cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Angiographically silent left main disease detected by intravascular ultrasound: a marker for future adverse cardiac events.

Abstract Background Concomitant moderate obstructive left main (LM) disease is associated with future cardiac events and poor prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous intervention (PCI). Whether prognosis is similarly effected by LM disease not detected by angiography, but evident on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging, is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients with angiographically insignificant LM coronary artery disease undergoing PCI. Methods and results One hundred and seven consecutive patients undergoing PCI with angiographically normal or mild LM disease had 2- and 3-dimensional IVUS imaging. IVUS images were digitized, and 3-dimensional reconstruction was performed. Percent diameter and area stenosis by angiography were 4.8% ± 3.5% and 18.2% ± 9.8%, respectively. IVUS mean luminal area and area stenosis were 17.9 ± 5.6 mm 2 and 30.2% ± 14.7%, respectively. Long-term follow-up was available in 102 (95%) patients at a median of 29 (range 8–52) months. Major adverse cardiac events, defined as death (6), myocardial infarction (4), repeat PCI (13), or CABG (16), were associated with female sex ( P = .04), diabetes ( P = .02), angiographic minimum lumen diameter ( P = .04), and IVUS minimum ( P = .01) and mean ( P = .01) lumen area. Multivariate predictors of late cardiac events were diabetes (hazard ratio 2.69, P = .014) and minimum lumen area by IVUS (hazard ratio 0.59, P = .015). Conclusions Despite being angiographically silent, LM disease detected by IVUS is an independent predictor of cardiac events and may serve as a marker for such events. These data extend the spectrum of LM disease severity and its relationship to cardiac prognosis in patients undergoing PCI.
On the non-uniform distribution of the angular elements of near-Earth objects

Abstract We examine the angular distributions of near-Earth objects (NEOs) which are often regarded as uniform. The apparent distribution of the longitude of ascending node, Ω , is strongly affected by well-known seasonal effects in the discovery rate of NEOs. The deviation from the expected π -periodicity in the apparent distribution of Ω indicates that its intrinsic distribution is slightly enhanced along a mean direction, Ω ‾ = 111 ° ; approximately 53 % of NEOs have Ω values within ± 90 ° of Ω ‾ . We also find that each subgroup of NEOs (Amors, Apollos and Atens) has different observational selection effects which cause different non-uniformities in the apparent distributions of their arguments of perihelion ω , and longitudes of perihelion ϖ . For their intrinsic distributions, our analysis reveals that the Apollo asteroids have non-uniform ω due to secular dynamics associated with inclination-eccentricity- ω coupling, and the Amors’ ϖ distribution is peaked towards the secularly forced eccentricity vector. The Apollos’ ω distribution is axial, favoring values near 0 ° and 180 ° ; the two quadrants centered at 0 ° and 180 ° account for 55 % of the Apollos’ ω values. The Amors’ ϖ distribution peaks near ϖ ‾ = 4 ° ; 61% of Amors have ϖ within ± 90 ° of this peak. We show that these modest but statistically significant deviations from uniform random distributions of angular elements are owed to planetary perturbations, primarily Jupiter’s. It is remarkable that this strongly chaotic population of minor planets reveals the presence of Jupiter in its angular distributions.
The Use of Biomarkers for the Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

The advent of inexpensive, highly accurate, and predictive markers of myocardial injury, inflammation, and hemodynamic stability has revolutionized the evaluation and treatment of patients who have acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). These blood biomarkers require small sample volumes, can be run expeditiously, and provide important information concerning the diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment of these patients. To understand the use of these markers, one must have some knowledge about what elevations in these markers imply, how they have to be collected and measured to provide reliable information, when to suspect analytic confounds, and what the key values are that impart the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic information. This article discusses these issues, emphasizing what clinicians must know for optimal test use, and then addresses the practical use of these markers in patients who have ACS.
Potentiation of thyroxine 5-deiodination by aminotriazole.

Aminotriazole, a goitrogen, in addition to its known inhibitory effects on the thyroid, demonstrated a unique effect on peripheral deiodination of thyroxine (T4). In contrast to the well-known peripheral effects of goitrogens such as propylthiouracil in inhibiting 5'-deiodinase activity, i.e., to effect a decrease in T4 to triiodothyronine (T3) conversion, aminotriazole had no effect on the 5'-deiodinative pathway. Rather, this goitrogen appeared to stimulate the alternative pathway, viz. T4 5-deiodination, resulting in an increased reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) serum concentration. This was shown in comparisons of serum T4, T3 and rT3 concentrations and serum T3/T4 and rT3/T4 ratios between rats treated with aminotriazole and T4, and rats treated with T4 alone. The finding that aminotriazole may specifically enhance T4 5-deiodination, independently of T4 5'-deiodination, is novel, as this has not been observed in the case of other goitrogens. It is of interest that this goitrogen is devoid of sulphur, which is a prominent constituent of thiourylene compounds which have been noted to affect 5'-deiodination. The potentiating effect of aminotriazole on 5-deiodination of T4 was not attributable to dietary factors.
Sequence-Dependent Enhancement of Cy3 Fluorescence on DNA

