cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms: Texas Heart Institute experience

Abstract Background and Purpose: Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery (ECA) are rare. Large single-institution series are seldom reported and usually are not aneurysm type–specific. Thus, information about immediate and long-term results of surgical therapy is sparse. This review was conducted to elucidate etiology, presentation, and treatment for ECA aneurysms. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the case records of the Texas Heart Institute/St Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, and found 67 cases of ECA aneurysms treated surgically (the largest series to date) between 1960 and 1995: 38 pseudoaneurysms after previous carotid surgery and 29 atherosclerotic or traumatic aneurysms. All aneurysms were surgically explored, and all were repaired except two: a traumatic distal internal carotid artery aneurysm and an infected pseudoaneurysm in which the carotid artery was ligated. Results: Four deaths (three fatal strokes and one myocardial infarction) and two nonfatal strokes were directly attributed to a repaired ECA aneurysm (overall mortality/major stroke incidence, 9%); there was one minor stroke (incidence, 1.5%). The incidence of cranial nerve injury was 6% (four cases). During long-term follow-up (1.5 months–30 years; mean, 5.9 years), 19 patients died, mainly of cardiac causes (11 myocardial infarctions). Conclusion: The potential risks of cerebral ischemia and rupture as well as the satisfactory long-term results achieved with surgery strongly argue in favor of surgical treatment of ECA aneurysms. (J Vasc Surg 2000;31:702-12.)
Aging potentiates Aβ-induced depletion of SNAP-25 in mouse hippocampus

Abstract Previously we showed that in Tg2576 mouse hippocampus, synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) immunoreactivity (IR) is greatly reduced and intracerebroventricular injection of anti-Aβ reverses this depletion. 3- and 24-month-old wild-type mice received juxta-amygdala injection of Aβ42 and hippocampal sections were analyzed for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)- and SNAP-25-IR at intervals after injections. In young mice, SNAP-IR declined >95% at 1 week in DG-Smi and remained low until 8 weeks, while decreasing in SR, SL and hilum by 8–27% at 1 week and returning to baseline by 2 weeks. There was no change in DG-SMm. In old mice, DG-Smi was specifically depleted in SNAP-IR by >95% even before injection. At 2 weeks, SNAP-IR had declined in all layers by 30–39% of baseline values and by 8 weeks had returned to control values, except the DG-SMm which showed only a 10% reduction at 2 weeks. Baseline GFAP-IR was 10-fold higher in old than in young mice in the fimbria/IC but not appreciably changed in hippocampus. In young mice, the injections of Aβ caused 20-fold increases in GFAP-IR in the fimbria/IC and 2-fold increases in the hippocampal neuropil at 1 week, all of which values returned to baseline by 8 weeks. In old mice, Aβ injections caused relatively much larger increases in GFAP-IR in the hippocampal neuropil than in the fimbria/IC and the GFAP-IR remained greatly increased at 8 weeks. Conclusions: the Aβ effect on presynaptic SNAP-25 depletion is increased with age. DG-SMi shows the most severe changes and therefore may represent the most critical site in hippocampus for Aβ neurotoxicity.
Organic priority pollutants in groundwater and surface water at three landfills in North Central Florida

The occurence of organic priority pollutants in groundwater and surface water impacted by municipal landfill leachate was studied at the Orange County Landfill in Orange County, Florida. The results of the investigation were compared to existing data from two municipal landfills in Alachua County, Florida. The investigation in Orange County evaluated existing wells and surface water stations through sampling of groundwater, surface water, sediment, and aquatic biota. Very few organic priority pollutants were detected. The constituents most frequently found were volatile organic compounds, particularly aromatic organic constituents. Volatile organic compounds were detected in groundwater at total concentrations of less than 100 Μg L−1. Few base/neutral and acid extractable organic priority pollutants were detected. Data from the Alachua County landfills indicated the presence of volatile organic compounds in groundwater at both landfill sites but few organic priority pollutants in the base/neutral and acid extractable group were fouund. Any organic priority pollutants that were present in the solid waste as deposited were likely metabolized by microorganisms or otherwise degraded, sorbed on particulate matter, or diluted to such an extent as to be non-detected.
Local competition, entry, and agglomeration

This paper analyzes competition between two spatially differentiated multi-product retailers who encounter entry from a low-cost discounter. We assess how entry affects the pricing of the incumbent stores and the role played by the location of the entrant. Our primary objective is to identify how traditional retailers respond to new forms of low-cost retailing. Results show that post entry, the prices for some products are higher than the pre entry. However, which product prices increase depends on the incumbent’s location. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we find that the store closer to the entrant is better off compared to the incumbent located further away. We empirically demonstrate the main workings of our theory using sales data from several grocery stores that saw entry by discount stores in their trading areas.
A NEW THEORY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC, WEAK AND STRONG INTERACTIONS

