cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract Algebra with Applications

Abstract Algebra with Applications provides a friendly and concise introduction to algebra, with an emphasis on its uses in the modern world. The first part of this book covers groups, after some preliminaries on sets, functions, relations, and induction, and features applications such as public-key cryptography, Sudoku, the finite Fourier transform, and symmetry in chemistry and physics. The second part of this book covers rings and fields, and features applications such as random number generators, error correcting codes, the Google page rank algorithm, communication networks, and elliptic curve cryptography. The book's masterful use of colorful figures and images helps illustrate the applications and concepts in the text. Real-world examples and exercises will help students contextualize the information. Intended for a year-long undergraduate course in algebra for mathematics, engineering, and computer science majors, the only prerequisites are calculus and a bit of courage when asked to do a short proof.
The glycolipid composition of activated rat lymphocytes and lymphocyte supernates in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

In investigation of effector moieties involved in the induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), we have previously reported that lymph node cells (LNC) from Lewis rats developing EAE release a factor into the supernatant medium that is capable of transferring histopathologic changes of EAE to recipient animals. This factor, termed EAE supernate transfer activity (EAE-STA), has been localized to the floating lipid-containing layer following incubation and centrifugation (at 4°C) of concentrated LNC suspensions. However, we found that EAE-STA transfer activity was destroyed by chloroform-methanol extraction. In further investigating the glycolipids present in EAE-STA, HPLC analyses were carried out on EAE-STA-containing LNC and LNC supernates and compared with control non-EAE-STA-containing preparations. LNC contained high levels of glucocerebroside and gangliosides, with intermediate levels of ceramide and asialo GMI. The components that appeared to be shed from LNC into the supernate, following a 1 h incubation, were glucocerebroside, ceramide dihexoside, and asialo GMI. However, few differences were observed in glycolipid composition between EAE-STA-containing LNC or supernates and control preparations. Therefore, these results argue that the critical determinant responsible for EAE-STA activity is other than a conventional lipid moiety, and that the lipids present possibly represent structural membrane components shed from the surface of incubated LNC.
Light-driven methane dry reforming with single atomic site antenna-reactor plasmonic photocatalysts

Syngas, an extremely important chemical feedstock composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, can be generated through methane (CH4) dry reforming with CO2. However, traditional thermocatalytic processes require high temperatures and suffer from coke-induced instability. Here, we report a plasmonic photocatalyst consisting of a Cu nanoparticle ‘antenna’ with single-Ru atomic ‘reactor’ sites on the nanoparticle surface, ideal for low-temperature, light-driven methane dry reforming. This catalyst provides high light energy efficiency when illuminated at room temperature. In contrast to thermocatalysis, long-term stability (50 h) and high selectivity (>99%) were achieved in photocatalysis. We propose that light-excited hot carriers, together with single-atom active sites, cause the observed performance. Quantum mechanical modelling suggests that single-atom doping of Ru on the Cu(111) surface, coupled with excited-state activation, results in a substantial reduction in the barrier for CH4 activation. This photocatalyst design could be relevant for future energy-efficient industrial processes. Syngas is a mixture of CO and H2 that can be converted into a variety of fuels. Syngas can be produced thermocatalytically from CH4 and CO2, but this requires high temperatures and coke formation can be a problem. Here the authors demonstrate lower temperature, light-driven production of syngas using a coke-resistant plasmonic photocatalyst.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for bicuspid aortic valve regurgitation in a 17-year-old patient with congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries: a case report.

Background Limited research has been conducted on the surgical management of the aortic valve in congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (ccTGA) and to our knowledge there have been no reports on the treatment of bicuspid aortic regurgitation (AR) in ccTGA. We report on a ccTGA patient with bicuspid AR and systemic right ventricule (SRV) dysfunction who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Case summary A 17-year-old male with a history of ccTGA and cerebral palsy diagnosed at birth presented with heart failure. During childhood, he did not experience any heart failure symptoms, however, secondary to progressive bicuspid AR he experienced worsening SRV dysfunction beginning at 15-year-old. Echocardiography showed reduced SRV ejection fraction and severe bicuspid AR. The heart team, including a cardiac surgeon and paediatric cardiologist, discussed the treatment strategies and decided to proceed with TAVR as surgical aortic valve replacement was deemed high risk. TAVR was performed with the 34 mm Evolut R (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Post-operative echocardiography showed severe paravalvular leak (PVL). Therefore, valve-in-valve TAVR using a 29 mm Edwards SAPIEN 3 (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) was performed on post-operative Day 2 for PVL reduction. Following second procedure, PVL was significantly improved. The patient was discharged in stable condition. Discussion This is the first case wherein TAVR was performed for bicuspid AR in a patient with ccTGA. With appropriate preparation and planning and a collaborative multi-disciplinary team approach, TAVR can be a treatment option for severe AR in patients with ccTGA at high risk for surgery.
A scale-invariant bonded particle model for simulating large deformation and failure of continua