Cy3 is a cyanine fluorescent dye extensively used as a fluorescent probes in molecular biology, biochemical and biophysical applications. We investigated the fluorescent properties of Cy3 covalently attached to the 5′ terminus of DNA oligonucleotides, and demonstrated that its fluorescence efficiency and lifetime depend strongly on DNA sequence. Fluorescence quantum yields and mean fluorescence lifetimes ranged from 0.18 to 0.39 and from 533 ps to 1.2 ns respectively.DNA sequence determines the extent and nature of the interactions between the dye and the DNA bases, which are responsible for the unusual enhancement in fluorescence observed for a large number of oligonucleotides. Results are discussed in terms of a photoisomerization mechanism that deactivates the excited state and thus competes with fluorescence. The efficiency of isomerization decreases when Cy3-DNA interactions prevent rotation around the double bonds, resulting in an increase in the lifetime of the singlet excited state. We have shown that the ability of Cy3 to interact with DNA depends on the flexibility of the oligonucleotide and the presence of purines in the chain.
Record high conversion gain ambipolar graphene mixer at 10GHz using scaled gate oxide

This work presents a detailed study of the graphene RF mixer, comparing ambipolar and drain mixing for the first time. Output characteristics of the graphene transistor are analyzed and the effects of device scaling and interface state density on mixer performance are explained. We design a graphene RF transistor with gate length 750 nm, width 20 μm, and equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) ∼2.5 nm to achieve record high conversion gain of −14 and −16 dB at LO power 0 dBm at 4.2 and 10 GHz, respectively, 100x higher than previously reported ambipolar mixing.
Computer-Assisted Instruction for Animal Breeding

Abstract Computer-assisted instruction can aid in teaching the mathematical principles of animal breeding. PLATO, a computer-based educational system developed at the University of Illinois, offers the unique combination of the computational capabilities of a computer and individualized instruction for the student. The system consists of a keyset that transmits the student's input to a central computer and a television screen that displays the information. Two laboratory lessons, one each on population and quantitative genetics, were written for the system. The laboratory exercises are coordinated with lectures in animal breeding to demonstrate, through computer simulation, the relative importance of the factors determining genetic improvement in livestock. The lesson on population genetics demonstrates how the components of each of three forces — mutation, migration, and selection — affect the change in frequency of genes in a population. The lesson on quantitative genetics teaches how the annual genetic gain using a particular selection method is influenced by its components. In both lessons, the students are able to simulate genetic results while studying the influence of each individual component. The student may use different sets of values for the components to help him discover some of the mathematical principles of population and quantitative genetics as applied to animal breeding. Without PLATO, it would be difficult for him to study all these factors during one semester.
Investigation of a model for predicting separation control with vortex generators

The use of vortex generators for separation control is a matter of current practical importance, and the effect of vortex generators on boundary-layer behavior is discussed. A new symmetry-plane model for predicting the effectiveness of counter-rotating vortex-generator installations in incompressible flow is introduced, and the underlying physics and assumptions of the model are described. Special attention is paid to the consistencv of the eauations used and the evaluation of thLtems w i t h . Calculations are reported which predict the effectiveness of vortex generator installations, and comparisons are made with existing experimental data. With a scaling factor introduced, good agreement is found between theory and experiment. Physical justif--’ cations for a scaling factor are suggested, and additional planned verification experiments are discussed.
Estimation of confusion in SIM targets with a detailed focal plane model

The Space Interferometry Mission is an unique interferometer capable of performing narrow and wide angle astrometry on a few thousands of stars, distributed all over the Galaxy. It will be designed to achieve a single epoch precision of 10 micro arc seconds and an end of mission accuracy of 4 micro arc seconds in position and a similar accuracy in parallax and proper motions. The presence of confusing background and foreground stars might impose a limitation on the astrometric accuracy. We estimate the expected single measurement position uncertainty of the targets, owing to the presence of the confusing stars, from the knowledge of the dispositions and the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the stars within and just outside the field-of-view (FOV) of SIM. Our model also includes details of the instrumental parameters and the measurement process. The estimated uncertainties can in turn be used to correct the bias in the single measurement astrometric delay and, thus the final astrometric accuracy can be improved. We estimate the offsets from the zero delay position of the instrument and the projected separation of the components of binary stars in an elemental observation, following an one-dimensional synthesis imaging approach and a model fit to the absolute visibility data. These simulations help us to explore the strategies that can be followed to extract the details of the field through suitable model parameters in future.
Effective seat-to-head transmissibility under combined-axis vibration and multiple postures

