cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation of the diffusion and reaction of endogenously produced nitric oxide

Abstract In spite of intense recent investigation of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of endogenously produced nitric oxide (.NO) in mammalian systems, little quantitative information exists concerning the diffusion of this small nonelectrolyte from its source (NO synthase) to its targets of action. I present here a conceptual framework for analyzing the intracellular and intercellular diffusion and reaction of free .NO, using kinetic modeling and calculations of the diffusibility of .NO and its reactions in aqueous solution based on published data. If the half-life of .NO is greater than approximately 25 msec and the rates of reaction of .NO with its targets are slower than its diffusion or reaction with O2 (for which there is experimental evidence in at least some systems), then (i) .NO acts in vivo in a mostly paracrine fashion for a collection of .NO-producing cells, (ii) .NO diffuses to significant concentrations at distances relatively far removed from a single .NO-producing cell, and (iii) localized sites of vascularization will scavenge .NO (and thus decrease its actions) at distances many cell diameters away from that site. These conclusions have important implications with regard to the mechanism of endothelium-dependent relaxation, the autocrine vs. paracrine actions of .NO, and the role of the spatial relationship between specific sites of .NO formation and neighboring blood vessels in .NO-effected and -affected neuronal signal transmission.
Female Ejaculation, G Spot, A Spot, and Should We Be Looking for Spots?

This review considers research concerning the phenomenon of female ejaculation, the G spot, and the A spot. These topics have been the object of controversy in recent decades. Female ejaculation has been written about for more than 2000 years. The area of the Grafenberg or G spot was named by Drs. John Perry and Beverly Whipple in the early 1980s in honor of Dr. Ernst Grafenberg, and the A spot was identified by Dr. Chua Chee Ann in 1997. The goal of this author’s research program has been to validate, in a laboratory setting, women’s reports of pleasurable sensual and sexual experiences, not to create new goals, new spots, or controversy.
Temperature effects on spontaneous and evoked neural activity in the garter snake.

Abstract The effects of body temperature on neural activity in the garter snake were investigated. Photically induced evoked responses (ER) and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were obtained from seven unanesthetized snakes over a range of approximately 40 C. Low temperatures were characterized by low-amplitude, low-frequency EEG activity and low-amplitude, long-latency ER. High temperatures were characterized by high-amplitude, high-frequency EEG activity and high-amplitude, short latency ER. Relationships beteween EEG activity and body temperature were not equivalent to arousal EEG activity relationsips of snakes. Changes in ER latencies were much greater than any reported elsewhere in intact animals. The relationship of ER amplitude to EEG amplitude was found to differ for each of three separate temperature ranges. The possible significance and usefulness of ER-EEG relationships induced by body temperature changes are discussed.
Parathyroid hormone response to hypocalcemia in hemodialysis patients with osteomalacia

Parathyroid hormone response to hypocalcemia in hemodialysis patients with osteomalacia. The parathyroid hormone response to hypocalcemia was investigated in hemodialysis patients with osteomalacia and compared to those with osteitis fibrosa. Hypocalcemia was induced during hemodialysis by employing a dialysate devoid of calcium. Patients with osteomalacia had a blunted maximum amino terminal parathyroid hormone response (± SD) (0.39 ± 0.33 vs. 0.87 ± 0.53 ng/ml, P Reponse de l'hormone parathyroidienne a l'hypocalcemie chez des malades hemodialyses atteints d'osteomalacie. La reponse de l'hormone parathyroidienne a l'hypocalcemie a ete etudiee chez des malades hemodialyses atteints d'osteomalacie et comparee a la reponse de ceux atteints d'osteite fibreuse. L'hypocalcemie etait induite pendant l'hemodialyse en utilisant un dialysat depourvu de calcium. Les malades atteints d' osteomalacie avaient une diminution de la reponse maximale de l'hormone parathyroidienne amino-terminale (± SD) (0.39 ± 0.33 contre 0.87 ± 0.53 ng/ml, P
All watts considered

Energy efficiency is finally at the center stage of computing systems research and development. Despite the recent surge in attention to the area, it is not unusual to witness situations where only some of the energy-related costs are considered, or energy efficiency is poorly defined and measured. In this talk I will discuss some of the more commonly overlooked energy-related issues, with particular focus on power provisioning and energy efficiency of large data-centers.
Educational protocols in ambulatory anesthesia

Abstract To meet the needs of the professional and lay community for continued safe delivery of quality health care in ambulatory surgery, it is crucial to provide medical education in those aspects unique to ambulatory anesthesia. Formal educational protocols in ambulatory anesthesiology must begin at the medical school level, expand during anesthesiology residency training, and continue throughout professional practice. Additionally, ambulatory surgery and anesthesia is not provided in a vacuum, but is part of a system working to achieve the common goal of providing quality health care. Therefore, the continued education of the practicing anesthesiologist, as well as that of members of other sub-specialties (both physicians and non-physicians), in the protocols of ambulatory anesthesia is as integral to the future successful delivery of sustained quality care in ambulatory surgery and anesthesia as is the education of future anesthesia providers.
Controlled potential coulometric determination of tin

