cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endoprobe: a system for radionuclide-guided endoscopy.

Methods to guide the surgical treatment of cancer utilizing handheld beta-sensitive probes in conjunction with tumor-avid radiopharmaceuticals [such as {sup 18}F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)] have previously been developed. These technologies could also potentially be used to assist in minimally invasive techniques for the diagnosis of cancer. The goal of this project is to develop and test a system for performing radionuclide-guided endoscopies. This system (called Endoprobe) has four major subsystems: beta detector, position tracker, endoscope, and user interface. The beta detection unit utilizes two miniaturized solid state detectors to preferentially detect beta particles. The position tracking system allows real-time monitoring of the unit's location. The beta detector and position tracking system's receiver are mounted on the tip of an endoscope. Information from the beta detector and tracking system, in addition to the video signal from the endoscope, are combined and presented to the user via a computer interface. The system was tested in a simulated search for radiotracer-avid areas of esophageal cancer. The search for esophageal cancer was chosen because this type of cancer is often diagnosed with endoscopic procedures and has been reported to have good affinity for FDG. Accumulations of FDG in the normal organs of the abdomen were simulatedmore » by an anthropomorphic torso phantom filled with the appropriate amounts of radioactivity. A 1.5-mm-thick gelatin film containing FDG was used to simulate radiotracer uptake in the lining of normal esophagus. Esophageal lesions (both benign and malignant) were simulated by thin disks of gelatin (diameters=3.5-12 mm) containing appropriate concentrations of FDG embedded in the gelatin film simulating normal esophagus. Endoprobe facilitated visual identification and examination of the simulated lesions. The position tracking system permitted the location of the Endoprobe tip to be monitored and plotted in real time on a previously acquired positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) image of the phantom. The detection system successfully acquired estimates of the beta flux emitted from areas chosen by the user. Indeed, Endoprobe was able to assist in distinguishing simulated FDG-avid areas as small as 3.5 mm in diameter from normal esophagus (p value <0.025). In addition to FDG, Endoprobe can be used with other positron or electron-emitting radionuclides such as {sup 11}C or {sup 131}I. The next phase of this project will focus on modification of the prototype to make it more suitable for clinical use.« less
ECONOMICS OF THE LIVING DEAD

Zombie firms are those firms that are insolvent and have little hope of recovery but avoid failure thanks to support from their banks. This paper identifies zombie firms in Japan, and compares the characteristics of zombies to other firms. Zombie firms are found to be less profitable, more indebted, more dependent on their main banks, more likely to be found in non-manufacturing industries and more often located outside large metropolitan areas. Overall, larger size makes the firm less likely to be a zombie, but among small firms, relatively larger firms are more likely to be protected and become zombies. Controlling for profitability, the exit probability for zombie firms does not differ from that for non-zombies. Zombie firms tend to increase employment by more (but do not reduce employment by more) than non-zombies. Finally, when the proportion of zombie firms in an industry increases, job creation declines and job destruction increases, and the effects are stronger for non-zombies.
Are there biases in biopsy sampling? Potential drivers of sex ratio in projectile biopsy samples from two small delphinids

Molecular assays were used to determine the sex of 1,294 biopsied common dolphins (658 long-beaked common dolphins, Delphinus capensis, and 636 short-beaked common dolphins, D. delphis) in the Southern California Bight. Sex ratio differed substantially between the two species; females comprised 241 (36.6%) of D. capensis samples and 410 (64.5%) of D. delphis samples. All biopsies were taken either from a large research ship or from a small, rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) launched from the larger ship. When conducting replicate biopsy effort on the same schools from each vessel/platform (“Tandem Biopsy Sampling”), we found evidence that disproportionately more female D. capensis were biopsied from the RHIB than from the ship but the same was not true for D. delphis. We suspect that these results are driven by bowriding-behavior differences between the two species. Biopsy duration, geographic location, school size, and Julian date were considered as potential covariates with sex ratio; geographic location was the only one to show strong evidence of correlation. This study also presents an alternative to the erroneous practice of comparing sex ratios to a theoretical assumption of parity (i.e., 50:50 sex ratio) when researchers avoid sampling animals paired with calves.
Disopyramide-induced ventricular tachycardia.

• A patient with ischemic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure was treated with disopyramide phosphate for ventricular arrhythmias. The development of ventricular tachycardia was associated with elevated plasma disopyramide levels and prolongation of the QRS and QT intervals, suggesting a disopyramide-induced depression of ventricular conduction and a prolongation of recovery. Thus, in patients with congestive heart failure, as well as in patients with renal and/or hepatic dysfunction, special care must be exercised with respect to the use of disopyramide. ( Arch Intern Med 140:413-414, 1980)
Polygraphic sleep measures differentiate alcoholics and stimulant abusers during short-term abstinence.

