cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation optimization with qualitative variables and structural model changes: A genetic algorithm approach

In many common simulation optimization methods the structure of the system stays the same and only the set of values for certain parameters of the system such as the number of machines in a station or the in-process inventory is varied from one evaluation to the next. The methodology described in this paper is a simulation-optimization process where the qualitative variables and the structure of the system are the subjects of optimization. Here, the optimum response sought is a function of design and operation characteristics of the system such as the type of machines to use, dispatching rules, sequence of processing operations, etc. In the methodology developed here simulation models are automatically generated through an object-oriented process and are evaluated for various candidate configurations of the system. These candidates are suggested by a Genetic Algorithm (GA) that automatically guides the system towards better solutions. After simulating the alternatives, the results are returned to the GA to be utilized in selection of the next generation of configurations to be evaluated. This process continues until a satisfactory solution is obtained for the system.
Retention of an androgen-protein complex by nuclear chromatin aggregates: heat-labile factors.

Abstract A nuclear protein fraction obtained from rat ventral prostate appears to contain a factor(s) required for an association of a 5α-dihydrotestosterone-receptor protein complex with nucleoprotein aggregates. The protein factor(s) is heat labile and can be extracted in a soluble form. The factor(s) may be the nuclear ‘acceptor’ which has been suggested to be present in the androgen-sensitive tissue and play an essential role in the steroid- and tissue-specific retention of the cytoplasmic androgen-receptor complex by nuclear chromatin.
Distributed Sensor Networks Deployment Using Fuzzy Logic Systems

The effectiveness of distributed wireless sensor networks highly depends on the sensor deployment scheme. Given a finite number of sensors, optimizing the sensor deployment will provide sufficient sensor coverage and ameliorate the quality of communications. In this paper, we apply fuzzy logic systems to optimize the sensor placement after an initial random deployment. We use the outage probability due to co-channel interference to evaluate the communication quality. Fenton–Wilkinson method is applied to approximate the sum of log-normal random variables. Our algorithm is compared against the existing distributed self-spreading algorithm. Simulation results show that our approach achieves faster and stabler deployment and maximizes the sensor coverage with less energy consumption. Outage probability, as a measure of communication quality gets effectively decreased in our algorithm but it was not taken into consideration in the distributed self-spreading algorithm.
Formation of Aqueous MgUO2(CO3)32-Complex and Uranium Anion Exchange Mechanism onto an Exchange Resin

The formation of and stability constants for aqueous Mg−UO2−CO3 complexes were determined using an anion exchange method. Magnesium concentration was varied (up to 20 mmol/L) at constant ionic stre...
Characterization of two novel σ receptor ligands: antidystonic effects in rats suggest σ receptor antagonism

The novel sigma receptor ligands, N(-)[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine (BD1047) and 1(-)[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-4-methylpiperazine (BD1063), were characterized in rats using binding assays and behavioral studies. In radioligand binding studies, the novel ligands showed marked selectivity for sigma binding sites, generally having a 100-fold or better affinity for sigma sites compared to nine other tested receptors (opiate, phencyclidine, muscarinic, dopamine, alpha 1-, alpha 2-, beta-adrenoceptor, 5-HT1, 5-HT2); the only exception was the affinity of BD1047 for beta-adrenoceptors. Competition assays further revealed that the drugs interacted with both sigma 1 and sigma 2 binding sites. Although both drugs had preferential affinities for sigma 1 sites, BD1047 exhibited a higher affinity for sigma 2 sites than BD1063. In behavioral studies, BD1047 and BD1063 had no effects on their own when unilaterally microinjected into the red nucleus of rats, but both compounds attenuated the dystonia produced by the high affinity sigma ligands, di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG) and haloperidol. BD1047 and BD1063 dose-dependently attenuated the dystonia produced by DTG, suggesting a receptor-mediated mechanism, and the dose curve for DTG was shifted to the right in the presence of the novel ligands. BD1047 and BD1063 appear to act as antagonists at sigma sites and may represent promising new tools for probing other functional effects associated with sigma binding sites.
Cell design for in-situ X-ray scattering study of electrodes in transmission geometry

A novel electrochemical cell that permits in—situ X-ray scattering studies in transmission geometry for the examination of electrode/electrolyte interfaces is described. The advantages of this geometry over others used presently are discussed, and initial experimental results are reported on the electrochemical formation of passive oxide film on silver.
Identification of Sequence Motifs That Target Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors to Dendrites and Axons

