cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critique of the related-key attack concept

In a related-key attack, an attacker seeks to discover the secret key by requesting encryptions under keys related to the secret key in a manner chosen by the attacker. We describe a new related-key attack against generic ciphers, requiring just O(1) work to distinguish a cipher from random, and O(key length) to completely recover the secret key. This attack applies within a model which was not previously known to be vulnerable, undermining the theoretical foundation of the related-key attack concept. We propose a new definition of related-key security, which prevents all known generic attacks including this new attack. We discuss the theoretical consequences of this new definition.
Repeated exposure to interoceptive cues: does habituation of fear occur in panic disorder patients? A preliminary report

In order to explore the mechanism of action of interoceptive exposure, 12 Panic Disorder (PD) patients were presented with two sessions of repeated CO2 inhalation. Two distinct patterns of responding were noted. The first pattern was described as habituation of fear (n = 6). These patients showed decrements in pre- and post-inhalation anxiety during both sessions (with more rapid decline during session 2), as well as spontaneous recovery of fear at the onset of session 2. The second pattern indicated fear sensitization. These patients showed relatively low levels of anticipatory anxiety preceding CO2 inhalation during both sessions but reported robust increases in fear following gas inhalation. The extent of this increase was slightly less during session 2 relative to session 1 and did not appear to be mediated by cardiovascular arousal, as both groups showed rapid HR habituation during both sessions. Results are discussed in light of current theories of PD and its treatment.
Oxidation during metamorphism of the ordinary chondrites

It is suggested that some current concepts about the conditions of metamorphism in ordinary chondrites may be flawed. These meteorites display small systematic variations in the oxidation state of Fe. Evidence is presented that oxidation of Fe is linked to metamorphic grade in types 4-6 ordinary chondrites. This conclusion is at variance with a commonly accepted model for chondrite metamorphism that assumes Fe reduction by graphite.
Modular Hadamard martrices and related designs

Abstract A square matrix with entries ± 1 is called a modular Hadamard matrix if the inner product of each two distinct row vectors is a multiple of some fixed (positive) integer. This paper initiates the study of modular Hadamard matrices and the combinatorial designs associated with them. The related combinatorial designs are the main concern of this paper; some results dealing with the existence and construction of modular Hadamard matrices will be included in a later paper.
A transfection assay for transformation by feline sarcoma virus proviral DNA

Abstract We report that fibroblast lines derived from mouse (NIH 3T3) and mink (CCL-64) can be transformed via transfection with the total cellular DNA extracted from cells transformed with feline sarcoma virus. Replication of helper virus is not required in the recipient cell. Transformation of recipient cells is observed when the donor DNA is extracted from either virus producer or nonproducer transformed cell lines. A transforming virus can be rescued from nonproducer transformed recipients upon superinfection with a replication competent helper virus.
Cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamic changes during infant cardiac surgery: measurements by near infrared spectroscopy

Despite dramatic advances in the survival rate amongst infants undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease, the incidence of brain injury suffered by survivors remains unacceptably high. This is largely due to our limited understanding of the complex changes in cerebral oxygen utilization and supply occurring during the intraoperative period as a result of hypothermia, neuroactive drugs, and profound circulatory changes. Current techniques for monitoring the adequacy of cerebral oxygen supply and utilization during hypothermic cardiac surgery are inadequate to address this complex problem and consequently to identify the infant at risk for such brain injury. Furthermore, this inability to detect imminent hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is likely to become all the more conspicuous as new neuroprotective strategies, capable of salvaging ‘‘insulted’’ neuronal tissue from cell death, enter the clinical arena. Near infrared spectroscopy is a relatively new, noninvasive, and portable technique capable of interrogating the oxygenation and hemodynamics of tissue in vivo. These characteristics of the technique have generated enormous interest amongst clinicians in the ability of near infrared spectroscopy to elucidate the mechanisms of intraoperative brain injury and ultimately to identify infants at risk for such injury. This paper reviews the experience with this technique to date during infant cardiac surgery.
Labor, capital and the Church: a call for action

The Catholic Church has provided an evolving framework, for well over a century, to deal with economic issues. This article examines the past century of Catholic social teaching on the economic order, with particular emphasis on the papal social encyclicals. Focuses on three key aspects of the Church’s social teachings: economic systems, private property and labor. Suggests key areas for further research.
Jacqui True. The Political Economy of Violence Against Women

Jacqui True's book provides a rich contribution to the feminist international relations literature on violence against women (VAW). The book uses testimonials, statistics and reports by non-governm...
Mannitol and sorbitol catabolism in Streptococcus mutans

