cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gag protein from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 assembles in the absence of cyclophilin A.

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication requires coordinated activities of host and viral factors. We reported previously that interactions of the host factor cyclophilin A with HIV-1 Gag polyproteins affected Gag processing and maturation of virus particles (Streblow et al., 1998. Virology 245, 197–202). We now use in vitro translation and physical analysis of Gag structures to refine our understanding of how cyclophilin A affects HIV-1 replication. Gag assembled into oligomeric structures in vitro in the presence or absence of cyclophilin A, and proteins synthesized under the two conditions were equally susceptible to cleavage by exogenous HIV-1 protease. These and previous data show that Cyclophilin A is required at a step between Gag assembly and Gag processing/virion morphogenesis. Cyclophilin A may be required for Gag conformational changes subsequent to assembly, that are required for efficient dimerization and activation of the viral protease.
Small-world networks of Kuramoto oscillators

Abstract The Kuramoto model of coupled phase oscillators on small-world (SW) graphs is analyzed in this work. When the number of oscillators in the network goes to infinity, the model acquires a family of steady state solutions of degree q , called q -twisted states. We show that this class of solutions plays an important role in the formation of spatial patterns in the Kuramoto model on SW graphs. In particular, the analysis of q -twisted states elucidates the role of long-range random connections in shaping the attractors in this model. We develop two complementary approaches for studying q -twisted states in the coupled oscillator model on SW graphs: linear stability analysis and numerical continuation. The former approach shows that long-range random connections in the SW graphs promote synchronization and yields the estimate of the synchronization rate as a function of the SW randomization parameter. The continuation shows that the increase of the long-range connections results in patterns consisting of one or several plateaus separated by sharp interfaces. These results elucidate the pattern formation mechanisms in nonlocally coupled dynamical systems on random graphs.
Survey of SWAT Use in Operational Test and Evaluation

This paper summarizes findings on the utility of the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (SWAT) as a tool for flight test and other test and evaluation (T&E) applications. SWAT is a multidimen...
Tunable near-infrared dispersive quantitative phase microscopy

Refractive index (RI) and its dispersion play a major role in interaction of electromagnetic wave with matter. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) has proven to be a useful tool to estimate the RI from the sample-induced phase delay measurement at high spatio-temporal resolution. Here, we introduce near-infrared dispersive quantitative phase imaging (NIRD-QPI) of microscopic objects. The setup uses a new geometry for quantitative phase microscopy by use of spatial frequency filtering in Fourier plane. High resolution refractive index spectroscopic measurement over a range from 690 to 840nm in interval of 25nm is reported. This method could prove to be very useful for characterizing wide range of nano and biomaterials.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Modeling all spin logic: Multi-magnet networks interacting via spin currents

All-spin logic (ASL) represents a new approach to information processing where the roles of charges and capacitors in CMOS are played by spins and magnets. This paper (1) summarizes our earlier work on the input-output isolation and intrinsic directivity of ASL devices, (2) uses an experimentally benchmarked simulator for multimagnet networks coupled by spin transport channels to demonstrate a combinational NAND gate, and (3) describes the natural mapping of such ASL networks into neuromorphic circuits suitable for hybrid analog/digital information processing.
Regulation of in vitro progesterone release from caprine luteal tissues by prostaglandins E2 and F2a

Abstract Luteal slices obtained from Day-10 cyclic, sexually mature, mixed-breed, superovulated goats were used to study the effects of prostaglandins E2 and F2a (PGE2 and PGF2a) on the release of progesterone. The goats were synchronized for estrus using a single intramuscular injection of 5 mg PGF2a given during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Multiple follicular growth and superovulation were induced using a treatment regiment of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) previously standardized in our laboratory (1). The luteal slices were treated with PGE2 or PGF2a at concentrations of 1 and 10 ng/ml each. Untreated luteal slices continued to release significant amounts of progesterone over the entire period of incubation (30 to 360 minutes). There was a progressive increase in progesterone accumulation following treatment with PGE2 at both concentrations. The mean progesterone values were significantly higher in the PGE2-treated groups at all incubation periods than in the controls. Progesterone values at 10 ng/ml were higher (P 0.05) in mean progesterone values between the two concentrations of PGF2a. The results of this study showed that PGE2 enhanced the release of progesterone by caprine luteal tissues, whereas PGF2a inhibited its release.
PHARMACOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF α-ADRENORECEPTOR SUBTYPES IN RAT ISOLATED THORACIC AORTA