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) belong to a family of ligand-gated ion channels that play important roles in central and peripheral nervous systems. The subcellular distribution of neuronal nAChRs has important implications for function and is not well understood. Here, we analyzed the targeting of two major types of neuronal nAChRs by expressing epitope-tagged subunits in cultured hippocampal neurons. Surprisingly, the alpha7 nAChR (alpha7) and alpha4/beta2 nAChR (alpha4beta2) displayed distinct patterns of expression, with alpha7 targeted preferentially to the somatodendritic compartments, whereas alpha4beta2 was localized to both axonal and dendritic domains. When fused to CD4 or IL2RA (interleukin 2 receptor alpha subunit) proteins, which are normally distributed ubiquitously, the M3-M4 intracellular loop from the alpha7 subunit promoted dendritic expression, whereas the homologous M3-M4 loop from the alpha4 subunit led to surface axonal expression. Systemic screening and alanine substitution further identified a 25-residue leucine motif ([DE]XXXL[LI]) containing an axonal targeting sequence within the alpha4 loop and a 48-residue dileucine and tyrosine motif (YXXO) containing a dendritic targeting sequence from the alpha7 loop. These results provide valuable information in understanding diverse roles of neuronal nAChRs in mediating and modulating synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and nicotine addiction.
Asian American Interracial and Interethnic Marriages: Differences by Education and Nativity

Using the 1990 U.S. census data, we apply log-linear models to examine Asian Americans' interracial marriage with whites and interethnic marriages between Asian ethnic groups. Japanese and Filipino...
Transitory effect of spike and spike-and-wave discharges on EEG power in children

Background: Spikes and spike-and-wave discharges on the EEG of children are a strong biomarker of epilepsy. There is increasing evidence that these EEG abnormalities also impair brain function and result in transitory cognitive impairment. Studies in animal models have shown that EEG spikes alters single cell firing and that such impairment in firing may extend beyond the duration of the spike-and-wave discharge. Whether interictal epileptiform discharges have lasting effects on EEG activity in humans is not known. Methods and Results: The EEGs of 60 consecutive children with focal or interictal spike-and-wave discharges were evaluated using power spectral analysis to determine if there were any changes in power spectra from before to after the interictal abnormalities. Neither focal spike-and-wave nor generalized spike-and-wave discharges had any effect on the EEG frequency or spectral power following the discharge. Conclusion: While interictal EEG discharges temporarily alter neural activity during the duration of the spike-and-wave discharge, there is no evidence that alterations of spectral power continue beyond the duration of the interictal discharge. The effects of interictal activity on EEG rhythms therefore appear to be quite transient and confined to the duration of the interictal discharge.
Finger-drawn pin authentication on touch devices

PIN authentication is widely used thanks to its simplicity and usability, but it is known to be susceptible to shoulder surfing. In this paper, we propose a novel online finger-drawn PIN authentication technique that lets a user draw a PIN on a touch interface with her finger. The system provides some resilience to shoulder surfing without increasing authentication delay and complexity by using both the PIN as well as a behavioral biometric in user verification. Our approach adopts the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) algorithm to compute dissimilarity scores between PIN samples. We evaluate our system in two shoulder surfing scenarios: 1) PIN attack where the attacker only knows the victim's PIN but has no information about it's drawing characteristic and 2) Imitation attack where an attacker has access to a dynamic drawing sequence of a victim's finger-drawn PIN in the form of multiple observations. Experimental results with a data set of 40 users and 2400 imitating samples from two attacks yield an Equal Error Rate (EER) of 6.7% and 9.9% respectively, indicating the need for further study on this promising authentication mechanism.
HIGH SPATIAL RESOLUTION OBSERVATIONS OF PORES AND THE FORMATION OF A RUDIMENTARY PENUMBRA

We present high spatial resolution observation of small-scale magnetic activity in solar active region NOAA 9539. The observations were obtained on 2001 July 15 using the 65 cm vacuum reflector and 25 cm refractor of the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). The data sets include time series of speckle reconstructed continuum images at 5200 A, Hα filtergrams (blue line wing, line center, and red line wing), and line-of-sight magnetograms. Two pores, separated by a light bridge, were located in the central part of NOAA 9539. The formation of penumbral filaments near the light bridge indicated a sudden change of the local magnetic field topology from almost vertical to strongly inclined magnetic fields, which allowed cool material previously suspended in a filament to stream downward. During the downward motion of the cool material, Hα Dopplergrams revealed twisted streamlines along the filament. Finally, there are several well-defined Hα brightenings, Ellerman bombs (EBs), occurred near the region where the downflow of materials fell in. The EBs reside near a magnetic inversion line and are stationary, as opposed to EBs associated with moving magnetic features. We also found that the horizontal flow field of the white-light images derived from local correlation tracking is different from the previous observations. The horizontal movements in the superpenumbrae of leading sunspot and the following sunspots are opposite.
Method for determining particle size distributions by nonlinear inversion of backscattered radiation.