Abstract Mannitol- or sorbitol-adapted Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10449 contained high levels of mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase and sorbitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Neither of these activities was present at significant levels in cells grown on glucose or any of several other carbon sources. Moreover, when glucose was added to medium containing mannitol or sorbitol, the cellular level of both mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase and sorbitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was reduced to that found in glucose-adapted cells. The two hexitol phosphate dehydrogenase activities were due to distinct enzymes, which could be separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by Sephadex G-200 chromatography. Both enzymes were specific for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and neither was active with the corresponding non-phosphorylated hexitol substrates. The reaction product for both enzymes appeared to be fructose-6-phosphate. The available data indicate that Strep. mutans NCTC 10449 ferments both mannitol and sorbitol by a pathway that involves phosphorylation of the substrates prior to their oxidation by distinct, inducible enzymes to the common glycolytic intermediate, fructose-6-phosphate. This pathway for hexitol catabolism also appears to be operative in other strains of Strep. mutans.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF CUSHING DISEASE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS TREATED BY TRANSSPHENOIDAL ADENOMECTOMY † 508

LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF CUSHING DISEASE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS TREATED BY TRANSSPHENOIDAL ADENOMECTOMY † 508
Echocardiography in pericardial effusion.

Abstract Echocardiography has become established as the procedure of choice for the detection, confirmation and serial follow-up of patients with pericardial effusion. In this article the technic and pitfalls of recording, and the criteria and their sensitivity for the diagnosis of pericardial effusion are reviewed. In addition, echographic findings in special instances, such as accumulation of pericardial effusion behind the left artium, the swinging heart syndrome and cardiac tamponade, are discussed.
The origins of descending projections to the lumbar spinal cord at different stages of development in the North American opossum

Abstract We have employed the retrograde transport of fast blue (FB) to identify the origins of descending projections to the lumbar cord of the opossum from postnatal day (PD)1, 12–13 days after conception, to maturity. When FB injections were made into the lumbar cord at PD1, supraspinal labeling was sparse and limited to the hypothalamus, the reticular formation, the coeruleus complex, the caudal raphe, and, in one case, the interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus and the lateral vestibular nucleus. Only a few propriospinal neurons were labeled at cervical and thoracic levels. By PD3, however, supraspinal and propriospinal labeling was abundant and present in most of the areas labeled in the adult animal. A notable exception was the red nucleus which was not labeled until approximately PD10. Our results have been compared with those described in other species and discussed in light of their relevance to the development of descending control over hindlimb movement and developmental plasticity of descending spinal pathways.
Femorofemoral bypass graft improves malignant hypertension secondary to common iliac artery occlusion in a renal transplant recipient : a case report

An atherosclerotic lesion in the aortoiliac vasculature proximal to the anastomosis of a transplant renal artery is a rare cause of refractory hypertension. The authors describe a renal recipient who developed refractory hypertension secondary to common iliac artery occlusion proximal to a transplant renal artery. A femorofemoral reconstruction resulted in dramatic improvement in hypertension. Femorofemoral reconstruction for revascu larization of a transplant renal artery has not been previously described in the literature.
Affect and psychological magnification: Derivations from Tomkins' script theory

This study tested derivations from Tomkins' script theory by asking college students (17 men, 16 women) to generate plots for television dramatic programs dealing with human emotions. Plots involving “social” affects of joy and shame elicited more interpersonal themes than did the “nonsocial” affects of excitement and fear. Further, as predicted, plots dealing with negative affects (fear and shame) were more highly elaborated than were positive affect plots (excitement and joy). Women gave significantly more interpersonal themes for nonsocial affects than did men, while men were more likely to invoke supernatural events in treatments of fear, and to offer more unhappy outcomes in plots dealing with both negative affects. The findings provide empirical support for Tomkins' script theory, and point to the need to consider specific affects in studies of emotion. The findings also suggest different kinds of script formation in males and females.
Geochemistry and stable isotope composition of the Berkeley pit lake and surrounding mine waters, Butte, Montana