1 The subtype of α-adrenoreceptor mediating contraction in rat isolated thoracic aorta was classified pharmacologically using preferential agonists and antagonists, and by utilizing mixed agonist and antagonist interactions. 2 Noradrenaline was 8 to 10-times more potent at contracting the aorta than phenylephrine and both agonists were about 1000 and 10,000-fold respectively more potent than azepexole (a preferential α2,-agonist). 3 Prazosin (a preferential α1,-antagonist) inhibited the dose-response curves to noradrenaline and phenylephrine 100 and 1000-times respectively more effectively than either phentolamine or rauwolscine (a preferential α2-antagonist). Furthermore, prazosin (5 times 10-9M). completely abolished contractions elicited by a single concentration of azepexole (3 times 10-4M). 4 In mixed antagonist studies, rauwolscine (5 times 10-7M) failed to shift the dose-response curves to nor-adrenaline and phenylephrine obtained in the presence of prazosin (5 times 10-9M). 5 In mixed agonist experiments, azepexole (3 times 10-4M) acted as a partial antagonist toward phenylephrine-induced contractions. 6 The results suggest that the α-adrenoreceptor of the rat thoracic aorta is predominantly, if not exclusively, of the α1-subtype.
Attachment and Social Cognition Theories of Romantic Relationships: Convergent or Complementary Perspectives?:

Adult attachment and social cognition perspectives of romantic relationships have developed relatively independently of one another, despite the fact that both stress the importance of cognitive conceptual frameworks of relationship functioning. This study examines the strength of the association between constructs from the two perspectives and their associations with concurrent relationship adjustment and 6-month longitudinal relationship dissolution. Results from 68 dating couples suggested a modest degree of convergence between measures of attachment, relationship beliefs and relationship attributions. Measures of both adult attachment and relationship beliefs and attributions were uniquely related to concurrent relationship adjustment, although between-partner differences on attachment and social cognition measures were largely unrelated to relationship adjustment. The only relationship cognition variable that was predictive of subsequent relationship dissolution was stronger endorsement by women of p...
Observation of a hybrid spin resonance

A new type of spin depolarization resonance has been observed at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS). This spin resonance is identified as a strong closed-orbit sideband around the dominant intrinsic spin resonance. The strength of the resonance was proportional to the 9th harmonic component of the horizontal closed orbit and proportional to the vertical betatron oscillation amplitude. This ''hybrid'' spin resonance cannot be overcome by the partial snake at the AGS, but it can be corrected by the harmonic orbit correctors. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Center‐of‐gravity of circadian activity and its relation to free‐running period in two rodent species

Abstract A comparative analysis is presented which validates the practice of measuring free‐running period (r) of circadian locomotor activity by means of the slope of a line eye‐fitted to daily onset of activity. The slope of a linear regression calculated through daily onset of activity gives virtually the same ras the slope of the eye‐fitted line. The center‐of‐gravity (COG) of locomotor activity (defined as the mean daily clock time of all recorded activity impulses) is uniquely defined and free of subjective evaluation. COG is shown to be a meaningful representation of the central tendency of circadian activity; calculation of a regression through daily COG of activity also provides an accurate measurement of #GT.
Both Human Pituitary Growth Hormone and Recombinant DNA-Derived Human Growth Hormone Cause Insulin Resistance at a Postreceptor Site

We have investigated the effects on carbohydrate metabolism of human GH produced by recombinant DNA technology (methionyl-hGH) compared with pituitary hGH. Twelve normal adult male subjects received four daily im injections of either methionyl-hGH or pituitary hGH in a double blind, crossover study. Oral glucose tolerance tests and assays of insulin binding to peripheral monocytes were performed before th initial administration and 12 h after the fourth injection of both hGH preparations. Both methionyl-hGH and pituitary hGH resulted in significant carbohydrate intolerance, with a rise in fasting plasma glucose from 96.6 +/- 2.9 to 105.9 +/- 3.0 mg/ml (mean +/- SEM) after pituitary hGH and from 96.2 +/- 1.5 to 107.5 +/- 3.3 mg/dl after methionyl-hGH (P less than 0.01). The area under the glucose tolerance curve increased by 34% after pituitary hGH and by 37% after methionyl-hGH. With both hGH preparations, carbohydrate intolerance was associated with marked hyperinsulinemia, with a rise in fasting plasma insulin levels from 9.4 +/- 1.2 to 33.2 +/- 7.8 microU/ml after pituitary hGH and from 7.4 +/- 1.1 to 45.8 +/- 11.1 microU/ml after methionyl-hGH (P less than 0.01). The integrated plasma insulin levels during the oral glucose tolerance test tripled after both hGH preparations. The pronounced insulin resistance could not be attributed to an alteration in insulin receptor concentrations. Both hGH preparations were associated with small reductions in insulin binding to monocytes at tracer concentrations, but the decline in binding was not statistically significant. The calculated binding sites per cell and Ke were not significantly altered by hGH administration. We conclude that methionyl-hGH and pituitary hGH are indistinguishable in their ability to induce insulin-resistant carbohydrate intolerance. This decrease in insulin sensitivity cannot be attributed to an alteration in insulin binding, and presumably represents a postreceptor defect in insulin action.
Surgical Management of Left Ventricular Aneurysms by the Jatene Technique

