cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Misidentification of major constituents by automatic qualitative energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis: a problem that threatens the credibility of the analytical community.

Automatic qualitative analysis for peak identification is a standard feature of virtually all modern computer-aided analysis software for energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry with electron excitation. Testing of recently installed systems from four different manufacturers has revealed the occasional occurrence of misidentification of peaks of major constituents whose concentrations exceeded 0.1 mass fraction (10 wt%). Test materials where peak identification failures were observed included ZnS, KBr, FeS2, tantalum-niobium alloy, NIST Standard Reference Material 482 (copper–gold alloy), Bi2Te3, uranium–rhodium alloys, platinum–chromium alloy, GaAs, and GaP. These misidentifications of major constituents were exacerbated when the incident beam energy was 10 keV or lower, which restricted or excluded the excitation of the high photon energy K- and L-shell X-rays where multiple peaks, for example, Kα (K-L2,3)–Kβ (K-M2,3); Lα (L3-M4,5)–Lβ (L2-M4)–Lγ (L2-N4), are well resolved and amenable to identification with high confidence. These misidentifications are so severe as to properly qualify as blunders that present a serious challenge to the credibility of this critical analytical technique. Systematic testing of a peak identification system with a suite of diverse materials can reveal the specific elements and X-ray peaks where failures are likely to occur.
Implementation Of An SVD Processor Using Redundant CORDIC

An implementation of the diagonal and off-diagonal processors for an array performing the singular value decomposition (SVD) is presented. The implementation uses a modification of the CORDIC module that utilizes carry-save addition instead of carry-propagate addition, resulting in a significant improvement in speed. Moreover, the calculation of the angles and of the two-sided rotation are overlapped. To achieve this overlapping, the calculation of the rotation angles includes an on-line module. Finally, the carry-save calculation and the overlapping result in a variable CORDIC scaling factor. This factor is computed and the correction performed by on-line division. Pipelining and rotation interleaving are used to reduce the implementation complexity. The speed is evaluated and compared with that obtained when conventional CORDIC modules are used.
Genetic Variation in Solanum pennellii: Comparisons with Two Other Sympatric Tomato Species

Genetic variation—primarily in 19 genetic loci of seven enzyme systems—was analyzed in accessions from various parts of the geographic range ofSolanum pennellii, which according to all tested biosystematic criteria behaves like a species ofLycopersicon. In comparison with the largely sympatricL. hirsutum andL. pimpinellifolium, this species exhibits the same trends of reduced allogamy and decreased genetic variation toward the north and south margins of its distribution, though to a much lesser degree; it does not exhibit their trends toward smaller flower size in the same peripheral regions. All three species agree to a considerable extent in the ranking of their tested loci in respect to degree of variablility; however, overall polymorphy is highest inS. pennellii. Except for the appearance of self-compatibility at its southernmost margin,S. pennellii is exclusively and rigidly self-incompatible. Alleles are distributed much more uniformly over the range than in the previously mentioned species, marginal and internal endemic mutants being much less abundant. A marked geographic disagreement is evident in regions of high and low variation. These differences in patterns of genetic variability are reconciled in terms of observed differences in mating systems, probable age of distributions, and adaptive strategies.
Review of Accuracy of Urinary Cytology with Risk of Malignancy Assessment per Cytology Categories in a Large Tertiary Health Care System

Pathology, University of Washington,Seattle, WashingtonIntroduction: Urothelial cancer is on the rise. The relatively longersurvival is attributed to timely diagnosis and effective clinical manage-ment. The role of urinary cytology is central in the continued surveillanceand cannot be over-emphasized. In literature urine cytology has a muchhigher sensitivity and speciﬁcity for high grade urothelial carcinomaapproaching 75%-98%, when compared to 8.5 to 50% for low-gradelesions.The objective of our study was to review and benchmark the accuracy ofurine cytology and risk of malignancy (predicted probability) for every urinecytology diagnostic category.Materials and Methods: A laboratory information system search (Cernerand Meditech) retrieved 443 GU biopsies along with their preceding 920urine cytologies from January 2008 to January 2011. Statistical analysiswas performed using the cytology specimen within 6 months and closestto biopsy date and more than 6 months and farthest from the biopsy date.Cytology diagnostic categories included negative for malignant cells(NMC) (N Z 183), reactive cellular change (RCC) (N Z 15), atypical(A) (N Z 77), suspicious(S) (N Z 38) and positive (P) (N Z 61). NMCand RCC were classiﬁed as negative. All other categories wereconsidered positive. Logistic regression was used to model malignancyas a function of urine cytology diagnostic category within 6 months frombiopsy.Results: The overall sensitivity and speciﬁcity of urine cytology was 62.8%and 74.2% respectively (Table 1). Sensitivity for high grade lesions wasgreater (71.6%) than that for low grade (46.3%). Sensitivity for both highgrade and low grade lesions was similar before and after 6 months but spec-iﬁcity declined after 6 months (Table 3). The risk of malignancy was highfor positive, suspicious and atypical categories at 0.82, 0.82 and 0.7 respec-tively (Table 2).
A Misfolded but Active Dimer of Bovine Seminal Ribonuclease