We hypothesized that stimulant abusers would sleep more and have more rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than primary alcoholics during acute withdrawal (first 10 days drug free) but would have opposite patterns during subacute withdrawal (days 11–14 drug free). We compared polygraphic sleep patterns during acute withdrawal (days 3–10) for 7 stimulant abusers and 8 alcoholics and during subacute withdrawal (days 11–14) for 7 different stimulant abusers and 8 different alcoholics. For comparison purposes, a group of normal controls from our preexisting database were matched for age and gender. Two statistically significant interactions were found: consistent with our hypothesis, stimulant abusers showed greater total sleep (TST) and REM sleep during acute withdrawal than subacute withdrawal, compared with alcoholics. In contrast, alcoholics showed less TST and REM sleep during acute withdrawal than during subacute withdrawal. Our polygraphic sleep data support the hypothesis that physiological withdrawal differs in alcoholics compared with stimulant abusers. Different mechanisms may underlie withdrawal in these two substances.
Methodology for Standard Cell Compliance and Detailed Placement for Triple Patterning Lithography

As the feature size of semiconductor process further scales to sub-16 nm technology node, triple patterning lithography (TPL) has been regarded as one of the most promising lithography candidates along with extreme ultraviolet, electron beam lithography, and directly self-assembly. M1 and contact layers, which are usually deployed within standard cells, are the most critical and complex parts for modern digital designs. Traditional design flow that ignores TPL in early stages may limit the potential to resolve all the TPL conflicts. In this paper, we propose a coherent framework, including standard cell compliance and detailed placement, to enable TPL friendly design. Considering TPL constraints during early design stages, such as standard cell compliance, improves the layout decomposability. With the precoloring solutions of standard cells, we present a TPL aware detailed placement where the layout decomposition and placement can be resolved simultaneously. In addition, we propose a linear dynamic programming to solve TPL aware detailed placement with maximum displacement, which can achieve good trade-off in terms of runtime and performance. Experimental results show that our framework can achieve zero conflict, meanwhile can effectively optimize the stitch number and placement wire-length.
Robot navigation algorithms using learned spatial graphs

Finding optimal paths for robot navigation in known terrain has been studied for some time but, in many important situations, a robot would be required to navigate in completely new or partially explored terrain. We propose a method of robot navigation which requires no pre-learned model, makes maximal use of available information, records and synthesizes information from multiple journeys, and contains concepts of learning that allow for continuous transition from local to global path optimality. The model of the terrain consists of a spatial graph and a Voronoi diagram. Using acquired sensor data, polygonal boundaries containing perceived obstacles shrink to approximate the actual obstacles' surfaces, free space for transit is correspondingly enlarged, and additional nodes and edges are recorded based on path intersections and stop points. Navigation planning is gradually accelerated with experience since improved global map information minimizes the need for further sensor data acquisition. Our method currently assumes obstacle locations are unchanging, navigation can be successfully conducted using two-dimensional projections, and sensor information is precise.
Environments for Lifelong Learning in Senior Centers

Senior-center learning opportunities must adapt, as new retirees are better educated than their predecessors. We examined 3 multipurpose senior centers using 120 hours of observations and 30 participant interviews. Variation existed in the ability to maximize synomorphic relationships, where the physical environment supported educational activities. The center with the greatest success had the most active participation. Low participation was noted when multipurpose rooms were utilized, as learning was compromised by distractions. Computer learning thrived in a computer lab, but machines were neglected when located in an employee break room. Successful learning programs fit the environment, in addition to providing volunteerism and empowerment.
Physicochemical Properties of Ovalbumin and Lysozyme Treated with Oleic Acid

Results from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed that proteins were more negatively charged in the presence of oleic acid. The electrophoretic mobility of unmodified and modified lysozyme was of opposite but similar magnitude. Critical micelle concentration (50.0 μ M) of oleic acid suggested that association between the fatty acid and proteins was mostly hydrophobic. Muramidase activity of modified lysozyme and difference spectra of modified ovalbumin suggested that oleic acid was partially or totally surrounding the proteins. Improved freeze-thaw characteristics of treated egg white were attributed to greater negative charge and instability of proteins produced by oleic acid.
Nutritional disorders of cotton plants

(1982). Nutritional disorders of cotton plants. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis: Vol. 13, No. 9, pp. 685-736.
Hypoglycemia After Gastric Bypass: The Dark Side of GLP-1

Obesity is increasingly recognized as a major threat to individual and public health. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to achieve sustained weight loss with current medical approaches. Similarly, optimal treatment of obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease remains an elusive goal for the majority of patients. Given these critical unmet needs, both clinicians and patients alike have been buoyed by the results of recent, controlled, clinical trials demonstrating potent effects of bariatric operative procedures to induce sustained weight loss and improve or normalize obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes.1–3 Perhaps even more compelling are the 83% reduction in incident diabetes, 30%–40% reduction in myocardial infarction and stroke, 42% reduction in cancer incidence in women, and 30%–40% reduction in overall mortality observed in nonrandomized but controlled studies.1, 4 As with any approach, clinicians need to carefully balance metabolic benefits against both short- and long-term complications of surgery. When surgery is performed at centers of excellence, these benefits are achieved with low operative mortality.1 However, longer term intestinal and nutritional complications can occur, and vary according to the specific procedure. One particularly challenging and sometimes severe complication of roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.5, 6 Although it is likely that multiple mechanisms contribute to post-bypass hypoglycemia, the studies of Salehi et al7 reported in this issue of Gastroenterology provide firm evidence for the role of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) as a critical contributor to the inappropriate insulin secretion in this syndrome.
View of laser fusion