Abstract The controlled potential coulometric determination of tin in a bromide medium is described. Although the ieduction of tin(IV) to tin(II) suffers from complications, and is analytically unsuitable, reduction of stannous tin at a mercury , or tin-amalgam electrode forms the basis of a successful analytical method
A cost-effective Dacron annuloplasty ring

Annuloplasty rings fashioned from Dacron tube grafts have been used in mitral valve operations at the Texas Heart Institute for the past 3 years. This technique has been applied in 70 consecutive patients, with excellent clinical and echocardiographic results. We have found that annuloplasty rings constructed from transverse sections of knitted Dacron offer the same advantages as other flexible rings at a greatly reduced cost.
Evidence linking solar variability with US hurricanes

The relationship between US hurricanes and solar activity is investigated empirically. First, a relationship between the probability of a US hurricane and the solar cycle is shown conditional on sea surface temperatures (SST). For years of above normal SST, the probability of three or more US hurricanes decreases from 40 to 20% as sunspot numbers (SSN) increase from lower to upper quartile amounts. Second, since SST is in phase with the 11-year total solar irradiance cycle but upper-air temperature is in phase with ultraviolet radiation changes on the monthly time scale, an anomaly index of SSN is constructed. The index is significantly correlated with US hurricanes and major US hurricanes over the period 1866-2008. The chances of at least one hurricane affecting the United States in the lowest and highest SSN anomaly seasons are 68 and 91%, respectively. A similar relationship is noted using hurricane records spanning the period 1749-1850, providing independent corroborating evidence linking solar variability to the probability of a US hurricane. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Culture Shock: Causes and Symptoms

Culture shock has been a topic of research for many years because of its negative effects on both education and workplace.Most international students and foreign workers experience culture shock yet little research exists which has investigateddifferences in its causes and symptoms. This paper investigates the symptoms and causes of culture shock in differentnationalities and the moderating effects of demographic factors and travel patterns.
Mechanics of the crack path formation

A detailed analysis of experimentally obtained curvilinear crack path trajectories formed in a heterogeneous stress field is presented. Experimental crack path trajectories were used as data for numerical simulations, recreating the actual stress field governing the development of the crack path. Thus, the current theories of crack curving and kinking could be examined by comparing them with the actual stress field parameters as they develop along the experimentally observed crack path. The experimental curvilinear crack path trajectories were formed in the tensile specimens with a hole positioned in the vicinity of a potential crack path. The numerical simulation, based on the solution of equivalent boundary value problems with the possible perturbations of the crack path, is presented here.
Potentiation by 2'-deoxycoformycin of the inhibitory effect of xylosyladenine on nuclear RNA synthesis in L1210 cells in vitro.

Abstract The effect of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor, 2'-deoxycoformycin (dCF), on the inhibitory effect of 9-β- d -xylofuranosyladenine (XA) on nuclear RNA synthesis was examined in L1210 cells in vitro . Pretreatment of cells for 15 min with a 100 per cent inhibitory dose (1 × 10 −6 M) of dCF resulted in approximately a 3- to 8-fold reduction in the 50 per cent inhibitory dose ( id 50 ) of XA for [ 3 H]uridine and [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation into RNA and DNA respectively. The id 50 for XA for RNA synthesis vs DNA synthesis was 5-fold lower in the absence of dCF and 20-fold lower in the presence of dCF, indicating the greater sensitivity of RNA synthesis to this inhibitor. Fractionation of nuclear RNA into rRNA, non-poly(A) heterogeneous RNA and poly(A)heterogeneous RNA revealed the latter species of RNA to be less sensitive to XA in the absence of dCF; however, in the presence of dCF, all three species of nuclear RNA showed similar sensitivities. Nuclear polyadenylic acid synthesis was among the most sensitive RNA fractions to XA, and was also inhibited to a greater degree by pretreatment of cells with dCF. These results indicate that XA is potentiated markedly by inhibition of adenosine deaminase, and that deamination serves as a major catabolic route for this drug.
Effects of subharmonic frequencies on DFT coefficients

When relatively short data segments are used in DFT analysis, DFT coefficients are affected by subharmonic frequencies in the data record. The characteristics of these effects as a function of magnitude and phase are described herein.
Intracarpal canal pressures: the role of finger, hand, wrist and forearm position.