The Higgs mechanism for imparting masses to gauge bosons and matter particles is obviated by showing that Yang–Mills gauge bosons have intrinsic nonzero masses (rest-frame energies) from self-interactions. Electroweak (EW) mixing is ruled out because it produces a photon field that is massive, carries EW charge, and does not satisfy Maxwell's equations. Other fundamental difficulties of the Standard Model are identified. A new gauge theory of electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions is derived from the Dirac equation with no other postulates and no free parameters. The three forces are intrinsically unified, the photon field is Maxwellian, weak interactions derive from spin (not isospin), and the weak and strong bosons are naturally massive and chiral. Charge is naturally quantized to integral values. Three generations of lepton pairs and elementary-hadron pairs, all with integral charges, are predicted, contradicting the phenomenology of fractional quark charges, but in full accord with experimental...
Inherited Deficiencies of Complement Proteins in Man

It will not be the purpose of this chapter to review in detail the literature on human complement deficiency states. That has been done elsewhere [3, 4]. We aim here to discuss some topics concerning the clinical pathologic correlations of complement deficiency states. The history of the discovery of human complement deficiencies is very different from that of the coagulation system defects. The clinical consequences of inherited defects in coagulation proteins are dramatic. Excessive bleeding can neither be missed nor ignored. Because of this, inherited coagulation disorders were known in antiquity. The recognition that plasma from individual patients constituted reagents that defined individual facto. s or coagulation proteins allowed the unravelling of the coagulation cascade. This work began soon after World War II. Purification, molecular characterization, and determination of molecular mechanisms in the coagulation system have largely been accomplished only in the last 15 or 20 years and are still going on.
Autonomic system and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to characterize autonomic impairment in motor neuron disease. Methods: Neurological evaluations and autonomic testing were analyzed retrospectively in 132 patients: 86 classic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 36 lower motor neuron (LMN), and 10 upper motor neuron (UMN) predominant disease. Results: One-third of patients were symptomatic; urinary urgency and constipation were the most frequent symptoms. Increased Composite Autonomic Severity Score (CASS) was present in 75% with mild impairment (CASS 1–3) in 85% and moderate (CASS 4–7) in 15%. The frequencies of testing abnormalities were: sudomotor 46%, cardiovagal 50%, and adrenergic 14%. The UMN group had significantly higher median CASS scores than the classic ALS (P = 0.021) and LMN group (P = 0.018). Conclusions: We found predominantly mild autonomic impairment in ALS patients, with mostly cardiovagal and sudomotor involvement. Moderate autonomic failure occurred in 1 of 7 patients, especially those with an UMN presentation. Patients with selective corticospinal tract involvement may have more impairment of autonomic pathways. Muscle Nerve 51:676–679, 2015
Multi-altitude multi-sensor fusion framework for AUV exploration and survey

In this paper, we propose a path planning framework for underwater exploration and rugosity estimation using Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). Rugosity, a measure of variation in the height of a surface, is commonly used to characterize seafloor habitat. The goal of this work is to optimize the survey of an unknown area in order to efficiently estimate its rugosity. To this end, we propose a novel rugosity approximation on 3D voxel grids and a novel framework for using that approximation to adaptively plan AUV paths. The proposed method employs a heterogeneous set of sensors — multi-beam sonar and stereo cameras — whose varied resolution and range make them complimentary for this task. For broad-scale exploration, sonar is used to produce a coarse sense of the area's structure. Fine-scale exploration is completed using the stereo cameras to refine the high-resolution estimate of rugosity. Results display the simulation of two scenarios on real structural data gathered with an AUV and diver held sensor. The first scenario explores the situation where no broad-scale information is available and the robot must explore the terrain optically. The second simulates the two-pass case and demonstrates our method's ability to achieve high accuracy rugosity estimation faster than other survey planning approaches.
THE USE OF STOKES RAMAN SCATTERING IN TIME CORRELATED SINGLE PHOTON COUNTING: APPLICATION TO THE FLUORESCENCE LIFETIME OF TYROSINATE*

— The decay kinetics of the tyrosinate form of tyrosine in aqueous solution, pH 11, were investigated by time correlated single photon counting using laser excitation. The lifetime of the single exponential decay was 30.5 ± 0.2 ps. Stokes Raman scattering was used to determine the instrument response function and the advantages of this approach over the conventional Rayleigh scattering method are discussed.
Wŏn Buddhism, Christianity, and Interreligious Dialogue

This paper examines the influence of Christianity in the formation of new Buddhism and the reformation agenda of traditional Buddhism during the first half of the twentieth century in Korea. By new Buddhism, I am specifically referring to Wŏn Buddhism (圓佛敎), established by Sot’aesan Pak Chungbin 少太山 朴重彬 (1891–1943) in 1916. Since its foundation, Wŏn Buddhism has grown into one of the four major religious groups in South Korea, along with traditional Buddhism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. The paper begins by reviewing some of major issues in the Buddhist reform movements and Wŏn Buddhism. It then goes on to detail the formalistic similarities between Wŏn Buddhism and Christianity. The next section examines the visible influences of traditional East Asian religions in Wŏn Buddhism. In its final part, the paper considers Sot’aesan’s approaches to different religious traditions and the eclectic nature of Wŏn Buddhism as a possible model for an interreligious dialogue, to include Buddhist-Christian dialogue.
Carbonate contents and87Sr/86Sr ratios of calcites from Archaean meta-volcanics