Bovine seminal ribonuclease (BS-RNase) is an unusual homolog of RNase A. Isolated from bulls as a dimer, BS-RNase has special biological properties including anitspermatogenic, antitumor and immunosuppressive activities. The structural bases for these properties are unknown. Four forms of BS-RNase were isolated after folding and air oxidation of the denatured and reduced protein produced in Escherichia coli: two dimers (M = M and M×I, where × signifies an active site composed of residues from both subunits) and two monomers (M and I). Considerable ribonuclease activity was generated by air oxidation of an equimolar mixture of two inactive mutant proteins ([H12D]BS-RNase and [H119D]BS-RNase) prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. This activity came from a dimer (M×I) with a composite active site. 1H-NMR spectroscopy revealed that this dimer contained one correctly folded subunit (M), and one incorrectly folded subunit (I). Form I, which is a poor catalyst, was activated by ribonuclease S-protein, suggesting that the C-terminal portion of I was not folded properly. Electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry and sulfhydryl group titration indicated that I contains a single oxidized sulfhydryl group, which cannot participate in a disulfide bond. These results show that quaternary structure in BS-RNase is attained by the initial formation of two monomers, M and I, which then combine with another M to form M = M and M×I, respectively. Adventitious oxidation can thus lead to the formation of a misfolded but active enzyme (M×I).
Deformation of n-dimensional digital Jordan surfaces

Active contour models have become popular recently especially in medical image segmentation research and in the modeling of deformable structures. There are a number of theoretical, computational, and operational advantages to treating the boundary as a digital entity and defining deformations digitally on the digital representation. Nevertheless, this does not seem to have been pursued in the literature. A significant body of knowledge exists in the literature on the theory and algorithms related to nD, oriented, closed, connected, digital surfaces. In this paper we examine how this knowledge can be utilized to extend active contour models to nD digital surfaces. We present an algorithm for deforming nD, oriented, closed, connected digital surfaces into nD, oriented, closed, connected digital surfaces. The algorithm uses a data structure which we call a random insertion/deletion list. It contains spatial elements (spels) that constitute the immediate interior (II) of the surface as well as information that establishes the relationship of the spels to the surface elements (surfels). (In our digital surface model, the surfels are one lower dimensional than the spels. For example, in 3D, the spel is a voxel and a surfel is a square representing the voxel face). All deformations are realized essentially by adding/deleting spels to/from the data structure. Our results indicate that it is possible to model surfaces digitally and that given an nD, oriented, closed, connected, digital surface, we can deform this surface using local operations only to produce an nD, oriented, closed, digital surface. We also describe an algorithm and data structures to implement this model efficiently. Furthermore, if we allow more global tests, we can also insure that connectedness of the surface is insured as well. We conclude that the extensively studied digital surface models are appropriate for representing deformable objects also. Because of the finite (and small number of) local configurations of surfels and spels, these models offer efficient deformation computation as has been repeatedly demonstrated in the past for a variety of visualization and analysis operations. We demonstrate that we can deform the surface in such ways that maintain orientation and closure using only local checks and we can also insure connectedness at the expense of global checks.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A general model for continuous noninvasive pulmonary artery pressure estimation

Elevated pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is a significant healthcare risk. Continuous monitoring for patients with elevated PAP is crucial for effective treatment, yet the most accurate method is invasive and expensive, and cannot be performed repeatedly. Noninvasive methods exist but are somewhat inaccurate, expensive, and cannot be used for continuous monitoring. We present a machine learning model based on heart sounds that estimates pulmonary artery pressure with enough accuracy to exclude an invasive diagnostic operation, allowing for consistent monitoring of heart condition in suspect patients without the cost and risk of invasive monitoring. We conduct a greedy search through 38 possible features using a 109-patient cross-validation to find the most predictive features. Our best general model has a standard estimate of error (SEE) of 8.3mmHg, which outperforms the previous best performance in the literature on a general set of unseen patient data.
Acute and chronic behavioral interactions between phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamine: evidence for a dopaminergic role in some PCP-induced behaviors.