Few significant improvements in left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) surgery occurred from the time of Cooley’s report of the first open resection using cardiopulmonary bypass in 1958l until Jatene2 and Dor3 reported entirely new reparative approaches in the mid-1980s. Most LVAs occur in the anteroseptal region and, as the name would imply, involve not only the anterior portion of the free-wall of the left ventricle but also the distal ventricular septum. Jatene realized that simple aneurysm resection and linear closure did nothing to correct the septa1 component of anteroseptal aneurysms and the first objective of his new approach was to overcome that deficiency. He did so by introducing the concept of imburcating the involved portion of the septum in order to stabilize it and to give the left ventricular free-wall a firm base against which it could contract. Jatene also recognized that most anteroseptal aneurysms, certainly the larger ones, had dilated bases and that the dilitation of the aneurysm base pulled the non-aneurysmal left ventricular free-wall away from the septum (Fig 1). It seemed intuitive to him that this morphologic change in the geometry of the left ventricle would have the effect of decreasing global ventricular function independent of the more direct and apparent adverse effects of the aneurysm. Furthermore, if the base of the resected aneurysm were allowed to persist in its dilated state, the induced dysfunction of the nonaneurysmal left ventricular free-wall would continue to exist postoperatively. Jatene’s solution was to aUeviate that problem by placing an encircling purse-string suture around the base of the aneurysm and tightening it down until the ventricle resumed the shape it would have had if the myocardial infarction had occurred without the complication of an aneurysm. Jatene felt that by reconstructing the normal geometry of the left ventricle as much as possible while removing the aneurysm, the results of surgical therapy should improve. The Jatene technique and the similar technique described by Dor now represent the state-of-the-art in the surgical treatment
Provider factors and patient-reported healthcare discrimination in the Diabetes Study of California (DISTANCE)

Objective We examined provider-level factors and reported discrimination in the healthcare setting.
Evaluation of different observational sampling regimes for use in zoological parks

Observational sampling methods provide clearly-defined guidelines for collection and analysis of behavioral data. In some situations, use of formal sampling regimes may be impractical or impossible. A case in point is data collection conducted by animal care staff at zoological parks and aquaria. Often, time is sufficiently limited that data collection is perceived as a task that cannot be accomplished given the normal constraints of the day. Here, we explore the efficacy and validity of using more variable and abridged sampling regimes in an effort to identify the appropriateness of such observation schemes for systematic monitoring of behavior. We describe the results of studies on three species (two polar bears, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin calf, and two brown bears), conducted over a period of several years at the Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois, USA. Data collection schemes varied both within and across groups in order to provide a basis of comparison. In all cases, there were significant differences based on sampling regime for rare behaviors (those that individually comprised <15% of the activity budget), but not for common behaviors. Subsampling from larger data sets indicated that data reliability increases with increasing observation number. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of such sporadic sampling methods, and suggest that, in many instances such limited data collection may yet yield an accurate picture of animal activity and should not be overlooked as a viable management tool.
Development of a TH17 immune response during the induction of murine syngeneic graft-versus-host disease

Syngeneic graft-versus-host disease (SGVHD) develops following lethal irradiation, reconstitution with syngeneic bone marrow (BM) and treatment with a 21 day course of the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine A (CsA). Clinical symptoms of SGVHD appear 2-3 weeks post-CsA with inflammation occurring in the colon and liver. Previously we have demonstrated that CD4(+) T cells and a T helper cell type 1 cytokine response (T(H)1) are involved in the development of SGVHD associated intestinal inflammation. Studies have recently discovered an additional T cell lineage that produces IL-17 and is termed T(H)17. It has been suggested that inflammatory bowel disease is a result of a T(H)17 response rather than a T(H)1 response. This study was designed to investigate T(H)17 involvement in SGVHD-associated colitis. Following induction of SGVHD, the levels of T(H)17 and T(H)1 cytokine mRNA and protein were measured in control and SGVHD animals. In vivo cytokine neutralization was performed to determine the role of the prototypic T(H)17 cytokine, IL-17, in the disease process. We found that during CsA-induced murine SGVHD there was an increase in both T(H)17 and T(H)1 mRNA and cytokines within the colons of diseased mice. The administration of an anti-mouse IL-17A mAb did not alter the course of disease. However, neutralization of IL-17A resulted in an increased production of IL-17F, a related family member, with an overlapping range of effector activities. These results demonstrate that in the pathophysiology of SGVHD, there is a redundancy in the T(H)17 effector molecules that mediate the development of SGVHD.
Subchronic Toxicity of Dietary Aflatoxin B1 to Channel Catfish