Abstract Of 67 Archaean greenstones investigated, 79% contained less than 3% calcite and 52% less than 1% calcite. Initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr analyses of 14 calcites taken from these rocks indicate that the modification of the greenstone total rock 87 Sr/ 86 Sr by carbonate development is negligible, providing that vein calcites are distinguished from calcite disseminated through the total rock. The latter, with one exception, record initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of less than 0.703. Strontium in calcite veins has present-day 87 Sr/ 86 Sr as low as 0.7011 and as high as 0.7179.
Computer Vision Applications Of Associative Networks (AN)

The IBM Los Angeles Scientific Center has been studying the application of a parallel computational model, the Associative Network, or "AN", to computer vision problems. This work has led to the design of ANs that compute Boolean functions, convolution integrals, Gaussian filtered images, edge-enhanced images, region-growing algorithms, the Hough transform, and simple pattern recognition. Every computation has required a distinct approach to AN design, demonstrating the versatility of ANs. These application studies have shown that image processing transformations, often too slow to be practical on a sequential machine, can be executed rapidly with ANs.
Thermal Stability of Ir/TaN Electrode/Barrier on Thin Gate Oxide for MFMOS one Transistor Memory Application

The Metal-Ferroelectric-Metal-Oxide-Silicon (MFMOS) one transistor memory requires a metal electrode directly on top of the thin gate oxide. The gate oxide used in our present MFMOS one transistor memory processing is 30 A SiO2. Ir has been chosen for the bottom electrode and TaN was used as the barrier layer between the Ir and thin gate oxide. It has been shown from previous studies that a TaN barrier layer can effectively prevent the formation of iridium silicide and can enhance the adhesion between Ir and Si or SiO2 substrates. But it is more important that the TaN itself is stable and will not react with the gate oxide during ferroelectric material deposition, annealing and subsequent processing. In this paper, TaN barriers with different deposition conditions have been deposited on 30 A gate oxide. 1500 A Ir was deposited on the TaN barrier layer. Capacitors of Ir/TaN/gate SiO2/Si were defined by dry etching. Series RTP annealing were performed in oxygen from 500 to 650 °C with annealing times from 5 min to 90 min. The capacitor was also annealed in a nitrogen ambient at 1000°C for 10s. C-V and I-V studies were used to characterize the stability of the Ir/TaN/Gate SiO2 structure. It was observed that the Ir/TaN/Gate SiO2 is very stable during the above mentioned annealing conditions. The consumption and further oxidation of the gate oxide is negligible and would depend on the deposition condition of the TaN barrier layer. With optimized deposition conditions, a 220 A TaN barrier layer can effectively prevent any iridium silicide formation and will not degrade the gate oxide during annealing processing. The interfaces between the TaN and gate SiO2 and between the gate SiO2 and Si substrate can be further improved by forming gas annealing.
Conformational properties of alpha-synuclein in its free and lipid-associated states.

α-Synuclein (αS) is a presynaptic terminal protein that is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We have used NMR spectroscopy to characterize the conformational properties of αS in solution as a free monomer and when bound to lipid vesicles and lipid-mimetic detergent micelles. Free wild-type αS is largely unfolded in solution, but exhibits a region with a preference for helical conformations that may be important in the aggregation of αS into fibrils. The N-terminal region of αS binds to synthetic lipid vesicles and detergent micelles in vitro and adopts a highly helical conformation, consistent with predictions based on sequence analysis. The C-terminal part of the protein does not associate with either vesicles or micelles, remaining free and unfolded. These results suggest that one function of αS may be to tether as of yet unidentified partners to lipid surfaces via interactions with its C-terminal tail
Responsibility and the Diversionary Use of Force

Do state leaders use force abroad to divert supporters’ attention from domestic economic problems? Many studies in international relations attempt to provide an answer to this question but the empirical findings are inconsistent. In this article we argue that it is necessary to consider variations in supporters’ perceptions of leaders’ control of the economy to understand leaders’ incentives to engage in the diversionary use of force. Leaders that are perceived to have high levels of responsibility for the economy will be more likely to use force abroad in the presence of domestic economic problems than leaders that are perceived to have lower levels of responsibility. When leaders are not perceived to have high levels of responsibility they do not have an incentive to use force abroad in the presence of domestic economic problems because the economic problems will not affect the probability that they will retain power. A directed dyad analysis of conflict initiation from 1950 to 1998 supports this hypoth...
Tropical South America–Atlantic Sector Convective Margins and Their Relationship to Low-Level Inflow