Abstract This work presents a scale-invariant bond model for simulating two-dimensional large deformation of continua. An accurate torque form caused by relative rotation between bonded particles is derived based on beam theory. Validations of the proposed bond model are carried out by large deformation simulations of a simply supported beam subjected to central loading and a cantilever beam with end loading. Comparison of simulations with analytical solutions show a very good agreement. Later, Brazilian tests are simulated to demonstrate the ability of the framework to model failure and fracture process of rock.
Down to Earth: Politics in the New Climactic Regime, by Bruno Latour, trans. Catherine Porter: Polity, 2018, 128 pp., $14.95 (paperback), ISBN: 9781509530571

The election of Donald Trump was a historic event, and in Bruno Latour’s 2018 book, Down to Earth, he writes that “Trump’s supporters should be thanked” (3). Latour is a virulent opponent of Trumpi...
Courts and Constitution Making in Democratic Regimes

Recent constitution-making episodes in countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia, Hungary, and Iceland have highlighted the important, varied roles that courts might play during constitution-making processes undertaken from a democratic starting point. This chapter develops a typology of the functions that courts have played during these processes. In some cases, courts have played a catalytic function, spurring constitution-making that otherwise might not have occurred; in others, the have played a blocking function, stopping constitution-making from taking place; and in a third set of cases, they have played a shaping function, neither catalyzing nor preventing constitution-making, but instead impacting the nature of the process. These functions, in turn, tend to be tied to different theories of constitution-making. What emerges from this survey is that there is no single best mode of judicial intervention during constitution-making; the optimal response is contextual. A key descriptive goal is to understand how political context affects the ways in which courts act; a key normative goal is to improve the fit between the nature of judicial action and the needs of a given context.
Comorbidities and Susceptibility to COVID-19: A Generalized Gene Set Meta-Analysis Approach

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has led to over 820,000 deaths for almost 24 million confirmed cases worldwide, as of August 27th, 2020, per WHO report. Risk factors include pre-existing conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. There are currently no effective treatments. Our objective was to complete a meta-analysis to identify comorbidity-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), potentially conferring increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection using a computational approach. Results SNP datasets were downloaded from publicly available GWAS catalog for 141 of 258 candidate COVID-19 comorbidities. Gene-level SNP analysis was performed to identify significant pathways by using MAGMA program. SNP annotation program was used to analyze MAGMA-identified genes. COVID-19 comorbidities from six disease categories were found to have significant associated pathways, which were validated by Q-Q plots (p<0.05). The top 250 human mRNA gene expressions for SNP-affected pathways, extracted from publicly accessible gene expression profiles, were evaluated for significant pathways. Protein-protein interactions of identified differentially expressed genes, visualized with STRING program, were significant (p<0.05). Gene interaction networks were found to be relevant to SARS and influenza pathogenesis. Conclusion Pathways potentially affected by or affecting SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified in underlying medical conditions likely to confer susceptibility and/or severity to COVID-19. Our findings have implications in COVID-19 treatment development. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, comorbidity, susceptibility, severity
Identification of aspirated radiolucent foreign bodies in the pediatric airway using digital tomosynthesis: A multireader phantom study

Purpose: Foreign body aspiration is difficult to diagnose because many aspirated foreign bodies are low density or radiolucent. Digital radiographs (DR) are poor at detecting radiolucent foreign bodies. Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) has been shown to be ideally suited for applications where DR is insensitive and the increased dose from computed tomography (CT) is not justified. Our objective was to determine if DTS can be a practical alternative to DR and CT in the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration. Approach: A phantom approximating the densities of a pediatric chest was constructed. Radiolucent foreign bodies were placed in the airways. Seven pediatric radiologists assessed DTS and DR images with and without simulated breathing motion. Two rounds were performed with fixed exposure techniques and then automatic exposure control techniques. Interobserver agreement was evaluated using Fleiss’ kappa. Results: DTS and DR images using fixed exposure techniques performed very poorly with accuracies of 42% to 60%. DTS with automatic exposure control techniques increased accuracy to 84% for a stationary phantom, but the accuracy dropped to 70% in a phantom with simulated motion. DTS outperformed DR, with DR accuracies of 60% and 63% for stationary simulations and motion, respectively. Interobserver agreement was poor with Fleiss’ kappa of 0.476. Conclusion: DTS is superior to DR for radiolucent foreign body detection. However, the overall accuracy and interobserver agreement are likely too low for this modality to be clinically useful.
Carcinoma of the penis