Amphetamine and phencyclidine (PCP) are both proposed to exert effects on unconditioned behavior through dopaminergic mechanisms. However, a relatively complete characterization of their effects in rats reveals markedly different response profiles. Furthermore, whereas acute co-administration of amphetamine and PCP resulted in an increase in one component of stereotypy, repetitive head movements, two measures of locomotor activation, i.e., ambulation and nonfocused sniffing, were unchanged, and rearings were reduced. In addition, the response alterations which occur with repeated administration of these drugs did not display cross-sensitization. Thus, although repeated daily injections of amphetamine, which produced progressive locomotor augmentation, sensitized animals to the locomotor-stimulating effects of PCP, repeated PCP treatment, which also resulted in locomotor augmentation, decreased the locomotor response to a challenge injection of amphetamine. These findings suggest significant differences in the mechanisms underlying the effects of acute and repeated administration of PCP and amphetamine.
The value of reporting cases

When I wrote my first case report and it was published in a premiere medical journal (1), I was thrilled. The acceptance meant the world to me. It was a remarkable case with a unique combination of coexisting problems. Most importantly, we thought it was a one-of-a-kind case of cryptococcal infection emerging in a Cushingoid patient who had become adrenally excessive by virtue of an ACTHsecreting lung cancer. We thought it was the first case of disseminated cryptococcosis secondary to endogenous steroid excess. Previously, cryptococcal infections secondary to Cushing’s syndrome had been associated with exogenous steroids. Four months later, a letter to the editor in the same journal (2) pointed out that our literature review had missed a previous similar case published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1959 (3). The respondent closed with ‘Does it matter who is first?’ (Published: 26 January 2012) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2011, 1 : 15884 - DOI: 10.3402/jchimp.v1i4.15884
Computer games and traditional CS courses

Integrating computer games into existing CS courses may help attract students to the field, but there are guidelines to be considered.
Increased incidence of a midline brain anomaly in patients with nonsyndromic clefts of the lip and/or palate.

Background and purpose Nonsyndromic clefts of the lip and palate (CLP) are developmental craniofacial abnormalities that are often associated with cognitive dysfunction. This study was designed to evaluate, in patients with CLP, the presence of a specific midline brain anomaly (enlarged cavum septi pellucidi [CSP]) that has been shown in other developmental syndromes to be related to poor cognitive function. Methods Brain images were obtained using magnetic resonance imaging on 49 adult men with CLP and 75 healthy controls. Size of CSP was measured using consecutive coronal images. Results The incidence of large CSP in the CLP group was 8% (4 of 49), significantly higher than that found in the control group. In 2 of these 4 subjects, the anomaly was complete nonfusion of the septal leaflets, known as a combined CSP and cavum vergae. Furthermore, there was a significant inverse relationship of IQ and CSP in CLP patients that was not present in controls. That is, in individuals with CLP, the larger the CSP, the lower the IQ. Conclusions Adult men with CLP have an increased prevalence of enlarged CSP. Moreover, this anomaly is directly related to cognitive deficits. This study provides further evidence that the development of the face and the development of the brain are intimately related and that defects in craniofacial development are most likely associated with defects in brain development.
Multiple neutral maltase activities in normal and acid maltase-deficient human muscle

The subcellular distribution and isoelectric focusing profile of neutral maltase were investigated in human skeletal muscle from controls and patients with acid maltase deficiency. After subcellular fractionation of normal muscle by differential centrifugation, 75% of the neutral maltase activity was soluble and 13% sedimented with a “microsomal” fraction; the relative specific activity was highest in this latter fraction. After isoelectric focusing (pH gradient 3.5 to 10) of a soluble fraction from control muscle, three peaks of activity were observed: peak 1 had exclusively neutral maltase activity; peak 2 had predominantly neutral maltase activity; and peak 3 had acid maltase activity predominating. The soluble fraction of muscle from a patient with infantile acid maltase deficiency showed no detectable activity at acid pH in any of the peaks and the neutral maltase peaks were unaltered. In muscle from a patient with late-onset acid maltase deficiency the focusing pattern for neutral maltase was similar to controls; the small amount of residual activity at acid pH was found in peak 3.
Expression of a Myelin Proteolipid Protein ( Plp ) -lacZ Transgene is Reduced in both the CNS and PNS of Plp jp Mice

Jimpy (Plpjp) is an X-linked recessive mutation in mice that causes CNS dysmyelination and early death in affected males. It results from a point mutation in the acceptor splice site of myelin proteolipid protein (Plp) exon 5, producing transcripts that are missing exon 5, with a concomitant shift in the downstream reading frame. Expression of the mutant PLP product in Plpjp males leads to hypomyelination and oligodendrocyte death. Expression of our Plp-lacZ fusion gene, PLP(+)Z, in transgenic mice is an excellent readout for endogenous Plp transcriptional activity. The current studies assess expression of the PLP(+)Z transgene in the Plpjp background. These studies demonstrate that expression of the transgene is decreased in both the central and peripheral nervous systems of affected Plpjp males. Thus, expression of mutated PLP protein downregulates Plp gene activity both in oligodendrocytes, which eventually die, and in Schwann cells, which are apparently unaffected in Plpjp mice.
A generalized quasi-chemical model for ordered multi-component, multi-sublattice intermetallic compounds with anti-structure defects