Abstract The edges or margins of tropical convective zones are hypothesized to be sensitive to low-level inflow conditions. The present study evaluates where and to what extent convective margin variability is sensitive to low-level inflow variability using observed precipitation and reanalysis wind and total precipitable water data over the tropical South America–Atlantic sector in austral summer. Composite analysis based on an inflow measure defined by projecting low-level monthly-mean atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) or lower free troposphere (LFT) winds onto either mean horizontal precipitation or precipitable water gradients shows widespread contraction of the edges of convection zones in the direction of stronger convection for anomalously strong low-level inflow; such behavior is consistent with enhanced import of relatively dry air along the edges of convection zones. However, the distinction between ABL and LFT winds may be significant regionally, for example, along the Atlantic ITCZ’s northern m...
Glutamate receptors in striatum and substantia nigra: Effects of medial forebrain bundle lesions

We examined NMDA-sensitive [3H]glutamate, [3H]AMPA, [3H]kainate and metabotropic-sensitive [3H]glutamate binding sites in neostriatum and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) in rats after unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the medial forebrain bundle. One week after the lesion, NMDA, AMPA, kainate and metabotropic receptors were decreased in the ipsilateral neostriatum, whereas at three months NMDA receptors were increased while AMPA, kainate and metabotropic receptors were not changed. In the SNr at one week, only AMPA and metabotropic receptors were significantly decreased whereas three months after the lesion NMDA, AMPA and kainate binding sites were decreased. The early decrease of excitatory amino acid receptors in the striatum is likely to reflect degeneration of dopaminergic fibers, suggesting that specific subpopulations of excitatory amino acid binding sites are located on dopaminergic terminals.
Smart variable stiffness control systems

This paper presents a new and innovative semi-active variable stiffness tuned mass damper (SAIVS-TMD). The system has the distinct advantage of retuning in real time thus making the system robust to changes in building stiffness and damping, whereas the passive tuned mass damper (TMD) can only be tuned to a fixed frequency. The SAIVS-TMD is based on a novel semi-active variable stiffness control (SAIVS) device. SAIVS system requires nominal power for operation as compared to active tuned mass dampers. The SAIVS-TMD is retuned using a new control algorithm based on instantaneous frequency estimation using Hilbert transform and short-time Fourier transform (STFT). An analytical model of a three-story structure with SAIVS-TMD is developed. Numerical simulations are performed using the analytical model. The system is implemented in a 1:10 scale three-story scale model in real time using a digital signal processing system and controller. Shake table test results of the system with the SAIVS-TMD are presented. It is shown that the SAIVS-TMD is very effective in reducing the response and providing retuning capability when the building stiffness changes, whereas the TMD is mistuned and loses its effectiveness. Analytical modeling and comparisons between analytical and experimental results are also presented.
Leiomyoma of prostate.

Abstract Leiomyoma of the prostate appears in one of two pathologic forms: multiple discrete nodules scattered throughout benign prostatic tissue, or a solid mass. A case report of each type is presented, with a review of the literature.
Public relations practice and political change in South Africa

Abstract South Africa has undergone one of the most drastic political changes of the late 20th century. Its 45-year tradition of public relations practice and education allows for the study of change on practice. Results indicate public relations becomes more important and strategic during times of change, and while affecting change it is also affected by change. Practitioners felt they made an important contribution to social upliftment and black economic empowerment. The more democratic political environment forced practitioners to be more aware of important political constituencies, particularly community and grassroots publics who hold high symbolic value. Cross-cultural communication became more important but also problematic.
The “Flash” System: A Field Study of Altruism1

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an experimental automated highway-help system for stranded motorists (the Flash system). Direct and indirect helping behavior rates as a function of the race and sex of supposedly stranded drivers on the Flash-equipped highway were compared to helping rates on a comparable, non-Flash-equipped highway. The results indicated that the automated system produced (a) higher overall helping rates and (b) higher helping rates for white persons, with type of help (direct or indirect) interacting with confederate sex.
Direction specific masking and the analysis of motion in two dimensions.

Abstract We measured the effects of moving two-component cosine grating masks on the detectability of a moving spatially localized test pattern with a 1.0 octave spatial frequency bandwidth. Masking was used to distinguish between two-component patterns with fluid motion (blobs) and those with rigid motion (plaids). The two gratings which made up the two-dimensional masking patterns were always of the same spatial frequency and contrast, but moved in different directions. We find that plaid masks consistently produced threshold elevations that are 2.0–4.0 times greater than are produced by a single component mask at twice the contrast. Furthermore, this effect is nearly independent of the angle between the two mask components. For fluid motion, however, masking is determined by the mask component whose direction of motion is closest to that of the test. The results obtained with moving two-dimensional patterns demonstrate that, for blobs, the motion of the pattern as a whole has no effect on the degree of masking, whereas, for plaids, the signals arising from the two components interact in a nonlinear manner, thus producing a substantial enhancement of masking, which is clearly related to the coherent motion of the entire pattern. These data shed light on the properties of higher order motion units (possibly in MT cortex) that respond to the direction of two-dimensional pattern motion, suggesting that they combine, in a nonlinear manner, the outputs of units which respond independently to the direction of each mask component.
One-pot microwave assisted preparation of pyrazoloquinazolinone libraries.

