cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of real-time PCR assays for the detection of Ehrlichia species and E. chaffeensis in clinical specimens

Abstract Ehrlichiosis, caused by Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia , is considered an emerging infectious disease due to the increasing number of reported cases. Symptoms are non-specific and occur within 1 to 2 weeks following the bite of an infected tick. Confirmatory laboratory diagnostic methods vary in sensitivity and specimen requirements, which can lead to delayed diagnosis. PCR testing serves as an efficient approach to Ehrlichia confirmation in the acute stage of illness. Published assays have been effectively used to detect human ehrlichiosis at limit of detections ranging from 10 to 50 genomic copies (GC) of Ehrlichia DNA. With the discovery of new species capable of human infection, we wanted to develop assays that are sensitive and encompass a wide range of Ehrlichia. Here we developed and validated two sensitive and specific real-time PCR assays (PanE1 and PanE2) for the detection of Ehrlichia species, as well as two real-time PCR assays (ECh2 and ECh4) for the detection of Ehrlichia chaffeensis , specifically. The limit of detection was determined to be 10 GC per reaction with 100% confidence, and as little as 1 GC with lower efficiencies. Accuracy was assessed at 100% correlation. Specificity from exclusivity testing demonstrated that neither the Ehrlichia species assays (n = 60), nor the E. chaffeensis specific assays (n = 64) had cross reactivity with near neighbors or environmental bacteria. A positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of ≥93% was determined by evaluating banked clinical specimens from 62 patients with the assays. These real-time PCR assays are effective tools to detect human Ehrlichia species during the acute stage of illness. Early detection of Ehrlichia infection by these real-time PCR assays can facilitate diagnosis and treatment.
Avatrombopag Use in Patient With Thromboembolic Risks Listed for Combined Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Liver Transplant: A Case Report

Thrombocytopenia commonly occurs in patients with advanced liver disease and can be a contraindication in patients needing combined coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and liver transplant (LT). Thrombopoietin receptor agonists, including avatrombopag, are part of a novel drug class and stimulate platelet production. Avatrombopag is indicated in the perioperative setting to avoid platelet transfusions, which carry several disadvantages. Avatrombopag was shown to be safe and effective in patients with chronic liver disease. This study describes the successful use of avatrombopag in a patient with thromboembolic risks in preparation for a combined CABG and LT. Larger clinical trials are necessary to validate our results.
Sample environment effects on synchrotron-measured temperature profiles in an approximant of optical floating zone crystal growth

Abstract Even though the growth of crystals using optical floating zone furnaces has had an immense scientific impact, the implementation of this method remains more of an art than a science due to the difficulty of obtaining quantitative information about the sample thermal profile during crystal growth. Building on recent work demonstrating that in situ synchrotron studies can be used to map sample rod temperatures during heating, investigations were carried out to better understand how the sample environment affects the sample temperature profile. Through a combination of experimental studies and modeling efforts, it is shown that the environment in the furnace can strongly influence the sample temperature at the lamp focus, the steepness of the vertical temperature gradient, and the timescale required for sample heating and cooling – effects which can combine to produce a strong history-dependence to sample temperature profiles. It is demonstrated that the furnace effects can be effectively captured in thermal models, allowing both the steady-state and time-dependent behavior of the sample to be accurately reproduced with predictive models and providing a launching point for improved furnace designs that can more readily deliver desired thermal profiles.
Behavioral Health Diagnoses in Youth with Gender Dysphoria Compared with Controls: A PEDSnet Study.

OBJECTIVE To assess the odds of a psychiatric or neurodevelopmental diagnosis among youth with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria compared with matched controls in a large electronic health record dataset from 6 pediatric health systems, PEDSnet. We hypothesized that youth with gender dysphoria would have higher odds of having psychiatric and neurodevelopmental diagnoses than controls. STUDY DESIGN All youth with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria (n = 4173 age at last visit 16.2 ± 3.4) and at least 1 outpatient encounter were extracted from the PEDSnet database and propensity-score matched on 8 variables to controls without gender dysphoria (n = 16 648, age at last visit 16.2 ± 4.8) using multivariable logistic regression. The odds of having psychiatric and neurodevelopmental diagnoses were examined using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS Youth with gender dysphoria had higher odds of psychiatric (OR 4.0 [95% CI 3.8, 4.3] P < .0001) and neurodevelopmental diagnoses (1.9 [1.7, 2.0], P < .0001). Youth with gender dysphoria were more likely to have a diagnosis across all psychiatric disorder subcategories, with particularly high odds of mood disorder (7.3 [6.8, 7.9], P < .0001) and anxiety (5.5 [5.1, 5.9], P < .0001). Youth with gender dysphoria had a greater odds of autism spectrum disorder (2.6, [2.2, 3.0], P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Youth with gender dysphoria at large pediatric health systems have greater odds of psychiatric and several neurodevelopmental diagnoses compared with youth without gender dysphoria. Further studies are needed to evaluate changes in mental health over time with access to gender affirming care.
Design of an ultra-compact imaging chamber and radiation beamstop for a neutron radiography system employing particle transport

