cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in cerebellar granule cells by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor activation

Abstract Cultured cerebellar granule cells were studied to determine if the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate acting through the N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor could stimulate autophosphorylation of Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-kinase II) to generate its Ca 2+ -independent form. Glutamate did elevate Ca 2+ -independent CaM-kinase II through autophosphorylation when granule cells were incubated in Mg 2+ -free buffer, and this response was potentiated by 1 μ M glycine. Extracellular Ca 2+ was required, and specific antagonists of the NMDA receptor blocked the response. These results support the hypothesis that postsynaptic Ca 2+ influx through the NMDA receptor-gated ion channel, as occurs during induction of long-term potentiation, may convert CaM-kinase II to a constitutively active, Ca 2+ -independent form.
George Rohrlich's Social Economics

It is a pleasure and a privilege to participate in this special session to honour George F. Rohrlich, social economist. It is with a sense of humility that I accept this pleasant undertaking. George Rohrlich has taught, written, helped others to write, published, helped others to publish and edited works on different aspects of social economics. I attempt here to put together a few observation on the nature of social economics as revealed in his writings. This attempt is by its very nature a modest one. For, how can one do justice to the work of a man who has to his credit a dozen major works (books or monographs) and almost five dozen other writings (articles, papers, notes) not all of them in English? I do not, therefore, even pretend to take a comprehensive view of Rohrlich, the social economist.
Microvascular changes in early and advanced dermatomyositis: A quantitative study

In adult dermatomyositis 10 muscle specimens with no or minimal histological alterations were compared with 7 that showed typical alterations. Five specimens from patients with inclusion body myositis, 5 from patients with polymyositis, and 8 from normal subjects served as controls. Vascular endothelium, visualized with the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin I, and complement membrane attack complex were demonstrated in the same cryostat sections by paired immunofluorescence. Large randomly selected fields were analyzed to determine the number of capillaries per square millimeter of fiber area (capillary density), per 1,000-microns 2 area of each muscle fiber (capillary index), and in 100 x 100-microns grid squares. In dermatomyositis specimens with minimal structural alterations there was focal capillary depletion, the capillary density was significantly reduced, and the frequency distributions of the capillary index and grid count were shifted to the left. In advanced dermatomyositis specimens, the findings were similar but more severe. In both kinds of specimens, clusters of capillaries reacted for complement membrane attack complex. The 2 patients with the highest proportion of vessels positive for membrane attack complex had a fulminant and fatal course. In polymyositis and inclusion body myositis specimens, the capillaries had a normal overall density and none reacted for membrane attack complex. The findings imply that the capillaries are an early and specific target of the disease process in dermatomyositis.
Design and synthesis of new cephalosporin antibiotics

Cephalosporins are important antibiotics. We synthesized new cephalosporin analogs containing novel side chains of methyl, propyl, benzyl, and phenoxy groups. Four synthetic methods with N-alkylation and N-acylation at position C-7 and esterification at position C-4 of 7-aminodesacetoxycephalosporanic acid are reported here.
Estimation of inlet temperature profile in laminar duct flow

The inverse analysis using conjugate-gradient method of minimization with an adjoint equation is presented for estimating the transversal variation of inlet temperature from temperature measurements taken at downstream location in a parallel-plate duct. The advantage of the method is that no prior information is needed for the functional form of spacewise variation of the unknown inlet temperature. The effects of the number of measurements N as well as the distribution of the measurements in the transversal direction, axial locations of the sensor, measurement errors, and functional form of the unknown inlet temperature on the accuracy of estimations are investigated. Inlet temperature distribution involving slope discontinuities was found difficult to estimate.
Cavity length dependence of mode beating in passively Q-switched Nd-solid state lasers

The temporal intensity profile of pulse(s) from passively Q-switched and passively Q-switched mode locked (QSML) solid-state lasers is known to be dependent on cavity length. In this work, the pulse width, modulation depth, and beat frequencies of a Nd:Cr:GSGG laser using a Cr +4 :YAG passive Q-switch are investigated as function cavity length. Measured temporal widths are linearly correlated with cavity length but generally 3-5 ns larger than theoretical predictions. Some cavity lengths exhibit pulse profiles with no modulation while other lengths exhibit complete amplitude modulation. The observed beat frequencies at certain cavity lengths cannot be accounted for with passively QSML models in which the pulse train repetition rate is τ RT -1 , τ RT = round-trip time. They can be explained, however, by including coupled cavity mode-locking effects. A theoretical model developed for a two section coupled cavity semiconductor laser is adapted to a solid-state laser to interpret measured beat frequencies. We also numerically evaluate the temporal criterion required to achieve temporally smooth Q-switched pulses, versus cavity length and pump rate. We show that in flash lamp pumped systems, the difference in buildup time between longitudinal modes is largely dependent on the pump rate. In applications where short pulse delay is important, the pumping rate may limit the ability to achieve temporally smooth pulses in passively Q-switched lasers. Simulations support trends in experimental data. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.
Equilibrium thermodynamics and folding kinetics of a short, fast-folding, beta-hairpin.