Effective seat-to-head transmissibility (ESTHT) is introduced in this work to objectively evaluate human biodynamical response in a six-degree-of-freedom input/output vibration environment. In ESTHT the complex transmissibility matrix is transformed to simple forms that can be easily interpreted. In this study, human responses were compared using ESTHT under different seated postures, including an upright seated posture with no backrest, a backrest-supported sitting posture, a backrest-supported sitting posture with forearms resting on armrest supports, and a backrest-supported sitting posture in which participants used the armrest supports and rotated their heads to the side. Twelve healthy males participated in the study and were tested under random-vibration files of 0.5-12 Hz with different magnitudes. The results showed the capability of ESTHT to identify the frequency spectrum at which the motion is magnified. The study also revealed that ESTHT was able to detect differences in human response due to different postures and vibration directions.
Dynamic programming analysis of pore space

Summary A method based on the principles of dynamic programming is developed and applied to digital soil images to determine tortuosity, effective porosity, and the shortest paths available for flow. Pathways for flow are determined by minimizing a resistance factor. Analysis of two numerically simulated soils finds that a platy soil has greater effective porosity and smaller tortuosity than a layered soil. The ability of the dynamic programming model to analyse large digital images with complex pore structure is subsequently demonstrated by the analysis of a digital image of an agricultural soil. The results from the agricultural soil point to the need for digital soil image analysis to be three–dimensional if convective and diffusive soil properties are to be examined. It is demonstrated that, because determination of flow paths can be treated as a routing problem solved by applying a few simple rules, dynamic programming analysis is not limited by complexity of pore structures.
Augmentation of mercury-induced nephrotoxicity by endotoxin in the mouse

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) and mercury are compounds of food safety concern. Endotoxin is a product of cell walls of gram negative bacteria. Humans are constantly exposed to LPS through infection plus translocation into circulation from the gastrointestinal tract. Food is the major source of mercury in humans. The toxic interaction between LPS and mercury has not been well investigated. In a previous study, we demonstrated that LPS potentiated mercury-induced nephrotoxicity in the rat. Whether this observation was species specific was not clear. In this study we tested the hypothesis that LPS enhances mercuric chloride (HgCl(2))-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. In a 2x2 factorial design, mice received either Escherichia coli 0128:B12 endotoxin (2.0 mg/kg body weight) or 200 microliter of 0.9% sodium chloride (saline), and this was followed 4 h later by either mercury (1.75 mg mercuric chloride per kg body weight) or 200 microliter of saline. Mice were monitored for 48 h. Monitored end-points included body and renal weights, urine volume, renal histology and ultrastructural pathology, serum urea nitrogen and creatinine, selected serum and urine cytokines, and renal mercury concentrations. Endotoxin by itself was not nephrotoxic at the dose used in this study. Overall, mice given LPS plus mercury were the most severely affected. Mice given LPS and mercury also had significantly greater renal mercury concentration than those given mercury alone (P</=0.05). In conclusion, LPS potentiates mercury-induced nephrotoxicity in the mouse.
The supernormal period of the cerebellar parallel fibers effects of [Ca2+]o and [K+]o.

The nonmyelinated parallel fibers (Pfs) of the cerebellar cortex exhibit a pronounced supernormal period following a single conditioning volley. In the present investigation a comparison is made between the effects of changes in extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]o) and potassium ([K+]o) on the supernormal period of the Pfs. [Ca2+]o was monitored directly using ion-sensitive microelectrodes while rat cerebellar Pfs were continuously superfused with solutions containing varying concentrations of K+ (5–30 mM) or Ca2+ (0–6 mM). Pf recovery properties were studied by monitoring control (unconditoned) and test (conditioned by a previous impulse) response latencies. [Ca2+]o did not affect the activity-dependent relative increase in Pf excitability observed following conditioning stimulation (i.e. the supernormal period) although both control and test Pf volley latencies were related to [Ca2+]o. Relatively small increases in superfusate K+ concentration elicited a decrease in the control Pf volley latency but had no effect on the test latency. This resulted in the reduction or obliteration of the latency shift elicited by a conditioning stimulus. Simultaneously decreasing [Ca2+]o and increasing [K+]o decreased control Pf volley latency further than when each ion was altered separately. The test Pf volley latency was unchanged. Therefore, under these conditions, there was no Pf volley latency change following conditioning stimulation. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that activity-dependent changes in extracellular ionic concentrations may, in part, be responsible for the supernormal period in cerebellar parallel fibers.
Optimum FIR Transmitter and Receiver Filters for Data Transmission Over Band-Limited Channels