A generalized quasi-chemical model was formulated for ordered multi-component, multi-sublattice intermetallic compounds with anti-structure defects. The assumptions made in formulating this model were (i) the atoms are randomly distributed on each of the sublattices, and (ii) the enthalpy term is due entirely to the interaction of the first-nearest neighbor atoms. Analytical equations were derived for the Gibbs energy and the partial Gibbs energies of the component elements. The equilibrium distributions of the atoms on the various sublattices were obtained by the minimization of the Gibbs energy. From the equilibrium distribution of the atoms, the integral and partial thermodynamic quantities of an intermetallic compound can be readily obtained. The generalized thermodynamic equations reduce to the equations reported in the literature for ordered binary intermetallic compounds exhibiting the B2, L10 and L12 structures with anti-structure defects. The generalized equations may be used to describe the thermodynamic properties of any ordered intermetallic compound with anti-structure defects. These equations may be used for calculating phase diagrams and defect concentrations in the lattices.
Investigation of the Contextual Interference Effect in the Manipulation of the Motor Parameter of Over-All Force:

This investigation examined the contextual interference effect when manipulating over-all force in a golf-putting task. Undergraduate women (N = 30) were randomly assigned to a Random, Blocked-Random, or Blocked practice condition and practiced golf putting from distances of 2.43 m, 3.95 m, and 5.47 m during acquisition. Subjects in the Random condition practiced trials in a quasirandom sequence and those in the Blocked-Random condition practiced trials initially in a blocked sequence with the remainder of the trials practiced in a quasirandom sequence. In the Blocked condition subjects practiced trials in a blocked sequence. A 24-hr. transfer test consisted of 30 trials with 10 trials each from 1.67 m, 3.19 m, and 6.23 m. Transfer scores supported the Magill and Hall (1990) hypothesis that, when task variations involve learning parameters of a generalized motor program, the benefit of random practice over blocked practice would not be found.
Total energy, lattice dynamics, and structural phase transitions in silicon by the orthogonalized linear combination of atomic orbitals method.

We demonstrate the accuracy of the self-consistent orthogonalized linear combination of atomic orbitals method within the local-density approximation by applying it to ten different phases of Si. The electronic properties, total energies, and possible structural phase transitions are studied. Also calculated are the static properties of the diamond-structure Si including the equilibrium lattice constant, bulk modulus, and the pressure derivative of the bulk modulus along with the lattice dynamical properties of a few selective phonons at the zone-center \ensuremath{\Gamma} and the edge X points of the Brillouin zone. Furthermore, we have evaluated the internal strain parameter of the diamond-structure Si along the [111] direction. The results of our calculations are in very good agreement with the measured values and the results of the pseudopotential calculations.
Inhibition of erythropoiesis by benzene and benzene metabolites

Mice were injected sc with benzene or one of its metabolites, phenol, catechol, or hydroquinone. The ability of these compound to inhibit erythropoiesis was quantified by measuring the incorporation of 59Fe into developing erythrocytes. Benzene decreased 59Fe incorporation into developing erythrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum inhibition was observed when benzene was administered 48 hr prior to initiation of the 59Fe uptake test. The three metabolites of benzene also significantly inhibited 59Fe incorporation when they were administered 48 hr prior to initiation of 59Fe uptake assay. The degree of inhibition observed with the metabolites was not as great as that observed with benzene. Coadministration of the microsomal mixed-function oxidase inhibitor, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, abolished the erythropoietic toxicity of benzene and phenol but had no effect on the catechol- or hydroquinone-induced toxicity.
Using Sybil Identities for Primary User Emulation and Byzantine Attacks in DSA Networks

In this paper, we investigate a new type of denialof- service attack in dynamic spectrum access networks - Sybilenabled attack. In this attack, the attacker not only launches the primary user emulation (PUE) attacks but also creates and infiltrates multiple Sybil identities to compromise the decision making process of the secondary network via Byzantine attacks. We implement this attack in our cognitive radio testbed to show its feasibility and attack impact. We further analyze the optimal attack strategy from the perspective of the malicious attacker, i.e., the optimal allocation of Sybil interfaces for different attacks, to maximize the impact on the secondary network. The attack models are analyzed under two different scenarios: with and without a reputation system in the network fusion center. Numerical analysis and simulations are conducted to solve the optimal attack strategy and demonstrate the impact of attacks on the secondary network.
Land use change along Denver's I-225 beltway