Equilibrium thermodynamics of a short beta-hairpin are studied using unbiased all-atom replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations in explicit solvent. An exploratory analysis of the free energy landscape of the system is provided in terms of various structural characteristics, for both the folded and unfolded ensembles. We find that the favorable interactions between the ends introduced by the tryptophan cap, along with the flexibility of the turn region, explain the remarkable stability of the folded state. Charging of the N termini results in effective roughening of the free energy landscape and stabilization of non-native contacts. Folding–unfolding dynamics are further discussed using a set of 2413 independent molecular dynamics simulations, 2 ns to 20 ns long, at the melting temperature of the beta-hairpin. A novel method for the construction of Markov models consisting of an iterative refinement of the discretization in reduced dimensionality is presented and used to generate a detailed kinetic network of the system. The hairpin is found to fold heterogeneously on sub-microsecond timescales, with the relative position of the tryptophan side chains driving the selection of the specific pathway.
Robust Communication with IoT Devices using Wearable Brain Machine Interfaces

Proliferation of internet-of-things (IoT) will lead to scenarios where humans will interact with and control a variety of networked devices including sensors and actuators. Wearable brain-machine interfaces (BMI) can be a key enabler of this interaction for people with disabilities and limited motor skills. At the same time, BMI can improve the experience of healthy individuals significantly. However, state-of-the-art BMI systems have limited applicability as they are prone to errors even with sophisticated machine learning algorithms used for classifying the electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. We improve the reliability of BMI communication significantly by proposing two techniques at higher abstraction layers. Our first contribution is a command confirmation protocol that protects the brain-machine communication against false interpretations at run time. The second contribution is an off-line optimal event selection algorithm that identifies the most reliable subset of events supported by the target BMI system. The event selection is guided by novel user specific reliability metrics defined for the first time in this paper. Extensive experiments using a commercial BMI system demonstrate that the proposed techniques increase the communication robustness significantly, and reduce the time to complete a complex navigation task by 63% on average.
Fragmentation process occurring in proton-transfer chemical-ionization mass spectrometry

The isobutane chemical-ionization mass spectra of deuterium-labelled model compounds show that fragmentation can occur at locations remote from the site of protonation.
Pneumocystis carinii: freeze-fracture study of stages of the organism.

Abstract The morphology and life cycle of Pneumocystis carinii were studied in cortico-steroid-treated rats by ultrathin section and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. The following stages of P. carinii were noted: trophic, precyst, and cyst. The crescent-shaped cysts appeared to be intermediate forms between precyst and cyst. The cell wall of the trophic stage showed membrane structures suggestive of protozoan endocytosis, whereas the surface of the precyst stage was smooth. The cell wall of the cyst lacked the specialized structural differentiation of yeasts and resembled that of Plasmodium spp. We conclude that P. carinii belongs to the Protozoa, and is presumably Rhizopoda.
Monte Carlo study of the symmetric Anderson-impurity model.

Using a recently proposed quantum Monte Carlo technique, we consider moment formation and magnetic properties of the symmetric Anderson-impurity model for a wide range of parameters and temperatures. We parametrize the general behavior, determining the approach towards universality and establishing the range of validity of various approximations.
B7-1 and B7-2 costimulatory molecules activate differentially the Th1/Th2 developmental pathways: Application to autoimmune disease therapy

CD4 T helper precursor cells mature along two alternative pathways, Th1 and Th2. Here we show that these pathways are differentially activated by two costimulatory molecules, B7-1 and B7-2. Using anti-B7 antibodies, this developmental step was manipulated both in vitro and in vivo in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Anti-B7-1 reduced the incidence of disease while anti-B7-2 increased disease severity. Neither antibody affected overall T cell induction but rather altered cytokine profile. Administration of anti-B7-1 at immunization resulted in predominant generation of Th2 clones whose transfer both prevented induction of EAE and abrogated established disease. Since co-treatment with anti-IL-4 antibody prevented disease amelioration, costimulatory molecules may directly affect initial cytokine secretion. Thus, interaction of B7-1 and B7-2 with shared counterreceptors CD28 and CTLA-4 results in very different outcomes in clinical disease by influencing commitment of precursors to a Th1 or Th2 lineage.
Electrostatic contributions to protein retention in ion-exchange chromatography. 2. Proteins with various degrees of structural differences.