Physics of Laser Driven Plasmas. By Heinrich Hora. Pp.317. ISBN 0-471-078880-8. (Wiley: 1981.) £28.95, $49.15.
Reverse optical forces in negative index dielectric waveguide arrays

Nonconservative optical forces acting on dipolar particles are considered in longitudinally invariant optical fields. We demonstrate that the orientation of these forces is strictly dictated by the propagation vector associated with such field configurations. As a direct consequence of this, it is impossible to achieve a reversal of optical forces in homogeneous media. We show instead that translation invariant optical tractor fields can in fact be generated in the negative index environment produced in a special class of fully dielectric waveguide arrays.
Agents2Go: an infrastructure for location-dependent service discovery in the mobile electronic commerce environment

In recent years, the growth of Electronic Commerce and Mobile Computing has created a new concept of Mobile Electronic Commerce. In this paper we describe the Agents2Go System that attempts to solve problems related to location dependence that arise in a Mobile Electronic Commerce environment. Agents2Go is a distributed system that provides mobile users with the ability to obtain location dependent services and information. Our system also automatically obtains a user's current geographical location in CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) based systems without relying on external aids such as GPS (Global Positioning System).
Reproduction by virgin queen fire ants in queenless colonies: Comparative study of three taxa ( Solenopsis richteri , hybrid S. invicta/richteri, S. geminata ) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

In the fire ant,Solenopsis invicta, some winged virgin queens are known to shed their wings (dealate) upon removal of the mated mother queen. These virgin queens then develop their ovaries and begin to lay eggs, thereby foregoing the option of leaving on mating flights and attempting to found their own colonies. Such a response of virgin queens to queenlessness has not been reported for other ants. In order to determine if virgin queens of some other fire ants (subgenusSolenopsis) would respond in the same way, experiments were conducted onS. richteri, hybridS. invicta/richteri andS. geminata, a member of a species complex different from that of the other taxa. Just as inS. invicta, virgin queens ofS. richteri and the hybrid dealated and began to lay eggs within days of the removal of the queen. In addition, workers executed many of the reproductively active virgin queens, a phenomenon also found inS. invicta. In contrast, virgin queens ofS. geminata did not dealate or quickly begin to lay eggs upon separation from the queen. Reasons for the variability in the response of virgin queens of the different species may be 1) higher probability of reproductive success for unmated dealated queens compared to normal claustral founding inS. invicta andS. richteri linked to relatively frequent loss of the mother queen; or 2) phylogenetic constraint.
Modulators of inflammation use nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1 sites to induce the caspase-1 and granzyme B inhibitor, proteinase inhibitor 9

Proteinase inhibitor 9 (PI-9) inhibits caspase-1 (interleukin (IL)-1β-converting enzyme) and granzyme B, thereby regulating production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and susceptibility to granzyme B-induced apoptosis. We show that cellular PI-9 mRNA and protein are induced by IL-1β, lipopolysaccharide, and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. We identified functional imperfect nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) sites at −135 and −88 and a consensus activator protein-1 (AP-1) site at −308 in the PI-9 promoter region. Using transient transfections in HepG2 cells to assay PI-9 promoter mutations, we find that mutational ablation of the AP-1 site or of either NF-κB site reduces IL-1β-induced expression of PI-9 by ∼60%. Mutational ablation of the two NF-κB sites and of the AP-1 site nearly abolishes both basal and IL-1β-induced expression of PI-9. Nuclear extracts from IL-1β-treated HepG2 cells exhibited strong, IL-1β-inducible binding to the NF-κB sites and to the AP-1 site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays show that after IL-1β treatment c-Jun/c-Fos and JunD bind to the AP-1 site, whereas the p50/p65 heterodimer binds to the two NF-κB sites. Estrogens induce PI-9, but induction of PI-9 by estrogens and IL-1β is not synergistic. In transiently transfected, estrogen receptor-positive HepG2ER7 cells, estrogens do not interfere with IL-1β induction, whereas IL-1β exhibits dose-dependent repression of estrogen-inducible PI-9 expression. Our surprising finding that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β strongly induces PI-9 suggests a novel mechanism for regulating inflammation and apoptosis through a negative feedback loop controlling expression of the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic protein, PI-9.
A laboratory and theoretical study of the boundary layer adjacent to a vertical melting ice wall in salt water