Abstract The emphasis of this report is on the role of radiation therapy in the management of carcinoma of the penis. The 5 year results are comparable with the results of surgery 3–5,7–10 (Tables 1 and 2). Radiation therapy is superior from a cosmetic, functional and psychological point of view. Surgery should be reserved exclusively for recurrence of the disease. Treatment of inguinai regions should be included in the initial plan of treatment. Prophylactic nodal treatment is urged strongly for unreliable patients or patients with massive primary lesions.
Diabetes Risk Reduction Diet and Survival after Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Type II diabetes is associated with poor breast cancer prognosis. To study the association between a diabetes risk reduction diet (DRRD) and survival following breast cancer, we followed 8,482 women with breast cancer from two large cohort studies. Information on diet and other factors was repeatedly measured in validated questionnaires every two to four years. The DRRD includes 9 components: higher intakes of cereal fiber, coffee, nuts, whole fruits and polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio; and lower glycemic index, trans fat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red meat. Cumulative average DRRD score was calculated using repeated measures of postdiagnostic diet. Deaths were assessed by family members or via National Death Index. Multivariable-adjusted HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. During a median of 14 years of follow-up since diagnosis, 2,600 deaths occurred among participants, 1,042 of which were due to breast cancer. Women with higher postdiagnostic DRRD score had a 20% lower risk of breast cancer–specific mortality (top vs. bottom quintile HR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.65–0.97; Ptrend = 0.02) and 34% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.58–0.76; Ptrend Significance: This study suggests that greater adherence to the diabetes risk reduction diet after diagnosis associates with improved survival outcomes among a large number of breast cancer survivors.
Feasibility study of an explosively formed transient antenna

The feasibility of utilizing the chemical energy stored in high explosives to generate an antenna capable of radiating for several microseconds is studied. Crucial parameters such as conductivity as a function of time, maximum achievable antenna length for given initial device volume and weight, and material dependence are assessed by sub microsecond optical and electrical diagnostics. By utilizing a rotating framing mirror camera with up to 4 Megaframes per second, which produces a color image sequence consisting of 125 frames, possible premature breakup of the transient antenna rod is measured with adequate spatial and temporal resolution, thus revealing a rod growth velocity of a few millimeters/microsecond. Electrical diagnostic, primarily aimed at the conductivity between selected points along the rod propagation, enables to make a connection with the observed behavior based on the optical diagnostics. Maintaining electrical contact at the base of the device while the rod is fully formed is crucial and will be discussed in detail.
Context-Sensitive Node Admissibility

McCawley introduced the notion of `node admissibility conditions' as a way of studying the duality between generation and analysis, especially for context-free grammars. Subsequently, Peters and Ritchie formalized a `reasonable' generalization of context-free node admissibility for context-sensitive analysis and then proved that any language analyzable by a set of such context-sensitive node admissibility conditions is a context-free language. In this paper, I propose a stronger notion of context-sensitive node admissibility, in which local contextual dependencies are overtly represented and subject to a global consistency condition – a condition motivated by the relations among the elements in the frontier of a tree rewriting system for context-sensitive grammars. I show that this notion is adequate for context-sensitive grammars in the sense that a language is analyzable relative to this stronger notion if and only if it is generated by a context-sensitive grammar.
Pedophilia and DSM-5: the importance of clearly defining the nature of a Pedophilic Disorder.

Psychiatric terminology should convey information in as clear and unambiguous a manner as possible. In light of the associated stigma, that is especially so of the terms Pedophilia and Pedophilic Disorder. Although from a psychiatric perspective the term Pedophilia is intended to define a recognized
Asparaginase STEREOCHEMISTRY OF THE ACTIVE CENTER AS DETERMINED BY CIRCULAR DICHROISM OF SUBSTRATES

Abstract Large Cotton effects associated with the π → π* and n → π* transitions of asparaginase substrates have been shown in substrates containing a 2nd asymmetrical carbon atom at the β position, diaminosuccinic acid monoamide and β-methylasparagine. Hydrolysis of the amide bond is accompanied by large changes in the rotatory strength of these transitions. These substrates have four possible isomers, l-l, d-d, l-d, and d-l. From the signs of the Cotton effects appearing on hydrolysis of mixtures of these isomers it can be determined which isomer is hydrolyzed. The enzyme has an almost absolute stereospecificity for the l-d isomer which defines the three-dimensional arrangement of the protein groups interacting with the substituents on the α carbon and the catalytic groups adjacent to the β-amide within rather narrow limits. While the l-l isomer of diaminosuccinic acid monoamide is not detectably hydrolyzed, the l-l isomer of β-methylasparagine is attacked at a rate 0.2 to 0.3% of that observed for l-asparagine, suggesting that a β-CH3 group can be accommodated in this configuration while a β-NH2 cannot.
Shelley's Visual Imagination