Abstract This paper examines the long-term impact of suburban Denver's I-225 beltway on surrounding land uses following its introduction into a relatively undeveloped area. Analysis of residential, commercial, and office uses indicates that while the beltway did not serve as a catalyst for large-scale development, there was a gradual reorientation with higher residential and commercial densities along the route. Office densities were less affected by the immediate access provided by the route. Land use development occurred in three stages: (1) penetration of residential development into the corridor with little commercial or office development; (2) proliferation of residential development and penetration of commercial and office activities; (3) proliferation of commercial and office development and reorientation toward beltway.
An efficient insertion-only error-corrector for LL(1) parsers

An LL(1)-based error-corrector which operates by "insertion-only" is studied. The corrector is able to correct and parse any input string. It is efficient (linear in space and time requirements) and chooses least-cost insertions (as defined by the user) in correcting syntax errors. Moreover, the error-corrector can be generated automatically from the grammar and a table of terminal symbol insertion costs. The class of LL(1) grammars correctable by this method contains (with minor modifications) grammars used to specify most common programming languages. Preliminary results suggest that this method can be used to advantage in LL(1)-driven compilers.
The sheep as a model for osteoporosis in humans.

There is great interest in large animal models for studying different aspects of osteoporosis. Several laboratories around the world have used ovariectomized sheep as a model because of their ease of housing and handling, low expense compared to other large animals, availability and acceptance in society as a research animal. They have been used to study the response to new therapies for post-menopausal osteoporosis, low-magnitude mechanical stimulation, orthopedic implants in osteoporotic bone and bioactive ceramics to strengthen vertebral bodies. To produce severely osteopenic bone comparable to that seen in humans, a combination of estrogen deficiency following ovariectomy plus a calcium-wasting diet is currently being investigated.
A retrospective multicenter evaluation of the survival rate of osseointegrated fixtures supporting fixed partial prostheses in the treatment of partial edentulism

Whether the excellent prognosis of the osseointegration technique also applies for the rehabilitation of partially edentulous jaws was investigated through a multicenter retrospective study. Six centers from three continents participated in the study, which included 133 fixtures in 38 patients. Forty fixtures were installed in the upper jaw and 93 in the lower jaw. The observation time varied between 6 and 36 months after prosthetic reconstruction. Clinical evaluation included mobility measurement of the restorations and control of infectious or neurologic complication. Radiologically the absence of radiolucency around the fixtures was checked by a single observer who also calculated the distance between the marginal bone and the top of the fixture. Fifty-eight percent of the prostheses were connected to natural teeth. The success rate for the individual fixtures in the upper and lower jaws was 87% and 92%, respectively. The most failures occurred before the prosthetic rehabilitation. The mean maximum distance between the margin of the bone and the fixture-abutment junction was 2.5 mm. Since only two of the 53 fixed prostheses were lost during the observation period, and since most fixture losses occurred before the prosthetic phase of the treatment, this study supports the concept that osseointegrated prostheses can also be applied to the rehabilitation of partial edentulism.
Interaction of growth hormone with testosterone in stimulating the renal sexual segment of Anolis carolinensis.

Abstract Growth hormone and prolactin, alone and in combination with testosterone, were injected into “physiologically” hypophysectomized male Anolis carolinensis to determine possible interactions of these hormones in controlling renal sexual segment function. Testosterone stimulated moderate sexual segment growth. Prolactin alone had no effect and did not enhance androgenic stimulation. Growth hormone alone did not cause hypertrophy of the sexual segment, but did enhance the stimulatory effect of testosterone. To eliminate a possible influence of endogenous hypophysial hormones, growth hormone in combination with testosterone was injected into surgically hypophysectomized animals. Growth hormone plus testosterone stimulated greater sexual segment hypertrophy than did testosterone alone. Inasmuch as growth hormone alone had no effect, it possibly acts directly on the sexual segment rather than by stimulating testicular androgenic secretions which in turn affect the sexual segment. The possibility that growth hormone has a cyclic pattern of secretion in reptiles is discussed.
Serum soluble Fas levels in preeclampsia

Abstract Objective: To determine if serum soluble Fas levels are altered in women with preeclampsia. Methods: Thirty-four pregnant women with preeclampsia and 34 normotensive pregnant women were studied. Subjects were matched as much as possible for demographics. Preeclampsia was defined as proteinuric hypertension. Serum soluble Fas levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Two-tailed Student t test, χ2 test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and analysis of variance with post hoc test were used for statistical analyses. Results: Mean serum soluble Fas levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive women (10.59 ± 0.68 U/mL versus 5.65 ± 0.35 U/mL, P Conclusion: Elevated serum soluble Fas is associated with preeclampsia. Such elevation might indicate protection of maternal T-lymphocyte apoptosis and consequently lead to the maternal immune intolerance noted in preeclampsia.
A monoclonal antibody to an interspecies major histocompatibility determinant inhibits a virus-specific T-cell clone.