The paper deals with the design of digital transmitter and receiver filters with finite impulse response (FIR) for data transmission over band-limited channels. The filters are matched and satisfy a zero intersymbol interference constraint when cascaded. For baseband transmission, the filters achieve optimum spectral concentration in the frequency range [-(1+\beta)/2T, (1+\beta)/2T] . Mathematically, the filter design leads to a generalized eigenvalue problem which is solved numerically by a projected gradient Procedure. For transmission over bandpass channels by combined amplitude and phase modulation, the design technique is modified so that filters with complex-valued impulse response and optimum spectral concentration in the range of positive bandpass frequencies [f_{c} - (1+\beta)/2T, f_{c} + (1+\beta)/2T] are obtained. In addition, the complex formulation allows the design of impulse responses with enhanced spectral attenuation in the corresponding range of negative frequencies in order to minimize imageband interference. Results are shown in terms of filter coefficients, signal spectra, and spectral concentrations obtained. For example, filters designed for a voiceband data modem operating at a symbol rate of 2400 baud achieve a spectral concentration of 98.5 percent with 24 coefficients and \beta = 0.1 , and with only 0.001 percent of the total energy in the imageband region.
Parametric classification of multichannel averaged event-related potentials

This paper focuses on the systematic development of a parametric approach for classifying averaged event-related potentials (ERPs) recorded from multiple channels. It is shown that the parameters of the averaged ERP ensemble can be estimated directly from the parameters of the single-trial ensemble, thus, making it possible to design a class of parametric classifiers without having to collect a prohibitively large number of single-trial ERPs. An approach based on random sampling without replacement is developed to generate a large number of averaged ERP ensembles in order to evaluate the performance of a classifier. A two-class ERP classification problem is considered and the parameter estimation methods are applied to independently design a Gaussian likelihood ratio classifier for each channel. A fusion rule is formulated to classify an ERP using the classification results from all the channels. Experiments using real and simulated ERPs are designed to show that, through the approach developed, parametric classifiers can be designed and evaluated even when the number of averaged ERPs does not exceed the dimension of the ERP vector. Additionally, it is shown that the performance of a majority rule fusion classifier is consistently superior to the rule that selects a single channel.
Hospital laboratory reporting may be a barrier to detection of ‘microsize’ myocardial infarction in the US: an observational study

International guidelines recommend that the decision threshold for troponin should be the 99th percentile of a normal population, or, if the laboratory assay is not sufficiently precise at this low level, the level at which the assay achieves a 10% or better coefficient of variation (CV). Our objectives were to examine US hospital laboratory troponin reports to determine whether either the 99th percentile or the 10% CV level were clearly indicated, and whether nonconcordance with these guidelines was a potential barrier to detecting clinically important microscopic or ‘microsize’ myocardial infarctions (MIs). To confirm past reports of the clinical importance of microsize MIs, we also contrasted in-hospital, 28-day and 1-year mortality among those with microsize and nonmicrosize MI. In the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke national prospective cohort study (n=30,239), 1029 participants were hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) between 2003–2009. For each case, we recorded all thresholds of abnormal troponin on the laboratory report and whether the 99th percentile or 10% CV value were clearly identified. All cases were expert adjudicated for presence of MI. Peak troponin values were used to classify MIs as microsize MI (< five times the lowest listed upper limit of normal) and nonmicrosize MI. Participants were hospitalized at 649 acute care US hospitals, only 2% of whose lab reports clearly identified the 99th percentile or the 10% CV level; 52% of reports indicated an indeterminate range, a practice that is no longer recommended. There were 183 microsize MIs and 353 nonmicrosize MIs. In-hospital mortality tended to be lower in the microsize than in the nonmicrosize MI group (1.1 vs. 3.6%, p = 0.09), but 28-day and 1-year mortality were similar (2.5% vs. 2.7% [p = 0.93] and 5.2% vs. 4.3% [p = 0.64], respectively). Current practices in many US hospitals created barriers to the clinical recognition of microsize MI, which was common and clinically important in our study. Improved hospital troponin reporting is warranted.
A W-band wafer probe

A W-band (75-110 GHz) wafer probe was successfully designed and built. The probe uses a ridge-trough waveguide as a transition from a rectangular waveguide input to the coplanar waveguide (CPW) used on the probe board output. Typical insertion loss and return loss figures were 3.5 dB and better than 13 dB, respectively. Losses were minimized in the CPW probe board by attention to conductor loss and taper design; in addition, the transition from rectangular waveguide to ridge-trough waveguide led to an insertion loss less than 1 dB. A crosstalk figure of better than -43 dB was achieved, which is important for accurate calibrations. These performance specifications allowed measured data to be corrected by a VNA for some W-band HEMT (high electron mobility transistor) devices. >
Cylindrical scaling for dynamical cooling models of the Earth

Abstract A detailed comparison is presented between axisymmetric spherical shell and cylindrical geometry for use in mantle convection modeling. If a rescaling of the mantle and core radii is adopted, such that the curvature of the cylindrical model approximates that of the spherical Earth, the heat and mass transport properties turn out to be very similar. Without the scaling, the volume of the lower mantle and the surface area of the core are overestimated, which leads to incorrect estimates of heat production and heat flow. This is particularly important for thermal evolution models. An explicit comparison with parameterized convection calculations shows that the scaling used here provides a good approach to dynamical model calculations.
Low-dose total skin electron beam therapy as an effective modality to reduce disease burden in patients with mycosis fungoides: results of a pooled analysis from 3 phase-II clinical trials.