In an experimental and theoretical study we model the convection generated in the polar oceans when a fresh-water ice wall melts in salt water of uniform far-field temperature T∞, and salinity S∞. Our laboratory results show that there are three different flow regimes which depend on T∞ and S∞. First, when T∞ and S∞ lie between the maximum density curve and the freezing curve, the flow is only upward. Secondly, for the oceanic case 30 [les ] S∞ [les ] 35‰ and T∞ 20°C, the flow reverses: at the top of the ice there is a laminar bidirectional flow above a downward turbulent flow. To model the turbulent upward flow theoretically, we numerically solve the governing equations in similarity form with a spatially varying eddy diffusivity that depends on the density difference between the ice-water interface and the far-field. The laboratory data then allows us to evaluate the dependence of eddy diffusivity on T∞ and S∞. The results show that the magnitude of the eddy diffusivity is of the same order as the molecular viscosity and that both mass injection at the interface and opposed buoyancy forces must be included in a realistic flow model. Finally, we use an integral approach to predict the far-field conditions that yield the high-temperature flow reversal and obtain a result consistent with our observations.
Biochemical, hematologic, and immunologic alterations following hepatic cryotherapy

Hepatic cryosurgery causes hepatocellular damage primarily by inducing the formation of ice crystals. Cell necrosis is enhanced using two or more freeze-thaw cycles. The resultant damage to hepatocytes induces alterations in a number of biochemical and hematologic parameters, including hepatic function tests, serum bilirubin, serum and urine myoglobin, platelet count, and coagulation measures. Further, in experimental models, cryogenic surgery appears to stimulate the immune system of the host leading to an anti-tumor immune response. These perturbations in biochemical and hematologic parameters are usually transient, and long-term adverse sequelae are uncommon and preventable.
The enigmatic protist Nephromyces

This paper reviews current knowledge concerning the identity of Nephromyces, a collection of fungus-like cells found in the renal sac of all molgulid tunicates thus far examined. The following has been demonstrated: (1) The cells called Nephromyces do exist, and are not produced by their tunicate hosts, but are something foreign to these animals. (2) Many forms of “Nephromyces” cells are present simultaneously in the renal sac of adults of each molgulid species. Despite their extraordinarily eclectic appearance, all these cells are part of the same life cycle. (3) Initial ultrastructural data indicate that Nephromyces is a eukaryote. They also suggest that, despite the speculations of early authors, Nephromyces may not be a Chytridiomycete.
A phase 2 trial of gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, and radiation therapy in locally advanced nonmetastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma : cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 80003.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and gemcitabine administered concurrently with radiation in patients with locally advanced, nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Eligible patients had histologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma deemed locally unresectable without evidence of metastatic disease. In addition, all patients underwent laparoscopy or laparotomy before study entry to rule out peritoneal carcinomatosis. Patients received radiation therapy (50.4 Gy) with concurrent infusional 5FU (200 mg/m2 5 days/week) and weekly gemcitabine (200 mg/m2). After a 3-week break, patients received weekly gemcitabine at 1000 mg/m2 for 3 of 4 weeks, for 4 cycles. The primary endpoint of the trial was the proportion of patients surviving 9 months from study entry. Secondary endpoints included objective tumor response, CA19-9 response, overall survival (OS) time to progression (TTP), and toxicity. RESULTS: Between November 2001 and October 2004, 81 patients were enrolled, 78 of whom were eligible for analysis. With a median follow-up of 55.2 months, the median OS was 12.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.9-14.9) and the median TTP was 10 months (95% CI, 6.4-12.0). An objective tumor response was seen in 19 patients (25%), and among 56 patients with an elevated CA19-9 at baseline, 29 (52%) had a sustained CA19-9 response. Overall, 41% of patients had grade 3 or greater treatment-related gastrointestinal adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of 5FU, gemcitabine, and radiation is well tolerated. Survival is comparable with the best results of other recent studies of 5FU and radiation or gemcitabine and radiation. Cancer 2011;. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Segmentation, alignment and statistical analysis of biosignals with application to disease classification

We present a novel methodology for a comprehensive statistical analysis of approximately periodic biosignal data. There are two main challenges in such analysis: (1) the automatic extraction (segmentation) of cycles from long, cyclostationary biosignals and (2) the subsequent statistical analysis, which in many cases involves the separation of temporal and amplitude variabilities. The proposed framework provides a principled approach for statistical analysis of such signals, which in turn allows for an efficient cycle segmentation algorithm. This is achieved using a convenient representation of functions called the square-root velocity function (SRVF). The segmented cycles, represented by SRVFs, are temporally aligned using the notion of the Karcher mean, which in turn allows for more efficient statistical summaries of signals. We show the strengths of this method through various disease classification experiments. In the case of myocardial infarction detection and localization, we show that our method co...
Mathematics Anxiety and Learning Styles: What Is the Relationship in Elementary Preservice Teachers?