Abstract The cytotoxicity of an influenza-specific T-cell clone of BALB/c mouse origin for an H-2 compatible, virus-infected target is greatly inhibited by a monoclonal antibody which binds to mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinants, but was originally prepared against MHC antigens of the Brown Norway (BN) rat. The inhibition is still observed after absorption of the antibody with lymphoid cells from Lewis, but not from BN or Lewis. l N rats. It thus seems that the site blocked by this monoclonal antibody, which interacts with MHC antigens from a number of animal species, is at least close to a determinant on the MHC glycoprotein that is involved in T-cell recognition. This reagent may be useful for comparative analysis of the phylogeny of MHC-restricted T-cell responses in different species.
Empirical comparison of correlation measures and pruning levels in complex networks representing the global climate system

Climate change is an issue of growing economic, social, and political concern. Continued rise in the average temperatures of the Earth could lead to drastic climate change or an increased frequency of extreme events, which would negatively affect agriculture, population, and global health. One way of studying the dynamics of the Earth's changing climate is by attempting to identify regions that exhibit similar climatic behavior in terms of long-term variability. Climate networks have emerged as a strong analytics framework for both descriptive analysis and predictive modeling of the emergent phenomena. Previously, the networks were constructed using only one measure of similarity, namely the (linear) Pearson cross correlation, and were then clustered using a community detection algorithm. However, nonlinear dependencies are known to exist in climate, which begs the question whether more complex correlation measures are able to capture any such relationships. In this paper, we present a systematic study of different univariate measures of similarity and compare how each affects both the network structure as well as the predictive power of the clusters.
Laguna Negra Virus Associated with HPS in Western Paraguay and Bolivia

Abstract A large outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) recently occurred in the Chaco region of Paraguay. Using PCR approaches, partial virus genome sequences were obtained from 5 human sera, and spleens from 5 Calomys laucha rodents from the outbreak area. Genetic analysis revealed a newly discovered hantavirus, Laguna Negra (LN) virus, to be associated with the HPS outbreak and established a direct genetic link between the virus detected in the HPS cases and in the C. laucha rodents, implicating them as the primary rodent reservoir for LN virus in Paraguay. Virus isolates were obtained from two C. laucha, and represent the first successful isolation of a pathogenic South American hantavirus. Analysis of the prototype LN virus entire S and M and partial L segment nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences showed that this virus is unique among the Sigmodontinae-borne clade of hantaviruses. Analysis of PCR fragments amplified from a serum sample from a Chilean HPS patient, who had recently traveled extensively in Bolivia (where C. laucha are known to occur), revealed an LN virus variant that was approximately 15% different at the nucleotide level and identical at the deduced amino acid level relative to the Paraguayan LN virus. These data suggest that LN virus may cause HPS in several countries in this geographic region.
Effects of Beta Adrenergic Blockade on the Circulation, with Particular Reference to Observations in Patients with Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis

The circulatory effects of blocking the beta adrenergic receptors with Nethalide were studied in 10 patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and in five postoperative subjects undergoing right heart catheterization. In the resting state, the heart rate and the rate of pressure development in the right ventricle diminished slightly, but cardiac index was not altered by the administration of Nethalide. These observations suggest that tonic sympathetic activity is not of major importance in basal subjects in the supine position. Nethalide attenuated the increase in heart rate and right ventricular dp/dt associated with exercise, and abolished the response of these two variables to the administration of isoproterenol. In the patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis Nethalide had little effect on the severity of the obstruction at rest, but reduced the intensification of the obstruction produced by exercise or isoproterenol. The possible clinical benefits of blocking the beta adrenergic receptors in ...
A reader in preservation and conservation

While there are few recent books in this subject area, this is the second IFLA work on preservation and conservation published within 12 months. The other reported on the recent IFLA Section on Pre...
New cell line derived from a human chondrosarcoma.

The morphological, chromosomal, and biological characteristics of a cell line derived from a human chondrosarcoma have been described. At the time of this report, the cell line has undergone 102 passages and continues to exhibit an epithelioid appearance, a modal number of 69 chromosomes, and has retained malignant properties. This cell line is easily cultivated in vitro or in vivo and may prove useful in human cancer research.
A retrospective on the automation of laboratory synthetic chemistry