1. Introduction: text and figure 2. Mab's metamorphoses 3. 'Hymn to intellectual beauty': visual texts, invisible figure 4. 'Clear elemental shapes': textual and cultural origins for liberty in the Laon and Cythna notebooks 5. Anarchy's textual progress: representing liberty 6. Pursuing revision in Shelley's 'Ode to Liberty' 7. Dispersoning Emily: drafting as plot in Epipsychidion 8. 'Compelling/All new successions': death and the poet's figurations in Adonais 9. The Triumph of Life: figure, history, and inscription.
Implementation of wavelet transform for image compression applications

Transform based image compression schemes involve the transformation of spatial information into another domain. The goal of the transformation is a compact, complete representation of the image. In this paper we describe the implementation of the wavelet transform using a filter banks approach and a lifting scheme.
La frontera a alto corrimiento al rojo: historia de la formacio'n de las galaxias

This review presents a brief discussion of the theory of Cold Dark Matter of structure formation in the universe, describing the main processes determining the power spectrum, the non-linear gravitational collapse, the formation of galaxies and the evolution of the intergalactic medium. Recent advances in the observations of high redshift galaxies, and their interpretation in the context of this theory, are then summarized. Este art\'\i culo de revisi\'on presenta una breve exposici\'on de la teor\'\i a de la Materia Invisible Fr\'\i a de la formaci\'on de estructura en el universo, describiendo los procesos m\'as importantes que determinan el espectro de potencia, el colapso gravitatorio no lineal, la formaci\'on de galaxias y la evoluci\'on del medio intergal\'actico. Resumimos tambi\'en los avances recientes en las observaciones de galaxias a alto corrimiento al rojo, y la interpretaci\'on en el contexto de esa teor\'\i a.
Improving TCP congestion control over Internets with heterogeneous transmission media

We present a new implementation of TCP that is better suited to today's Internet than TCP Reno or Tahoe. Our implementation of TCP, which we call TCP Santa Cruz, is designed to work with path asymmetries, out-of-order packet delivery, and networks with lossy links, limited bandwidth and dynamic changes in delay. The new congestion-control and error-recovery mechanisms in TCP Santa Cruz are based on: using estimates of delay along the forward path, rather than the round-trip delay; reaching a target operating point for the number of packets in the bottleneck of the connection, without congesting the network; and making resilient use of any acknowledgments received over a window, rather than increasing the congestion window by counting the number of returned acknowledgments. We compare TCP Santa Cruz with the Reno and Vegas implementations using the ns2 simulator. The simulation experiments show that TCP Santa Cruz achieves significantly higher throughput, smaller, delays, and smaller delay variances than Reno and Vegas. TCP Santa Cruz is also shown to prevent the swings in the size of the congestion window that typify TCP Reno and Tahoe traffic, and to determine the direction of congestion in the network and isolate the forward throughput from events on the reverse path.
MEASURING THE GRASSROOTS: Puzzles of Cultivating the Grassroots from the Top Down.

Does a participatory, open-ended organizational format inspire creativity and draw on participants' local knowledge? Many nonprofits operate under this assumption, and many of their financial sponsors agree, and therefore demand precise accounts documenting the nonprofits' “participatory” formats. In the U.S. youth civic engagement projects described here, the practice of accounting itself had an effect, regardless of funders' goals. Volunteers devoted more time to documenting just how participatory, open-ended and grassroots they were than they devoted to any other topic. Organizers strenuously tried to avert attention from accounting's importance, but could not avoid it. Volunteers could not reflect on the accounting process, or on the political questions behind it; knowledge of it became a repressed institutional intuition.
Analysis of the Soft X-Ray Pulsations of Dwarf Novae

Both SS Cyg and U Gem show enhanced soft X-ray emission (0.1 to 0.5 keV) during optical outbursts. The fact that a large fraction of this emission is pulsed confirms the general expectation that high energy pulsations are the ultimate source of the optical pulsations observed during outbursts of dwarf novae. The present analysis leads to the conclusion that coherent optical oscillations, of the type exhibited by SS Cyg, can be explained by intrinsic phase instability. The quasi-coherent optical pulsations observed for several dwarf novae on the decline from maximum brightness have a behavior similar to the X-ray pulsation in U Gem. It is suggested that all of the optical and X-ray oscillations are produced by the same mechanism.
Modeling the effects of proteins on pH in plasma.

Stewart’s model of plasma acid-base balance (Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 61: 1444–1461, 1983) has three weaknesses in the treatment of weak acids:1) the combination of all weak acids into one entit...
Detection of acute femoral artery ischemia during neuroembolization by somatosensory and motor evoked potential monitoring

Neuromonitoring can be used to map out particular neuroanatomical tracts, define physiologic deficits secondary to specific pathology or intervention, or predict postoperative outcome and proves essential in the detection of central and peripheral ischemic events during neurosurgical intervention. Herein, we describe an instance of elective balloon-assisted coiling of a recurrent basilar tip aneurysm in a 61-year-old woman, where intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and transcranial motor evoked potentials (TcMEPs) were lost in the right lower extremity intraoperatively. We aim to highlight that targeted use of monitoring proves advantageous in both the open surgical and endovascular setting, even in the avoidance of potential iatrogenic peripheral nerve damage and limb ischemia as documented herein. Consideration of the increased risk for peripheral ischemia in the neurointerventional setting is especially imperative in particular populations where blood vessels might be of diminished size, such as in infants, young children, and severely deconditioned adults.
The maternal experience of having diabetes in pregnancy.