Abstract A new neutron radiography facility for the University of Utah TRIGA Reactor (UUTR) is computationally designed to support a multi-purpose irradiation and imaging chamber with a terminal beamstop. Previous efforts from a 3-D MCNP6 UUTR neutron beamport simulation reveals an available neutron flux of 2.5 × 107 ± 1.4 × 105n/cm2/s with an associated dose rate of 5.0 × 105 ± 2.8 × 103 mrem/hr at the end of the beamline system. The shielding required to attenuate the neutron beam and other secondary radiation from reaching the surrounding environment during radiography experiments has been assessed and implemented into MCNP6 Monte Carlo and PENTRAN SN transport code models to assess shield performance and directly compare response solutions between the two methods. In addition, the neutron importance function obtained from adjoint-SN transport is utilized to optimize calculation efficiency in a weight window accelerated PENTRAN-CADIS-MCNP6 model of the irradiation chamber beamstop. Good agreement between adjoint-SN and PENTRAN-CADIS-MCNP6 dose rate calculations is achieved, yielding predicted detector responses within an 8% difference in tally regions of importance. The total neutron dose rate is estimated throughout the entirety of the beamstop prototype, where recommended dimensions and material compositions of the shielding apparatus are provided with supporting analysis.
RNA- and DNA-binding activities in hepatitis B virus capsid protein: a model for their roles in viral replication.

The hepatitis B virus capsid or core protein (p21.5) binds nucleic acid through a carboxy-terminal protamine region that contains nucleic acid-binding motifs organized into four repeats (I to IV). Using carboxy-terminally truncated proteins expressed in Escherichia coli, we detected both RNA- and DNA-binding activities within the repeats. RNA-binding and packaging activity, assessed by resolving purified E. coli capsids on agarose gels and disclosing their RNA content with ethidium bromide, required only the proximal repeat I (RRRDRGRS). Strikingly, a mutant in which four Arg residues replaced repeat I was competent to package RNA, demonstrating that Arg residues drive RNA binding. In contrast, probing immobilized core proteins with 32P-nucleic acid revealed an activity which (i) required more of the protamine region (repeats I and II), (ii) appeared to bind DNA better than RNA, and (iii) was apparently modulated by phosphorylation in p21.5 derived from Xenopus oocytes. Deletion analysis suggested that this activity may depend on an SPXX-type DNA-binding motif in repeat II. Similar motifs found in repeats III and IV may also function to bind DNA. On the basis of these observations, together with a reinterpretation of recent studies showing that capsid protein mutants cause defects in viral genome replication, we propose a model suggesting that hepadnavirus capsid proteins participate directly in the intracapsid reverse transcription of RNA into DNA. In this model, repeat I binds RNA whereas the distal repeats are progressively recruited to bind elongating DNA strands. The latter motifs may be required for replication to be energetically feasible. Images
Ten-Year Study of Pediatric Drownings and Near-Drownings in King County, Washington: Lessons in Injury Prevention

The factors associated with submersion events among less than 20-year-old persons that occurred in King County from 1974 to 1983 were studied to focus prevention efforts. Near-drowning (n = 103) and drowning (n = 96) victims were identified from medical examiners' reports, paramedics' reports, and hospital discharge registers. Annual incidence was 5.5; the mortality rate was 2.6 per 100,000 children. Although preschool-aged children had the largest incidence (12.8), followed by older adolescents (4.9), adolescents had the largest case fatality rate, 77%. Lake and river victims had the largest incidence, mortality, and case fatality rate; swimming pools, the smallest case fatality rate (25%). A total of 89% of all victims had absent or no supervision; victims supervised by lifeguards had a 42% case fatality rate. Prior seizures were part of the history of 7.5% of all victims; 25% of fatal submersions by adolescents were associated with alcohol. Bathtub submersions were associated with child abuse in three of 16 preschool-aged children and epilepsy in four of five older children. Certain age groups and sites combined had the greatest incidence: preschool-aged children in swimming pools, infants in bathtubs, teenagers in lakes and rivers. Incidence decreased in public and semipublic pools coincident with fencing regulations. These findings suggest prevention strategies: extending fencing requirements to private pools, discouraging alcohol consumption during water sports, changing bathing practices of epileptics, and improving lifeguard efficacy.
Characterization of 6H-SiC JFETs for use in a temperature monitor operating from 25/spl deg/C to 350/spl deg/C

6H-SiC buried-gate n-channel depletion-mode Junction Field-Effect Transistors (JFETs) manufactured by Cree Research, Inc. were characterized from 25 to 350/spl deg/C in terms of transconductance (g/sub m/), pinchoff voltage (V/sub p/), output resistance (r/sub 0/), input resistance (R/sub in/), drain-to-source current at zero gate-to-source voltage (I/sub DSS/), gate-to-source reverse biased leakage current (I/sub GSS/), off-state drain-to-source current (I/sub DSS(off/)), and noise power spectral density (S/sub V/). Degradation of the small-signal voltage gain (to /spl sim/1 at 350/spl deg/C) as a result of increasing output resistance, was found to be the most serious device shortcoming. The 6H-SiC JFETs were tested for use in a temperature monitoring circuit (from 25 to 350/spl deg/C) currently under development at Auburn University for use in automotive and other industrial applications. A SPICE model was developed to match the experimental data obtained from the 6H-SiC JFETs and diode. The SPICE simulation of the temperature monitoring circuit's output voltage corresponded well with measured data as a function of temperature. Maximum temperature percent error was 2.4% over the temperature range of 25 to 350/spl deg/C.
The space efficiency of OSHL