Objective. The study examined the change in intracarpal canal pressure (ICCP) in relationship to finger, hand, wrist and forearm position. Design. The study was an in vivo measurement of ICCP in seven subjects undergoing a standardized set of manoeuvres that systematically varied finger, hand, wrist, and forearm position. Background. It has been known that the ICCP increased with extremes of wrist flexion and extension but the change in pressure in response to radial and ulnar deviation as well as hand and forearm position has not been reported. Methods. The ICCP was measured using a slit catheter technique; each variation of position was repeated three times with continuous monitoring of ICCP, wrist angulation, and metacarpal-phalangeal joint angulation. Results. The study demonstrated that ICCPs were lowest when the wrist is in a neutral position, the hand relaxed with fingers flexed and the forearm in a semi-pronated position. Wrist extension and flexion resulted in the greatest increase in ICCP followed by forearm pronation and supination. Radial and ulnar deviation also increased the pressure but to a lesser extent. Conclusions. The findings of this study support the concept that the wrist and forearm should be maintained in a neutral position during vocational and avocational activities in an effort to minimize pressure within the carpal tunnel and thereby reduce the risk of developing carpal-tunnel syndrome.
Surface modification and functionalization of nanoscale metal-organic frameworks for controlled release and luminescence sensing.

We describe in this paper a general method for synthesizing a new class of nanocomposites with a nanoscale metal-organic framework (NMOF) core and a silica shell. Silica shells of variable thickness were deposited on the NMOFs that had been surface-modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) using a sol−gel procedure. The NMOF core of the nanocomposite could be completely removed (via dissolution) at low pH to afford hollow silica shells with varied thickness and aspect ratios. We also showed that the silica shell of such nanocomposites significantly stabilized the NMOF core against dissolution, thus demonstrating the ability to control the release of metal constituents from such silica-coated NMOFs. The silica shell was further functionalized with a silylated Tb-EDTA monoamide derivative for the luminescence sensing of dipicolinic acid (DPA), which is a major constituent of many pathogenic spore-forming bacteria. Owing to the tunability of NMOF composition and morphology, the present approach should allow f...
On Its Way to K–12 Classrooms, Web 2.0 Goes to Graduate School

ABSTRACT As corporate and higher education settings increasingly use Web 2.0 tools, the time has come to think about preparing K–12 in-service teachers to find ways in which these tools might support classroom teaching and learning goals. This article describes a graduate course designed and taught in spring 2007. Using a modeling and situated learning framework, the article discusses Web 2.0 tools, K–12 education, and the course design. It also presents a summary of course participants’ survey responses concerning their perceptions of their learning experience. Survey responses demonstrated that teacher-learners appreciated and endorsed the design of the course and felt their learning experiences scaffolded their ability to use Web 2.0 tools in their classroom and school context. The article concludes with several design recommendations and examples of classroom applications.
Evidence-based analysis of risk factors for sudden cardiac death

Identifying risk factors to predict sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an important area of investigation. Current techniques are limited. Several issues result in limitations in the design and interpretation of studies focused on risk stratification to identify patients at risk for fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias. These include the uncertainty in the identification of SCD, the plurality of causes of SCD, and the complexity of the pathophysiology of the development of fatal ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Understanding the ways in which evidence is accumulated to identify a risk factor for SCD and the strength of evidence that is required for clinical decision-making, as opposed to identifying associations, are critical steps to advancing the field.
Empirical Analysis of Controller Event Data to Select Vehicle Detector Fault Triggers

The proper detection of both vehicles and pedestrians is critical for operations of signalized intersections, especially intersections with adaptive traffic signal control. Faulty detectors must be identified as quickly as possible so that they can be repaired and their erroneous output corrected (e.g., preventing an adaptive algorithm from continuing to allocate green time to a detector that is stuck on). This study establishes a procedure to determine static detector fault thresholds (e.g., maximum detector on time and maximum detector off time) that can be programmed into a traffic signal controller. This procedure analyzes detector on and off durations over multiple days to define distributions of those parameters. The study analyzes data for 154 detectors in Morgantown, West Virginia, to generate on and off distributions and calculate the resulting 90th, 95th, and 99th percentile values. The detectors are divided into three groups on the basis of their physical locations relative to the intersection ...
Pathological Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder in Axis I Disorders

This paper presents available information on the comorbidity of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and pathological narcissism with major mental illness. A review of empirical studies reporting on the prevalence of NPD in Axis I disorders, and of theoretical and clinical literature on narcissistic pathology in major mental illness, forms the basis for an analysis of this interface. The results show that prevalence rates of NPD in Axis I disorders rarely exceed those found in the general psychiatric or personality disorder populations (i.e., less than 22%). NPD was found at high rates in individuals with a substance use disorder (12–38%) or bipolar disorder (4–47%); it was present at very low rates or absent in persons with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Higher prevalence rates were reported in the studies that used the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory I or II than in those that employed the Structured Interview for DSM-III Personality Disorders or the Structured Interview for DSM-III-R Personalit...
First-trimester diagnosis of duodenal atresia