Abstract Means for growth rate, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte count of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus fed 10,000 μg aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) per kilogram of feed for 10 weeks were significantly lower than those of fish fed 2,154 μg/kg or a lower concentration (P < 0.05). Mean leukocyte count was significantly higher in the fish fed the highest concentration of AFB1 (P < 0.05). Gross appearance and behavior of all fish were normal. Histopathological effects were observed only in fish fed the highest concentration of AFB1. These fish had foci of necrotic hepatocytes mixed with basophilic hepatocytes. Spaces, apparently resulting from hepatocellular necrosis, were present within the basophilic foci. Sinusoids in the head (hematopoietic) kidney were dilated and circular in profile. Increased hematopoietic activity of blood-forming tissues was apparent from the presence of numerous immature blood cells. The intestinal mucosal epithelium accumulated excessive amounts of iron pigments. Ga...
Diagnosis and Management of Acute Diverticulitis

Although the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis is somewhat standardized, the scientific evidence and basis for treatment has been questioned. For years, medical and surgical management of acute diverticulitis has been based on the theory that more than 2 significant attacks of diverticulitis would lead to the recommendations of surgical resection. This should be questioned and further investigated with prospective randomized trials. Only a small number of well-published articles support the surgical management with good scientific data. Although our ability to take a history and skill of physical examination has not changed, the use of improved technology such as high-speed computerized axial tomography has afforded us the ability to make earlier and more accurate diagnoses. This may further allow us to standardize treatment and study outcomes. The time has come to further investigate and justify this management. It is possible that only the most critical situations may necessitate an operation. Clearly, the age group less than 40 years, as well as the immunocompromised, steroid-dependent, diabetic, and transplant patients, seem to be at greater risk with increased morbidity if not treated early and aggressively. And those individuals who present with perforation or compromised obstruction most likely will continue to need emergent intervention. We should try to set the rules by evidence-based medicine, while remaining within the confines of excellent and cost-effective care.
Contribution of abdominal computed tomography (CT) in the management of gynecologic cancer: Correlated study of CT image and gross surgical pathology

Abstract Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed in 30 patients with gynecologic cancer prior to surgery. These patients included 14 with cervical carcinoma, 4 with endometrial adenocarcinoma, 9 with ovarian cancer, 2 with vulvar carcinoma, and 1 with uterine sarcoma. Besides careful assessment of the abdomen by a gynecologic oncologist during laparotomy, detailed measurements were taken after the removal of tissues whenever possible. Intravenous pyelogram and liver scan were routinely performed preoperatively. Abdominal CT scan was extremely exact in the localization of enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes. All metastatic nodes were CT detectable. One-half of CT-detected nodes were cancer involved. CT images failed to differentiate metastatic nodes from hyperplastic and fatty nodes. The densities of cancer-involved nodes measured by the Hounsfield unit fell into the same range as hyperplastic nodes. Measurements of nodes from CT images were consistently smaller than those of actual ones. In patients who had nodes with fatty surroundings, the CT measurements were closer to the actual size. Dimensions of the uterus were also measured. Because of the limited cuts of the CT scan, the longitudinal dimension was not as accurate as the transverse dimension. Extensive omental involvement from ovarian carcinoma was accurately demonstrated by abdominal CT scan. Even though CT scan could demonstrate most space-occupying lesions in the liver, its sensitivity was less than that of the liver scan. CT scan of the kidney was very precise in revealing hydronephrosis, hydroureter, nonfunctioning kidney, and renal cyst. We concluded that an abdominal CT scan was extremely valuable in the management of patients with gynecologic cancer in delineating abnormal retroperitoneal nodes, and the demonstration of omental metastasis and ureteral obstruction. The abdominal CT scan not only identifies retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, but also replaces intravenous pyelogram and liver scan in metastatic workup.
Nonsense suppressor mutants of bacteriophage T5

Abstract Mutants of bacteriophage T5 carrying amber suppressor have been isolated. These amber suppressors are located in a region of the genome defined by the st(O) deletion and are able to suppress amber mutations in all regions of the genome except the FST segment.
Acupuncture for cancer pain and related symptoms

Cancer pain is one of most prevalent symptoms in patients with cancer. Acupuncture and related techniques have been suggested for the management of cancer pain. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for adult cancer pain recommends acupuncture, as one of several integrative interventions, in conjunction with pharmacologic intervention as needed. This review presents the latest available evidence regarding the use of acupuncture for cancer pain. It also provides “actionable” acupuncture protocols for specific cancer pain conditions and related symptoms in order to provide more clinically relevant solutions for clinicians and cancer patients with pain. These conditions include postoperative cancer pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome, opioid-induced constipation, opioid-induced pruritus, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, aromatase inhibitor-associated joint pain, and neck dissection-related pain and dysfunction.
A PERSISTENT DIURNAL RHYTHM IN PHOTOSYNTHETIC CAPACITY.