The study investigated the relationship between elementary preservice teachers' mathematics anxiety levels and learning style preferences. Subjects included 72 preservice teachers at a midsized southeastern U.S. university who were at the end of their third year of study. The subjects completed the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale and the Style Analysis Survey (SAS). Scores obtained on the two instruments were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlations. Eleven of the SAS subscales were examined. The global subscale was the only one related to mathematics anxiety at the p < .05 level of significance. Findings revealed a low (r= .28) but significant (p < .05) positive correlation between mathematics anxiety and a global (right-brain dominant) learning style. As global orientation scores increased, mathematics anxiety scores increased as well. This study indicated that there is tendency for global learners to possess higher levels of mathematics anxiety.
NF-κB Mediates Cartilage Degradation Induced by Trauma Injury and Interleukin-1

Chondrocyte death, induced by impact injury (necrosis) and/or apoptotic inducers such as cytokines, and high level of nitric oxide, is important for the development of post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) [1–3]. The upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin −1 (IL-1) and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, is known to mediate cartilage degradation in inflammatory diseases and after trauma injury [1,2, 6–9]. IL-1 induces the degradation of proteoglycan (PG) in cartilage through NF-κB and Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK: p38, ERK and JNK) pathways [1,2,6]. IL-1 is highly upregulated in synovial joint after impact injury, but the role of IL-1 induced chondrocyte death and matrix/PG degradation in injured cartilage is not completely clear.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Carbohydrate-binding plasma proteins from the gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata: strain specificity and the effects of trematode infection.

As lectins are believed to mediate non-self-recognition in molluscs, carbohydrate-binding proteins (CBP) from the circulating plasma of the gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata were harvested by affinity chromatography using six different monosaccharides as ligands. Pools of plasma were derived from B. glabrata of either the M line strain, which is susceptible to infection with the PR1 strain of the digenetic trematode Schistosoma mansoni, or from the 13-16-R1 strain, which is resistant to infection. For each strain, plasma was obtained from control snails and from snails exposed to infection 1 or 8 days previously with S. mansoni or the related digenean, Echinostoma paraensei, which is able to develop in either host strain. For control snails, only minor interstrain differences were noted. In M line snails exposed 8 days previously to either parasite, marked changes in CBP populations were observed. Only E. paraensei infections produced comparable alterations in 13-16-R1 snails. The most conspicuous changes noted were the increased production of 80–120 kDa CBP in both strains, 150–210 kDa in 13-16-R1 snails, and 190–210 kDa in M line snails. The results demonstrate 1) interstrain differences in CBP, particularly following exposure to trematodes; 2) that infection provokes increased production and diversity of CBP that bind with greater affinity to the columns; and 3) that snails of the same strain respond differently to the two parasites used.
Superelastic collisions of electrons with excited Mn(

Excited Mn+ ions formed by electron ionization of Mn2(CO)10 are deexcited in superelastic electron-ion collisions. The ions are held in the trap of a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance spectrometer and subjected to bombardment by an electron beam of varying energy. The population of excited Mn+ ions after exposure to the beam is monitored by examining reaction of the trapped Mn+ ions with Cr(CO)6. Charge transfer to form Cr(CO)6+ is exothermic and efficient only for excited Mn+. It is found that deexcitation is read if y observable for electrons with energies less than 2 eV.
Compartmentation of cellular calcium in rabbit ventricle dependent upon its transsarcolemmal route.

Augmentation of calcium influx may be buffered in the myocardium by slowly exchangeable compartments. Myocardial calcium influx was enhanced in rabbit interventricular septa by interventions which affect either calcium channel current (BAY k 8644) or Na/Ca exchange (ouabain, low Na 0 ). The effect of these interventions on slowly exchangeable calcium was measured by performing 45 Ca washouts. In addition, beating was resumed following a period of prolonged quiescence and the effect on slowly exchangeable calcium measured. Previous work had shown that at a Ca 0 of 1.0 m m , low sodium perfusion induced a significant increment in slowly exchangeable calcium [ 11 ]. The present investigation demonstrates that ouabain and resumption of stimulation following quiescence also augment this calcium. At 1.0 m m Ca 0 , as few as 15 beats administered in a 10 min interval were found to induce a significant increment in calcium content, which could be inhibited by the mitochondrial inhibitor CCCP but not by ryanodine. In contrast, BAY k 8644 did not augment slowly exchangeable calcium, although it produced at 0.5 m m Ca 0 the same inotropic response as ouabain and 75 m m Na 0 . In conclusion, slowly exchangeable calcium is not affected by augmentation of calcium channel current, but is enhanced by ouabain, resumption of stimulation, and low Na 0 . A common characteristic shared by those interventions which enhance slowly exchangeable calcium is an increased Na i / Na 0 ratio, which results in an augmented calcium uptake via on Na/Ca exchange.
Two-photon interferometry and quantum state collapse

The quantum measurement problem still finds no consensus. Nonlocal interferometry provides an unprecedented experimental probe by entangling two photons in the ``measurement state'' (MS). The experiments show that each photon measures the other; the resulting entanglement decoheres both photons; decoherence collapses both photons to unpredictable but definite outcomes; and the two-photon MS continues evolving coherently. Thus, when a two-part system is in the MS, the outcomes actually observed at both subsystems are definite. Although standard quantum physics postulates definite outcomes, two-photon interferometry verifies them to be not only consistent with, but also actually a prediction of, the other principles. Nonlocality is the key to understanding this. As a consequence of nonlocality, the states we actually observe are the local states. These actually observed local states collapse, whereas the global MS, which can be ``observed'' only after the fact by collecting coincidence data from both subsystems, continues its unitary evolution. This conclusion implies a refined understanding of the eigenstate principle: Following a measurement, the actually observed local state instantly jumps into the observed eigenstate. We also discuss and rebut objections to this.
Superior 12-year survival after at least 4-year continuous remission with tandem transplantations for multiple myeloma.