The earliest diagnosis of duodenal atresia, at 14 weeks of pregnancy, is reported. An attempt to diagnose this entity should be considered in the first trimester, which will allow ample time for counseling, genetic testing, and decision making.
A theory for the age and generation time distribution of a microbial population

A theory is presented for the time evolution of the joint age and generation time distribution of a microbial population. By means of the solution to the fundamental equation of the theory, the effect of correlations between the generation times of mother and daughter cells may be determined on the transient and steady state growth stages of the population. The relationships among various generation time distributions measured under different experimental circumstances is clarified.
Tracking observer/controller for a relatively large class of systems with hysteresis and without velocity measurement

Abstract In this work, we present an observer and controller for a class of plants with a relatively large class of hysteresis and without velocity measurement. For these considered classes of hysteretic systems, we propose and present an observer/controller that estimates or observes both the hysteresis state and the velocity and drives the position tracking error to zero. We prove that the combined tracking error and observer errors converge to zero, non-globally. Additionally, in the process, we verify that the convergence in [B.J. Driessen, V.M. Duggirala, Globally asymptotic and locally exponential tracking observer/controller for a relatively large class of systems with hysteresis, Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems 50 (2) (2007) 207–215] is actually semi-globally exponential (here meaning: exponential on any arbitrarily large compact set, for a fixed set of gains), while [B.J. Driessen, V.M. Duggirala, Globally asymptotic and locally exponential tracking observer/controller for a relatively large class of systems with hysteresis, Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems 50 (2) (2007) 207–215] claimed only globally asymptotic and locally exponential. The method, in the present paper, of combining asymptotic bound relations to prove that the observer error converges to zero appears to be a new alternative to the often difficult approach of trying to find a single Lyapunov function that simultaneously covers all of the error variables.
Variety and the firm's performance: An empirical investigation

Abstract Traditional strategic planning attempts to answer “What should a firm plan to do?”. We propose an alternative approach and question “What should a firm plan to be able to do?”. It is not a play on words, but rather a control approach to strategic planning rather than a problem solving approach. Its origins lie in Ashby's law of requisite variety and its implications. Variety is the list of things that a firm can do. It is measured using, separately, factor analysis and experts. The two approaches are correlated. Variety is then used as the independent variable in a financial performance — variety model. Statistically significant results obtain. Finally, normative implications of variety creation for the firm are explored.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 antagonist JTE-013 increases the excitability of sensory neurons independently of the receptor

Previously we demonstrated that sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) played a prominent, but not exclusive, role in enhancing the excitability of small-diameter sensory neurons, suggesting th...
Some quantitative constraints on value allocation in society and politics.

In a classic study, Harold Lasswell and Abraham Kaplan have endeavored to summarize under eight headings all the major substantive values to the allocation of which political processes are relevant. The author discusses these—power, wealth, deference or respect, well-being, affection, skill, enlightenment, and righteousness—in terms of interpersonal values, partially autonomous values, and a paradoxical combination of the two, and relates his discussion to game theory and to the economic theory of inflation and deflation.
P1-S2.37 Incidence of urethral discharge syndrome among men who have sex with men and associated risk factors in India; a cohort analysis of clinic attendees

Background Monitoring data from a cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) attending 421 clinics located in six states of India from January 2004 to December 2009 were studied. These clinics were supported by Avahan (the India AIDS initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and provided services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including presumptive treatment for gonorrhoea and chlamydia; risk reduction counselling, treatment of STI syndromes and regular STI check-ups. Methods Individual tracking data from the clinical forms were collected, merged and cleaned. Observed episodes of urethral discharge (UD) were counted as incident cases when clinical record prior to the episode reported no UD or if the patients had received the clinics9 standard single dose directly observed treatment. The mid-point between visits was considered as the time of incident UD. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess associations between incidence of UD and reported behaviours. Results A total of 82 690 MSM made 508 469 visits to the clinics, constituting a cohort of 88 458 person-years (median duration of follow-up 0.86 years; maximum, 5.9 years). 7292 cases of UD were considered as incident giving an incidence rate (IR) of 8.2 per 100 person years (PYs). The IR decreased from 82.7 per 100 PYs in 2005 to 2.8 per 100 PYs in 2009; the first year of follow-up having the highest incidence (HR =1.5, p Conclusion Urethral discharge syndrome among MSM shows a decline and could be a good proxy to include in future STI surveillance in resource-constrained scenarios. An analysis of MSM risk behaviour in India can help in risk profiling for targeted interventions.
The molecular defects in lipoprotein lipase deficient patients.