Results of a nonlinear iterative method for determination of the size distribution of spherical aerosols with known refractive indices from backscattered radiation are presented, along with a discussion of the nature of the nonlinear iterative method. The nonlinear method uses an initial guess which is built into the kernel function. By successive iterations, a correction vector is to be used in the next iteration until the correction vector is the unity vector and the process is terminated. This method, when used for the backscattering kernel, which has large information content, can tolerate errors in the measurements up to 10%.
Guarding the Genome: Electrostatic Repulsion of Water by DNA Suppresses a Potent Nuclease Activity of Topoisomerase IB

Abstract Type IB topoisomerases cleave and rejoin DNA strands through a stable covalent DNA-(3′-phosphotyrosyl)-enzyme intermediate. The stability of the intermediate is a two-edged sword; it preserves genome integrity during supercoil relaxation, but it also reinforces the toxicity of drugs and lesions that interfere with the DNA rejoining step. Here, we identify a key determinant of the stability of the complex by showing that introduction of an S p or R p methylphosphonate linkage at the cleavage site transforms topoisomerase IB into a potent endonuclease. The nuclease reaction entails formation and surprisingly rapid hydrolysis of a covalent enzyme-DNA methylphosphonate intermediate. The ∼30,000-fold acceleration in the rate of hydrolysis of a methylphosphonate versus phosphodiester suggests that repulsion of water by the DNA phosphate anion suppresses the latent nuclease function of topoisomerase IB. These findings expose an Achilles' heel of topoisomerases as guardians of the genome, and they have broad implications for understanding enzymatic phosphoryl transfer.
Cautiousness and hearing acuity in elderly women: A signal detection approach

Abstract Hearing loss in elderly women was investigated with respect to measures of sensory and decision processes in an auditory signal detection task. A 1000Hz signal was used as the stimulus and a 6-point response category scale was employed. Subject biases were obtained from 6 normal hearing and 6 moderately hearing impaired elderly adults (65–76 yr). Results indicated that the subjects set a conservative criterion, regardless of hearing loss, and tended to use a binary decision process.
Effect of gamma radiation on chemical structure of plastics

Twelve plastics representing various chemical structures were studied as part of a program to determine the utility of plastics as packaging materials in the high radiation presentation of food. The plastics were exposed to selected dosages of Cobalt-60 gamma radiation in vacuum and in air. Gas evolution and changes in infrared spectra as a result of irradiation were used to hypothesize the relative stability of these plastics to irradiation. Based on these facts it was found that plastics containing conjugated ring systems, ionic linkages, and chlorine in side groups were the most stable.
The rabbit as a new reservoir host of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli.

We investigated the prevalence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in rabbits acquired from two commercial vendors and a local petting zoo. Fecal samples from 34 Dutch Belted (DB) and 15 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were cultured; and isolates were biotyped, serotyped, tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and genotyped by repetitive-element sequence–based PCR (Rep-PCR). Seven (25%) of 28 DB rabbits acquired from one commercial source were positive for EHEC, including O153:H- and O153:H7. One (9%) of 11 NZW rabbits from the same source was positive for eae-, stx1+ O153 strains. In contrast, six DB rabbits from another commercial source and four rabbits from a petting zoo were negative for EHEC. Rep-PCR demonstrated that the O153 EHEC and O145 enteropathogenic E. coli were two distinct clones. Our study indicates that rabbits are a new reservoir host of EHEC that may pose a zoonotic risk for humans.
Transgenic soybeans expressing siRNAs specific to a major sperm protein gene suppress Heterodera glycines reproduction

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, is the major disease-causing agent limiting soybean production in the USA. The current management strategy to reduce yield loss by SCN involves the deployment of resistant soybean cultivars and rotation to non-host crops. Although this management scheme has shown some success, continued yearly yield loss estimates demonstrate the limitations of these techniques. As a result, new control strategies are needed to complement the existing methods. Reported here is a novel method of SCN control that utilises RNA interference (RNAi). Transgenic soybeans were generated following transformation with an RNAi expression vector containing inverted repeats of a cDNA clone of the major sperm protein (MSP) gene from H. glycines. The accumulation of MSP-specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules were detected by northern blot analysis of transgenic soybeans. T0 plants displaying MSP siRNA accumulation were deployed in a bioassay to evaluate the effects of MSP interfering molecules on H. glycines reproduction. Bioassay data has shown up to a 68% reduction in eggs g–1 root tissue, demonstrating that MSPi transgenic plants significantly reduced the reproductive potential of H. glycines. An additional bioassay evaluating progeny nematodes for maintenance of reproductive suppression indicated that progeny were also impaired in their ability to successfully reproduce, as demonstrated by a 75% reduction in eggs g–1 root tissue. The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of an RNAi-based strategy for control of the soybean cyst nematode. In addition, these results may have important implications for the control of other plant parasitic nematodes.
Thermal and power characterization of field-programmable gate arrays

In this paper we propose new techniques for thermal and power characterization of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) using infrared imaging techniques. For thermal characterization, we capture the thermal emissions from the backside of an FPGA chip during operation. We analyze the captured emissions and quantify the extent of thermal gradients and hot spots in FPGAs. Given that FPGAs are fabricated with no knowledge of the potential field designs, we propose soft sensing techniques that can combine the measurements of hard sensors to accurately estimate the temperatures where no sensors are embedded. For power characterization, we propose algorithmic techniques to invert the thermal emissions from FPGAs into spatial power estimates. We demonstrate how this technique can be used to produce spatial power maps of soft processors during operation.
Further characterization of the polymorphic forms of a human high density apolipoprotein, apoLP-Gln-I (apoA-I).