IN 1939, Meyer1 discovered a daily rhythm in the rate of photosynthesis in Ceratophyllum, a fresh-water angiosperm. In 1957, similar rhythms were found in natural populations of marine phytoplankton2,3. Four years later, Hastings et al.4, working on the photosynthetic-capacity rhythm in the marine dinoflagellate Gonyaulax, demonstrated that these rhythms would persist for a few days in the laboratory in the absence of day–night environmental cycles, that is, in continuous dim illumination and constant temperature. Negative evidence was presented by Blinks and Givan5, who performed experiments which suggested the absence of photosynthetic rhythms in 13 species of marine littoral algae. In view of the different results, we have undertaken comparative investigations in an attempt to establish the distribution of persistent rhythms in marine flora.
A model for group therapy with latency-age boys

This paper describes a model of group therapy with latency-age boys 9 through 12 years old. Usually parents and families are involved in family therapy while a boy is in group therapy. The model described here is appropriate for outpatient or inpatient treatment and has been used extensively by the author in a variety of settings.
Surgical Management of 121 Benign Proximal Fibula Tumors

Background Tumors of the fibula comprise only 2.5% of primary bone lesions. Patients with aggressive benign tumors in the proximal fibula may require en bloc resection. Peroneal nerve function, knee stability, and recurrence are substantial concerns with these resections. The incidence and fate of these complications is not well-known owing to the small numbers of patients in previous reports.
Solitary fibrous tumor of the abdominal wall.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are uncommon neoplasms of mesenchymal origin that usually arise from the pleura. SFTs of the abdominal wall are extremely rare, and only 12 cases have been reported in the Englishlanguage literature. This report presents a new case of SFT of the abdominal wall in a 74-year-old female. Positron emission tomography demonstrated the heterogeneous 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake of the tumor (the maximum standardized uptake value was 2.8). Histologically, the mitotic count was 1 to 2/10 high-power fields. The patient is alive without recurrence at 10 months after undergoing a surgical excision. We discuss the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis and present a review of the pertinent literature.
A Stochastic Model for Oviposition Tactics in the Bean Weevil

In a recent paper, MITCHELL (1975) experimentally investigated the oviposition behavior of weevils on mung beans. In this paper, we develop a stochastic model to study the oviposition tactics of the female weevils on beans.
Optimal bandwidth sharing in multiswarm multiparty P2P video-conferencing systems

In a multiparty video conference, multiple users simultaneously distribute video streams to their receivers. As the traditional server-based solutions incur high infrastructure and bandwidth cost, conventional peer-to-peer (P2P) solutions only leveraging end-users' upload bandwidth are normally not self-sustainable: The video streaming workload increases quadratically with the number of users as each user could generate and distribute video streams, while the user upload bandwidth only increases linearly. Recently, hybrid solutions have been proposed that employ helpers to address the bandwidth deficiency in P2P video-conferencing swarms. It is also noticed that a system hosting multiple parallel conferencing swarms can benefit from cross-swarm bandwidth sharing. However, how to optimally share bandwidth in such systems has not been explored so far. In this paper, we study the optimal bandwidth sharing in multiswarm multiparty P2P video-conferencing systems with helpers and investigate two cross-swarm bandwidth-sharing scenarios: (1) swarms are independent and peers from different swarms share a common pool of helpers; (2) swarms are cooperative and peers in a bandwidth-rich swarm can further share their bandwidth with peers in a bandwidth-poor swarm. For each scenario, we develop distributed algorithms for intraswarm and interswarm bandwidth allocation under a utility-maximization framework. Through analysis and simulation, we show that the proposed algorithms are robust to peer dynamics and can adaptively allocate peer and helper bandwidth across swarms so as to achieve the system-wide optimum.
U-statistics for skewness or symmetry

We propose certain U-statistics as intuitively reasonable measures of skewness and as criteria for asymptotically distribution-free tests of symmetry. Some comparisons are made with the moment-skewness b1 in terms of small-sample power and asymptotic relative efficiency.
Maximum scan score-type statistics

In this article we introduce a maximum scan score-type statistic for testing the null hypothesis that the observations are iid according to a specified distribution, against an alternative that the observations cluster within a window of unknown length. This statistic is a variable window scan statistic, based on a finite number of standardized fixed window scan statistics. Approximations for the significance level of this statistic are derived for 0–1 iid Bernoulli trials and for iid uniform observations on the interval [0,1). The advantage in using a maximum scan score-type statistic, rather than a single fixed window scan statistic, is that it is more effective in detecting window-type clustering of observations.
Design, development, and implementation of a Texas library directory database: A multipurpose database for the library of Texas

The paper presents an overview of the Texas Library Directory Database development effort. The TLDD was designed and implemented by the Texas Center for Digital Knowledge at the University of North Texas team as part of a project for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to support the Library of Texas Resource Discovery Service. The TLDD offers a unique centralized controlled environment to collect a wide range of information about Texas libraries, to manage these data, and to offer a common repository of current information about Texas libraries for use by various TSLAC divisions, members of the Texas library community and library users. The paper examines issues that shaped the development of the TLDD, such as an international standard for directories of libraries, archives, information and documentation centre, and their databases (ISO2146); selection of the open source technical platform for the database and interface applications development; availability and quality of the data sources available to populate the database, etc. Challenges encountered during the project and suggestions for future library directory database development efforts are described.
8 Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS)