The underlying molecular defects that lead to a deficiency of lipoprotein lipase in two patients from different kindreds presenting with the familial hyperchylomicronemia syndrome have been identified. Sequence analysis of amplified LPL cDNA of the patient from the Bethesda kindred revealed a single point mutation (G to A) at position 781 of the normal gene that resulted in the substitution of an alanine for a threonine at residue 176 and the loss of an SfaNl site present in the normal LPL gene. Amplification of patient cDNA by the PCR followed by restriction enzyme digestion with SfaNI established that the patient is a true homozygote for the defect. The proband from the second kindred was found to be a compound heterozygote for two separate allelic mutations, including a T to C transition at nucleotide 836 and a G to A mutation at base 983 that led to the substitution of Ile194 by Thr and Arg243 by His, respectively. Transient expression of the mutant LPL cDNAs from both kindreds in human embryonal kidney-293 cells resulted in the synthesis of enzymatically inactive proteins, establishing the functional significance of the mutations.
Comparison between various correction factors in the calculation of the creep compliance

Uniaxial creep tests of food sometimes involve considerable deformation and consequently a progressive alteration of the specimen's cross-sectional area. Under such conditions the difference between constant force and constant stress histories becomes substantial, and the strain needs to be represented by one of several possible large strain measures. Correction factors for creep curves, based on the assumption of incompressibility, were calculated employing Green's, Cauchy's, Hencky's, Swainger's and Almansi's strain definitions. The relationships between these correction factors and the extension or compression ratio are presented in a graphical form, and their possible role in the interpretation of creep data of solid foods is evaluated.
UDPgalactose:glucosylceramide β1→4-galactosyltransferase activity in human proximal tubular cells from normal and familial hypercholesterolemic homozygotes

Abstract The activity of a galactosyltransferase (GalT-2) that catalyzes the transfer of galactose from uridinediphosphogalactose to glucosylceramide in cultured normal proximal tubular (PT) cells was characterized with respect to substrate saturation and metal ion requirements. Using a membrane-bound enzyme source, optimum activity was obtained in the presence of 1.0 mM Mn2+/Mg2+ (1:1) and a detergent mixture, Triton X-100/Cutscum (1:2, v/v), 0.1 mg/ml. The apparent Km values for glucosylceramide and UDP[14C]galactose were 3 μM and 0.5 μM, respectively. The Vmax values for glucosylceramide and UDP[U-14C]galactose were 0.12 nmol/mg protein per 2 h and 173 nmol/mg protein per 2 h, respectively. The purified 14C-labelled product comigrated with authentic lactosylceramide (LacCer) on TLC and HPLC analysis. The presence of a terminal β-[14C]galactosyl group in the enzymatic product was proved by its cleavage (79%) by β-galactosidase. Following the development of optimal assay conditions in normal PT cells, GalT-2 activity was next measured in urinary PT cells from homozygous familial hypercholesterolemic (FH) patients previously shown to accumulate large amounts of lactosylceramide. Urinary PT cells from familial hypercholesterolemic homozygous patients contained 35% higher GalT-2 activity as compared to control cells. We speculate that elevated GalT-2 acitivity may contribute to the storage of LacCer in FH-PT cells.
Update on Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography of the Abdominal Aorta

Multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) allows high spatial resolution, including nearly isotropic submillimeter resolution in the X, Y, and Z planes, and rapid image acquisition in a single breath hold, with greatly enhanced diagnostic capabilities over conventional CT. MDCTA has largely replaced digital subtraction angiography because it is faster, less invasive, and provides more information. When technical parameters are optimized, it provides the radiologist with the information needed to diagnose life threatening diseases of the aortoiliac system, gives critical information for the vascular surgeon or interventional radiologist to treat that disease, and identifies subsequent complications related to therapy. This article briefly discusses the technical components and optimization of MDCTA of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries (aortoiliac system) and examines the diseases of the aortoiliac system evaluated by MDCTA.
Anti-Idiotypes to HLA and their Role in Transplantation

The network theory proposed by Jerne is based on the finding that variable regions of T and B cell antigen receptors are structurally diverse and express unique variable region determinants. We have postulated that idiotypes present on the V region of the anti-HLA antibody molecule (Ab1) can elicit the production of anti-anti-HLA antibodies or Ab2 and that such Ab2 may play a role in the suppression of anti-HLA antibody responses. We first tested the validity of this concept in pregnancy, natures most perfect model of allogeneic tolerance. Our studies revealed that anti-Id antibodies were present during pregnancy at times when HLA antibodies had disappeared from the circulation (1,2). This inverse correlation between Ab1 and Ab2 suggested that Ab2 suppresses the production of Ab1. Once the validity of this concept was substantiated in the model of pregnancy, we tried to determine whether anti-Id antibodies to HLA also play a role in the down regulation of the alloimmune response to transfusions and transp...
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 G241R Polymorphism Predicts Risk of Incident Ischemic Stroke Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background and Purpose— Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels are increased in pathological studies of atherosclerosis. We evaluated 13 491 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study to determine the association of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 G241R and K469E polymorphisms with incident coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke. Methods— Incidences of ischemic stroke (N=517) and coronary heart disease (N=1629) through 2003 were determined by annual telephone calls and hospital and death certificate surveillance. Risk factors were measured at the baseline examination. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to estimate hazard rate ratios. Results— The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 G241RR genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke in both whites (hazard rate ratio=2.18; 95% CI, 1.01 to 4.68; P=0.05) and blacks (hazard rate ratio=7.04; 95% CI, 3.72 to 13.3; P<0.001). Conclusions— The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 241RR genotype is as...
Fatigue in Advanced Cancer: A Prospective Study:

Fatigue is a common advanced cancer symptom. Clinical features are not well known. The authors surveyed consecutive patients admitted to a palliative medicine program to identify clinical correlates of fatigue. Data collected included age, sex, performance status, primary site, prior chemotherapy/radiation therapy, and blood transfusions. Visual analogue scales assessed fatigue, quality of life, and ability to perform daily activities. Weight change was estimated. Laboratory results including lactate dehydrogenase and hemoglobin were recorded. Fatigue severity was associated with brain metastases, poor performance status, poor quality of life, and reduced ability to perform activities. Prior radiation therapy was associated with less severe fatigue. Age, sex, and hemoglobin level were not associated with fatigue. Fatigue was universal on referral. Brain metastases and poor quality of life independently predicted severity. Hemoglobin level did not predict fatigue. Further studies are necessary to define th...
"Varve" counting vs. tephrochronology and 137Cs and 210Pb dating: A comparative test at Skilak Lake, Alaska

The age of recently deposited sediments in Skilak Lake has previously been estimated only by counting [open quotes]varves[close quotes]. We measured the sedimentation rate of Skilak Lake using two radionuclides, [sup 137]Cs and [sup 210]Pb, and found it to be about an order of magnitude lower than previous estimates based on varve counts. We also identified several tephras through a combination of visual inspection, core X-radiographs, observation of variations of the magnetic susceptibility, intensity of magnetization of the unconsolidated sediments, and microprobe analyses of volcanic glass shards. Tephrochronologic dates using matches with the Katmai 1912 tephra and an Augustine tephra from 500-550 yr B.P. are in good agreement with the sedimentation rate estimates based on the radioisotope data, and indicate that the rhythmite layers at Skilak Lake are not annual varves. These new estimates of sedimentation rate reaffirm that care is needed in varve dating and require that earlier work on sunspot and climate changes thought to have been recorded in the Skilak Lake sediments be reevaluated. 16 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.
NFκB signaling drives pro-granulocytic astroglial responses to neuromyelitis optica patient IgG

Astrocytes expressing the aquaporin-4 water channel are a primary target of pathogenic, disease-specific immunoglobulins (IgG) found in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Immunopathological analyses of active NMO lesions highlight a unique inflammatory phenotype marked by infiltration of granulocytes. Previous studies characterized this granulocytic infiltrate as a response to vasculocentric complement activation and localized tissue destruction. In contrast, we observe that granulocytic infiltration in NMO lesions occurs independently of complement-mediated tissue destruction or active demyelination. These immunopathological findings led to the hypothesis that NMO IgG stimulates astrocyte signaling that is responsible for granulocytic recruitment in NMO. Histopathology was performed on archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded autopsy-derived CNS tissue from 23 patients clinically and pathologically diagnosed with NMO or NMO spectrum disorder. Primary murine astroglial cultures were stimulated with IgG isolated from NMO patients or control IgG from healthy donors. Transcriptional responses were assessed by microarray, and translational responses were measured by ELISA. Signaling through the NFκB pathway was measured by western blotting and immunostaining. Stimulation of primary murine astroglial cultures with NMO IgG elicited a reactive and inflammatory transcriptional response that involved signaling through the canonical NFκB pathway. This signaling resulted in the release of pro-granulocytic chemokines and was inhibited by the clinically relevant proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and PR-957. We propose that the astrocytic NFκB-dependent inflammatory response to stimulation by NMO IgG represents one of the earliest events in NMO pathogenesis, providing a target for therapeutic intervention upstream of irreversible cell death and tissue damage.
Exploring the Foundations of Cumulative Innovation: Implications for Organization Science

Organizational theorists have built a deep understanding of the conditions affecting knowledge sharing. However, for innovation to occur, knowledge must not just be shared, but also reused, recombined, and accumulated. Such accumulation is not inherent to the innovation process but can be either supported or limited by the context in which it occurs. We propose a framework arguing that three conditions shape this context: disclosure, access, and rewards. We show how these conditions operate at the institutional, field, community, and organizational levels. Our framework highlights how when innovators encounter barriers to the accumulation of knowledge, their solutions are often organizational ones rather than legal ones. This suggests an expanding terrain for organizational scholars interested in debates often dominated by law and economics.
Programmable phase compensation in a multipass Ti:sapphire CPA system