Abstract The major apoprotein of human high density lipoproteins that has previously been designated apoLp-Thr, on the basis of its proposed carboxylterminal amino acid, was isolated and fractionated into 2–6 polymorphic forms. The subfractions had identical amino acid compositions, electrophoretic mobilities, molecular weights, and were immunochemically identical. They had aminoterminal aspartic acid and carboxylterminal glutamine. According to the carboxylterminal convention of nomenclature, “apoLp-Thr” and apoLp-Gln (a second major high density apolipoprotein) should be redesignated apoLp-Gln-I and apoLp-Gln-II, respectively.
Comparison of Healing Parameters in Porcine Full-Thickness Wounds Transplanted with Skin Micrografts, Split-Thickness Skin Grafts, and Cultured Keratinocytes

Background Transplantation of skin micrografts (MGs), split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs), or cultured autologous keratinocytes (CKs) enhances the healing of large full-thickness wounds. This study compares these methods in a porcine wound model, investigating the utility of micrograft transplantation in skin restoration. Study Design Full-thickness wounds were created on Yorkshire pigs and assigned to one of the following treatment groups: MGs, STSGs, CKs, wet nontransplanted, or dry nontransplanted. Dry wounds were covered with gauze and the other groups' wounds were enclosed in a polyurethane chamber containing saline. Biopsies were collected 6, 12, and 18 days after wounding. Quantitative and qualitative wound healing parameters including macroscopic scar appearance, wound contraction, neoepidermal maturation, rete ridge formation, granulation tissue thickness and width, and scar tissue formation were studied. Results Transplanted wounds scored lower on the Vancouver Scar Scale compared with nontransplanted wounds, indicating a better healing outcome. All transplanted wounds exhibited significantly lower contraction compared with nontransplanted wounds. Wounds transplanted with either MGs, STSGs, or CKs showed a significant increase in re-epithelialization compared with nontransplanted wounds. Wounds transplanted with MGs or STSGs exhibited improved epidermal healing compared with nongrafted wounds. Furthermore, transplantation with STSGs or MGs led to less scar tissue formation compared with the nontransplanted wounds. No significant impact on scar formation was observed after transplantation of CKs. Conclusions Qualitative and quantitative measurements collected from full-thickness porcine wounds show that transplantation of MGs improve wound healing parameters and is comparable to treatment with STSGs.
Strawson's Anti-Scepticism: A Critical Reconstruction

Strawson suggests an anti-sceptical strategy which consists in offering good reason for ignoring scepticism rather than trying to refute it, and the reason he offers is that beliefs about the external world are indispensable to us. I give an exposition of Strawson's arguments for the indispensability thesis and explain why they are not strong enough. I then propose an argument based on some of Davidson's ideas in his theory of radical interpretation, which I think can establish the indispensability thesis. Finally, I spell out the force of Strawson's anti-sceptical strategy by arguing that we have good reason for ignoring scepticism not only because beliefs about the world are indispensable, but also because it is irrational to have both beliefs about the world and sceptical doubts.
Endosonography and cytology in diagnosing and staging pancreatic body and tail carcinoma. Preliminary results of endosonographic guided puncture.

Endosonography was performed in diagnosing and staging pancreatic body and tail carcinoma in two patients. In the first case endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, and computed tomography were nondiagnostic in diagnosing the origin of submucosal gastric abnormalities. Endosonography diagnosed a pancreatic tail carcinoma with submucosal gastric involvement, and this was confirmed by endosonographic-guided cytology. Fundus varices due to segmented splenic vein involvement were found. Surgery was not recommended due to the advanced disease. In the second case pancreatic body carcinoma was diagnosed by ERCP and computed tomography. Transcutaneous ultrasonographic-guided cytological puncture confirmed the diagnosis. Endosonography revealed additional information of segmental protal hypertension with fundic varices due to splenic vein involvement. Autopsy confirmed the endosonographic diagnosis.
Internet Gambling Offshore: Caribbean Struggles over Casino Capitalism. Andrew F. Cooper. Basingstoke, U.K.: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. xvii + 201 pp. (Cloth US$ 85.00)