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure recently introduced for the management of complications of portal hypertension. TIPS can be placed in the liver with relative ease by a skilled radiologist with a low risk of mortality. The major complications following the procedure are infection, especially in patients undergoing emergency TIPS, intra-abdominal haemorrhage from capsular punctures, and long-term problems related to encephalopathy and stenosis of the shunt. Encephalopathy is more of a problem in older patients with wide diameter shunts. Stenosis of the shunt is related to pseudo-intimal hyperplasia, probably related to transection of bile ductules during placement of the shunt. In view of the high rate of encephalopathy and stenosis following the shunt, a careful follow-up of all patients, including ultrasonographic and angiographic examination of the shunt, is mandatory. TIPS is used predominantly for the control of acute variceal haemorrhage, prevention of recurrent variceal bleeding, and refractory ascites when conventional treatment has failed. However, the role of TIPS in the management of complications of portal hypertension still awaits the outcome of clinical trials.
Tomato production in Maryland: effect of different densities of larvae and adults of the Colorado potato beetle.

Tomato production (yield and height) was substantially reduced by 1st-generation larvae of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) which fed on the plants when they were susceptible to injury. Increases in production of green fruit were negatively correlated with decreasing plant damage. There also were significant negative correlations between yield and plant damage and positive correlations between yield and plant height. When caged tomato plants were infested with initially 1 adult/2 plants. 1 adult/plant, or 2 adults/plant, yields always were reduced ca. 84%. Acceptable yields resulted when an efficient monitoring system was used to insure proper timing of sprays for control of overwintering adults and 1st-generation Colorado potato beetle larvae.
Derivative expansion of the effective action

This paper describes some methods for calculating derivative terms in the one loop effective action for a quantum field theory. The functional approach and background field method are first used to derive the general form of the one loop determinant. Then the determinant is expanded in powers of derivatives of the background fields. The form of this expansion is described for the simple case of an interacting scalar field, and then for the more complicated problem of a non-abelian gauge field. Finally, the expansion is applied to the task of calculating Higgs mass dependent effects in the Glashow-Weinberg-Salam model, and all terms which grow with the Higgs mass M/sub H/ are found in the one loop approximation. The result of this calculation is used to find the dependence of the gauge boson mass ratio rho on M/sub H/, and also to estimate the size of corrections to W and Z scattering theorems.
Extension of the spectral volume method to high-order boundary representation

In this paper, the spectral volume method is extended to the two-dimensional Euler equations with curved boundaries. It is well-known that high-order methods can achieve higher accuracy on coarser meshes than low-order methods. In order to realize the advantage of the high-order spectral volume method over the low order finite volume method, it is critical that solid wall boundaries be represented with high-order polynomials compatible with the order of the interpolation for the state variables. Otherwise, numerical errors generated by the low-order boundary representation may overwhelm any potential accuracy gains offered by high-order methods. Therefore, more general types of spectral volumes (or elements) with curved edges are used near solid walls to approximate the boundaries with high fidelity. The importance of this high-order boundary representation is demonstrated with several well-know inviscid flow test cases, and through comparisons with a second-order finite volume method.
The recovery of the acoustic stiffness coefficient

We are concerned with the reconstruction of a non-differentiable acoustic stiffness reactance coefficient of a one-dimensional hyperbolic equation using the smallest possible number of boundary readings generated by classical initial conditions. To this end, a complete set of spectral data of a string is extracted from either a single or at most two readings of the trace of the solution on the boundary. The sought coefficient is then uniquely recovered by the Krein inverse spectral theory. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variables affecting the change in systemic blood pressure in response to nasal CPAP in obstructive sleep apnea patients

We hypothesized that an improvement in systemic blood pressure (BP) during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) would be related to severity of hypertension (HTN), morphometric parameters such as body mass index, and level of CPAP adherence. We tested this hypothesis with a retrospective review of 85 consecutive OSA patients who had completed diagnostic and CPAP titration polysomnograms and were equipped with a CPAP-adherence monitoring system for a minimum of 1 month of observation. Sphygmomanometer-obtained BP readings were compared at baseline and after 4–6 weeks of CPAP therapy. Presentation BP was significantly and strongly associated with the change in BP seen with treatment. Those with an elevated systolic and diastolic BP and those with an elevation of either systolic or diastolic BP showed a significant fall in BP on CPAP. Those with a BP below the hypertensive range of 140/90 on presentation did not have a significant drop in BP with CPAP. There were no significant changes in systolic, diastolic, or mean BP when patients were categorized by the severity of HTN, as determined by the number of antihypertensive medications prescribed or if they were categorized by the degree of CPAP adherence, objectively determined by the average use of more or less than 4 h/night. We conclude that HTN at initial presentation is among the most important indicators of potential benefit of CPAP administration on BP.
MASTOR: Mixed-Model Association Mapping of Quantitative Traits in Samples with Related Individuals