Ordered semantic hyper-linking (OSHL) is a first-order theorem prover that tries to take advantage of the speed of propositional theorem proving techniques. It instantiates first-order clauses to ground clauses, and applies propositional techniques to these ground clauses. OSHL-U extends OSHL with rules for unit clauses to speed up the instantiation strategy. OSHL-U obtains many of the same proofs as Otter does. This shows that many first-order theorems can be obtained without true unification, so techniques used to speed up propositional provers may be applicable to them. OSHL-U, in finding proofs, also generates and stores significantly fewer clauses than resolution prover Otter on many TPTP problems. On some TPTP groups, OSHL-U finds more proofs than Otter, despite a slower inference rate.
The long‐run relation between a black market exchange rate and the trade balance

This paper investigates the long‐run relationship between Iranian trade balance and the black market value of Iranian rial by employing cointegration technique. It is shown that in a oil producing country like Iran due to rent‐seeking opportunities, depreciation of the rial in the black market has an adverse effect on the Iranian trade balance.
Management of intraoperative splenic injury during laparoscopic urological surgery.

UNLABELLED Study Type - Therapy (case series). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The exact incidence of splenic injury during laparoscopic urologic procedures is not known; however, it is an uncommon occurrence. Also, the optimal treatment algorithm is not well delineated and the efficacy of successfully treating minor injuries to the spleen without resorting to splenectomy is not well described in the urologic literature. This study outlines the rate of splenic injury during a variety of laparoscopic urologic procedures and we outline a treatment algorithm that has been successfully employed in the management of these patients, which in all cases, did not lead to splenectomy. An important point is also that multiple adjunctive hemostatic measures should be used when a splenic injury is recognized and that a thorough search should ensue when suspicion of an occult splenic injury exists, as an unrecognized splenic injury may lead to severe post operative haemorrhagic complications. OBJECTIVE • To evaluate incidence, risk factors for, and management of intraoperative splenic injury in our laparoscopic patient cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS • All patients undergoing laparoscopic urological upper tract procedures at two institutions between January 2001 and April 2006 and January 2000 and December 2008, respectively, were retrospectively examined for complications. • From these patients, those with intraoperative splenic injuries were selected and examined. • Possible factors predisposing patients to splenic injury were evaluated and the management plan for each patient was analysed to identify optimal treatment efficacy. RESULTS • Of 2620 patients undergoing upper tract urological laparoscopic surgery, 14 patients (0.5%) sustained splenic injury and underwent left-sided surgery, 13 via a transperitoneal approach. • In 12 of the 14 patients, the splenic injury was recognized intraoperatively and all were effectively managed laparoscopically with a combination of argon beam coagulation, biological haemostatic agent FloSeal(TM) (Baxter, Deerfield, IL, USA), and bio-absorbable Surgicel® (Johnson and Johnson, Somerville, NJ, USA); none of these patients required splenectomy or developed any postoperative complications. • In two patients, the splenic injury was not recognized intraoperatively; both patients presented with delayed haemorrhage necessitating open splenectomy in each instance. CONCLUSIONS • Splenic injuries are uncommon during laparoscopic urological surgery, but when a significant splenic injury occurs, it can be effectively managed laparoscopically, using conservative measures, without need for splenectomy. • If the splenic injury is not recognized intraoperatively, delayed haemorrhage is likely to occur necessitating emergent re-exploration and splenectomy. • Prompt and accurate intraoperative diagnosis of splenic injury is critical for achieving a good outcome.
RAG: RNA-As-Graphs web resource

The proliferation of structural and functional studies of RNA has revealed an increasing range of RNA's structural repertoire. Toward the objective of systematic cataloguing of RNA's structural repertoire, we have recently described the basis of a graphical approach for organizing RNA secondary structures, including existing and hypothetical motifs. We now present an RNA motif database based on graph theory, termed RAG for RNA-As-Graphs, to catalogue and rank all theoretically possible, including existing, candidate and hypothetical, RNA secondary motifs. The candidate motifs are predicted using a clustering algorithm that classifies RNA graphs into RNA-like and non-RNA groups. All RNA motifs are filed according to their graph vertex number (RNA length) and ranked by topological complexity. RAG's quantitative cataloguing allows facile retrieval of all classes of RNA secondary motifs, assists identification of structural and functional properties of user-supplied RNA sequences, and helps stimulate the search for novel RNAs based on predicted candidate motifs.
Insights on Key Concepts of Forum Choice and Choice of Law Methodology