Book Reviews Internet Gambling Offshore: Caribbean Struggles over Casino Capitalism. Andrew F. Cooper. Basingstoke, U.K.: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. xvii + 201 pp. (Cloth US$ 85.00) Chronicling the dispute between Antigua and the United States over off- shore Internet gambling, this book is set against the backdrop of the historic speculative boom in finance that precipitated the global financial crisis. Antigua hosted offshore gambling operations that eventually brought it to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to argue—and win—its case against the United States. Other Caribbean islands meanwhile served booking functions for derivatives, insurance, and complicated subsidiary structures. Yet even in the wake of the financial crisis that began in 2008, official sanc- tions against financial speculation have been significantly weaker than those against offshore gambling. Furthermore, despite Antigua’s win at the WTO, the United States was able to stop offshore Internet gambling. The international effort against Caribbean tax havens has not been as success- ful. This fascinating book helps explain why: U.S. politics are full of strange bedfellows, regulatory carve-outs for specific industries, and unlikely alli- ances that thwart easy International Relations (IR) accounts of power in the global political economy. Since ancient times, gambling has faced moral stigma. One reason is the confounding of media of value with mechanisms of chance. States thus have sought to segregate gambling spatially from other economic activities (think Las Vegas . . . or Wall Street). The Internet complicates this enclav- ing. If you are physically in Ohio but logged into a server in Antigua, what is the connection—metaphysical, moral, legal—between the actions of your fingers, the transmission of data through wireless and fiber optic networks, and the act of gambling? There are obvious parallels to offshore finance: registering a company offshore creates a legal fiction that confounds space. Cooper argues that offshore gambling has been an easier target for interna- tional actors than offshore finance because the former is not as “decoupled” from the “real” economy as the latter: it relies on local ancillary labor, media, and advertising in order to achieve the scale to make it profitable (p. 43). Internet gambling is a mass phenomenon; its market is not the high net worth individuals of offshore finance but the common man, sitting at his computer, bored, looking to play some online poker or off-track betting. © 2013 Bill Maurer DOI: 10.1163/22134360-12340028 This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Is Guatemalan Indian Society Really Changeless? A Rebuttal to Partridge

1977 The Ecological Basis for Aztec Sacrifice. American Ethnologist 4:114-135. Harner, Michael 1977 The Ecological Basis for Aztec Sacrifice. American Ethnologist 4:117-135. Harris, M. 1977 Cannibals and Kings. New York: Vintage. Judson, H. F. 1980 'Take that King Richardl Science 80 (July/August): 38-43. Lopez Austin, Alfredo 1980 Cuerpo e Ideologia. Las Concepciones de los Antiguos Nahuas. Mexico: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. McMahon, T. A. 1975 The Mechanical Design of Trees. Scientific American 233 (No. 1):92-102. Motolinia, Toribio de Benavente 1971 Memoriales o Libro de las Cosas de
Roles of a Membrane-localized βSubunit in the Formation and Targeting of Functional L-type Ca2+ Channels

We report several unexpected findings that provide novel insights into the properties and interactions of the alpha 1 and beta subunits of dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type channels. First, the beta 2a subunit was expressed as multiple species of 68-72 kDa; the 70-72-kDa species arose from post-translational modification. Second, cell fractionation and immunocytochemical studies indicated that the hydrophilic beta 2a subunit, when expressed alone, was membrane-localized. Third, the beta 2a subunit increased the membrane localization of the alpha 1 subunit and the number of cells expressing L-type Ca2+ currents, without affecting the total amount of the expressed alpha 1C subunit. Expression of maximal currents in alpha 1C/beta 2a cotransfected cells paralleled the time course of expression of the beta subunit. Taken together, these results suggest that the beta subunit plays multiple roles in the formation, stabilization, targeting, and modulation of L-type channels.
Replacement of the inferior vena cava for malignancy: An update

Abstract Objectives: Resection and replacement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) to remove malignant disease is a formidable procedure. Since our initial report with IVC replacement for malignancy, we have maintained an aggressive approach to these patients. The purpose of this review is to update our experience with regard to patient selection, operative technique, and early and late outcome. Methods: All patients who had IVC replacement for primary (n = 2) or secondary (n = 27) vena cava tumors from April 1990 to May 1999 were reviewed. Tumor location and type, clinical presentation, the segment of IVC replaced, graft patency, performance status of the patient, and tumor recurrence and survival data were collected. Late follow-up data were available for all but one patient. The IVC was replaced in 28 patients with large diameter (≥14 mm) externally supported ePTFE grafts and with a panel graft of superficial femoral vein in the other. Three patients had a femoral arteriovenous fistula. Graft patency was determined before hospital dismissal and in follow-up by vena cavography, computed tomography, ultrasonography, or magnetic resonance imaging. Results: There were 18 women and 11 men, with a mean age of 53.1 years (range, 16-88 years). Over one half of patients had symptoms from their tumor. IVC replacement was at the suprarenal segment in 15 patients, of whom 13 had concomitant major hepatic resection, at the infrarenal segment in 10, at both caval segments in three, and at the renal vein confluence in one. There were two early deaths (6.9%). One patient died intraoperatively of coagulopathy during liver resection and suprarenal IVC replacement. The other death occurred 4 months postoperatively, from multisystem organ failure that resulted in graft infection and occlusion. Twelve patients had one or more major complications— cardiopulmonary problems in five; bleeding in five; chylous ascites or large pleural effusions in two patients each; and lower extremity edema with tibial vein thrombosis in one. The mean follow-up was 2.8 years (range, 2.7 months to 6.3 years). Two late graft occlusions occurred: one at 7.5 months, the other, from tumor recurrence, at 6.3 years. There have been no other late graft-related complications. All 11 late deaths were caused by the progression of malignant disease. Of 16 survivors, 12 have no evidence of disease and four have either regional or distant metastatic recurrence. Initial postoperative performance status was good or excellent for most survivors. Conclusions: Aggressive surgical management may offer the only chance for cure or palliation of symptoms for patients with primary or secondary IVC tumors. Our experience suggests that vena cava replacement may be performed safely with low graft-related morbidity and good patency in carefully selected patients. (J Vasc Surg 2000;31:270-81.)
Transition Frequency and Internal Electric Field for Protoporphyrin-IX in Myoglobin