The relation of protein structure to retention provides a framework within which to investigate chromatographic adsorption mechanisms. Protein sets with varying degrees of structural differences were studied to relate variations in protein properties to retention behavior. To explore molecular contributions to protein adsorption in ion-exchange chromatography, protein−adsorbent electrostatic interactions were modeled using a continuum approach. The calculations qualitatively capture the chromatographic differentiation of closely related subtilisin variants. Descriptions of the electrostatic interactions of FGF-1 vs FGF-2 with cation exchangers were obtained, and aid in rationalizing differences in experimental retention trends across a set of adsorbents based on different adsorption mechanisms linked to the adsorbent structure. Comparative calculations for proteins with differences in local or overall arginine−lysine composition, including subtilisin variants G166R/G166K and lysozyme/cytochrome c, suggest...
Antagonism of the discriminative effects of diazepam by pyrazoloquinolines in rats.

Abstract The diazepam-like agonist and diazepam antagonist properties of the pyrazoloquinoline benzodiazepine receptor ligands CGS8216, CGS9895 and CGS9896 were evaluated in rats trained to discriminate between saline and 1.0 mg/kg of diazepam in a two-choice, discrete-trial procedure. None of the three pyrazoloquinolines produced diazepam-like discriminative effects over the dose range of 1.0–30 mg/kg. The effects of 1.0 mg/kg of diazepam were antagonized by CGS8216 and CGS9895, but not by CGS9896. The present results provide behavioral evidence for benzodiazepine receptor heterogeneity.
Redshift and the Size of Double Radio Sources

A RELATIONSHIP between redshift and the angular size of radio sources, particularly quasi-stellar sources, has been sought with limited success for some time. Miley1, for example, observed 72 quasi-stellar sources at 408 MHz and found that those with flat spectra and large redshift had on the average the highest fringe visibility. Bash2, however, concluded from observations of 234 radio sources at 2,695 MHz that while fringe visibility was related to spectra, no significant relation to redshift was evident.
Stieltjes integration and differential geometry: A model for enzyme recognition, discrimination, and catalysis

A model for enzymic catalysis is presented using the mathematical theories of differential geometry and Stieltjes integration. The Stieltjesintegrator is a complex-valued function of bounded variation which represents the curvature and torsion, hence the conformation, of the backbone of an enzyme molecule. Theintegrand is a complex-valued continuous function which describes the shape of the surface of a substrate molecule. We postulate that enzyme-substrate interactions correspond to evaluations of Stieltjes integrals, and that observables of enzymic catalysis correspond to projections.
Monitoring of immune response by blood serum profiling using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) to the analysis of blood serum leads to the observation of a large variety of reproducible mass spectral peaks corresponding to blood components. In this study, the use of MALDI-TOFMS was developed as a tool for monitoring immune response to bacterial infection. Employing the MALDI-TOFMS approach, the levels of many components of blood were found to be immune response independent whereas others were found to correlate directly with the response of the immune system to two known types of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis). The methodologies reported here should be useful for the rapid monitoring of blood, especially that of the immune response mechanisms in various animal species.
Categorization and characterization of lesions of the orbital apex

The apex of the orbit is formed by the union of the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone and acts as an osseous tunnel for numerous neurovascular structures entering the orbit from the cranial vault. Lesions of the orbital apex are clinically important as they can have an adverse effect on vision. A broad range of lesions can occur here, and our purpose is to organize the pathologic processes which occur in the orbital apex into logical imaging differentials, establish an organized approach to image analysis, and present examples of representative lesions. We review the anatomy of the orbital apex and categorize and describe the pathologic entities that are encountered most frequently in this anatomically compact region and identify imaging patterns that can help to narrow the differential diagnosis. Categories of orbital apex lesions include neoplasms, inflammatory processes, infections, lesions causing extrinsic compression, and vascular lesions. This categorization provides an organized framework to facilitate a reasonable differential diagnosis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the modalities of choice to evaluate and characterize orbital apex lesions, and imaging examples utilizing these modalities will be presented. The orbital apex is a clinically important anatomical region and hosts diverse pathologic processes. An awareness of common imaging patterns can help to generate a focused differential diagnosis. A systematic categorical approach can be of help to radiologists attempting to accurately characterize lesions in this area.
Atomic Force Michoscxpy-Feasibility for Materials Research.