The novel solution phase synthesis of an array of biologically relevant pyrazoloquinazolinones in a simple microwave driven, one pot procedure is described. Transformations are carried out in good to excellent yield by condensation of α-cyano-ketones and 2-hydrazino-benzoic acids. Subsequent microwave irradiation affords pyrazoloquinazolinones with six points of potential diversification. The protocol described represents a very attractive solution phase procedure for the rapid generation of arrays of such functionalized cores, further demonstrating the growing importance of economic al chemistries that enable complexity to the genered in this leading arena.
The essential role of fumarate reductase in haem-dependent growth stimulation of Bacteroides fragilis

Haem is required for optimal growth of the bacterial anaerobe Bacteroides fragilis. Previous studies have shown that growth in the presence of haem is coincident with increased yields of ATP from glucose, expression of b-type cytochromes and expression of fumarate reductase activity. This paper describes the identification of the genes that encode the cytochrome, iron-sulfur cluster protein and flavoprotein of the B. fragilis fumarate reductase. These genes, frdC, frdA and frdB, respectively, are organized in an operon. Nonpolar, in-frame deletions of frdC and frdB were constructed in the B. fragilis chromosome. These mutant strains had no detectable fumarate reductase or succinate dehydrogenase activity. In addition, the frd mutant strains showed a threefold increase in generation time, relative to the wild-type strain. Growth of these mutant strains was fully restored to the wild-type rate by the introduction of a B. fragilis replicon containing the entire frd operon. Growth of the frd mutant strains was partially restored by supplementing the growth medium with succinate, indicating that the frd gene products function as a fumarate reductase. During growth on glucose, the frd mutant strains showed a threefold decrease in cell mass yield, relative to the wild-type strain. These data indicate that fumarate reductase is important for both energy metabolism and succinate biosynthesis in B. fragilis.
Group-Like Structure Underlying the Unit Ball in Real Inner Product Spaces

Abstraction of the relativistic velocity addition law and of the Thomas rotation of the special theory of relativity yields a means of endowing the unit ball in any real inner product space with a group- like structure, in which the standard associative- commutative laws are relaxed by means of the Thomas rotation. The resulting group- like object is called a complete weakly associative- commutative groupoid. Any complete WACG can be extended to a group analogous to the Lorentz group of the special theory of relativity.
Methysergide blocks the sleep suppressant action of quipazine in rats.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of methysergide, a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor antagonist, on the sleep suppression produced by the 5-HT receptor agonist, quipazine. Treatment with methysergide maleate (5 mg/kg, IP) 15 min before the administration of quipazine blocked quipazine-induced suppression of slowwave sleep (SWS), but failed to prevent the decrease in rapideye-movement sleep (REMS) produced by quipazine. Treatment with methysergide also prevented the headshaking behavior induced by quipazine, a phenomenon associated with increased activity of the central serotonergic system. Furthermore, it was shown that administration of methysergide alone (1 or 5 mg/kg, IP) had little effect on sleep or head-shaking behavior. The present data provide pharmacological evidence that the suppression of SWS but not REMS by quipazine may be a result of stimulation of 5-HT receptors.
The law of electrodynamics

Abstract The indeterminate state of the empirical law of electrodynamic action between two current elements is reviewed. It is shown that a form of the law fully consistent with experiment can be deduced from simple Newtonian dynamics. This law points to anomalies to be expected in electrodynamic interactions between electric particles of unequal charge-mass ratio. This result may account for certain hitherto unexplained anomalies in electric discharge phenomena.
Mammalian Ova and One-Cell Embryos Do not Incorporate Phosphate into Nucleic Acids

The incorporation of [32P]Phosphate by unfertilized mouse ova and 1-cell embryos has been studied. [32P]Phosphate was incorporated into material insoluble in cold trichloroacetic acid by unfertilized ova throughout the period 1–6 h after ovulation with the lowest level of incorporation occurring 2–4 h after ovulation. Incorporation of label by 1-cell embryos was highest soon after fertilization but rapidly fell to a minimum within 2 h before rising to a second maximum at about the time of commencement of pronuclear DNA synthesis. A variety of extraction procedures failed to liberate labeled RNA from ova or embryo lysates and less than 10% of the incorporated label was soluble in chloroform/methanol. The 32P-labeled material precipitated from embryo lysates by ethanol/sodium acetate, pH 5 was resistant to snake venom phosphodiesterase before or after digestion with pronase. However, 32P-labeled material insoluble in cold trichloroacetic acid was hydrolysed by hot alkali to 32Pi and by 6 M HCl to 32P-labeled serine and threonine phosphates and 32Pi thus showing that [32]phosphate was incorporated solely into protein. Paper electrophoresis and thin-layer chromatography showed that 32P-labeled diphosphates and triphosphates but not monophosphates were present in the 32P-labeled soluble fraction from embryo lysates. 32P-labeled nucleoside monophosphates were also absent from the snake venom phosphodiesterase digest of the labeled soluble fraction but 32Pi and 32PPi were products of hydrolysis. Those results show that the mouse ovum does not contain a store of nucleosides, that pathways for mononucleotide synthesis are not functional in the 1-cell embryo, and suggest that the ovum contains a large endogenous store of nucleotides.
Photopleochroism of oxide-p-InSe diode structures