Abstract Background Complete response has been considered a surrogate for favorable long-term outcome in multiple myeloma. Data on the impact of the duration of response on prognosis are lacking. Patients and Methods Of the 899 patients enrolled in Total Therapy trials (Total Therapy 1, N=231; Total Therapy 2, N=668), 254 survived for > 5 years. The prognostic impact of continuous (Rc) versus discontinuous (Rd) 4-year remission after 5-year survival was examined along with laboratory features present at baseline and at 5 years. Results Most baseline prognostic features were evenly distributed among Rc and Rd groups; however, a greater proportion of Rc patients were enrolled in Total Therapy 2 (60%) compared with Rd (19%; P Conclusion Five-year Rc appears to be an important prerequisite for prolonged subsequent overall survival.
XCELL: a cellular, graphical factory modelling system

XCELL is one of a growing number of new simulation tools that capitalize on the graphics capability of personal computers. It is a complete, self-contained, interactive system intended for use by non-programmers. Graphic representation is the fundamental medium in XCELL, used in the construction of the model as well as the display of results.
Structure of the L-arabinose-binding protein from Escherichia coli at 2.4 A resolution.

The structure of l-arabinose-binding protein (Mr 33, 100), an essential component of the osmotic shock-sensitive, high-affinity l-arabinose transport system in Escherichia coli, has been determined at 2.4 A resolution. The phases were solved by the method of multiple isomorphous replacement, using four derivatives, p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate and CdI2 (data to 2.4 A resolution), and p-chloromercurinitrophenol and (NH4)2PtCl4 to 3.5 A resolution. A final mean figure of merit of 0.65 was obtained for 9628 reflections. With the aid of the amino acid sequence determined by Hogg & Hermodson (1977), a complete model of the protein molecule has been determined using initially an optical comparator. The entire model was subsequently examined in detail using a computer graphic system. The protein molecule is ellipsoidal (axial ratio of 2:1), and consists of two globular domains (designated P and Q). Each domain is made from two separate polypeptide chain segments. Despite the discontinuity in the folding, the arrangements of the secondary structure in the two domains are very similar. Both domains contain a six-stranded parallel β-sheet (with the exception of the sixth anti-parallel strand in the Q domain) flanked by two α-helices on either side. The packing topology is α/β. A C-terminal helix is shared by both domains. The two domains show significant conformational similarity but lack sequence homology. A comparison of the two domains revealed that of the 139 α-carbons in the P domain and 152 in the Q domain, 92 were found to be equivalent with a root-mean-square distance of 2.6 A. The cleft formed by the packing of the two domains is predominantly lined with hydrophilic residues. The sugar-binding site is located in this cleft.
Residue 457 controls sugar binding and transport in the Na(+)/glucose cotransporter.

Abstract The Na+/glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) is highly selective for its natural substrates,d-glucose and d-galactose. We have investigated the structural basis of this sugar selectivity on the human isoform of SGLT1, single site mutants of hSGLT1, and the pig SGLT3 isoform, expressed in Xenopus oocytes using electrophysiological methods and the effects of cysteine-specific reagents. Kinetics of transport of glucose analogues, each modified at one position of the pyranose ring, were determined for each transporter. Correlation of kinetics with amino acid sequences indicates that residue Gln-457 sequentially interacts with O1 of the pyranose in the binding site, and with O5 in the translocation pathway. Furthermore, correlation of the selectivity characteristics of the SGLT isoforms (SGLT1 transports both glucose and galactose, but SGLT2 and SGLT3 transport only glucose) with amino acid sequence differences, suggests that residue 460 (threonine in SGLT1, and serine in SGLT2 and SGLT3) are involved in hydrogen bonding to O4 of the pyranose. In addition, the results show that substrate specificity of binding is not correlated to substrate specificity of transport, suggesting there are at least two steps in the sugar translocation process.
A Stereo Photographic System For Motor Vehicle Accident Investigation

A variety of photographic instrument systems have been studied to determine an optimum technique for supplementing or replacing manual methods for obtaining map data for auto collision sites. These systems include (a) a single camera perspective-grid system (Ref. 1), (b) the elevating of an overhead camera on a truck mounted boom (Ref. 2), and (c) twin camera stereometric camera systems produced in Europe (Ref. 3). The European systems are factory produced and represent equipment fabricated to exacting standards capable of producing plotted data to prescribed standards. Such units are tripod mounted or designed to operate from an elevating post mount in a vehicle.© (1973) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cyanogen bromide cleaves Fc fragments of pooled human IgG at both methionine and tryptophan residues