The applicability of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to both conductive and dielectric materials is the subject of this study. A representative conductor, Cu, and two dielectrics, mica and selenite, were examined. Microstructure and single lamellar steps were resolved. Surface areas on Cu and mica generated reproducible images when scanned repeatedly. There was no evidence of damage to the probe or the sample as a result of the AFM investigations. Selenite did show evidence of change after repeated scans with an AFM lever of 12 N/m spring constant exerting a 10−6N force.
Generation of picosecond far-infrared pulses using laser-activated semiconductor reflection switches

University of California, Santa Barbara CA 93 106-5 100ABSTRACTA source of high-intensity, picosecond-to-nanosecond far-infrared pulses has been developed at the UCSBCenter for Free-Electron Laser Studies. The microsecond-long, far-infrared output of the UCSB free-electron laser issliced into shorter pulses using laser-activated semiconductor reflection switches. We have observed pulse durations asshort as 20 Ps at 22 cm . An overview of the design and performance of the pulse-slicer system is given.1. BACKGROUND1.1. Motivation for this workThe UCSB free-electron laser (FEL) produces kilowatt-level, microsecond-long far-infrared (FIR) pulses at
Purification in Quantity of the Secreted Form of WI-1: A Major Adhesin onBlastomyces dermatitidisYeasts

WI-1, a 120-kDa adhesin onBlastomyces dermatitidis,binds the yeast to macrophages and is a major target antigen of immune recognition in acquired resistance to the fungus. In past studies, WI-1 has been purified by extracting the protein from the yeast cell wall, which yields microgram quantities for biological assays. We report a strategy for generating and purifying the secreted form of WI-1 in quantity. Yeasts ofB. dermatitidisATCC strain 60636 cultured in HMM medium were found to secrete 10 μg/ml of WI-1 into a supernate relatively free of other medium and yeast components. Using a two-step method of ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, we achieved a 7.1-fold purification of WI-1. Purified WI-1 was sequenced at the N-terminus which revealed that the secreted protein exists in two different forms. In functional assays, purified WI-1 also retained its adhesivity for human macrophages, and its antigenicity in binding anti-WI-1 antibodies and stimulating T-cells to proliferate, but it lost some capacity to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice. These findings advance our understanding of the WI-1 adhesin/antigen and our ability to express and purify WI-1 in quantity and will permit a study of the relationship between three-dimensional structure and activity of the molecule.
Effect of symmetry on visible-band intensities of cupric chelates

Using the probable symmetry of several cupric chelates dissolved in CHCl3 or C5H5N, we infer some rational trends in the electric dipole intensity of the copper d-d absorption bands. We postulate that the centric molecules show only weak (e < 50) vibrationally induced transitions, but that the acentric molecules should have higher transition moments. The intensity in each case should increase when the compound is monopyridinated. We have measured spectra of solutions of two series of chelates chosen for their symmetry variations; the spectra are in accord with the predictions. Judiciously used, intensity of visible absorption bands of a new cupric species can provide useful evidence about its geometry; we recommend more frequent use of this evidence.
What good are we doing? The role of clinical research in enhancing critical care medicine

The amount of financial and other resources used by physicians in the treatment of critically ill patients makes it incumbent upon physicians to ensure that sufficient benefit is obtained from these resources and that physicians are in fact doing good for their patients. Knowing that one is in fact doing good requires an understanding of what counts as benefit. Current medical practice suggests that patient benefit is typically understood in terms of physiological changes and responses, highlighting the role of medical subspecialties in patient care. An alternative view is suggested, which requires a broader understanding by physicians of patient needs and welfare. This broader understanding calls for an ambitious research agenda so that physicians will be able to learn how they can genuinely help critically ill patients and their families during times of illness. Carrying out such an agenda requires overcoming the ethical challenges of performing research on patients as vulnerable as critically ill patients. It also requires physicians to establish collaborative ties with other professionals so that truly interdisciplinary research can be performed on a routine basis.
Oxidation of formaldehyde in the presence of aminoguanidine.

Abstract The stoichiometry of the oxidation of formaldehyde by rat-liver mitochondria in the presence of aminoguanidine was studied, as well as the nature of the products formed. 1 μatom of oxygen is consumed/μmole of formaldehyde disappearing, but in experiments with radioformaldehyde it was shown that neither radioformate nor radiocarbon dioxide are formed. Paper chromatography of incubation-mixture supernatants revealed one radioactive spot which was identified as 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. This compound was separated by ion-exchange chromatography and the amount formed corresponds approximately to the amount of formaldehyde disappearing and to the amount of oxygen consumed. In addition, the amount of radioactivity recovered as 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole supports the view that formaldehydeis oxidized in this system only after being incorporated into the 5-membered heterocycle, 3-imino-1,2,4-triazolidine.
Are Climate-Tree Growth Relationships Changing in North-Central Idaho, U.S.A.?