A layered InSe crystal is used to fabricate a polarimetric photodetector. The heterostructure is formed in the plane perpendicular to the cleavage plane of the layers by thermal oxidation of the crystal substrate. The coefficient of photopleochroism of the oxide-p-InSe photodiode for 0.6328 nm light is 90%.
Kinetic demixing/decomposition of Ba0.5Sr0.5CoxFe1−xO3−δ (x = 0.2 and 0.8)

Abstract Microstructural changes due to kinetic demixing within sintered BSCF ceramics (Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co x Fe 1− x O 3− δ , x = 0.2 and 0.8: BSCF5528 and BSCF5582, respectively) have been investigated. When the specimens were subjected to 2 A/cm 2 at 1000 °C and p O 2 = 10 −5 atm, there was a significant enhancement of grain growth as well as 2nd phase formation observed in BSCF5528. At the anode, cobalt deficient aggregates within the grains; and, at the cathode, cobalt rich 2nd phase particles were observed on the grain surfaces of the microstructure. Such phenomena were not observed in BSCF5582, even under higher current density (7 A/cm 2 ) and longer delay time. These results were explained by the kinetic demixing/decomposition.
The epidemiology of Candida colonization and invasive candidiasis in a surgical intensive care unit where fluconazole prophylaxis is utilized: follow-up to a randomized clinical trial.

Objective To determine whether Candida glabrata colonization and invasive candidiasis (IC) increased among critically ill surgical patients 3 years after the introduction of fluconazole prophylaxis to a surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Summary background data Fluconazole prophylaxis has been shown in randomized clinical trials to reduce the occurrence of candidiasis in some patient populations, including high-risk SICU patients. One such trial was performed in The Johns Hopkins Hospital SICU in 1998. Whether the epidemiology of Candida colonization and IC has changed in SICUs where fluconazole prophylaxis is routinely utilized has not been adequately studied. Methods We conducted a prospective, observational study of subjects admitted for > or = 3 days to the SICU of a large, urban, academic medical center, where fluconazole prophylaxis had been utilized for approximately 3 years. Surveillance fungal cultures of rectal/fecal swabs, urine, and endotracheal aspirates were performed on admission to the SICU, once weekly, and upon discharge from the SICU. Demographic and clinical data were collected. C. glabrata colonization and IC prevalence among patients in the prospective cohort were compared with the prevalence among SICU patients enrolled in the 1998 clinical trial of fluconazole for the prevention of candidiasis that was performed at the same institution. Results C. glabrata colonization was not significantly more common among patients in the 2003 cohort as compared with patients in the 1998 trial (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-1.41). Patients with IC in the 2003 cohort were not more likely than those in the 1998 trial to have IC due to C. glabrata (adjusted OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 0.20-18.98), while patients with IC in the 2003 cohort were less likely than patients in the 1998 trial to have acquired IC in the ICU (adjusted OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.009-0.82). Conclusions There was no increase in C. glabrata colonization or in the proportion of IC due to C. glabrata after a 3-year period of routine fluconazole prophylaxis for selected SICU patients.
Prototyping of three-dimensional photonic crystal structures using electron-beam lithography

We demonstrate the fabrication of a three-dimensional woodpile photonic crystal in the near-infrared regime using a layer-by-layer approach involving electron-beam lithography and spin-on-glass planarization. Using this approach we have shown that we can make structures with lattice spacings as small as 550 nm with silicon as well as gold thus allowing for fabrication of photonic crystals with omnidirectional gap in the visible and near-IR. As a proof of concept we performed optical reflectivity and transmission measurements on a silicon structure which reveal peaks and valleys expected for a photonic band gap structure. The approach described here can be scaled down to smaller lattice constants (down to ~400 nm) and can also be used with a variety of materials (dielectric and metallic) thus enabling rapid prototyping full three-dimensional photonic bandgap based photonic devices in the visible.
In vivo biosynthesis of an Ala-scan library based on the cyclic peptide SFTI-1

We present the in vivo biosynthesis of wild-type sunflower trypsin inhibitor 1 (SFTI-1) inside E. coli cells using an intramolecular native chemical ligation in combination with a modified protein splicing unit. SFTI-1 is a small backbone cyclized polypeptide with a single disulfide bridge. A small library containing multiple Ala mutants was also biosynthesized and its activity was assayed using a trypsin-binding assay. This study clearly demonstrates the exciting possibility of generating large cyclic peptide libraries in live E. coli cells, and is a critical first step for developing in vivo screening and directed evolution technologies using the cyclic peptide SFTI-1 as a molecular scaffold.
Are We Comparing Apples With Apples or Apples With Oranges? Appropriateness of Knowledge Accumulation Across Growth Studies