Abstract The quixotic pursuit to automate laboratory synthetic chemistry has a long history. The rationale for attempting automated synthesis is to increase productivity, to improve quality, to increase precision, to liberate the scientist from monotony, and to provide capabilities for exhaustive experimentation. Early research efforts were consumed in building homemade hardware components and overcoming inadequate computers; these limitations have diminished with recent technology. Diverse sample-handling problems, particularly unexpected phase separations, remain the primary obstacle to the development of general-purpose automated synthesis machines. Though the automation of total synthesis has figured prominently as a goal, there are many roles for automation in support of a research program in synthetic chemistry. The key stages of research encompass exploratory work, systematic physical and synthetic studies, total synthesis, and pre-pilot plant characterizations. No general-purpose synthesizers have been constructed. Five special-purpose automation designs have been investigated for various tasks in the research cycle, including continuous flow reactors, single-batch reactors, single-robotic synthesizers, dual-robotic synthesizers, and integrated workstations. The system design depends both on sample-handling issues and on the scientific objective. Continuous flow reactors have been applied to the characterization of oscillating reactions and enzymatically catalyzed reactions. Single-batch reactors have been applied to peptide and DNA synthesis, rapid synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, and process optimization studies. Single-robot systems have been constructed to engender greater flexibility, and dual-robotic synthesizers have been constructed with each robot dedicated to a particular set of tasks. Integrated workstations comprised of multiple reactors, hardware modules, and analytical instruments have been applied to total synthesis, fundamental studies of self-assembly processes, and technically complex sample preparations in molecular biology. Primitive machines for studying evolution are harbingers of powerful automation systems for fundamental research in molecular biology. Among these machines there exist numerous solutions for difficult sample-handling problems. Several automation systems have capabilities for automated decision-making based on experimental data, a key feature for autonomous experimentation. Automation of synthetic chemistry is a science-driven effort that must draw electically from the disciplines of analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, robotics, and computer science. Accelerated scientific research can occur now if scientists have access to the full diapason of special-purpose automation machines for synthetic chemistry. Future automation systems will likely include enhanced general-purpose capabilities.
Bulk power risk analysis: Ranking infrastructure elements according to their risk significance

Abstract Disruptions in the bulk power grid can result in very diverse consequences that include economic, social, physical, and psychological impacts. In addition, power outages do not affect all end-users of the system in the same manner. For these reasons, a risk analysis of bulk power systems requires more than determining the likelihood and magnitude of power outages; it must also include the diverse impacts power outages have on the users of the system. We propose a methodology for performing a risk analysis on the bulk power system. A power flow simulation model is used to determine the likelihood and extent of power outages when components within the system fail to perform their designed function. The consequences associated with these failures are determined by looking at the type and number of customers affected. Stakeholder input is used to evaluate the relative importance of these consequences. The methodology culminates with a ranking of each system component by its risk significance to the stakeholders. The analysis is performed for failures of infrastructure elements due to both random causes and malevolent acts.
Binding and direct activation of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) by phosphatidylinositides

Several distinct types of ion channels bind and directly respond to phosphatidylinositides, including phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3) and phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). This regulation is physiologically relevant for its dysfunction, in some instances, causes disease. Recent studies identify the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) as a channel sensitive to phosphatidylinositides. ENaC appears capable of binding both PI(4,5)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 with binding stabilizing channel gating. The binding sites for these molecules within ENaC are likely to be distinct with the former phosphoinositide interacting with elements in the cytosolic NH2-terminus of the β- and γ-ENaC subunits and the latter with cytosolic regions immediately following the second transmembrane domains in these two subunits. PI(4,5)P2 binding to ENaC appears saturated at rest and necessary for channel gating. Thus, decreases in cellular PI(4,5)P2 levels may serve as a convergence point for inhibitory regulation of ENaC by G-protein coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases. In contrast, apparent PI(3,4,5)P3 binding to ENaC is not saturated. This enables the channel to respond with gating changes in a rapid and dynamic manner to signalling input that influences cellular PI(3,4,5)P3 levels.
A technique for energy versus quality of service trade-off for MPEG-2 decoder

Many implementations of MPEG-2 decoder permit a certain degradation in PSNR due to human audio/video perceptory imperfections. This paper presents a technique for exploiting the acceptable degradation in PSNR towards energy minimization by application of dynamic voltage management techniques. The technique is based on a two phase approach that includes static characterization and dynamic adaptation. We present a novel model that relates the type of the frame, size of the frame, and number of macroblocks processed to the PSNR of the stream. The model is utilized for characterizing the benchmark streams. The results of static characterizations are then applied towards general streams by dynamic adaptations. The experimental results demonstrate that for an acceptable PSNR of 30 to 32 dB, the technique results in energy savings from 24% to over 85%.
A peptide derived from the shaker B K+ channel produces short and long blocks of reconstituted Ca2+-dependent K+ channels

Summary A 20 amino acid synthetic peptide, corresponding to the amino-terminal region of the Shaker B (ShB) K’ channel and responsible for its fast inactivation, can block large conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channels from rat brain and muscle. The ShB inactivation peptide produces two kinetically distinct blocking events in these channels. At lower concentrations, it produces short blocks, and at higher concentrations long-lived blocks also appear. The L7E mutant peptide produces only infrequent short blocks(no long-lived blocks) at a much higher concentration. Internal tetraethylammonium competes with the peptide for the short block, which is also relieved by K+ influx. These results suggest that the peptide induces the short block by binding within the pore of Ca2+-dependent K’ channels. The long block is not affected by increased K’ influx, indicating that the binding site mediating this block may be different from that involved in the short block. The short block of Caz+-dependent K+ channels and the inactivation of
Ethics: Difficult questions, unpopular answers

Discussing and studying ethics is the “in” thing right now. There is a blizzard of reports, courses, news stories, and debates. But what's the bottom line? The author cuts through the confusion, saying there are several key questions we have to answer. This article examines the issues and shows what to do in a clear, thoughtful way. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of cytomegalovirus in the meconium of infected newborns by polymerase chain reaction.