An 861-yr Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) tree-ring chronology has been recently developed for the Salmon River Valley, Challis National Forest, Idaho. Its potential for climatic...
A Self-Healing Approach for a Domain-Specific Deep Web Search Tool

Nowadays, a large part of the online biological data resides in the deep web. Lately, there have been several efforts focusing on integrating and providing search functionality for biological deep web data sources. Such systems often require data access involving a large number of remote data sources and the use of various communication links. Both the servers and networking links are vulnerable to congestion and failures. This can lead to an unpredictable unavailability or inaccessibility, which can disrupt access to the information. In this paper, we propose a solution to maintain query processing capability of an integrated biological deep web search system in the presence of unavailable or inaccessible data sources. Our solution involves dynamically adapting query processing when unexpected data source unavailability or inaccessibility is detected. We exploit the data redundancy that is found across biological deep web data sources. We incrementally generate a partial new query plan by bringing in new data sources that were not in the original query plan to replace the subplan that became inaccessible.
Photoelectron- and Thermionic- Emission Microscopy of Barium/Scandium Thin Films on Tungsten

Commercial scandium oxide doped thermionic cathodes have demonstrated current densities over 100 A/cm2. In order to understand the effect of Sc- and Ba- oxides on the emissivity of these cathodes we have imaged thin films of scandium oxide and barium oxide on tungsten foils using photoelectron emission microscopy and thermionic emission microscopy. Arrays of 100 um × 100 um squares of scandium and 25 um × 25 um squares of barium, 200 nm thick, were sputter deposited onto 50 um thick sheets of tungsten foil. Imaging squares of different sizes gives an unequivocal identification of each material and a completely consistent comparison of each material and cathode structure under identical conditions in one image. The metal squares oxidize in air before imaging. Each sample was heated in situ in a Bauer-Telieps style LEEM/PEEM used primarily in the ThEEM mode. The barium oxide squares emit below 875 K, and diffuse over the scandium below 875 K. Thermionic emission from scandium oxide squares is observed at temperatures significantly larger than 875 K. Failure of the barium oxide film cathode is through barium desorption. AES spectra show that the Sc does not desorb. While the origin of reduced emission temperature is commonly believed to be a result of a low work function monolayer of Ba and Sc oxides, in our study, the benefits of a combined Ba/Sc cathode are present in a thick (multi-layer), layered structure of barium oxide on top of a thick scandium oxide layer.
Promoting effective e-learning practices through the constructivist pedagogy

Although rapid advances in technology has allowed for the growth of collaborative e-learning experiences unconstrained by time and space, technology has not been heavily infused in the activities of teaching and learning. This article examines the theory of constructivism as well as the design of e-learning activities using constructivist principles. The manner in which constructivist theory supports e-Learning is explored, and extrapolating from this pedagogical theory, some implications are provided to model effective practices of the characteristics and capacities of this powerful learning environment.
National Trends of Perioperative Outcomes and Costs for Open, Laparoscopic and Robotic Pediatric Pyeloplasty

Purpose: We performed a population based study comparing trends in perioperative outcomes and costs for open, laparoscopic and robotic pediatric pyeloplasty. Specific billing items contributing to cost were also investigated.Materials and Methods: Using the Perspective database (Premier, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina), we identified 12,662 pediatric patients who underwent open, laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasty (ICD-9 55.87) in the United States from 2003 to 2010. Univariate and multivariate statistics were used to evaluate perioperative outcomes, complications and costs for the competing surgical approaches. Propensity weighting was used to minimize selection bias. Sampling weights were used to yield a nationally representative sample.Results: A decrease in open pyeloplasty and an increase in minimally invasive pyeloplasty were observed. All procedures had low complication rates. Compared to open pyeloplasty, laparoscopic and robotic pyeloplasty had longer median operative times (240 minutes, p <0.0...
English word frequency and recognition in bilinguals: Inter-corpus comparison and error analysis

AbstractObjective: This study is the second of a two-part investigation on lexical effects on bilinguals’ performance on a clinical English word recognition test. Focus is on word-frequency effects using counts provided by four corpora. Design: Frequency of occurrence was obtained for 200 NU-6 words from the Hoosier mental lexicon (HML) and three contemporary corpora, American National Corpora, Hyperspace analogue to language (HAL), and SUBTLEXUS. Correlation analysis was performed between word frequency and error rate. Study sample: Ten monolinguals and 30 bilinguals participated. Bilinguals were further grouped according to their age of English acquisition and length of schooling/working in English. Results: Word frequency significantly affected word recognition in bilinguals who acquired English late and had limited schooling/working in English. When making errors, bilinguals tended to replace the target word with a word of a higher frequency. Overall, the newer corpora outperformed the HML in predicti...
Lateral interactions in catalyst poisoning