Purpose: To describe the maternal experience of having type 2 or gestational diabetes in pregnancy using focus groups and individual telephone interviews. Data sources: Eight women who had type 2 or gestational diabetes in at least one pregnancy and participated in the qualitative study addressing the open-ended guiding questions on their experience. Conclusions: This phenomenological study gave voice to the women's experience with and concerns about having diabetes in pregnancy. Three primary themes emerged and were identified: (a) feeling concern for the infant related to diabetes, (b) feeling concern for self related to diabetes, and (c) sensing a loss of personal control over their health. Subthemes for each of the primary themes were also identified. Implications for practice: The experiences shared by these women may serve to inform the development of interventions aimed at meeting the needs of women with diabetes in pregnancy. By learning from the themes of the phenomenological study, advance practice nurses may anticipate the needs of the women diagnosed with diabetes in pregnancy to augment their care, education, and promotion of diabetes self-management in pregnancy.
HIV seropositivity as a major risk factor for suicide in the general hospital.

The purpose of this study was to assess the suicide rate in people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the general hospital population. A retrospective study of 2,363 psychiatric consultations was done in 1989 and 1990 at an urban municipal teaching hospital in New York City. The sample included 2,363 patients admitted to adult general care from January 1, 1989, to December 31, 1990, for whom consultations were requested from the consultation-liaison psychiatry service. Suicidal behavior was the reason for consultation in 21.8% of HIV-positive persons and in 19.8% of persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It was the reason for consultation in only 13.9% of persons with unknown HIV serostatus. This difference is statistically significant. The authors conclude that HIV seropositivitv may be a significant risk factor for suicide in the general hospital patient population.
Some transforming growth factor-alpha connections and their colocalization with enkephalin in the rat central nervous system

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) has been immunocytochemically localized in neuronal perikarya throughout the adult rat central nervous system (CNS). In order to determine if any TGF alpha-immunoreactive (TGF alpha-I) cell bodies have long axonal projections, indirect immunofluorescence was used in combination with injections of the fluorescent retrograde tracer, Fluoro-Gold (FG). Both TGF alpha-I and retrogradely transported FG were found within the same neurons in the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) after bilateral FG injections in the dorsal tegmental nucleus (DTg). Neurons that contain both TGF alpha-I and FG were also found in the raphe magnus, raphe obscurus, raphe pallidus and the gigantocellularis reticular nuclei after FG injections in the upper thoracic spinal cord. Cell bodies double-labeled with TGF alpha-I and FG were found in the dorsal parabrachial nucleus (DPB) following FG injections in the central nucleus of the amygdala (Ce). In addition, Leu-enkephalin immunoreactivity (L-ENK-I) was colocalized with TGF alpha-I in the same projection neurons after the injections described above. These results suggest that cells that contain TGF and the opioid peptide, L-ENK, have long projections in the rat CNS, and that, due to their co-localization within the same neurons, they may exert their effects concomitantly.
Empirical Research of Psychological Readiness for Student Psychologists’ Professional Activity

Abstract Modern Kazakhstan - a young independent state, one of the first in the CIS began intensive reform of political, socio- economic, ideological systems. These changes took place within the higher education system, which in recent years has introduced the credit technology, which led to qualitative change in all spheres of higher education and professional training of future specialists in particular. Change occurred educational paradigms have led to the need to strengthen and complexity of psychological training students of all disciplines to the future professional activity. In the context of the “Strategy of Kazakhstan in the 50 most competitive countries in the world,” the development of vocational training of future specialists is regarded as one of the priority areas for further development. This resulted in the actualization of the Study of psychological readiness of students for future professional activities
Deriving metabolic engineering strategies from genome‐scale modeling with flux ratio constraints

Optimized production of bio-based fuels and chemicals from microbial cell factories is a central goal of systems metabolic engineering. To achieve this goal, a new computational method of using flux balance analysis with flux ratios (FBrAtio) was further developed in this research and applied to five case studies to evaluate and design metabolic engineering strategies. The approach was implemented using publicly available genome-scale metabolic flux models. Synthetic pathways were added to these models along with flux ratio constraints by FBrAtio to achieve increased (i) cellulose production from Arabidopsis thaliana; (ii) isobutanol production from Saccharomyces cerevisiae; (iii) acetone production from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803; (iv) H2 production from Escherichia coli MG1655; and (v) isopropanol, butanol, and ethanol (IBE) production from engineered Clostridium acetobutylicum. The FBrAtio approach was applied to each case to simulate a metabolic engineering strategy already implemented experimentally, and flux ratios were continually adjusted to find (i) the end-limit of increased production using the existing strategy, (ii) new potential strategies to increase production, and (iii) the impact of these metabolic engineering strategies on product yield and culture growth. The FBrAtio approach has the potential to design "fine-tuned" metabolic engineering strategies in silico that can be implemented directly with available genomic tools.
Getting at the Facts on Imaging Utilization Growth