Background Standard-dose (36-Gy) total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) is a highly effective treatment in mycosis fungoides. However, the regimen is time-intensive and may be associated with significant toxicity. Objective We sought to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability associated with low-dose (12-Gy) TSEBT. Methods Data from 3 clinical trials using low-dose (12-Gy) TSEBT were pooled. In all trials, TSEBT-naive patients with stage IB to IIIA mycosis fungoides were treated with TSEBT (12 Gy, 1 Gy per fraction over 3 weeks). The primary end point was clinical response rate. Secondary end points included time to response and duration of clinical benefit. Results In all, 33 patients enrolled. Eighteen were male; stages were 22 IB, 2 IIA, 7 IIB, and 2 IIIA. Overall response rate was 88% (29/33), including 9 patients with complete response. Median time to response was 7.6 weeks (3-12.4 weeks). Median duration of clinical benefit was 70.7 weeks (95% confidence interval 41.8-133.8 weeks). Toxicities from TSEBT were mild and reversible. Limitations Conclusions are limited because of the small number of patients. Conclusions Low-dose TSEBT provides reliable and rapid reduction of disease burden in patients with mycosis fungoides, which could be administered safely multiple times during the course of a patient's disease with acceptable toxicity profile.
The Effects of Discount Location and Frame on Consumers’ Price Estimates

A discount may be defined by the location in which, and frame by which, it is communicated. Discount framing, particularly the differences between cents-off and percentage-off discounts, has been widely studied. Discount location (e.g., proximate to or distal from regular price info) has received considerably less attention. We employ the proximity-compatibility principle and tenets of human memory to demonstrate that discount framing (cents-off, percentage-off, and revised price) and discount location (proximal, distal) interact to differentially affect both the immediate value and the persistence of consumers’ price estimates. The implications of these results for retailers and manufacturers are highlighted in the discussion.
Associations Between Prescription Opioid Use and Sleep Impairment among Veterans with Chronic Pain

Objective Chronic pain is associated with impairments in sleep; however, the relationship between prescription opioid status and sleep is unclear. The primary aim of this study was to examine differences in self-reported sleep quality between groups of patients who varied based on chronic pain and prescription opioid status. Design This is a cross-sectional study with retrospective review of patient medical records. Setting The study was performed in a single VA medical center located in the Pacific Northwest. Subjects Participants with chronic pain and a current prescription for opioid medications (N = 72), chronic pain and no opioid prescription (N = 104), or who did not report current chronic pain or opioid prescription (N = 91) were included. Methods All participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, sleep parameters, pain-related variables, and psychiatric symptoms. Data on prescription opioid use were extracted from patients' medical records. Results In unadjusted analyses, patients with chronic pain who were prescribed opioids were more likely to have sleep apnea diagnoses in their medical record and reported more impairment on sleep global score and across four sleep parameter subscales (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep disturbance, and use of sleeping medications). In linear regression analyses controlling for demographic and clinical covariates, prescription opioid status was associated with sleep latency, and opioid dose was significantly associated with sleep latency and sleep global score. Conclusions Prescription opioid status and dose were associated with impairment in self-reported sleep. For patients with chronic pain, consideration should be given to use of nonpharmacological interventions to improve sleep.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Front-line Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy Regimens for Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

Anthracycline-based chemotherapy remains standard treatment for peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) although its benefits have been questioned. We performed systematic literature review and meta-analyses examining the complete response (CR) and overall survival (OS) rates for patients with PTCL. The CR rate for PTCL patients ranged from 35.9% (95% CI 23.4–50.7%) for enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma (ETTL) to 65.8% (95% CI 54.0–75.9%) for anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). The 5-year OS was 38.5% (95% CI 35.5–41.6%) for all PTCL patients and ranged from 20.3% (95% CI 12.5–31.2%) for ETTL to 56.5% (95% CI 42.8–69.2%) for ALCL. These data suggest that there is marked heterogeneity across PTCL subtypes in the benefits of anthracycline-based chemotherapy. While anthracyclines produce CR in half of PTCL patients, this yields reasonable 5-year OS for patients with ALCL but not for those with PTCL-NOS or ETTL. Novel agents and regimens are needed to improve outcomes for these patients.
Generating the optimal graph representations from the instruction set tables of circuits

In existing VLSI high-level synthesis systems, designs usually start from a hardware description language with structural information (such as structured VHDL, ISPS and HardwareC) or graph representations (such as data dependency graphs or control/data flow graphs). However, in most cases, such structured representations already "limit" or "fix" the design space and easily result in unsatisfactory implementations. In this paper a novel transformation technique is proposed to generate an optimal graph representation with structural information for the given instruction set table of a target design which does not contain any structural information and allow maximum flexibility in optimization. We first reorder and partition a given instruction set table, then a graph construction procedure is performed to extract and transform the maximal common operation sets. Finally, the local and global tuning transformations are performed to refine the graph representation. Experimental results show that performing our algorithm to generate the optimal graph representations before starting high-level synthesis tasks indeed produces much better final synthesized implementations. >
Attenuation of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus by Molecular Breeding of Virus Envelope Genes from Genetically Divergent Strains