The venerable subject of Conflict of Laws has many concepts that inform its traditional and modern forms. Certain key ideas weave throughout the history and current relevance of the subject. This paper presents many of these ideas in the form of “Notes,” offering expository explanation, received wisdom, and new insights. The Notes will appear in an upcoming Conflict of Laws casebook to be published in the Aspen Casebook Series by Wolters Kluwer. The Notes cover global, jurisprudential topics as well as doctrinal, fundamental, concepts. They should be useful to both novices seeking an overview of core conflict of laws themes as well as well-seasoned experts seeking pithy insights into the key debates in the field.The global, jurisprudential topics are:(1) The Domestic and International Forum-Shopping System; (2) The Role of Public Policy; (3) Jurisdiction-Selecting and Law-Selecting Orientations in Choice of Law; (4) Theories of Party Autonomy and Choice of Law; (5) Complexity in Choice of Law; (6) Rules and Standards; (7) Race to the Bottom and Coordinated Choice of Law Rules; (8) Relationship between International Law and Conflict of Law Doctrines; and (9) Techniques for Reckoning with Diversity Among Laws;Specific doctrinal topics include: (1) Proof of Foreign Law; (2) Same Sex Marriage: An Overview of History and Legal Issues in the United States;(3) Domicile, Residence, and Citizenship; (4) Depecage; and (5) Same Sex Marriage: Choice of Law Proposals.
Platelet microbicidal protein alone and in combination with antibiotics reduces Staphylococcus aureus adherence to platelets in vitro.

Bacterial adherence to platelets on the cardiac valve surface is believed to be critical in the induction of infective endocarditis. Recent studies have confirmed that thrombin-activated platelets secrete platelet microbicidal protein (PMP), which can both kill and exert nonlethal antiadherence effects against endovascular pathogens. In the present study, we quantified the influence of antibiotic and/or PMP exposures on in vitro platelet adherence of two Staphylococcus aureus strains, identical by DNA restriction and cell wall protein profiles, that differed in their susceptibility to PMP-induced killing (PMPs or PMPr, respectively). Adherence assays were performed by flow cytometry in the presence of sublethal PMP concentrations (1 to 2.5 micrograms/ml) alone or in combination with ampicillin (AMP) alone, sulbactam (SUL) alone, or AMP plus SUL (AMP-SUL), at levels achievable in serum. Exposure of the PMPs and PMPr S. aureus strains to antibiotics (for 2 h at 37 degrees C) prior to flow cytometry resulted in no substantive changes in the percent adherence to platelets compared with that for S. aureus cells not exposed to antibiotics, except for modestly increased adherence of both PMPs and PMPr cells exposed to AMP-SUL (18.5 and 15.8% increases, respectively). Addition of PMP to antibiotic-S. aureus mixtures (final 30 min) caused a significant decrease in S. aureus adherence to platelets, for both the PMPs and PMPr S. aureus strains, compared with antibiotic exposure alone (e.g., reduction in platelet adherence from 57.9 +/- 8.2% to 12.2 +/- 3.6% for PMPs cells exposed to AMP-SUL and PMP [P = 0.01]). Moreover, addition of PMP following exposure of the PMPs and PMPr strains to AMP-SUL reversed the enhanced bacterium-platelet adherence observed with such antibiotic exposures alone (P < or = 0.005). These data demonstrate that PMP exerts a potent antiplatelet adherence effect which is independent of its microbicidal capacity, rendering S. aureus cells less adherent to platelets in the presence or absence of antibiotics. Reduction of microbial adherence to platelets by PMP alone or with antibiotics provides further insight into the mechanism(s) that may be involved in host defense and antibiotic prophylaxis of infective endocarditis and other endovascular infections.
BIRC6 Is Up-Regulated Via Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Mechanisms in Imatinib Resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

BIRC6 is a recently discovered anti-apoptotic protein and increased expression is correlated with adverse outcomes in childhood leukemia and other cancers. The expression of BIRC6 was examined in c...
Electrophilic Additions to Carbon-Carbon Multiple Bonds

One of the most general and useful reactions of alkenes and acetylenes for synthetic purposes is the addition of electrophilic reagents. This chapter is restricted to reactions which proceed through polar intermediates or transition states. Several other classes of addition reactions of alkenes are of importance and these are discussed elsewhere. Nucleophilic additions to electrophilic alkenes were covered in Chapter 1 and cycloadditions involving concerted mechanisms will be encountered in Chapter 7. Many of the free-radical addition reactions of alkenes are considered in Chapter 12 of Part A.
p27Kip1, a double-edged sword in Shh-mediated medulloblastoma: Tumor accelerator and suppressor

Medulloblastoma, a brain tumor arising in the cerebellum, is the most common solid childhood malignancy. the current standard of care for medulloblastoma leaves survivors with life-long side effects. Gaining insight into mechanisms regulating transformation of medulloblastoma cells-of-origin may lead to development of better treatments for these tumors. Cerebellar granule neuron precursors (CGNps) are proposed cells-of-origin for certain classes of medulloblastoma, specifically those marked by aberrant Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway activation. CGNps require signaling by Shh for proliferation during brain development. In mitogen-stimulated cells, nuclear localized cyclin dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor p27 (Kip1) functions as a checkpoint control at the G1- to S-phase transition by inhibiting cdk2. Recent studies have suggested cytoplasmically localized p27(Kip1) acquires oncogenic functions. Here, we show that p27(Kip1) is cytoplasmically localized in CGNps and mouse Shh-mediated medulloblastomas. transgenic mice bearing an activating mutation in the Shh pathway and lacking one or both p27(Kip1) alleles have accelerated tumor incidence compared to mice bearing both p27(Kip1) alleles. Interestingly, mice heterozygous for p27(Kip1) have decreased survival latency compared to p27(Kip1)-null animals. our data indicate that this may reflect the requirement for at least one copy of p27(Kip1) for recruiting cyclin D/cdk4/6 to promote cell cycle progression yet insufficient expression in the heterozygous or null state to inhibit cyclin E/cdk2. Finally, we find that mis-localized p27(Kip1) may play a positive role in motility in medulloblastoma cells. Together, our data indicate that the dosage of p27(Kip1) plays a role in cell cycle progression and tumor suppression in Shh-mediated medulloblastoma expansion.
A regional pediatric approach to the epidemic of social ills within our cities.