We demonstrate the programmable control over the phase of sub-30-fs pulses in a 10-pass chirped-pulse laser amplifier using a pulse stretcher incorporating a programmable liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM). The distinct advantage of this method is that almost arbitrary spectral phase profile can be programmed into the SLM. The amplifier is seeded by 15-fs 2-nJ pulses produced by a Ti:sapphire laser.
Superconducting magnetic sensors operating from a moving platform

Sensors incorporating Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) provide the greatest sensitivity for magnetic anomaly detection available with current technology, The Coastal Systems Station (CSS) has pioneered the use of superconducting magnetic sensors in the field operating onboard airborne and undersea moving platforms, where environmental and instrument noises present operational problems which are not encountered under laboratory conditions. Basic conceptual approaches for utilizing these sensors onboard moving platforms, including field deployable sensor configurations, are described. Environmental and instrumental technical issues are also addressed. A historical sketch of sensor development, current sensor capabilities, recent technology advances, and future trends is included. Naval applications and dual use opportunities for this technology are given based on experience developed at CSS. >
Probabilistic analysis of an lp relaxation bound for the steiner problem in networks

On etudie de maniere probabiliste la force relative d'une limite de relaxation en programmation lineaire pour une formulation en programmation entiere du probleme d'arbre de Steiner dans les reseaux. Pour des modeles differents du reseau, on montre que la relaxation agregee en programmation lineaire fournit une limite rapidement divergente pour l'arbre de Steiner optimal et on caracterise les vitesses de divergence
A Two-Dimensional Thermoelastic Rough Surface Contact Model

By taking into account steady-state heat transfer, and surface distortion due to thermal and elastic deformations, a two-dimensional thermoelastic model is developed for rough surface asperity contact, where the thermal influence function connecting the thermal deformation and the contact pressure is derived based on the Dundurs' theorem. The model has been shown to be accurate at low as well as high frictional heating conditions by comparison with published results. As an application of this model, the contact problem of a cylinder on a random rough surface is studied in detail.
Practical Method For Edge Detection And Focusing For Linewidth Measurements On Wafers

Lack of precision and accuracy of in-process critical dimension (CD) measurements of linewidth continues to be a serious problem at micrometer and submicrometer dimensions. Even with highly repeatable optical linewidth measurement systems, variable "offsets" or errors have been shown to occur with changes in process variables such as thickness of the patterned layer and sublayers and changes in the indices of refraction of the materials. All of these variations result in a change in the optical phase difference that occurs on reflection at the line edge and, therefore, result in changes in the structure of the optical image. Although an accurate coherent optical edge-detection method has been developed, it requires accurate knowledge of this phase difference, which is not always possible in CD measurements. This paper proposes a new dual-threshold method for edge detection and focusing, based on image theory, which can be adapted to most optical microscope based measurement systems. It does not require knowledge of the phase discontinuity at the line edge. The accuracy of this criterion is compared to two more widely used criteria, (1) the minimum and (2) 50% threshold, and it is concluded that, when the phase difference is unknown and varies with normal processing, the new dual-threshold method is the superior method.
A Profile Anonymization Model for Privacy in a Personalized Location Based Service Environment

Location based services (LBS) aim at delivering point of need information. Personalization and customization of such services, based on the profiles of mobile users, would significantly increase the value of these services. Since profiles may include sensitive information of mobile users and moreover can help identify a person, customization is allowed only when the security and privacy policies dictated by them are respected. While LBS are often presumed as untrusted entities, the location services that capture and maintain mobile users' location to enable communication are considered trusted, and therefore can capture and manage the profile information. In this paper, we address the problem of privacy preservation via anonymization. Prior research in this area attempts to ensure k-anonymity by generalizing the location. However, a person may still be identified based on his/her profile if the profiles of all k people are not the same. We extend the notion of k-anonymity by proposing a profile based k-anonymization model that guarantees anonymity even when profiles of mobile users are known to untrusted entities. Specifically, our proposed approaches generalize both location and profiles to the extent specified by the user. We support three types of queries - mobile users requesting stationary resources, stationary users requesting mobile resources, and mobile users requesting mobile resources. We propose a novel unified index structure, called the (PTPR- tree), which organizes both the locations of mobile users as well as their profiles using a single index, and as a result, offers significant performance gain during anonymization as well as query processing.
Hearts of Compassion: A Concern for Violence against Children