Although knowledge accumulation is dependent upon relationships among constructs being robust across different measurement and sampling decisions, scholars have not sufficiently established such robustness for the construct of firm growth. Focusing on this construct, we conduct analyses on all Swedish firms incorporated during the 1994 to 1998 period (68,830 firms) and track their growth (or demise) over their first 6 years of existence. Although we typically find low shared variance between different growth measures, there is variability such that some measures demonstrate high and/or moderate concurrent validity. These findings have implications for how we delineate the boundaries of firm growth research and accumulate knowledge—when we are comparing apples with apples and when we are comparing apples with oranges.
Tacrolimus in solid organ transplantation: an update.

BEGINNING in 1989, tacrolimus (at the time known as FK 506) was first used as an immunosuppressive agent in solid organ transplant recipients. It has subsequently been used both as a primary and as a rescue agent in patients undergoing liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, and lung transplantation. This report will summarize some of the most recent data with regard to the use of tacrolimus in solid organ transplantation, and will focus on multicenter trials and a few selected single-center experiences, largely from North America.
Phosphofructokinase and fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase activities in developing corn seedlings (Zea mays L.)

Abstract Pyrophosphate-dependent and ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase (PP i -PFK and ATP-PFK) activities were measured in various organs of germinating corn seedlings ( Zea mays L. cv. Merit) to determine the relative importance of these two enzymes during early plant development. Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru 2,6-P 2 ) was necessary to fully activate the PP i -PFK but had no effect on the ATP-PFK. Roots and stem homogenates had greater PP i -PFK than ATP-PFK activity whereas expanding leaves had much lower PP i -PFK than ATP-PFK activity. One response of roots to submersion in water was a selectable increase in PP i -PFK relative to ATP-PFK activity. Roots also were the plant organ highest in phosphatase activity against the PP i -PFK activator Fru 2,6-P 2 . In all corn tissues, both PP i -PFK and the enzyme responsible for hydrolyzing Fru 2,6-P 2 exist in sufficient quantities to function in sugar metabolism.
Automated generation of NC part programs for turned parts based on 2-D drawing files

Two algorithms are introduced in this paper. The first algorithm deals with surface feature recognition on turned parts. Recognised features are then passed to the second algorithm for NC part program generation. These algorithms have been implemented on a microcomputer to process design/drawing data and prepare NC part programs. The results are satisfactory.
What is Jewish Scripture

In the formative period of Judaism in late antiquity, most Jews encountered scripture in the form of text-supported performance in the context of the ritual recitation of torah in the synagogue. Since this was the form and modality in which most Jews encountered scripture, this performed scripture should be a central subject for scholarly analyses of the phenomenon of scripture in rabbinic Judaism. In this essay I demonstrate that this performed scripture differs both phenomenologically and in terms of content from the canon of the Hebrew Bible. I also demonstrate that the rabbis themselves were aware of the divergences between the performed scripture and the written scripture, and I explore how the awareness of this divergence shaped rabbinic attitudes toward written scripture as well.
Developmental outcomes of vulnerable youth in the child welfare system

Adolescent development of youth in foster care holds great interest for society. This article examines a random sample of 200 adolescents currently placed in foster care on developmental outcomes. Using face-to-face interviews, the present study found that a majority of foster youth have biological families experiencing multiple problems and experience many developmental difficulties. A large percentage of the sample youth experience mental illness, school failure, substance abuse, and other antisocial behaviors. This paper considers implications from the study findings for policy and interventions designed to foster better developmental outcomes among youth in the child welfare system.
Who's Watching Whom? A Study of Interactive Technology and Surveillance

Information technology and new media allow for collecting and sharing personal information at unprecedented levels. This study explores issues of privacy and surveillance with new interactive technologies. Based on a year-long field study, this project examines how people think about privacy and surveillance when using mobile social networks. Using the case of Dodgeball, the study found that most informants were not concerned about privacy when using the mobile social network because they felt they were in control of their personal information. There was, however, evidence of 3 kinds of surveillance present in everyday usage of Dodgeball: voluntary panopticon, lateral surveillance, and self-surveillance. This study sheds light on the everyday conceptions, meanings, and activities associated with surveillance, privacy, and interactive technologies.
Ketorolac appears to decrease polyuria during intracranial surgery

Two cases are described of patients, undergoing surgery for intracranial pathology, who developed polyuria intraoperatively. The urine output decreased to within normal range shortly after the administration of ketorolac, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug. The possible mechanisms producing the increased urinary output and the influence of prostaglandins on renal function are discussed.
Shrub encroachment alters sensitivity of soil respiration to temperature and moisture