Molecular breeding via DNA shuffling can direct the evolution of viruses with desired traits. By using a positive-strand RNA virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), as a model, rapid attenuation of the virus was achieved in this study by DNA shuffling of the viral envelope genes from multiple strains. The GP5 envelope genes of 7 genetically divergent PRRSV strains and the GP5-M genes of 6 different PRRSV strains were molecularly bred by DNA shuffling and iteration of the process, and the shuffled genes were cloned into the backbone of a DNA-launched PRRSV infectious clone. Two representative chimeric viruses, DS722 with shuffled GP5 genes and DS5M3 with shuffled GP5-M genes, were rescued and shown to replicate at a lower level and to form smaller plaques in vitro than their parental virus. An in vivo pathogenicity study revealed that pigs infected with the two chimeric viruses had significant reductions in viral-RNA loads in sera and lungs and in gross and microscopic lung lesions, indicating attenuation of the chimeric viruses. Furthermore, pigs vaccinated with the chimeric virus DS722, but not pigs vaccinated with DS5M3, still acquired protection against PRRSV challenge at a level similar to that of the parental virus. Therefore, this study reveals a unique approach through DNA shuffling of viral envelope genes to attenuate a positive-strand RNA virus. The results have important implications for future vaccine development and will generate broad general interest in the scientific community in rapidly attenuating other important human and veterinary viruses.
Unequal Pieces of a Shrinking Pie: The Struggle between African Americans and Latinos over Education, Employment, and Empowerment in Compton, California.

Just days after the start of the 1994-1995 school year, almost a quarter of the student body at McKinley Elementary School in Compton, California did not show up for class. Latino organizers had asked parents to keep their children out of school to protest what they perceived as school administrators' inadequate response to Latino educational needs. Parents of approximately one hundred of the school's 431 students heeded the call. Although one out of four was only slighdy above the daily absentee rate for a normal school day, the nature of these absences forced district administrators to take notice. The rhetoric that Latino activists used when describing the management of Compton's public schools served as the most disquieting aspect of the walkout. “The Compton Unified School District is like Mississippi,” asserted John Ortega, the lead counsel for the Union of Parents and Students of Compton United, the association that organized the attendance strikes. “In Mississippi, they didn't want to educate blacks in the ‘50s, and in the ‘90s, Compton doesn't want to educate Latinos.”
Models of elastic–perfectly plastic materials

This note deals with a new model of elastic–perfectly plastic materials in which the yield stress is regarded as a threshold above which plastic flow occurs rather than a constraint which cannot be violated. This modelling change allows us to treat a number of signalling and impact problems not solvable within the classic framework of elastic–perfectly plastic materials.
AElfric and late Old English verse

In his discussion of the formal structures characteristic of AElfric's ‘rhythmical prose’ style, John C. Pope prints the following passage from AElfric's homily on Cuthbert, calling attention especially to the pointing, given as it appears in Cambridge, University Library, Gg. 3. 28 (?Cerne, s. x/xi):Ac an ðaere fugela. eft fleogende com.ymbe ðry dagas. þearle dreorig.fleah to his foton. friðes biddende.þaet he on ðam lande. lybban moste.symle unscaeððig. and his gefera samod.
Double-Stranded RNA-Binding Protein Regulates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor mRNA Stability, Translation, and Breast Cancer Angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key angiogenic factor expressed under restricted nutrient and oxygen conditions in most solid tumors. The expression of VEGF under hypoxic conditions requires transcription through activated hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), increased mRNA stability, and facilitated translation. This study identified double-stranded RNA-binding protein 76/NF90 (DRBP76/NF90), a specific isoform of the DRBP family, as a VEGF mRNA-binding protein which plays a key role in VEGF mRNA stability and protein synthesis under hypoxia. The DRBP76/NF90 protein binds to a human VEGF 3' untranslated mRNA stability element. RNA interference targeting the DRBP76/NF90 isoform limited hypoxia-inducible VEGF mRNA and protein expression with no change in HIF-1-dependent transcriptional activity. Stable repression of DRBP76/NF90 in MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells demonstrated reduced polysome-associated VEGF mRNA levels under hypoxic conditions and reduced mRNA stability. Transient overexpression of the DRBP76/NF90 protein increased both VEGF mRNA and protein levels synthesized under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Cells with stable repression of the DRBP76/NF90 isoform showed reduced tumorigenic and angiogenic potential in an orthotopic breast tumor model. These data demonstrate that the DRBP76/NF90 isoform facilitates VEGF expression by promoting VEGF mRNA loading onto polysomes and translation under hypoxic conditions, thus promoting breast cancer growth and angiogenesis in vivo.
Influence of pregnancy on the thermal biology of the lizard, Sceloporus jarrovi: why do pregnant females exhibit low body temperatures?