An attempt was made to obtain fragments containing the C gamma 2 region by selectively cleaving human Fc fragments prepared from pooled IgG at Met residues using cyanogen bromide. Based on the known locations of Met residues in the Fc regions of human IgG subclasses, fragments between Met 252 and 358, comprising the C gamma 2 domains, were expected from IgGl Gm -1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4. Greater fragmentation of the Fc fragments occurred, however, than was predicted. Automated N-terminal sequencing identified five major points (Trp 381, 313 and 277, and Met 397 and 252) and two minor points of cleavage (Met 428 and Trp 417). The majority of cleavage points occurred at Trp rather than Met. Furthermore, cleavage at Met 358, necessary to produce C gamma 2 domains, was not detected. Control experiments verified the integrity of the Fc fragments handled in exactly the same manner without cyanogen bromide exposure and the ability of the same cyanogen bromide preparation to produce the expected cleavages at Met of sperm whale apomyoglobin without fragmentation at Trp. Cleavage at Met 358 did not occur presumably because of the difficulty associated with cyanogen bromide cleavage at Met-Thr peptide bonds. Cleavage at Trp probably occurred by way of halogen promoted oxidation of the indole nucleus with resultant peptide bond fissure. These observations show that cyanogen bromide cleavage of pooled human Fc fragments is not selective for Met, but also cleaves at Trp residues. The resultant fragmentation of the C gamma 2 region coupled with the inability to make the required cleavage at the 358-359 Met-Thr bond resulted in the inability to produce fragments comprising the C gamma 2 domains. The reasons for the selective cleavage at Met in some proteins and the cleavage at both Trp and Met in others are not known.
Sum frequency generation from planar and porous silicon in contact with liquids

Sum frequency generation (SFG) involving an ultrafast infrared pulse and a 787 nm up-conversion pulse mixed at the surface of planar or porous Si as well as planar GaAs has been studied. We demonstrate that SFG data can be obtained while porous silicon is in contact either with an aqueous solution or ethanol. The nonresonant SFG signal responds to the chemical composition of the interface. It is also found that ultrafast 787 nm pulses can induce photochemistry between hydrogen-terminated porous silicon and either aqueous HCl, ethanoic HF, or ethanol.
Recombination of electrons and donors in semiconductors

Abstract A description is given of a calculation of the recombination of electrons in the conduction band of a semiconductor with ionized donor impurities. The process which we assume consists in the initial capture of the electron in an excited state of the donor center followed by a transition to the ground state. This mechanism is most effective in the case in which all transitions are accompanied with emission or absorption of phonons. The results obtained are compared with earlier theoretical calculations and with experiments. The agreement between the present theory and experiment is reasonably good and is displayed in Fig. 1.
Quantitative evaluation of fireball hazards

Fireballs from BLEVEs and flash fires resulting from delayed ignition of spills can cause injury to nearby personnel and damage to exposed property. The consequences of accidental BLEVEs and spill fires are compared with theoretical models for evaluating the effects of thermal radiation.
Allometric Growth Patterns and Meat Yields of Carcass Parts of Turkey Toms as Influenced by Lighting Programs and Age

Abstract The effects of two lighting programs and age on the meat yields and, hence, growth patterns of carcass parts in turkey toms were determined by serial slaughter experiments. Ninety-six toms were killed weekly from 15 through 26 wk of age. The low intensity step-down lighting program produced significantly heavier wings, breasts, breast muscle, percent breast muscle (P The allometric growth curves showed that breast muscle had a higher growth stimulus than thigh muscle. The growth coefficients (b) were 1.34 and .91 for breast and thigh muscle, respectively. The two lighting programs did not significantly (P>.05) affect the growth coefficients of various parts. The b values of the various parts indicated that wings were the earliest maturing part in turkey toms, followed by shell, drums, skin, thigh, and breast, whereas fat was the latest maturing carcass part.
Quasars in the central region of the Virgo Cluster

Quasars found from objective prism searches have been reported to show no association with galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. A simple analysis here shows significant association of the brightest of these quasars with core galaxies in the Virgo Cluster.
Terahertz plasmonic structures based on a spatially varying conductivity

We demonstrate a new technique for fabricating terahertz plasmonic structures that incorporates a spatial variation into the conductivity of the metallic layer using inkjet printing of a conductive and resistive ink simultaneously.
Large brachial artery diameter is associated with angiographic coronary artery disease in women.