Objective: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a leading cause of hearing loss and mental retardation throughout the. world. Detection of the CMV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers a sensitive, rapid, and specific means of identification. Meconium, the stool formed in utero, may be an ideal specimen for CMV detection. The objective of this study was to develop a PCR-based methodology for the detection of CMV in the meconium of neonates.
Generalized log‐rank test for mixed interval‐censored failure time data

This paper considers the problem of non-parametric treatment comparisons when mixed interval-censored failure time data are available, which often occurs in clinical trials and epidemiological studies. By mixed interval-censored data, we mean that the survival time of interest is observed to belong to an interval or to be right-censored. For the problem, we generalize the most commonly used log-rank test for right-censored survival data. Numerical studies are conducted and reported to evaluate and compare the proposed test with the existing method, which indicate that the presented method works well. We apply the method to a data set arising from an AIDS cohort study, that motivated the study.
Seamless sequence of software defined radio designs through hardware reconfigurability of FPGAs

Software Defined Radio (SDR) base stations can compensate for failures in disaster scenarios by assimilating different communication technologies. FPGAs play an important role in the platform of an SDR base station because of flexibility and DSP processing power that they deliver. The flexibility of FPGAs comes at the high cost of reconfiguration time overhead which can be a serious deterrence because of QoS requirements of real time traffic. In this paper we propose a solution to reduce reconfiguration time overhead at system-level where we are provided the configuration of each wireless system. Following that we step further and integrate our solution in to a floorplanner to generate placements for wireless systems which can systematically hide or reduce reconfiguration time overhead. Our experiments show the effectiveness of our approach.
Chromatography and FT-IR Spectrometry

The fact that is is possible to acquire an interferogram in less than one second makes FT-IR spectrometry an excellent technique for studying transient species. By far the most important application of this rapid-scanning property is the on-line identification of peaks eluting from a gas chromatograph (GC/FT-IR). GC/FT-IR measurements using low resolution (20 cm-1) interferometers were described as early as 1967 [1], but only recently have GC/FT-IR measurements combining both adequate resolution (4 cm-1), low detection limits (less than 1 μg of sample injected into chromatograph), and sophisticated data handling become routine.
MYB46 and MYB83 Bind to the SMRE Sites and Directly Activate a Suite of Transcription Factors and Secondary Wall Biosynthetic Genes

MYB46 and MYB83 are two functionally redundant Arabidopsis thaliana MYB transcription factors that act as master switches regulating secondary wall biosynthesis. Here, we report the identification of the transcriptional responsive elements and global analysis of the direct targets of MYB46 and MYB83. Using the estrogen-inducible direct activation system, we found that a number of previously identified MYB46 downstream transcription factors, including MYB43, MYB52, MYB54, MYB58, MYB63 and KNAT7, are direct targets of MYB46. Promoter deletion coupled with transactivation analysis of the MYB63 promoter led to the identification of a 7 bp sequence that is sufficient to be responsive to MYB46 activation, and therefore this sequence is designated as the secondary wall MYB-responsive element (SMRE). Further single nucleotide mutation together with electrophoretic mobility shift assay mapped the SMRE consensus sequence as ACC(A/T)A(A/C)(T/C). Genome-wide analysis of direct targets of MYB46 demonstrated that it directly regulates the expression of not only a number of downstream transcription factors, but also a suite of secondary wall biosynthetic genes, some of which are also directly activated by secondary wall NAC (SWN) master switches or by MYB46 direct targets. Furthermore, MYB83 was found to bind to the same SMRE consensus sequence and activate the same set of direct targets as MYB46. Our study has revealed that the transcription program regulating secondary wall biosynthesis involves a multileveled feed-forward loop regulatory structure in which MYB46/MYB83 together with their regulators SWNs and their direct targets regulate an array of downstream genes thereby activating the secondary wall biosynthetic program.
Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 activity, apolipoprotein C3 loss-of-function variants and cardiovascular disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study.

Objective Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) activity was associated with higher CHD risk in a meta-analysis, which was partly dependent on circulating lipid levels. Apolipoprotein C3 loss-of-function (ApoC3 LOF) mutations were related with reduced postprandial lipemia and CHD risk. However, the association of LpPLA2 activity with ApoC3 LOF is not known.