Abstract We extend earlier work on poisoning (enhanced desorption) with a detailed examination of the poisoning mechanism in the context of an equilibrium description and by giving an explicit set of criteria satisfies by strong poisoning systems. It is the examination and understanding of the topological details of the phase transition surfaces that allow the determination and verification of these strong poisoning criteria. These criteria are supported by precise calculations (transfer-matrix with strip-widths of three and six) for a three-state lattice-gas with nearest-neighbor interactions on a triangular lattice, a model previously proposed as a general one for multicomponent chemi- and physisorption phenomena. Monte Carlo simulations are also used to explore the effects of longer range interactions on poisoning transitions. Although longer range interactions strongly affect the global topology of the phase transition surface, they do not destroy those features that cause strong poisoning effects and may even enhance them. These ideas are illustrated with particular emphasis on the strong poisoning system where sulfur poisons hydrogen adsorption on platinum (111).
CRT-215 Efficacy and Safety of Transradial Approach to Renal Artery Interventions

Coronary interventions are routinely performed using transradial approach. But there is scarcity of studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of transradial approach to renal artery interventions. Thus further studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of this approach to renal artery
Lattice-based computation of Boolean functions

This paper studies the implementation of Boolean functions with lattices of two-dimensional switches. Each switch is controlled by a Boolean literal. If the literal is 1, the switch is connected to its four neighbours; else it is not connected. Boolean functions are implemented in terms of connectivity across the lattice: a Boolean function evaluates to 1 iff there exists a top-to-bottom path. The paper addresses the following synthesis problem: how should we map literals to switches in a lattice in order to implement a given target Boolean function? We seek to minimize the number of switches. Also, we aim for an efficient algorithm -- one that does not exhaustively enumerate paths. We exploit the concept of lattice and Boolean function duality. We demonstrate a synthesis method that produces lattices with a number of switches that grows linearly with the number of product terms in the function. Our algorithm runs in time that grows polynomially.
Spatial Variations of the Synchrotron Spectrum Within Tycho's Supernova Remnant (3C 10): A Spectral Tomography Analysis of Radio Observations at 20 and 90 Centimeter Wavelengths

We present subarcminute-resolution (≈10''), high-dynamic range radio observations of Tycho's supernova remnant (3C 10) at λ = 20 cm and λ = 90 cm with the Very Large Array (VLA). The thermal-noise-limited 90 cm image has been compensated properly for the noncoplanar characteristics of the VLA and is the most sensitive low-frequency image of this source presently available. We use these images to search for spatial variations in the continuum radio spectral index within the remnant. Such spatial variations should be related to the electron acceleration processes associated with the evolution of the blast wave. We have also utilized, for the first time in an analysis of a supernova remnant, spectral tomography to search for localized regions within which the spectral index is different from the surroundings. We have identified 13 filaments, ranging in size from ≈40'' to ≈260'', embedded in a smoother, background component. The average spectral index of the filaments ( = -0.52 ± 0.02) is consistent with that of the background component ( = -0.500 ± 0.007). However, the filaments in the outer rim show a trend such that brighter filaments have a flatter spectral index. This trend may be due to either supernova remnant (SNR) blast wave-ambient medium interactions or internal inhomogeneities of the magnetic field within the remnant. These hypotheses could be tested by an image at comparable resolution and fidelity at a third frequency.
Discourse Communities--Local and Global.

complex of social formations. In the field of composition and rhetoric, such systems have been described as "discourse communities." The term is useful in the theory and analysis of writing because it embraces the rhetorical concern with social interchange (discourse) and with situation or context (community). But the term can lead the analyst astray by prompting an uncritical acceptance of "community" as a "natural" element or transcendental category. Because community, like discourse itself, is "socially constructed"-by the analyst as well as by the people who claim membership-the act of identifying communities is never innocent, never free of ideological influences. As both Lester Faigley and Joseph Harris have noted, the word community is almost always used positively, and herein lies its danger to rhetorical analysis. If the community is always good, who but the perverse could question or rebel against practices that sustain the community? However, to accept this irresistible goodness as somehow prior to discourse ("above question") would amount to abandoning a key premise of rhetorical criticism-the idea of the rhetorical situation (Bitzer), which demands that the analyst acknowledge the possibility of transformation among the elements and aims of discourse, including location. In addition to changing language and changing minds, the enterprise of rhetoric suggests that speakers and writers have the power to transform the site of discourse, the community itself. In this essay I argue that as a defense against an uncritical adoption of the community concept rhetorical theory needs to keep alive competing concepts of discourse communities, so that alternatives exist in the description and analysis of discourse practices. Recent definitions of discourse communities have established a rather too-narrow foundation upon a communitarian ethic. At the present time, when liberalism's stock is down, communitarianism appears to be a strong alternative for understanding the relation of people to government and culture (Lasch). In liberalism, social organization depends upon two strong formations-the individual, who may enjoy a wide range of rights and freedoms at the possible cost of
Traveling Wave Solutions for a Class of Predator–Prey Systems