[1] A greater abundance of shrubs in semiarid grasslands affects the spatial patterns of soil temperature, moisture, and litter, resulting in fertile islands with potentially enhanced soil metabolic activity. The goal of this study was to quantify the microsite specificity of soil respiration in a semiarid riparian ecosystem experiencing shrub encroachment. We quantified the response of soil respiration to different microsite conditions created by big mesquite shrubs (near the trunk and the canopy edge), medium-sized mesquite, sacaton bunchgrasses, and open spaces. We hypothesized that soil respiration would be more temperature sensitive and less moisture sensitive and have a greater magnitude in shrub microsites compared with grass and open microsites. Field and incubation soil respiration data were simultaneously analyzed in a Bayesian framework to quantify the microsite-specific temperature and moisture sensitivities and magnitude of respiration. The analysis showed that shrub expansion increases the heterogeneity of respiration. Respiration has greater temperature sensitivity near the shrub canopy edge, and respiration rates are higher overall under big mesquite compared with those of the other microsites. Respiration in the microsites beneath medium-sized mesquites does not behave like a downscaled version of big mesquite microsites. The grass microsites show more similarity to big mesquite microsites than medium-sized shrubs. This study shows there can be a great deal of fine-scale spatial heterogeneity that accompanies shifts in vegetation structure. Such complexity presents a challenge in scaling soil respiration fluxes to the landscape for systems experiencing shrub encroachment, but quantifying this complexity is significantly important in determining overall ecosystem metabolic behavior.
A synthesis method for bidimensional apertures

A generalization of the Woodward-Lawson synthesis method is introduced for a wide class of apertures (including as particular cases the rectangular, the rhombic, and the hexagonal). By resorting to a rather general type of bidimensional Fourier series expansion, the aperture distribution is obtained as a superposition of orthogonal constant amplitude linearly phased components, whose complex amplitude coefficients are the values of the radiation pattern in a regular lattice of "cardinal points" on which the desired pattern function is exactly matched As a numerical application of the method, two examples of pattern synthesis with a hexagonal aperture are treated in detail.
Fast-acting, long-stroke solenoids with two springs

It is pointed out that fast motion over a long stroke cannot be achieved with regular solenoids when the active force decreases rapidly with distance. A possible solution, a device with two oscillating springs controlled electromagnetically, is theoretically and experimentally studied. The mathematical model, based on finite-element analysis, consists of a dynamic model of motion that includes all relevant physical phenomena with the exception of eddy currents, which are evaluated separately. Tests were carried out to verify the mathematical model, quantify the possible time-versus-energy-input characteristics for a given stroke and volume, and allow the comparison of this concept with a previously studied approach in which repulsion forces are exerted on a moving permanent magnet. It is shown that the latter is superior when the actuator is required to provide mechanical work in addition to fast motion over a long stroke, while the two-spring actuator is faster and uses less energy when motion alone is desired. >
An application of finite elements to option pricing

This study applied the finite element method (FEM) to pricing options. The FEM estimates the function that satisfies a governing differential equation through the assembly of piecewise continuous functions over the domain of the problem. Two common representations, a variational functional representation, and a weighted residual representation are used in the application of the method. The FEM is a versatile alternative to other popular lattice methods used in option pricing. Advantages include the abilities to directly estimate the Greeks of the option and allow nonuniform mesh construction. As an illustration of the advantages that the FEM offers, the method was used to price European put options and discrete barrier knock-out put options. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 21:19–42, 2001
The role of type I collagen in aortic wall strength with a homotrimeric [α1(I)]3 collagen mouse model

Abstract Purpose: Elastin and collagen (types I and III) are the primary load-bearing elements in aortic tissue. Deficiencies and derangements in elastin and type III collagen have been associated with the development of aneurysmal disease. However, the role of type I collagen is less well defined. The purpose of this study was to define the role of type I collagen in maintaining biomechanical integrity in the thoracic aorta, with a mouse model that produces homotrimeric type I collagen [α1(I)] 3 , rather than the normally present heterotrimeric [α1(I)] 2 α2(I) type I collagen isotype. Methods: Ascending and descending thoracic aortas from homozygous ( oim/oim ), heterozygous ( oim /+), and wildtype (+/+) mice were harvested. Circumferential and longitudinal load-extension curves were used as a means of determining maximum breaking strength (F max ) and incremental elastic modulus (IEM). Histologic analyses and hydroxyproline assays were performed as a means of determining collagen organization and content. Results: Circumferentially, the ascending and descending aortas of oim / oim mice demonstrated significantly reduced F max , with an F max of only 60% and 23%, respectively, of wildtype mice aortas. Oim/oim descending aortas demonstrated significantly greater compliance (decreased IEM), and the ascending aortas also exhibited a trend toward increased compliance. Reduced breaking strength was also demonstrated with longitudinal extension of the descending aorta. Conclusion: The presence of homotrimeric type I collagen isotype (absence of α2(I) collagen) significantly weakens the aorta. This study demonstrates the integral role of type I collagen in the biomechanical and functional properties of the aorta and may help to elucidate the role of collagen in the development of aneurysmal aortic disease or dissection. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:1263-70.)