Abstract The internal electric field acting on a guest molecule can be determined by measuring the effect of an external electric field on the profile of a photochemical hole. For protoporphyrin-IX in myoglobin we observe a systematic dependence of internal electric field on frequency in the inhomogeneously broadened Qx band.
Vibrational free energy contribution to self-diffusion on Ni(100), Cu(100) and Ag(100)

The role of lattice vibrations in self diffusion on the (100) surfaces of Ag, Cu and Ni is investigated within the framework of transition state theory. Local vibrational density of states are calculated in the harmonic and quasi-harmonic approximation from which the vibrational activation internal energy and entropy are derived. For the present study, we use two sets of interaction potentials from the embedded atom method. We show that entropy contributions lower the pre-exponential factor by up to two orders of magnitude and vibrational internal energy decreases the static-lattice barrier at 600 K by up to 10% for Cu and Ag and 8% for Ni. We also discuss the effect of thermal expansion on the activation barrier.
Reinterventions for nonocclusive iliofemoral venous stent malfunctions

Background Percutaneous iliofemoral venous stenting has been shown to be effective, safe, and durable in both nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion (NIVL) and postthrombotic disease. A small fraction of stented limbs require reintervention to correct stent malfunction. This manuscript examines the reasons for reintervention, types of procedures performed, and outcome. Methods Femoro-ilio-caval stenting was performed in 1085 limbs over a 10 year period from 1997 to 2007 (NIVL/postthrombotic limb ratio 1:1). Reinterventions were required in 137 limbs (13%) for non-occlusive stent malfunction. Results Median time of reintervention after the initial procedure was 15 months. Primary indication for reintervention was stent abnormalities discovered on routine surveillance imaging in 31% of the limbs and residual/recurrent symptoms after initial stenting in 69% of the limbs. Prevalent symptoms before reintervention were swelling (45%), pain (18%), combination of pain and swelling (33%), and venous dermatitis/ulcer (15%). Seventy-seven percent of limbs required only a single reintervention and 23% required two or more interventions. The type of reintervention could be broadly categorized into four types: (1) cephalad stent extension to correct stent outflow problems; (2) caudad stent extension to correct inflow problems; (3) balloon dilatation of stent stenoses; and (4) combinations. The types of stent inflow/outflow lesions encountered were different in NIVL and postthrombotic limbs. In both groups, the external iliac vein segment had a greater incidence of pathology than other stented venous segments during reintervention. A denovo stenotic lesion of uncertain aetiology that occurred below an existing stent was also exclusive to the external iliac vein segment. Instent restenosis (ISR) occurred in both subsets. Two types of ISR were encountered: (1) a ‘soft' lesion probably due to reduced flow channel lined by thrombus within the stent from inflow/outflow problems and (2) a ‘hard' lesion that occurred independently, was resistant to dilatation and tended to recur unlike the ‘soft' lesion. Cumulative improvement in pain and swelling at 18 months following intervention was 67% and 72%, respectively. Complete cumulative healing of venous dermatitis/ulcer was 90% at 12 months post reintervention. Conclusion Venous stenting for chronic venous disease is largely trouble-free with only a small fraction of the stented limbs requiring reinterventions. Reinterventions were performed to correct previously overlooked or new defects in inflow, outflow and/or the stent. Reinterventions are worthwhile since they improve residual/recurrent symptoms in a durable fashion.
Students of Criminal Justice: a National Survey

This study was supported by the Joint Commission on Criminology and Criminal Justice Education and Standards. The author wishes to thank Vince Webb for his assistance in the project.
Biochemical and morphological studies of synaptogenesis in the avian sympathetic cell column.