● he rapid growth in diagnostic imging in recent years has been noted ith concern by policy makers, ayers, and providers. In dealing ith the problem, it is paramount hat the root causes first be identied and that the wheat be separated rom the chaff. Unfortunately, a reort prepared by the Lewin Group 1] for the American College of ardiology and released by the Colition for Patient-Centered Imagng only adds to the problem by bfuscating the issues. The main diagnostic imaging isue with which Congress, the Ceners for Medicare and Medicaid ervices (CMS), and the Medicare ayment Advisory Commission MedPAC) are concerned is the apid growth in use and cost under edicare, especially the high-tech, igh-cost modalities of computed omography (CT), magnetic resoance imaging (MRI), and nuclear edicine [2]. Private payers have lso recognized this substantial rowth [3]. It is widely recognized hat the main culprit is self-referral y nonradiologists, a problem that s not likely to be mitigated soon ithout legislative and/or regulaory action. Despite a prepondernce of supporting evidence, the ewin Group report ignores the relvant facts and evades the self-referal issue.
The management of accidental dural puncture in pregnant women: what does an obstetrician need to know?

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) also known as spinal (or post-spinal) headache still remains a disabling complication of needle insertion into the subarachnoid space. Pregnant women are at particular risk of dural puncture, and the subsequent headache, because of sex, young age, and the widespread application of regional anesthesia. Accidental dural puncture complicating epidural anesthesia varies in incidence from 0.19 to 4.4%. The incidence of epidural needle-induced PDPH headache in pregnant women has been reported to range 76–85%. The classic symptoms of PDPH consist of photophobia, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, tinnitus, diplopia, and dizziness in addition to the often, severe cephalgia. This article reviews the current literature on the pathophysiology, incidence, prevention, and treatment of PDPH in pregnant women.
Acetylation of spermidine and spermine by rat liver and kidney chromatin.

Abstract The in vitro enzymatic acetylation of the polyamines, spermidine and spermine, is described. The reaction is catalyzed by chromatin preparations from rat liver and kidney and is dependent on acetyl-CoA. Spermidine, spermine, and putrescine are each converted to the corresponding monoacetyl derivatives. s 0.5 values of 0.5 ± 0.1, 1.0 ± 0.1, and 2.6 ± 0.7 m m (mean ± standard deviation) were obtained for spermidine, spermine, and putrescine, respectively. These values for s 0.5 are similar to the concentrations of polyamines reported for tissues, and therefore, suggest the occurrence of polyamine acetylation in vivo . Evidence is also presented for the metabolism of acetylated polyamines by the 100,000 g supernatant fraction of rat liver. The physiological function of polyamine acetylation is unknown, but the possibility of an effect on the association of polyamines with nucleic acids is discussed.
Impact of Draw Inhomogeneitites on the Loss and Mode Content of Large-Mode-Area Fibers

Inhomogeneities in the draw process cause variations in fiber diameter, leading to optical scattering. Beam-propagation simulations reveal that loss is acceptable for 1% RMS variations, but that good beam quality requires RMS variations below 0.1%.
Use of Silastic Sheet in Apert’s Syndactyly:

Abstract Patients with Apert's syndrome usually have severe complex syndactyly affecting both hands. Surgical separation of the distal digital bony fusion often exposes bone and cartilage which can cause problems with graft take. A case is presented where the bare divided bone between two digits was kept apart with a silastic sheet. On its removal 4 weeks later, the previously bare bone was covered with a membrane. This was covered with a full thickness skin graft with a complete graft take.
Malignant melanoma brain metastases. Review of roswell park memorial institute experience

One-hundred twenty five of 700 patients with malignant melanoma treated at Roswell Park Memorial Institute from 1972 to 1978 were found to have brain metastases. Seventy-three percent of the patients had multiple brain metastases. Male to female ratio was 1.9:1. The median survival of the untreated group of patients was 3 weeks as compared with that of 6 weeks for the patients maintained on steroids only, 9 weeks for those who received radiotherapy, 11 weeks for the patients treated with intraarterial chemotherapy, and 26 weeks for the patients who underwent successful surgical excision of a solitary lesion.
The archaeology and ethnography of Central Africa