than when postpartum (mean = 33.5"C). 3. Females regulated body temperature more precisely when pregnant than when postpartum as judged by their smaller variances in body temperature throughout the day. 4. When pregnant, females selected a lower mean maximum body temperature (mean: pregnant = 324°C; postpartum = 34.5"C) than when postpartum, but selected mean minimum body temperatures did not differ. 5. None of the experimental temperature treatments was detrimental to pregnant females. Female body length increased during pregnancy but the rate of increase did not differ among treatments. Moreover, length-adjusted body mass of postpartum females did not differ among treatments. 6. Pregnant females that experienced postpartum body temperatures produced neonates that were smaller in body mass and length than pregnant females that experienced pregnant body temperatures and females that were allowed to thermoregulate. 7. For neonates resulting from the postpartum body temperature treatment, the disparity in the body length, but not mass, was still observed at 9 days of age, although survival and growth of neonates was high and did not differ among treatments. 8. The results demonstrate that pregnant females could maintain higher postpartum body temperatures without compromising their physical condition, but select relatively low body temperatures, presumably to avoid decrements in offspring fitness.
Rethinking Anthropological Studies of the Body: Manas and Bōdham in Kerala

Anthropological research that focuses on the body has been prolific in the last two decades. This trend has provided an important reorientation away from a tendency to focus on mental representations of experience and has allowed for a more holistic understanding of the human condition. However, this article argues that much research on the body has created a false dichotomy: Westerners are seen as living in a world of mentalistic bias and mind–body dualism while all others are understood as more grounded in their bodies. Ethnographic research conducted among people suffering psychopathology and possession in Kerala, India, challenges these assumptions about the embodied Other by showing that these patients experience a continuum of states of being that includes the body, mind, consciousness, and self/soul. This approach demonstrates how an examination of a local culturally and historically formed phenomenological orientation can provide a useful alternative to the tendency to discover embodied peoples. [Keywords: body, embodiment, India, Kerala]
Critical care computing: Outcomes, confidentiality, and appropriate use

This article reviews the current limitations of computerized outcome predictor models and severity scoring systems. A logical extension of predictor models, a "computational futility metric," is proposed with a discussion of potential uses and abuses. These types of electronic surveillance will not solve the problem of society's denial of death or resolve the allocation of medical resources. Issues related to the protection of patients and physicians under electronic epidemiologic surveillance are discussed.
An Evaluation of Training Procedures for Animal Shelter Volunteers

This study evaluated the effects of 3 training procedures on the correct implementation of a dog walking and enrichment protocol (DWEP). During the shelter’s typical training, volunteers correctly implemented just over half of all DWEP steps (M = 55.2%). Correct implementation of the DWEP procedure improved when participants completed a video-based self-training package (M = 75.3%) but did not reach the preestablished mastery criterion of 85% fidelity with 0 safety errors. Correct implementation improved during coaching (M = 90.6%), which consisted of modeling and positive and corrective feedback, and was maintained during 1-week and 1-month follow-up probes. Criterion performance was demonstrated by 2 of 3 participants at the conclusion of the study.
The Issue Process for Public Securities

This note covers alternative methods for issuing securities in the U.S. public markets. It focuses on the basic institutional requirements of an underwritten security offering and the role of investment bankers. Two regulatory reforms of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Rules 415 and 144a, are also discussed.
Lesbian sightings: scoping for dykes in Boucher and Cosmo.

In Cosmopolitan magazine and in the work of the eighteenth-century French painter Francois Boucher, lesbians are visible, but nobody seems to notice. The operation of covert invisibility in such disparate cultural products suggests that the closet metaphor and the common idea that queer visibility generates queer empowerment must be retained but rethought. It also suggests that queer scholars and activists can benefit from occasionally working as historical-specificity outlaws, which here brings into focus the distinct ideological affects of each product, as well as some shared ones that demand our attention, including the disarticulation of female political activism, and the promotion rather than subversion of hetero-hegemony.
Determination of Pyrethroid Insecticides by Dual-wavelength Densitometry

A method was developed for the determination of pyrethroid insecticides (Allethrin, Resmethrin, Phthalthrin and Permethrin) absorbed on dish, apple and spinach surfaces.The analytical method consists of four procedures: extraction with n-hexane, clean-up by partition with acetonitrile: n-hexane (2:1), separation by high performance thin-layer chromatography with a concentration zone and measurement by dual-wavelength densitometry.The recoveries of pyrethroid insecticides from dish, apple and spinach were 76-104%, 88-98% and 87-98%, respectively.
A Resolved Millimeter Emission Belt in the AU Mic Debris Disk