Summary The development of the preganglionic sympathetic cell column (nucleus of Terni) was studied in the spinal cord of the chick, utilizing morphological and biochemical techniques. The first synapses observed in relation to the neurons of the nucleus of Terni were at 10 days in ovo and were of the axodendritic type. The first axosomatic synapses did not appear until the 12th day. Axonal varicosities of the noradrenergic type, as visualized by formaldehyde-induced fluorescence, first appeared in the nucleus of Terni at 12 days in ovo. Biochemical assays of serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) demonstrated large amounts of these amines at 7–9 days in ovo. Their concentration gradually fell to a nadir at 12 days and began rising at 15 days, reaching a peak at the time of hatching. Kinetic studies of the uptake of exogenous amines revealed specific uptake of 5-HT beginning at 8 days in ovo with a K m of 2.5 × 10 −7 M and of NE beginning at 10 days with a K m of 1.4 × 10 −7 M . Autoradiographic studies utilizing [ 3 H]5-HT showed label to be confined to the lateral funiculus at 8 days, while at 10 days and thereafter labeled varicosities were seen in apposition to the cells of the nucleus of Terni as well as those of the ventral horn. [ 3 H]NE labeled varicosities were not found in the lateral funiculus until 10 days in ovo and in the nucleus of Terni and ventral horn until 12 days. These findings of a relatively late innervation of the preganglionic neurons of the nucleus of Terni are compared with the observations that these neurons themselves begin to innervate the peripheral sympathetic ganglia much earlier, 7–8 days, and, at this time, possess significant amounts of choline acetyltransferase. It would thus appear that innervation of the peripheral ganglia is not preceded by innervation of the preganglionic neurons, although the maintenance of peripheral connections may be dependent upon such subsequent innervation.
Adult Male Chimpanzees Inherit Maternal Ranging Patterns

Space use often correlates with reproductive success [1, 2]. Individual site fidelity is ubiquitous across a variety of taxa, including birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles [3-9]. Individuals can benefit from using the same area because doing so affords access to known resources, including food and/or breeding sites. The majority of studies on site fidelity have focused upon strictly territorial species in which individuals range in well-defined, exclusive areas (e.g., [4, 9]). By comparison, the transient groups that define fission-fusion species allow for considerable flexibility in individual space use. Although there is evidence that individual space use can influence reproductive success [2], relatively little is known about individual ranging patterns in fission-fusion species. Here, we investigate three potential correlates of male site fidelity (age, habitat quality, and maternal space use) in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). We found that when alone, each male preferentially concentrated his space use near the area where his mother ranged when he was dependent. We suggest that solitary ranging allows males to avoid direct competition with conspecifics and that foraging in familiar areas maximizes foraging efficiency. These results highlight the importance of male foraging strategies in a species in which male ranging is typically explained in terms of mating access to females.
Sequential histology of the adult chimpanzee epididymis

The chimpanzee epididymis consists of three gross anatomical regions: caput (Cp), corpus (Cr), and cauda (Cd). During epididymal transit, chimpanzee sperm undergo maturational changes (affecting motility, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction), which enable fertilization. Elucidation of the sequential histology of the chimpanzee epididymis is preliminary to determining the role of each region of epididymal duct in the process of sperm maturation. We report the histology, in the adult male chimpanzee, of sequential segments of epididymis from the proximal efferent ductules through the Cp, Cr, and Cd regions of the epididymis proper to the proximal ductus deferens. These data illustrate the gross architecture of the tissue and reveal the histology characteristic of the diverse epithelia composing the epididymal ducts at each level. The tubules composing the epididymis of the adult male chimpanzee present at least 16 histologically-distinct epithelia and their transitional forms. Such diversity of epithelia suggests a corresponding diversity of function. Although there are some clear differences, the histological appearance of the ducts, and of the component epithelia of the chimpanzee epididymis, is remarkably similar to that reported for the human.
Homogenization of a Nanoparticle with Graded Interface

For nanocomposites containing nanoparticles, the thickness of the inclusion/matrix interface may be comparable to the particle sizes. Therefore, the effect of interfaces on the elastic and conductive properties may be substantial. We show that it is controlled, mainly, by the interface thickness and is much less sensitive to the character of the variation. Analysis is done by identifying an equivalent homogeneous inclusion that produces the same effect as the graded one.
Neutropenia and intraventricular hemorrhage among very low birth weight (less than 1500 grams) premature infants.

To assess the previously reported association of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) with neutropenia, we prospectively followed during a 38-month study period infants with birth weight ≤1500 gm who survived >72 hours and underwent serial cranial sonography and neutrophil counts for the first 14 days of life. Neutrophil counts were interpreted according to a widely employed reference range. Infants with conditions other than IVH reported to be associated with neutropenia (sepsis, maternal hypertension, 5-minute Apgar score ≤5) were excluded. Final study groups included 38 infants with IVH and 114 without IVH. No significant differences were found for birth weight, gestational age, respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilation, prolonged rupture of membranes, patent ductus arteriosus, route of delivery, pneumothorax, or sex. The occurrence of neutropenia before 14 days of age was not significantly different between the groups (50% with IVH, 56% without IVH), nor were differences found at individual postnatal ages. Comparison of immature neutrophil count and immature/total neutrophil ratio also revealed no differences. The high incidence of neutropenia in our non-IVH group raises questions about application of these widely accepted reference ranges to very low birth weight infants.
Expression of form and pattern in plants — a role for biophysical fields