We use a shooting method to show the existence of traveling wave fronts and to obtain an explicit expression of minimum wave speed for a class of diffusive predator–prey systems. The existence of traveling wave fronts indicates the existence of a transition zone from a boundary equilibrium to a co-existence steady state and the minimum wave speed measures the asymptotic speed of population spread in some sense. Our approach is a significant improvement of techniques introduced by Dunbar. The advantage of our method is that it does not need the notion of Wazewski’s set and LaSalle’s invariance principle used in Dunbar’s approach. In our approach, we convert the equations for traveling wave solutions to a system of first order equations by a “non-traditional transformation”. With this converted new system, we are able to construct a Liapunov function, which gives an immediate implication of the boundedness and convergence of the relevant class of heteroclinic orbits. Our method provides a more efficient way to study the existence of traveling wave solutions for general predator–prey systems.
The absent fifth metacarpal

Although many patterns of metacarpal abnormalities have been described, the congenital anomaly of complete or partial absence of the fifth metacarpal has not been well defined. This article reports on seven patients with longitudinal partial or complete absence of the fifth metacarpal with the ulna and the three phalanges of the little finger present.
Computing risk ratios from data with complex survey design

We demonstrate how to apply regression risk analysis to compute risk ratios and risk differences from logistic regression models using complex survey data. We validate the use of regression risk analysis for complex survey design. First, we derive formulas for adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) and adjusted risk differences (ARDs) adjusted for weighting, stratification, and clustering. Then we use Monte Carlo data to show why correcting statistics for complex survey design is important. We show how to calculate and interpret ARRs using a publicly available data set with a binary outcome. Regression risk analysis can be applied to complex survey data to calculate correct ARRs and ARDs from logistic regression.
Long-range random walks on energetically disordered lattices.

Although the master equation describing long-range random walks on an energetically disordered lattice is governed by a nonsymmetric transition matrix W, it may be mapped through a similarity transform onto an imaginary-time Schr\"odinger equation governed by a Hermitian (Hamiltonian) operator ${\mathit{H}}_{0}$ having a nondegenerate ground state. Under this mapping the diffusion constant D can be expressed in terms of the exact ground state energy of operators that are infinitesimally perturbed from ${\mathit{H}}_{0}$.
Expression of Progranulin (Acrogranin/PCDGF/Granulin-Epithelin Precursor) in Benign and Malignant Ovarian Tumors and Activation of MAPK Signaling in Ovarian Cancer Cell Line

It has been recently demonstrated that progranulin is overexpressed in ovarian cancer and that this protein is involved in the stimulation of cell proliferation, malignancy, and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. The goal of the present study was to establish the differences in progranulin expression among normal, benign, and malignant ovarian tissues and to identify the signal transduction pathways activated by progranulin in an ovarian cancer cell line. Compared with benign tumors and normal ovarian tissue, progranulin mRNA and protein were overexpressed in malignant tumors. Survival analysis by the Kaplan–Meier method showed a correlation between high mRNA expression levels with poor survival outcome. Progranulin activated the MAPK-signaling pathway in NIH-OVCAR-3 cells. Progranulin expression may be potentially involved in the pathogenesis and malignant progression of ovarian cancer, and thus may represent a therapeutic target for this particular malignancy.
A Bayesian predictive software reliability model with pseudo-failures

In our previous paper (2000), a Bayesian software reliability model with stochastically decreasing hazard rate was presented. Within any given failure time interval, the hazard rate is a function of both total testing time as well as number of encountered encountered failures. In this paper, to improve the predictive performance of our previously proposed model, a pseudo-failure is inserted whenever there is a period of failure-free execution equals (1-/spl alpha/)th percentile of the predictive distribution for time until the next failure has passed. We apply the enhanced model with pseudo-failures inserted to actual software failure data and show it gives better results under the sum of square errors criteria compared to previous Bayesian models and other existing times between failures models.
Empirical analysis of the evolution of a taxonomy for best practices

Taxonomies play an increasingly role in knowledge management, providing the basis on which to find and communicate knowledge, information and metrics. However, knowledge continues to evolve over time. As a result, taxonomies also need to continue to evolve. Two different evolved versions of a taxonomy for best practices, each based on the same original taxonomy were analyzed. This research investigated empirical approaches to trace the changes in the original taxonomy. In so doing, an approach using empirical findings to monitoring and anticipating taxonomy change is initiated. There were a number of findings, including a tendency to evolve to greater complexity.
An Electrooptic Feedforward System for Dynamic Control of a Quasi-Continuous-Wave Chirped Laser Source