Imaging debris disks at millimeter wavelengths is important, because emission at these long wavelengths is dominated by large grains with dynamics similar to the population of dust-producing planetesimals. We have used the SMA and ALMA to make 1.3 millimeter observations of the debris disk surrounding the nearby (9.9 pc), ~10 Myr-old, M-type flare star AU Microscopii. We characterize the disk by implementing Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods to fit parametric models to the visibilities. The millimeter observations reveal a belt of dust emission that peaks at a radius of 40 AU. This outer size scale agrees with predictions for a reservoir of planetesimals (a “birth ring”) based on the shape of the midplane scattered light profile. We do not find any significant asymmetries in the structure or the centroid position of the emission belt. The ALMA observations with a resolution of 0.6 arcsec (6 AU) also reveal a previously unknown central emission peak, ~6 times brighter than the stellar photosphere at these wavelengths. This central component remains unresolved and could be explained by stellar activity or an inner planetesimal belt located ≲3 AU from the star and containing roughly 1% the mass of the outer belt. Future observations with higher angular resolution will be able to distinguish between these possibilities.
Oxidant Mechanisms in Renal Injury and Disease

Abstract Significance: A common link between all forms of acute and chronic kidney injuries, regardless of species, is enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) during injury/disease progression. While low levels of ROS and RNS are required for prosurvival signaling, cell proliferation and growth, and vasoreactivity regulation, an imbalance of ROS and RNS generation and elimination leads to inflammation, cell death, tissue damage, and disease/injury progression. Recent Advances: Many aspects of renal oxidative stress still require investigation, including clarification of the mechanisms which prompt ROS/RNS generation and subsequent renal damage. However, we currently have a basic understanding of the major features of oxidative stress pathology and its link to kidney injury/disease, which this review summarizes. Critical Issues: The review summarizes the critical sources of oxidative stress in the kidney during injury/disease, including generation of ROS and...
Effect of a Composite Coupler on Automotive Windshield Wiper System Chatter

A composite coupler has been developed to prevent automotive windshield wiper systems from being damaged by excessive loads when the normal wiping pattern is restricted. The coupler is composed of a pultruded composite rod with injection-molded plastic spherical sockets attached at either end. Unlike the traditional steel coupler used in wiper systems, the composite coupler will buckle at a prescribed compressive load threshold and become extremely compliant. As a result, the peak loading of the coupler and the entire wiper system can be greatly reduced. Since the composite coupler is less rigid than its steel counterpart, the dynamic performance of the wiper system is investigated in this work. This chapter details the methodology that was employed to determine the chatter characteristics of the wiper systems under untreated and Rain-X treated windshields under different wiping conditions.
The Bundle Form $$\mathfrak{B}1^2$$ Characterizes Ovoidal Laguerre Planes

We show that the bundle form \({\mathfrak{B}}1^2\) implies all other forms of the Bundle Theorem in Laguerre planes. Thus ovoidal Laguerre planes are characterized by \({\mathfrak{B}}1^2\).
6.9 – Genetically Modified Baculoviruses for Pest Insect Control

Abstract Baculoviruses are insect pathogenic viruses that are used for pest insect control and as tools to produce recombinant proteins. Numerous studies show that both natural baculoviruses and genetically modified (GM) baculoviruses hold clear and substantial benefits for crop protection. Natural baculoviruses and potentially GM baculoviruses are particularly valuable under conditions where traditional chemical insecticides, have become ineffective, are economically prohibitive or have lost favor with the general public. The increased use of natural baculoviruses for pest insect control as well as GM baculoviruses for the production of pharmaceuticals may open doors to the use of GM baculoviruses for pest insect control. We review here the major approaches that are used to modify the baculovirus genome for improved efficacy as a biopesticide. The most common and successful of these approaches involve the insertion of a gene into the baculovirus genome that disrupts host insect feeding or is toxic to the host. GM baculoviruses remain a viable alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides and GM crops, we believe that baculoviruses should be utilized when alternative methods of pest insect control are required due to resistance, high cost of traditional insecticides, or changes in the regulatory environment and public opinion.
Introduction Only Fuff-Fuff and Passades: What It Means to Know Byronically

In a flight of literary fancy, one might imagine each subject of critical study a Gulliver on the grass, scholars the Lilliputians who explore the great supine body before them. In the case of Lord Byron, this exploration has included a certain lingering about the shriveled right calf, a great deal of reconnaissance in the genital region, and much close investigation of the heart, that seat of love and loyalty — not to mention considerable contemplation of the facial features. Substantially less time has been spent poking about the cranial regions. There, most critics have found only a series of paths too short or too narrow to merit investigation. Indeed, whereas the doctors who autopsied Byron found his brain unusually large physically (Byron 1232 n2), scholars have consistently doubted the skill, size, and subtlety of the intellect housed in that organ.
Absence as Workplace Control: A Critical Inquiry

(1990). Absence as Workplace Control: A Critical Inquiry. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 13, Communication Yearbook 13, pp. 59-68.