'T was midsummer 1990, I received a letter from Vince Fulginiti: In May 1991, each of the AMA family of journals will devote all or most of their issues to articles that report individual and professional societies' ideas and suggestions for improving health care to the poor and underserved in this country. AJDC will focus on infants, children, adolescents, and young adults... who are not receiving it [health care] currently, or who are poorly served by our present system.... This would be an excellent opportunity... for you to [record] your concept of the academic health center/community relationships... [for the health care of] the underserved and unserved...." Vince (my one-time student, now colleague, and from the beginning, my teacher) is correct in his implication that an overriding concern of mine is that the state of our national health care is not nearly as good as it could be. The most serious
Combined Prosthetic Replacement of the Mitral and Aortic Valves Preoperative and Postoperative Hemodynamic Studies at Rest and the Left Ventricular Response to Muscular Exercise

Detailed preoperative and postoperative hemodynamic studies were carried out in 12 patients with severe aortic and mitral valve disease in whom replacement of both valves with ball-valve prostheses was carried out. Replacement of both valves resulted in restoration to normal, or nearly normal, the resting values of cardiac output, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), pulmonary arterial pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance. However, studies of left ventricular function during muscular exercise revealed abnormalities in the relationships between cardiac output and oxygen consumption in six of seven patients, and in no patient was the left ventricular response to exercise normal when assessed by the relation between LVEDP and stroke volume. It appears likely, therefore, that underlying myocardial disease or coronary arterial disease contributed to the preoperative disability in these patients, and may limit complete symptomatic recovery following operation. The residual impairment of myocardial performance observed in these patients appears to be more pronounced than that previously demonstrated in patients in whom isolated replacement of either the mitral or aortic valve had been performed.
Movement of manganese contamination through the Critical Zone

Humans have transferred large quantities of metals from the lithosphere to the Earth’s surface, drastically altering the natural flow of these elements. The geographic dispersal of many metals and their impacts on the environment are unknown. Here, existing datasets are compiled to assess how anthropogenic inputs of Mn to the air have altered soil and water chemistry over time. Although levels of Mn in the air have declined in recent decades, soils throughout the USA and Europe are enriched in Mn, revealing past contamination near zones of industrial input. Examination of river chemistry indicates a similar decline in Mn and can be used to evaluate the removal of Mn from soils. We use a small watershed, the Susquehanna/Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory, as a focus site to investigate geochemical mass balance models and find that rapid biocycling contributes to the retention of Mn in this affected ecosystem.
Looking for quark droplets in ultrarelativistic collisions

Heavy ion collisions at ultrarelativistic energies are expected to provide an environment where quarks and gluons replace hadrons as the appropriate degrees of freedom. As the excited region expands and cools, the transition to the hadronic state might be characterized by phase separation with hadrons being emitted from dense droplets of quark-gluon matter. Here we study four techniques to search for such droplets: rapidity correlations, identical kaon correlations, \ensuremath{\varphi} meson production, and proton correlations. We conclude that rapidity correlations are the clearest signal of such fluctuations, and that proton correlations and \ensuremath{\varphi} production can also be strongly affected by drop formation.
Electron-Phonon Umklapp-Scattering Processes in the Low-Temperature Thermal Resistivity of Potassium

Using the variational method, the electronic contribution to the low-temperature thermal conductivity of potassium is calculated for a number of different pseudopotentials and a realistic phonon spectrum. A detailed evaluation of electron-phonon umklapp-scattering effects is presented. In particular, umklapp processes have a negligible effect on the thermal resistivity and Wiedemann-Franz ratio below \ensuremath{\sim} 2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, but significantly enhance both at temperatures above this. Higher-order corrections to the variational calculation are evaluated and it is found that these are significantly larger for the umklapp component of the thermal resistivity than for the normal component. The lattice contribution to the low-temperature thermal conductivity is calculated and compared with the results for the electronic component.
Analysis and new implementations of periodogram-based spectrum sensing

In this article, we investigate the performance of spectrum sensing in the frequency domain. Classical and modified periodogram are analyzed based on the Neyman-Pearson (NP) criterion in terms of false alarm and detection probabilities. We introduce two novel modified periodogram algorithms and compare their performances with the existing periodogram methods. It is shown that the new modified periodogram algorithms based on the maximum and minimum statistics perform better than classical one. Although, the average-based periodogram (Bartlett's or Welch's) outperforms the proposed minimum-based periodogram, it performs worse than the maximum-based periodogram especially at higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and moderate false alarm probability. Moreover, taking advantage of the binary nature of spectrum sensing, we introduce decision fusion for flexible and more robust detection decision making.
Tissue disposition of [3H]sarin and its metabolites in mice.