In this letter, a feedforward system is developed for control of a quasi-continuous-wave (CW) chirped source. The goal of this study is to improve the uniformity of the temporal profile of a quasi-CW chirped laser source. The chirped spectrum input to the system is dynamically flattened using a feedforward scheme having bandwidth in excess of 1 GHz, resulting in more than three times reduction on the contrast of the input spectrum. A uniform chirped spectrum laser source can be used in time-stretched photonic analog-to-digital conversion, as part of laser radar system, or for optical coherence tomography.
Two Cases of Fatal PMF in an Ongoing Epidemic of Accelerated Silicosis in Oilfield Sandblasters: Lung Pathology and Mineralogy

Epidemics of silicosis have occurred repeatedly in the U.S. at intervals of a few decades (1890s, 1930s, 1970s), during which collective memory appears to fall below a critical point of awareness (Rosner and Markowitz, 1991). Sandblasting with crystalline silica has long been recognised as one of the most potentially hazardous occupations for silicosis risk and in fact, silica sandblasting has been banned in the U.K. since the 1940s. Nevertheless, we have been able to study an ongoing epidemic of silicosis in West Texas Oilfield sandblasters (CDC, 1990; Wiesenfeld and Abraham, 1995) and to describe the clinical findings, lung pathology and mineralogy of the previously rarely described accelerated silicosis. In 1988, we independently began evaluating patients (SLW) or lung biopsies (JLA) from these workers. An early fatality from acute silico-proteinosis was reported (CDC, 1990). Here we present two recent fatalities from PMF in the same epidemic.
Predicting Catastrophic OD Initiated Fatigue Failure of Thick-Walled Cylinders Using Low Cycle Fatigue Data

A procedure is presented to predict fatigue failure of thick-walled cylinders containing discontinuities at the OD. Both crack initiation life and crack growth are considered. The elastic-plastic strains at an OD discontinuity are estimated using an elastic analysis and stress concentration factors. The strain estimates are then used in conjunction with low cycle fatigue data to determine the initiation life. Crack growth life is estimated by integration of a power law relationship. The results obtained by using this analysis method compared to measured fatigue life data for several OD initiated failures in thick-walled cylinders agrees to within about 10 percent.
Lymphoma-Mimicking Peritonitis in a Patient on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD):

Cloudy dialysate in a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) most commonly reflects an increased number of leukocytes secondary to bacterial peritonitis. In the absence of infection, increased quantities of eosinophils, red blood cells, fibrin, or chyle may produce cloudy dialysate in these patients. We report the case of a CAPD patient presenting with cloudy dialysate and symptoms suggestive of bacterial peritonitis. Analysis of the dialysate revealed no microorganisms. The turbidity of the dialysate was related to an increased number of atypical lymphocytes consistent with a B cell lymphoma. Peritoneal dialysis continued uneventfully despite neoplastic disease within the peritoneum. It is recommended that malignant involvement of the peritoneum be added to the differential diagnosis of cloudy dialysate occurring in CAPD patients.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Viral Myocarditis

Myocarditis, an inflammatory disease of heart muscle, is an important cause of dilated cardiomyopathy worldwide. Viral infection is also an important cause of myocarditis, and the spectrum of viruses known to cause myocarditis has changed in the past 2 decades. Several new diagnostic methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, are useful for diagnosing myocarditis. Endomyocardial biopsy may be used for patients with acute dilated cardiomyopathy associated with hemodynamic compromise, those with life-threatening arrhythmia, and those whose condition does not respond to conventional supportive therapy. Important prognostic variables include the degree of left and right ventricular dysfunction, heart block, and specific histopathological forms of myocarditis. We review diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of viral myocarditis. English-language publications in PubMed and references from relevant articles published between January 1, 1985, and August 5, 2008, were analyzed. Main keywords searched were myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, endomyocardial biopsy, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and immunotherapy.
Subsurface Probing by High-Frequency Measurements of the Wave Tilt of Electromagnetic Surface Waves

An overview of the tilt of an electromagnetic surface wave propagating along the surface of the earth is given. High-frequency wave-tilt measurements can have important applications in low conductivity regions such as desert and permafrost areas. A specific application includes determining the depth of permafrost. Past applications of wave-tilt measurements were primarily with lower frequencies in regions with high ground conductivities. Thus low frequencies ( 1 MHz). This enables resolution of thicknesses of layers, a result that has not been possible at low frequencies in the higher conductivity media. It is noted that differences in wave tilt occur for vertically and horizontally polarized surface waves. These wave-tilt differences are useful because they indicate profile characteristics that are sensitive in different ways to the two polarizations.