Genetic association studies often sample individuals with known familial relationships in addition to unrelated individuals, and it is common for some individuals to have missing data (phenotypes, genotypes, or covariates). When some individuals in a sample are related, power can be gained by incorporating all individuals in the analysis, including individuals with partially missing data, while properly accounting for the dependence among them. We propose MASTOR, a mixed-model, retrospective score test for genetic association with a quantitative trait. MASTOR achieves high power in samples that contain related individuals by making full use of the relationship information to incorporate partially missing data in the analysis while correcting for dependence. Individuals with available phenotype and covariate information who are not genotyped but have genotyped relatives in the sample can still contribute to the association analysis because of the dependence among genotypes. Similarly, individuals who are genotyped but are missing covariate or phenotype information can contribute to the analysis. MASTOR is valid even when the phenotype model is misspecified and with either random or phenotype-based ascertainment. In simulations, we demonstrate the correct type 1 error of MASTOR, the increase in power that comes from making full use of the relationship information, the robustness to misspecification of the phenotype model, and the improvement in power that comes from modeling the heritability. We show that MASTOR is computationally feasible and practical in genome-wide association studies. We apply MASTOR to data on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol from the Framingham Heart study.
Band offset measurements of ZnO∕6H-SiC heterostructure system

The conduction band offset of n-ZnO∕n-6H-SiC heterostructures fabricated by rf-sputtered ZnO on commercial n-type 6H-SiC substrates has been measured by a variety of methods. Temperature dependent current-voltage characteristic, photocapacitance, and deep level transient spectroscopy measurements showed the conduction band offsets to be 1.25, 1.1, and 1.22eV, respectively.
The parallelization of video processing

In this article, we focus on the applicability of parallel computing architectures to video processing applications. We demonstrate different optimization strategies in detail using the 3-D convolution problem as an example, and show how they affect performance on both many-core CPUs and symmetric multiprocessor CPUs. Applying these strategies to case studies from three video processing domains brings out some trends. The highly uniform, abundant parallelism in many video processing kernels means that they are well suited to a simple, massively parallel task-based model such as CUDA. As a result, we often see ten times or greater performances increases running on many-core hardware. Some kernels, however, push the limits of CUDA, because their memory accesses cannot be shaped into regular, vectorizable patterns or because they cannot be efficiently decomposed into small independent tasks. Such kernels, like the depth propagation kernel in the section "Synthesis Example: Depth Image-Based Rendering" may achieve a modest speedup, but they are probably better suited to a more flexible parallel programming model. We look forward to additional advances, as more researchers learn to harness the processing capabilities of the latest generation of computation hardware.
Sonographic evaluation of the cervix during ovulation induction

With the induction of ovulation, clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin have the potential to stimulate the endocervical glands. We have found that the degree of mucus production can occasionally be quite large and hence is detectable by sonographic evaluation as an anechoic cervical mass. The incidence of this specific ultrasonic finding was found to be approximately 5%. This physiologic process should be differentiated from disease states affecting the cervix.
Workload characterization (tutorial): issues and approaches

Workload characterization is that branch of performance evaluation which concerns itself with the measurement and modeling of the workloads to be processed by the system being evaluated. Since all performance indices of interest are workload-dependent, there is no evaluation study that does not require the characterization of one or more workloads. In spite of the importance of the problem, our knowledge in this area leaves much to be desired.The tutorial addresses the main issues, both resolved and unresolved, in the field, and surveys the major approaches that have been proposed and are in use. Modern methods for designing executable artificial workloads, as well as the applications of these techniques in system procurement, system tuning, and capacity planning are emphasized.
Isolation and characterization of a novel liver-derived immunoinhibitory factor.