James Denbow's book is both a monograph about archaeological research and a personal account of his experiences in doing academic archaeology and cultural heritage management (CHM) in Sub-Saharan A...
Nonlinear Regression Models and Applications in Agricultural Research

Nonlinear regression models are important tools because many crop and soil processes are better represented by nonlinear than linear models. Fitting nonlinear models is not a single-step procedure but an involved process that requires careful examination of each individual step. Depending on the objective and the application domain, different priorities are set when fitting nonlinear models; these include obtaining acceptable parameter estimates and a good model fit while meeting standard assumptions of statistical models. We propose steps in fitting nonlinear models as described by a flow diagram and discuss each step separately providing examples and updates on procedures used. The following steps are considered: (i) choose candidate models, (ii) set starting values, (iii) fit models, (iv) check convergence and parameter estimates, (v) find the "best" model among competing models, (vi) check model assumptions (residual analysis), and (vii) calculate statistical descriptors and confidence intervals. The associated feedback mechanisms are also addressed (i.e., model variance homogeneity). In particular, we emphasize the first step (choose candidate models) by providing an extensive library of nonlinear functions (77 equations with the associated parameter meanings) and examples of typical applications in agriculture. We hope that this contribution will clarify some of the difficulties and confusion with the task of using nonlinear models.
Elimination of VCSEL switch-on transient oscillations using photo-active pumping

It is demonstrated numerically that photoactive layers placed in a VCSEL cavity can eliminate the power modulation during laser switch on. As well known, the transient response is generated by the cavity relaxation oscillations (omega) R, stemming from accelerated carrier depletion with increasing laser power. The presence of photoactive layers with appropriately chosen parameters reverses the sign of the depletion rate. The relaxation frequency then becomes pure imaginary, and the laser cavity behaves as an overdamped oscillator that asymptotes to the final steady-state without power modulation or 'spiking.' Superior bandwidth is anticipated by frequency response analysis.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Measurement of Molecular-Alignment Relaxation Rate in N H 3 Using Non-Lorentzian Laser-Induced Saturation Resonances

A general technique is presented in which narrow non-Lorentzian laser-induced resonances are used to study molecular reorientation. The experiments, which study the ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{2}asQ(8, 7)$ N${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$ transition, yield a value of 6 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1 MHz/Torr for the excited-state alignment relaxation rate, 50% larger than the corresponding population relaxation rate.
A link between transcription and intermediary metabolism: a role for Sir2 in the control of acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase.

The silent information regulator protein (Sir2) and its homologs (collectively known as sirtuins) are NAD + -dependent deacetylase enzymes involved in chromosome stability, gene silencing and cell aging in eukaryotes and archaea. The discovery that sirtuin-dependent protein deacetylation is a NAD + -consuming reaction established a link with the energy generation systems of the cell. This link to metabolism was recently extended to the post-translational control of the activity of short-chain fatty acyl-coenzyme A (adenosine monophosphate-forming) synthetases in bacteria and yeast. The crystal structure of the Sir protein complexed with a peptide of a protein substrate provided insights into how sirtuins interact with their protein substrates.
A thermo-kinetic view of elastic stability theory

Abstract It seems to be common to regard thermodynamic stability and mechanical stability as two distinct subjects. We here explore the possibility of combining the two in a conceptually clear manner, in a rather limited context. Primarily, we work within the contexts of nonlinear elasticity and thermoelasticity theories, exploring relations between energy criteria for stability and consequences of a kinetic definition of stability.
Characterization of bovine patellar cartilage by NMR

Metabolic and structural changes in cartilage tissue are thought to be at the root of degenerative joint disease. We identify here the NMR resonances in bovine patellar cartilage tissue by static and high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) NMR spectroscopy, (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear single-quantum correlation (HSQC) spectroscopy, total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY), and saturation transfer experiments. Some differences between the patellar cartilage samples studied here and earlier nasal cartilage and intervertebrate disc studies were found. In addition, we show assignments downfield of the water signal, which also includes the assignment of amide and hydroxy protons on the basis of their exchangeability with water. These results will allow an identification of spectroscopic markers of cartilage degradation using techniques such as chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging.
Rapid detection of enteric infections by measurement of enteric pathogen-specific antibody secreting cells in peripheral blood

Abstract Enteric infections and diarrhoeal disease are important causes of morbidity and mortality. Infections are often difficult to diagnose, especially when access to sophisticated laboratory facilities is limited. In an attempt to develop a rapid method of diagnosis, which might not require an advanced laboratory, advantage was taken of the observation that precursors of lymphocytes secreting immunoglobulin A (IgA), generated in response to mucosal stimulation with an antigen, are transiently present in peripheral blood. Detection of cells in peripheral blood bearing IgA specific for a pathogenic microbe should indicate current infection. This hypothesis was tested using peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from volunteers who were clinically ‘normal’, had experimentally induced shigellosis, had naturally acquired shigellosis, or had naturally acquired typhoid fever. The method was sensitive for detection of Salmonella typhi infection and less sensitive for detection of Shigella infection. The antibody secreting cell procedure has good potential as a rapid, simple diagnostic procedure if applied during the acute phase of infection.
The Burgers equation under deterministic and stochastic forcing