Abstract The biodisposition and metabolic fate of [3H]sarin was investigated in mice after iv administration of a sublethal dose (80 μg/kg). Within 1 min of administration, all tissues contained substantial quantities of radioactivity of which less than 10% represented [3H]sarin. The major portion of radioactivity corresponded to free [3H]isopropyl methylphosphonic acid (IMPA), the pharmacologically inactive hydrolytic product of [3H]sarin. Somewhat lesser quantities were present as bound [3H]IMPA which resulted from phosphorylation of protein. Plasma contained high concentrations of bound [3H]IMPA, consistent with sarin's very reactive nature, which were sustained throughout the time course. Plasma concentrations of free [3H]IMPA diminished rather quickly. The high concentrations of metabolites in kidneys implied that this organ played a major role in the detoxification and excretion of [3H]sarin. Large quantities of free and bound [3H]IMPA were also found in lung which suggested an important site for toxicity. Only trace quantities of [3H]sarin were found in brain after 15 min. The major portion of radioactivity was present as either free and bound [3H]IMPA or as nonextractable material which presumably was [3H]methylphosphonic acid. Examination of the time course of sarin-induced motor hypoactivity and hypothermia revealed an immediate onset of action that lasted for 24 hr. However, substantial quantities of bound [3H]IMPA remained in brain at 24 hr which suggested that only a small portion of phosphorylation in brain accounted for these pharmacological effects.
The flash-quench technique in protein-DNA electron transfer: reduction of the guanine radical by ferrocytochrome c.

Electron transfer from a protein to oxidatively damaged DNA, specifically from ferrocytochrome c to the guanine radical, was examined using the flash−quench technique. Ru(phen)_2dppz^(2+) (dppz = dipyridophenazine) was employed as the photosensitive intercalator, and ferricytochrome c (Fe^(3+) cyt c), as the oxidative quencher. Using transient absorption and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopies, we examined the electron-transfer reactions following photoexcitation of the ruthenium complex in the presence of poly(dA-dT) or poly(dG-dC). The luminescence-quenching titrations of excited Ru(phen)_2dppz^(2+) by Fe^(3+) cyt c are nearly identical for the two DNA polymers. However, the spectral characteristics of the long-lived transient produced by the quenching depend strongly upon the DNA. For poly(dA-dT), the transient has a spectrum consistent with formation of a [Ru(phen)_2dppz^(3+), Fe^(2+) cyt c] intermediate, indicating that the system regenerates itself via electron transfer from the protein to the Ru(III) metallointercalator for this polymer. For poly(dG-dC), however, the transient has the characteristics expected for an intermediate of Fe^(2+) cyt c and the neutral guanine radical. The characteristics of the transient formed with the GC polymer are consistent with rapid oxidation of guanine by the Ru(III) complex, followed by slow electron transfer from Fe^(2+) cyt c to the guanine radical. These experiments show that electron holes on DNA can be repaired by protein and demonstrate how the flash−quench technique can be used generally in studying electron transfer from proteins to guanine radicals in duplex DNA.
CYTOSOLIC IONIZED CALCIUM IN HUMAN PLATELETS : THE INFLUENCE OF COLLAGEN AND A NOVEL ANTIPLATELET AGENT

Two phases of calcium mobilization were observed when aequorin-loaded human platelets, suspended in a nominally calcium-free medium containing 0.1 mM EGTA, were stimulated with collagen. The first phase coincided with platelet shape change, and the second phase corresponded to aggregation. On the other hand, only one [Ca2+]i peak was found in systems containing 1.0 mM Ca, or 1.0 or 2.0 mM EGTA. A novel antiplatelet compound alpha,alpha'-bis [3-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl)piperidino]-p-xylene dihydrobromide, inhibited both [Ca2+]i peaks. It is suggested that inhibition of the mobilization of intraplatelet calcium stores as well as the blocking of transmembrane calcium flux may be responsible for the platelet aggregation-inhibitory action of this compound.
Efficient graph packing via game colouring

The game colouring number gcol(G) of a graph G is the least k such that, if two players take turns choosing the vertices of a graph, then either of them can ensure that every vertex has fewer than k neighbours chosen before it, regardless of what choices the other player makes. Clearly gcol(G) ≤ Δ(G)+1. Sauer and Spencer [20] proved that if two graphs G1 and G2 on n vertices satisfy 2Δ(G1)Δ(G2) <n then they pack, i.e., there is an embedding of G1 into the complement of G2. We improve this by showing that if (gcol(G1)−1)Δ(G2)+(gcol(G2)−1)Δ(G1) <n then G1 and G2 pack. To our knowledge this is the first application of colouring games to a non-game problem.
Why is the Challenger Deep so deep