Background Noninvasive methods are needed for the identification of women at highest risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) who might benefit most from aggressive preventive therapy. Identification of brachial artery atherosclerosis, which correlates with coronary artery atherosclerosis, may be useful to estimate or stratify CAD risk. Because atherosclerosis disrupts the arterial architecture that regulates vessel size, we hypothesized that noninvasively measured large brachial artery diameter is a manifestation of atherosclerosis that is associated with angiographic CAD in women with chest pain. Methods We examined 376 women (mean age, 57.1 years) with chest pain in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation study who underwent B-mode ultrasound scan measurement of brachial artery diameter at rest and during hyperemic stress (to quantify flow-mediated dilation), quantitative coronary angiography, and risk factor assessment. Results Large resting brachial artery diameter was associated with significant angiographic CAD (3.90 0.79 mm vs 3.52 0.59 mm in women with CAD vs no CAD; P .001). Impaired flow-mediated dilation, which correlated with resting diameter (r 0.17; P .001), was weakly associated with significant CAD (2.74% 7.11% vs 4.48% 9.52% in CAD vs no CAD; P .046). After adjustment for age, body size, and CAD risk factors, women with large resting brachial artery diameters (4.1 mm) had 3.6-fold increased odds (95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 7.1; P .001) of significant angiographic CAD compared with those with small brachial arteries (3.6 mm). Conclusion Large resting brachial artery diameter is an independent predictor of significant CAD in women with chest pain. Therefore, a simple ultrasonographic technique may be useful in the identification of women with chest pain who are at increased risk for CAD. (Am Heart J 2002;143:802-7.)
17.5: Rapid‐Response Fluorescent Lamps for Field‐Sequential Full‐Color LCDs

Field-sequential illumination is one of the candidate methods for realizing color-filterless full-color LCDs. The transient characteristics of red, green, and blue fluorescent lamps are investigated, including those of lamps newly developed for this purpose, using several specifically selected phosphors. Conventional red and green phosphor are not fast enough, but blue phosphor and the proposed red ((Sr, Mg)3(PO4)2:Sn2+) and green (Y3(Al, Ga)5O12:Ce3+) phosphors are fast enough.
The design of a user-programmable digital interface (Recent Results)

An interface for digital computers and peripherals is described in this paper. The design process is traced, beginning with the definition of the problem environment, and the derivation of primitive interfacing functions. The functions are associated with four functional classes; data input/output, data storage, data manipulation, and control. Interface capabilities range from control over the synchronization of input and output pulse data to control over the data word widths acceptable. System limitations include technical, timing, and synchronization problems. The interface is modular, generalized, and user programmable. The control is contained in two levels: a user microprogram, and a read only nanoprogram.
Electrotransport of carbon in niobium and tantalum

The electrotransport velocity of carbon in niobium and tantalum was measured at temperatures above 1900 °C using 14C as a tracer. In both metals carbon was found to migrate in the opposite direction to the electron flow. The diffusion coefficients and effective charge were also calculated for this solute at the same temperatures. A least-squares treatment was made of the combined diffusion data of this study and that obtained at lower temperatures by other investigators. Values of D0 and ΔH in the equation D = D0 exp (-gDH/RT), were determined for the extended temperature range and are as follows; niobium tantalum.
Non-Linear Relationship Between T-Tubule Remodeling and Sr Calcium Release in Failing Rat Ventricle

T-tubule remodeling in heart failure (HF) may be responsible for abnormal intracellular Ca2+ cycling. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between T-tubule remodeling and Ca2+ release. Ca2+ transients and t-tubules were measured in individual myocytes in intact hearts from spontaneously hypertensive rats maintained on the stage of a confocal microscope. T-tubule organization was measured as the organizational index (OI) using a fast Fourier transform. T-tubule remodeling occurred in a progressive manner through stages ranging from a highly organized network to regional loss of t-tubules and development of longitudinal tubules, finally showing gross loss of tubules and occasional bright punctate staining. Ca2+ release reflected the loss of T-tubules as an increase in the standard deviation (Heterogeneity Index, HI) in the time to 50% of peak Ca2+ (TR50) along the myocyte, indicating that the regional loss of T-tubules is responsible for increased heterogeneity of Ca2+ release. Rapid pacing (BCL= 350msec) increased HI at low OI compared to slow basal pacing (700msec), indicating that Ca2+ release heterogeneities are exaggerated at higher heart rates. The relationship between OI and TD50 HI was non-linear; there was little effect on TR50 HI until OI fell from a normal above 0.75 to below 0.65, where TD50 HI increased sharply with OI. The relationship between OI and TR50 HI was well-described by an exponential function. Our data show that extensive T-tubule remodeling in HF is required before significant changes occur in Ca2+ release, suggesting inherent redundancy in insuring that Ca2+ cycling is maintained during early T-tubule loss. T-tubule remodeling causes a non-linear increase in the variability in Ca2+ release along the cell length as Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release efficiency decreases with distance from trigger Ca2+ provided by the closest L-type Ca2+ channels.
From Diffeomorphisms to Dark Energy

There are two physical actions that have a natural setting in terms of the coadjoint representation of the algebra of diffeomorphisms and of affine Lie algebras. One is the usual geometric action that comes from coadjoint orbits. The other action lives on the phase space that is transverse to the orbits and are called transverse actions, where Yang-Mills theory in two dimensions is an example. Here we show that the transverse action associated with the Virasoro algebra might contain clues for a theory for dark energy. These actions might also suggests a mechanism for symmetry changing.