Abstract The forced Burgers equation is linearized and investigated in the case when the forcing is the product of a distribution (a derivative of a dirac delta function) multiplied by an arbitrary function of time: G(x,t) = δ′(x)F(t). In the case when F(t) is a deterministic function of time, explicit solutions are obtained and the asymptotic behaviour is analyzed for different choices of F(t). The case when F(t) is random Gaussian noise and weakly correlated, is also analyzed. Explicit expressions are obtained for the statistical average of the solution and for some relevant correlation functions. In the large time and long wavelength limit, the two-time correlation function of the system, exhibits a scaling behaviour of diffusive type.
Bucer's Plan for the Jews

It is a matter of common knowledge that at the beginning of the Christian church the Christians were persecuted by the Jews. Later the Jews were persecuted by the Christians. Throughout the Middle Ages the hatred between the two increased. Finally the Jews were banished from England, Spain, France, and other states of Europe until they were allowed to dwell only in parts of Italy, Germany, and Poland. When the Reformation began, the Protestants were faced by many problems in their attempts to organize a purified church. One of these problems was whether Jews should be allowed to live among Christians. The first of the leading Reformers to deal systematically with this problem was Martin Bucer of Strasbourg.
Experimental observation of synchronized chaos with frequency ratio 1 : 2

The results of the experimental observation of synchronized chaos in circuits generating chaotic oscillations with different characteristic frequencies are presented. This synchronized chaotic behavior is studied in a system composed of an autonomous chaotic driving circuit and a response circuit. Onset of synchronization is detected by the auxiliary system method.
Evaluating Antonovsky's Salutogenic Model for its adaptability to nursing

Despite dissatisfaction with disease-oriented models, nursing has not yet adopted a truly health-oriented paradigm. It is important that nurse theorists remain open to health-oriented conceptual models which, although developed in other disciplines, offer adaptability for nursing. In the accompanying article, Antonovsky's Salutogenic Model is analysed and evaluated for adaptability to nursing from its parent discipline, medical sociology. The central concern of this model, as its name suggests, is explaining how people manage to stay well despite omnipresent stressors. The difference between health breakdown and wellness may depend more upon one's outlook on life than upon the avoidance of stress. An orientation which views life activities as meaningful and perceives life events as comprehensible and manageable is called a sense of coherence. People who have a strong sense of coherence manage tension effectively and resist health breakdown. Nursing which strengthens the client's sense of coherence promotes wellness and fosters the client's ability to stay well or get well. Evaluation of the Salutogenic Model relative to its potential usefulness as a nursing paradigm is accomplished by applying the framework for analysis and evaluation of a model developed by Fawcett. The Salutogenic Model is determined to be explicit, comprehensible, logically congruent, and to have social significance, congruence and utility. We conclude that it is suitable for adaptation to the nursing milieu.
Empirical study of a new procedure for allocating safety stock in a wholesale inventory system

Abstract A periodic review, single-item control model for a wholesale system that consists of one warehouse and N stores is considered. Schneider, Rinks and Kelle have developed a methodology that yields approximately optimal ( s , S ) policies for managing such an inventory environment as a coordinated system. In this paper an exntensive empirical study to test the approximations of the Schneider et al. model is presented. The focus of the paper is on developing general guidelines concerning the effect that system parameters have on the optimal service level at the warehouse.
Quaternion-based rigid body rotation integration algorithms for use in particle methods

The resolution of translational motion in discrete element method and molecular dynamics applications is a straightforward task; however, resolving rotational motion is less obvious. Many applications update rotation using an explicit integration involving products of matrices, which has well-known drawbacks. Although rigid body rotation has received attention in large-angle rotation applications, relatively little attention has been dedicated to the unique requirements of particle methods using explicit time-stepping algorithms. This paper reviews existing explicit algorithms and shows the benefits of using a quaternion-based re-parameterization of both the central difference algorithm and the approach of Munjiza et al. (Int. J. Numer. Meth. Engng 2003; 56:36–55). The improvement not only provides guaranteed orthonormality of the resulting rotation but also allows the assumption of small-angle rotation to be relaxed and the use of a more accurate Taylor expansion instead. The current and quaternion-based algorithms are compared for accuracy and computational efficiency. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein kinase C: Ports of anchor in the cell

The cytoplasm is afloat with highly specialized proteins that have defined chores in signal transduction. Distinguishing among the myriad signals transduced by members of the protein kinase C family may be helped by specific anchoring of these enzymes to scaffold proteins that localize particular signalling cascades.