Abstract Recent sidescan surveys of the deepest segment of the southern Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean provide the first detailed images of this plate boundary, which includes the world’s greatest ocean depth, the Challenger Deep. The surveys reveal details of the southern Mariana plate margin, identify another deep rivaling the Challenger, and document widespread deformation of the overriding plate. Our data show a subduction-generated deep ocean trench, not the transform fault boundary suggested by other work [D.E. Karig, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 82 (1971) 323–344; D.E. Karig et al., J. Geophys. Res. 83 (1978) 1213–1226; D.E. Karig, B. Ranken, in: The Tectonic and Geologic Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands, Part 2, American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, 1983, pp. 266–280; K. Fujioka et al., Geophys. Res. Lett. 19 (2002) 1–4]. We present the geological characteristics of the region, including seismic evidence for a tear in the subducting plate that has influenced the deformation of the overriding plate. The rollback caused by this tear creates greater depths along the southern part of the trench than elsewhere along its length.
Neurobiology of self-awareness deficits in schizophrenia: A hypothetical model

Self-awareness (SA) is a cognitive ability to differentiate between self and non-self cues and is pivotal to understand the behavior of other human beings. For this reason, there has been a significant interest to investigate the neurobiology of SA in human subjects. So far the majority of such research has been conducted in healthy subjects but a significant relationship between impaired SA and poor psychosocial outcome in schizophrenia has stimulated neuroimaging research in this patient population. The results from small number of neuroimaging studies in schizophrenia suggest that impaired SA may be mediated by a dysfunction of cortical midline structures. This paper is an attempt to review emerging functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data in schizophrenia and to propose a hypothetical model of deficits in SA in schizophrenia that can be tested in future research. The model is refined from the available literature and proposes that self-referential activity appears to reflect a shift from activation of anterior to posterior cortical midline structures in schizophrenia subjects, which may be related to lack of functional connectivity between different cortical midline regions.
Role of intervals between conditioned and unconditioned stimuli in formation of a cellular analog of temporary connection

Investigations of the effect of the interval between stimulation of the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus and local activating polarization (a cell model of the temporary connection) on the appearance of adaptive changes in the response structure of sensomotor cortical neurons of waking rabbits led to the following conclusions. 1. With an increase in the interval between paired stimuli from 0 to 150 msec the number of neurons in whose responses adaptive changes are observed falls from 60 to 28%. 2. Changes in cell responses after discontinuation of reinforcement are coordinated with its action during combinations. With an increase in the interval between the paired stimuli, the latent period of onset of adaptive changes thus is increased. 3. Despite the general tendency, each cell has its own optimal interval between paired stimuli when the most marked changes arise.
Technology investment trends

SUMMARY Social service agencies across the country are investing in a wide range of technological, business process reengineering, and organizational change projects. These projects include: • • using technology to connect social workers to enable collaborative case management; • • building databases with sophisticated querying applications that allow quick, effective decision making at the front-line and management levels; and • • expanding the number of ways clients can access services through the use of the Internet, kiosks, electronic benefit transfers, etc. Successful projects have a clearly identified business need and a strategy for addressing that need. This strategy includes understanding the process, organizational and technological context, evaluating alternative means of meeting the need, and developing a solid program management plan.
An Algorithm for Balanced Approximation and Model Reduction of 2-D Separable-in-Denominator Filters

Model reduction of two-dimensional (2-D) Separable-in-Denominator Digital Filters (SDDF) using frequency domain balanced realization is proposed. The frequency domain controllability and observability Grammians are introduced and their appropriate Lyapunov equations are developed. The approach could be viewed as the generalization of the existing balanced structure approach in a specific frequency range of operation. Various properties of the proposed frequency domain balanced structure are investigated. A comparison study of the proposed method with the available techniques is presented using numerical examples
Rain Rate and Water Content in Hurricanes Compared with Summer Rain in Miami, Florida

AbstractLiquid water content (g m−3), precipitation rate (mm h−1), and radar reflectivity (dBZ) are inferred from cross sections of particle images obtained by aircraft. Each dataset is presented in a probability format to display changing functional relationships for the selected intervals. The probability of intercepting a given quantity during a flight provides guidance in required instrument sensitivity together with the frequency of precipitation and liquid water content events for given rainfall totals. These data are compared with surface rain rate obtained over two years in the May–October warm seasons in Miami, Florida, with a Hotplate rain gauge. The warm season Miami surface rain-rate probability distribution is similar to the 2005 hurricane rain-rate distribution. Rain rates > ~120 mm h−1 were responsible for over one-half of the accumulation, even though lighter rain dominated by time. Hurricane rainfall is somewhat more intense than the normal surface convective rainfall in that 10% of the 1...
Immigration, Education and Entrepreneurship in Developed Countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a country‐level consideration of the relationship between entrepreneurship, immigration and education. In contrast to studies that report on immigration and entrepreneurship in a region or single country, the authors seek to determine whether levels of immigration, and the level of education obtained by the immigrants, are predictive of levels of entrepreneurship activity. A common set of variables and data from developed countries are used to test the hypothesized relationships.Design/methodology/approach – Using data on 21 OECD countries and five measures of entrepreneurship from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor project, the authors assess the significance of immigration and education level on entrepreneurial activity using regression analysis.Findings – The stock of immigrants in a country was found to be predictive of the proportion of that country's population involved in starting and managing a new business (early stage entrepreneurship), as well ...
A characterization of complex plane Poncelet curves