Abstract Coordinated or ‘field’ behaviour of cells of a tissue can be treated as an interaction between signals and a responding system. When the response involves the reaction of similar cells to a gradient, the field properties are thought to reside mainly in the signal. It is not generally recognized that initially uniform properties in the responding tissue can contribute to the specification of geometrical detail. One such feature is that a tissue may have an intrinsic wavelength, e.g. for the diameter of a new-forming organ. Another is tensor properties. Both features can greatly expand the role of signals in the expression of pattern.
Extended defects and polarity of hydride vapor phase epitaxy GaN

Hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) GaN layers on sapphire substrates and so-called free-standing platelets (layers removed from the sapphire) were studied by different transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Polarity, determined by convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED), and distribution of structural defects, determined by conventional TEM, are discussed. The HVPE layers were found to grow primarily with Ga-polarity. A few inversion domains (areas with N-polarity) were observed on the substrate side of one of the free-standing layers. The dominant structural defects in HVPE GaN layers are threading dislocations. A systematic reduction of their density with an increase in layer thickness was observed for all of the samples. The experimental results indicate that the density of dislocations is inversely proportional to the distance from the substrate, which agrees with the theoretical model.
State constrained control problems governed by variational inequalities

We will consider various types of problems of minimizing some given cost functional over all pairs of states and controls subject to some parabolic or elliptic variational inequality and some state constraints. Our aim is to derive the first order optimality conditions for optimal pairs of these problems.
Burrow environment and coelomic fluid characteristics of the echiuran worm Urechis caupo from populations at three sites in northern California

The burrow microhabitat and physiology of the echiuran worm Urechis caupo at a high-density site (Elkhorn Slough, California, USA), were investigated from 1987 to 1990 to determine physical and chemical conditions, worm density and distribution, and coelomic fluid characteristics such as heme composition, pO2, pH, and coelomocyte volume. During tidal exposure, worm burrows at this site exhibited, on average, 52% air-saturated water, 11μM burrow-water sulfide, 85 μg/mg wet weight sediment sulfide, and salinity and osmolalities similar to those of seawater. These conditions are compared to those of another California site, Bodega Bay, which had slightly lower oxygen concentrations, but higher water and sediment-sulfide levels. A more limited comparison to a third site, Princeton Harbor, California, is included. Worms from Bodega Bay, the higher sulfide site, had greater concentrations of hematin, a non-globin heme compound contained in the coelomocytes, and exhibited a greater tolerance to sulfide in the laboratory. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that hematin is a sulfide-detoxifying agent that may enhance survival of U. caupo in the sulfide-rich mudflat environment.
Can behavioral evolution be measured on a staircase? A commentary.

The serious, comparative study of behavioral complexity that Greenberg et al. advocate is a progressive direction for the field, but their proposal to separate comparative psychology from its roots in evolutionary biology seems regressive. Modern evolutionary theory has been broadened within biology to include development and paleontology alongside natural selection, making closer integration with that discipline particularly timely. Such an integrated evolutionary approach in psychology would offer a useful alternative to the adaptationism popularized by evolutionary psychology. Although the differences between comparative psychologists and biologists may be blurred in the process, the behavioral sciences will be better served by a rich biological approach to evolution than by a uniquely psychological approach. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 44: 16–20, 2004.
Force, Shortening, and Work in Muscular Contraction: Relative Contributions to Overall Energy Utilization

The amounts of energy used during muscular contraction under different loads have been compared by measurement of the total amount of disturbance of the concentration of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide during the period of oxidative recovery. The results are in quantitative agreement with the concept that three parameters determine the energy utilization: namely the time-integral of the force development, the time-integral of the shortening process, and the mechanical work.
Statistical and nonstatistical neutron decay of the giant electric dipole resonance of 208 Pb

The neutron decay of the giant electric dipole resonance of {sup 208}Pb has been determined by a measurement of the differential cross section, {ital d}{sigma}({ital E}{sub {gamma}},{ital E}{sub {ital n}})/{ital dE}{sub {ital n}} of the {sup 208}Pb({gamma},{ital n}) reaction for 20 contiguous photon energy bands between 11.2 and 15.7 MeV. The statistical component of the decay was calculated in the Hauser-Feshbach formalism. A nonstatistical component of the decay to low-lying hole states is unambiguously identified. The magnitude of this component is strongly energy dependent.
A method for solving algebraic systems consisting of linear and nonlinear equations

An efficient method for solving algebraic equations is given. The linear equations are solved only once and iterations are performed on the non linear equations. If an initial approximation to a desired root is available, then it is utilized in the solution process. Results of some computational experiments are given.