management principles, a written examination and a trauma assessment testing station were developed. The goal of ACLS certification is attainable with minimal modification of the standard course. Because of the tragic results and potential salvage in pediatric trauma, an emphasis on ATLS principles of optimal care and avoidance of common pitfalls should reap improved results.
NATIONAL IVHS ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

National information and control systems are emerging that require system architectures for deployment across the nation, e.g., air traffic control systems, military command and control systems, and other national information systems. The required characteristics for the national level architectures include modularity, openness, and evolvability. Modularity permits a variety of system configurations. Each may be designed to size a community's system with a level of functionality commensurate with the community's needs. Openness enables system interoperability with other systems at both horizontal and vertical levels. Evolvability requires the system to permit functionality and scope changes as the community and technology evolves. Achieving these characteristics necessitates a formal strategy for developing architectures, for information and control systems, at the national level. A national level, information and control system is a system that is made up of systems, e.g., a supersystem. Developing an ar...
Cytotoxically Impaired Transplant Recipients Can Efficiently Resist Major Histocompatibility Complex-Matched Bone Marrow Allografts

Abstract High rates of allograft rejection using T cell--depleted marrow or after transplantations into multiply transfused recipients have been reported. Together with current approaches to diminish host preparative immunosuppression before stem cell transplant, issues regarding the cells and effector pathways involved in resistance to progenitor cell presence in recipients are of increasing interest. The present investigation addressed questions concerning the contribution of cytotoxic effector mechanisms used by host cells involved in resistance to progenitor cell engraftment. A murine model was developed in which short-term resistance against major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched allogeneic T cell--depleted marrow was examined using a sensitive in vitro assay to detect progenitor cell presence by colony formation in vitro. Resistance was found to be dependent on previous priming to donor nonMHC antigens and could be transferred by a CD3+NK1.1- population. The resistance mechanism explicitly discriminated between donor and syngeneic progenitors after mixed marrow transplantation. Interestingly, the resistance was not impaired in animals unable to mediate cell-mediated cytotoxicity involving perforin-dependent or CD95L-dependent pathways. These results indicate that either cytotoxic effector pathway alone is sufficient to effect marrow allograft resistance or that non-perforin and CD95L effector mechanisms are responsible for barrier activity. The findings are discussed with respect to previous studies concerning T-cell involvement in resistance to MHC and hematopoietic histoincompatible-mismatched marrow grafts. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2000;6(4A):456-64.
Whose Kingdom? Whose Power? Whose Glory?

AbstractThough it endures, the Lord’s Prayer is not a “classic”: neither the ideal expression of a mature civilization nor a statement adaptable in every generation. Subverting the culture in which humans feel most at home, Jesus’ prayer offers an unsettling settlement. Its jarring consolation punctures every form of nationalism, undermines human sovereignty, and offers a bridge to other religions, to all seeking peace in this world.
Some features ofNitella chloroplasts as revealed by the electron microscope

Nitella chloroplasts when extruded from the large internodal cells and examined with the electron microscope often show daughter plastids in various stages of division as well as occasional external plastid protuberances. In the individual plastids the main mass of the chloroplast material appears to be concentrated in the outer portion of the plastid leaving a somewhat spongy interior. The extruded contents of ruptured plastids often contain particles of around 500 A in diameter.
Echo‐planar spin‐echo and inversion pulses

The echo-planar k-space trajectory can be used as the basis for any two-dimensional selective pulse. The main application is spectral-spatial pulses, which must be based on the echoplanar trajectory. In this paper we show how echo-planar spinecho (EPSE) pulses may be designed.
Complexity dips in random infinite binary sequences

Given any function f with σ n =0 ∞ 2 − f ( n ) divergent, it is shown that every finite binary sequence x has an infinite number of initial segments, x n , with K ( x n ) ⩽ n − f ( n ).
Basics of ion sources in basic (BOISIB)

Abstract The basics of ion sources in basic (BOISIB) is a BASIC computer program which calculates some of the relevant ion source parameters, e.g. filament requirements, electron and ion current densities, plasma frequencies, source efficiencies, etc. The program is applicable to the arc plasma discharge sources with filament, e.g. Freeman-type, multipole or magnetic cusp-type, PIG-type etc. The program is interactive and was developed on an Apple McIntosh.