Abstract We consider algebraic curves in the complex affine plane. A natural extension of the existing definition of Poncelet curves in the real plane to the complex plane is presented. Three equivalent polynomial equations in tangent coordinates are given for complex plane Poncelet curves: (a) the polynomial which generates the Bezoutian form with parameters—the foci of the curve; (b) the Darboux equation with parameters—the vertices of a Poncelet polygon; (c) the determinant equation involving matrices having certain specific properties. We use these polynomials in order to solve Poncelet-type problems. Namely, criteria are proved for real Poncelet curves to be generated by matrices that admit unitary bordering. These criteria answer the question when a convex Poncelet curve which is inscribed in a convex polygon is the boundary of a numerical range of a matrix.We also demonstrate that the general theorems of the first three sections may shorten the proofs of some known results.
Analysis of bilevel quantizers used in binary image oscillators

Abstract Binary image correlators used for realtime scene matching demand reliable algorithms for quantizing the scenes being matched into meaningful binary images. The paper presents a mathematical analysis of two types of local average quantizer that are widely used in binary image correlator systems: line average quantizers and area average quantizers. An image is modelled as a two-dimensional discrete random field in which each random variable, assumed to have a Gaussian distribution, denotes the intensity of an image point. The probability of error, i.e. the probability of incorrectly quantizing a pixel, is used to evaluate the different quantizers. The analytical result reveals the strong and weak points of each quantizer and is helpful in determining the type of quantizer and the kernel size best suited for a given scene. Some simulation results are presented.
Size‐Specific Interactions Between Single‐ and Double‐Stranded Oligonucleotides and Cationic Water‐Soluble Oligofluorenes

An improved synthetic approach was developed for the synthesis of 1,4-bis[9′,9′-bis(6″-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexyl)-fluoren-2′-yl]benzene tetrabromide (1a), 1,4-bis[9′,9′;9″,9″-tetra(6″′-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexyl)-7′,2″-bisfluoren-2′-yl] benzene octabromide (1b) and 1,4-bis[9′,9′;9″,9″;9″′,9″′-hexakis(6″″-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexyl)-7′,2″,7″,2″′-trifluoren-2′-yl] benzene dodecabromide (1c). These molecules provide a size-specific series of water-soluble oligofluorene molecules with increasing numbers of repeat units to model the interactions between cationic conjugated polymers and DNA. Fluorescence quenching and energy-transfer measurements were performed with 1a–c and single-stranded (ss) DNA and double-stranded (ds) DNA, with and without fluorescein (Fl). These studies show that, on a per-negative-charge basis, ssDNA quenches the emission of 1a–c more effectively than dsDNA. Furthermore, we show that the energy-transfer ratios dsDNA–Fl/ssDNA–Fl are dependent on the number of repeat units in 1a–c.
Bicarbonate-stimulated ATPase in the renal proximal tubule luminal (brush border) membrane

Abstract Brush border membranes of the rabbit renal tubule have an ATPase which was stimulated 60% by 50 m m HCO 3 − . The K a for HCO 3 − was 36 m m . Kinetic studies of the “HCO 3 − -ATPase” indicate that HCO 3 − had no effect on the K m for ATP and ATP did not alter the K a for HCO 3 − . Several anions, notably SO 3 2− , also accelerated the rate of dephosphorylation of ATP. The V for “SO 3 2− -ATPase” was fivefold greater than that for “HCO 3 − -ATPase.” The K a for SO 3 2− was 0.78 m m . Other anions including Cl − and phosphates, did not enhance ATPase activity. Thus, of the anions present in the glomerular filtrate in appreciable concentrations only HCO 3 − stimulated the luminal membrane enzyme. The anion-stimulated ATPase activity increased sharply from pH 6.1 to 7.1 and moderately with higher pH. The renal ATPase was not inhibited by SCN − nor methyl sulfonyl chloride and was relatively insensitive to oligomycin and quercetin. Carbonyl cyanide p -trifluoromethoxy phenylhydrazone increased the basal rate of the membranal ATPase, suggesting that the ATPase activity is limited by transmembrane H + flux. Carbonic anhydrase significantly increased the HCO 3 − -stimulated ATPase activity. This increment was blocked by Diamox. These findings provide evidence consistent with the hypothesis that the brush border membrane ATPase is involved in the extrusion of H + from tubular cell to lumen and support suggested interrelationships between HCO 3 − -stimulated ATPase, H + secretion, and bicarbonate transport in the kidney.
Data mining of time series using stacked generalizers

Abstract Data mining is the search for valuable information in large volumes of data. Finding patterns in time series databases is important to a variety of applications, including stock market trading and budget forecasting. This paper reports on an extension of neural network methods for planning and budgeting in the State of Utah. In particular, historical time series are analyzed using stacked generalization, a methodology devised to aid in developing models that generalize well to future time periods. Stacked generalization is compared to ARIMA and to stand-alone neural networks. The results are consistent and suggest promise for the stacked generalization method in other time series domains.