This article documents the global concern of violence toward children in the post-modern society. The possibility of pursuing altruistic possibilities is explored in light of recent research conducted with children who experienced the events of 9/11 in New York City and immigrant border crossing children. The conclusion explores how early childhood and progressive educators can work toward alleviating violence against children. (My father) came to see us one time (after our mother was killed by soldiers), but only once and then they told us he'd been killed. We were very sad ... as time went by, I began to forget ... You learn to adapt to not having parents. (Juan) I had trouble sleeping. I kept thinking about dead people. So I wrapped myself up in the covers because I thought, here comes a ghost. Now I'm not having those dreams anymore. (Chico) Sometimes I dream that the soldiers are chasing and killing us. Sometimes I'm so afraid I stay awake all night until dawn. (Sebastian) Around here I don't spend much time with other Mayas. Most of them live far away. The Mayas here are afraid to say who they really are. They know in their hearts, but they don't say it. (Dora) (M. Brinton Lykes gathered these quotes. http://www.newday.com/guides/mango/16psychosocial.html)
Titan Cells Confer Protection from Phagocytosis in Cryptococcus neoformans Infections

The human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans produces an enlarged “titan” cell morphology when exposed to the host pulmonary environment. Titan cells exhibit traits that promote survival in the host. Previous studies showed that titan cells are not phagocytosed and that increased titan cell production in the lungs results in reduced phagocytosis of cryptococcal cells by host immune cells. Here, the effect of titan cell production on host-pathogen interactions during early stages of pulmonary cryptococcosis was explored. The relationship between titan cell production and phagocytosis was found to be nonlinear; moderate increases in titan cell production resulted in profound decreases in phagocytosis, with significant differences occurring within the first 24 h of the infection. Not only were titan cells themselves protected from phagocytosis, but titan cell formation also conferred protection from phagocytosis to normal-size cryptococcal cells. Large particles introduced into the lungs were not phagocytosed, suggesting the large size of titan cells protects against phagocytosis. The presence of large particles was unable to protect smaller particles from phagocytosis, revealing that titan cell size alone is not sufficient to provide the observed cross-protection of normal-size cryptococcal cells. These data suggest that titan cells play a critical role in establishment of the pulmonary infection by promoting the survival of the entire population of cryptococcal cells.
Analysis of U-slot, microstrip phased array radiator elements on electrically thick substrates

The experimental validation of the design approach in V. Natarajan and D. Chatterjee (2005) is reported here for the first time for electrically thick substrates. One of the main purposes of this investigation is to validate the design of U-slot elements for application to wideband microstrip phased arrays. The scope of the initial results presented here is limited to single wideband U-slot and rectangular patch elements on finite ground planes.
"Managing through Failure”: More than an Oxymoron?

In a “man-bites-dog” inversion of principles more likely to be employed in leadership primers (i.e., that failure is somehow not an option), this paper suggests managers should embrace the possibility that they as well as their subordinates inevitably will at least occasionally fail. Their acceptance suggests managers should learn more about certain historical perspectives and principles from which the ongoing need to lead subordinates through inescapable failure could be addressed more effectively. Below, ten ironic observations and three overarching historically grounded principles are identified, justified and explicated. Each prescriptive point is designed and fit-together in ways intended to assist modern managers in their efforts to lead subordinates and themselves though failure.
A test program for the Hewlett-Packard 5006A signature analyzer

Most of the internal functions of the signature analyzer and its IEEE-488 interface are exercised by the test program. The program is written in the C programming language and calls the National Instruments C language GPIB-PC functions. A compiled version of the program runs on an IBM PC/XT or compatible computer and uses the National Instruments GPIB-PC interface board to communicate with the signature analyzer. The program was compiled with the Borland International Turbo C compiler.
Investigation of interference by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in urine tests for abused drugs

Anecdotal and uncontrolled studies have suggested that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs produce false-positive results in immunoassay urine tests for some drugs of abuse. This study was performed in 60 volunteers who took ibuprofen as either a single 400-mg dose, or 200 mg three times a day, or 400 mg three times a day, and in 42 patients taking ibuprofen, naproxyn, or fenoprofen in therapeutic regimens for more than 30 days. Of the 510 urines collected from 102 individuals during these dosage regimens, two gave false-positive tests for cannabinoid by enzyme-mediated immunoassay (EMIA), one after 1200 mg of ibuprofen in three divided doses for one day and one in a patient taking naproxyn on a chronic basis; none was falsely positive for benzodiazepines. Two urines were false-positive for barbiturates by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), one in a patient taking ibuprofen and one in a patient taking naproxyn. These data, collected prospectively, demonstrate the small likelihood of a false-positive immunoassay test result for cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, or barbiturates after the acute or chronic ingestion of ibuprofen, or after the chronic ingestion of naproxyn or fenoprofen.
Introduction to Ecosystems: Science, Values, and Action

A major purpose of this book is to lay out the constraints, opportunities, benefits, and pathways for improving the linkage between the science of ecology and the theory and practice of environmental ethics. The six chapters in this part together suggest a shared message.