Cytosolic extracts prepared from perfused whole liver or purified hepatocytes of C57BL/6 mice inhibited interleukin-2– and concanavalin A–induced spleen cell proliferation in vitro. In contrast, cytosolic extracts from purified nonparenchymal liver cells had no effect. Arginase and very-low-density lipoprotein were previously identified as two immunoinhibitory substances present in liver cytosolic extracts. We demonstrated, however, that inhibitory activity remained after removal of very-low-density lipoprotein and arginase from liver cytosolic extract by repeated ultracentrifugation and gel filtration chromatography, respectively, suggesting the presence of another inhibitor. Further purification by anion-exchange chromatography and chromatofocusing led to the isolation of a novel liverderived immunoinhibitory factor. This liver-derived immunoinhibitory factor is sensitive to pronase digestion and heat and acid treatment; it has an estimated isoelectric point of 8.25. The Mr of liver-derived immunoinhibitory factor is 28 kD as estimated from its migration on sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which is identical under both reducing and nonreducing conditions, indicating a monomeric nature of this protein. Amino acid composition analysis discloses that liver-derived immunoinhibitory factor is relatively rich in glycine and proline residues. Interleukin-2–induced spleen cell proliferation in vitro is inhibited by this liver-derived immunoinhibitory factor, with a 50% inhibitory dose of 1.4 nmol/L. Furthermore, the biological activity of the liver-derived immunoinhibitory factor is not confined to mouse spleen cells, since the growth of B16 mouse melanoma and H35 rat hepatoma cells is also inhibited. A comparison with other liver-derived immunoinhibitors reported previously supports our claim that the liver-derived immunoinhibitory factor is a novel inhibitory protein. (HEPATOLOGY 1991;14:888–894).
Does increased post-release supervision of criminal offenders reduce recidivism? Evidence from a statewide quasi-experiment

Abstract Approximately 4.8 million offenders are subject to community supervision in the United States. This paper examines whether a program that assigned different supervision levels based on a risk assessment instrument, had any effect on offenders’ recidivism rates. Using a large statewide sample of adult offenders in Washington State and a regression discontinuity design, I compare offenders whose risk characteristics are similar but who received different levels of post-release supervision. I find that offenders who received more supervision were not less likely to reoffend. The result holds for high-risk and low-risk offenders and for various types of recidivism.
Functional differences between Streptococcus pyogenes cluster 1 and cluster 2b streptokinases are determined by their β‐domains

Cluster 1 streptokinases (SK1) from Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) show substantially higher human plasminogen (hPg) activation activities and tighter hPg binding affinities than cluster 2b streptokinases (SK2b) in solution. The extent to which the different domains of SK are responsible for these differences is unknown. We exchanged each of the three known SK domains (α, β, and γ) between SK1 and SK2b and assessed the function of the resulting variants. Our results show that primary structural differences in the β-domains dictate these functional differences. This first report on the primary structure–functional relationship between naturally occurring SK1 and SK2b sheds new light on the mechanism of hPg activation by SK, a critical virulence determinant in this species of human pathogenic bacteria.
On the possibility of determining the secondary structure of proteins in solution.

Abstract A method to determine the contribution of various side chains to the optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism or proteins is presented. This method assumes that the side chain of any given amino acid in a similar situation in different proteins contributes the same to the optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism of those proteins. The method has a great deal of flexibility in allowing the investigator to postulate any hypothesis about the contributions of such side chains and ultimately to use statistical tests to test that hypothesis. If attained, knowledge of the contribution of side chains will enable investigators to determine the secondary structure of proteins in terms of certain reference conformations. The current use of polyamino acids as standard reference conformations is not entirely satisfactory. Some of the questions raised by their use are discussed and possible solutions proposed.
TRAINING PARENTS OF RETARDED CHILDREN: PROGRAM-SPECIFIC OUTCOMES*

This study examined the specificity of outcome in a group behavior modification training program for parents of developmentally disabled children. Fifteen families were randomly assigned to either a Parents as Teachers or Parents as Advocates course. Measures of behavior modification knowledge and skill, and advocacy knowledge and skill were administered to all subjects pre and post training. On three of the four outcome measures, subjects demonstrated gains that were specific to their training program. The effects of nonspecific factors appear to have been minimal.
Characterization of Micro- and Mesoporosity in SBA-15 Materials from Adsorption Data by the NLDFT Method

SBA-15 siliceous materials templated using triblock copolymers have recently received considerable attention because of their potential applications in catalysis and separations of large molecules....
A study of the CO2 capture pilot plant by amine absorption

Abstract A pilot plant for CO 2 recovery of 2 ton-CO 2 /day from flue gas emitted from a 500 MW coal fired power plant was tested with aqueous amine absorbents. Based on a chemical absorption/regeneration process with 30 wt% aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) solution, we studied the CO 2 recovery as a function of flow rate and input location of absorbent, pressure and temperature of stripper, and temperature of flue gas. Experimental data include the temperature profile of the absorber/stripper and CO 2 lean/rich loading values, which remained stable during the operation. We evaluated the energy requirement for regeneration of aqueous amine and the degree of CO 2 removal. While regeneration energy of aqueous amine increased with an increase in flue gas temperature and stripper pressure, it decreased with an increase in injection height of absorbent. The optimum point in flow rate of absorbent was 1300 kg/h in 350 Sm 3 /h flue gas. The regeneration energy using 30 wt% MEA solution was 3.92 GJ/ton CO 2 in 90% CO 2 removal, flue gas temperature of 40 °C, stripper pressure of 0.5 kgf/cm 2 and L/G ratio of 3.7 kg/Sm 3 . In addition, corrosion rate of the pilot plant were measured in six points. It is the largest as 79.11 mpy in the bottom of the stripper tower.