Abstract Samples of mine water from Butte, Montana were collected for paired geochemical and stable isotopic analysis. The samples included two sets of depth profiles from the acidic Berkeley pit lake, deep groundwater from several mine shafts in the adjacent flooded underground mine workings, and the acidic Horseshoe Bend Spring. Beginning in July-2000, the spring was a major surface water input into the Berkeley pit lake. Vertical trends in major ions and heavy metals in the pit lake show major changes across a chemocline at 10–20 m depth. The chemocline most likely represents the boundary between pre-2000 and post-2000 lake water, with lower salinity, modified Horseshoe Bend Spring water on top of higher salinity lake water below. Based on stable isotope results, the deep pit lake has lost approximately 12% of its initial water to evaporation, while the shallow lake is up to 25% evaporated. The stable isotopic composition of SO 4 in the pit lake is similar to that of Horseshoe Bend Spring, but differs markedly from SO 4 in the surrounding flooded mine shafts. The latter is heavier in both δ 34 S and δ 18 O, which may be due to dissolution of hypogene SO 4 minerals (anhydrite, gypsum, barite) in the ore deposit. The isotopic and geochemical evidence suggests that much of the SO 4 and dissolved heavy metals in the deep Berkeley pit lake were generated in situ, either by leaching of soluble salts from the weathered pit walls as the lake waters rose, or by subaqueous oxidation of pyrite on the submerged mine walls by dissolved Fe(III). Laboratory experiments were performed to contrast the isotopic composition of SO 4 formed by aerobic leaching of weathered wallrock vs. SO 4 from anaerobic pyrite oxidation. The results suggest that both processes were likely important in the evolution of the Berkeley pit lake.
The Barren Years: A Further Consideration of Johnson's Prejudice Against Scotland

Durkee considers Johnson's prejudice against Scotland and finds the roots in dislike of Whiggery and Presbyterianism, but even more importantly, in his view that Scotland was a primitive place.Â He saw its lack of developmmet as a violation of his conviction that "man is put into this world to serve God to the utmost of his abilities" But Johnson held high standards for himself as well, and felt his own very productive years of achievement were his "Barren Years" not fully serving God to the utmost of his abilities.
REM sleep eye movement activity and CSF concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in psychiatric patients

Abstract The relationship between rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep tonic and phasic activity measures and the pre-and postprobenecid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was examined in a sample of 14 unmedicated psychiatric patients. The average duration of an eye movement burst and the average number of eye movements within a burst were found to be inversely related to the probenecid corrected accumulation of 5-HIAA in the CSF. These results are interpreted as indicating an association between REM burst eye movement activity and serotonin turnover in psychiatric subjects.
Individual and household interactions with energy systems: Toward integrated understanding

Abstract This paper argues for the value of developing an integrated, trans-disciplinary science of human–energy interactions and suggests that Energy Research & Social Science can provide a space for further development of this science. It sketches this intellectual domain and then focuses on that part of it that encompasses interactions of individuals and households with energy systems. It considers the roles of these actors as energy consumers, as citizens who may influence the development and regulation of energy systems, as energy producers, as participants in organizations and institutions, and as parties affected by energy systems. The paper shows, in each case, that single disciplines rarely provide the depth of knowledge that is desirable for understanding or influencing individual and household interactions with energy systems and that integration of knowledge and insights from multiple disciplines is required. It also suggests some promising research directions.
Effects of drinkometer current and of foot shock on psychogenic polydipsia

The development of schedule-induced polydipsia in rats run on a free dry-food schedule was not affected by whether or not the drinkometer was operating. Other rats showed an increase in polydipsia when given occasional mild foot shocks, suggesting that polydipsia is enhanced by a nonspecific emotion-arousing procedure.
An exploratory analysis of functional staging using an item response theory approach.

Abstract Tao W, Haley SM, Coster WJ, Ni P, Jette AM. An exploratory analysis of functional staging using an item response theory approach. Objectives To develop and explore the feasibility of a functional staging system (defined as the process of assigning subjects, according to predetermined standards, into a set of hierarchic levels with regard to their functioning performance in mobility, daily activities, and cognitive skills) based on item response theory (IRT) methods using short forms of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) and to compare the criterion validity and sensitivity of the IRT-based staging system to a non–IRT-based staging system developed for the FIM instrument. Design Prospective, longitudinal cohort study of patients interviewed at hospital discharge and 1, 6, and 12 months after inpatient rehabilitation. Setting Follow-up interviews conducted in patients' homes. Participants Convenience sample of 516 patients (47% men; sample mean age, 68.3y) at baseline (retention at the final follow-up, 65%) with neurologic, lower-extremity orthopedic, or complex medical conditions. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures AM-PAC basic mobility, daily activity, and applied cognitive activity stages; FIM executive control, mobility, activities of daily living, and sphincter stages. Stages refer to the hierarchic levels assigned to patients' functioning performances. Results We were able to define IRT-based staging definitions and create meaningful cut scores based on the 3 AM-PAC short forms. The IRT stages correlated as well or better to the criterion items than the FIM stages. Both the IRT-based stages and the FIM stages were sensitive to changes throughout the 6-month follow-up period. The FIM stages were more sensitive in detecting changes between baseline and 1-month follow-up visits. The AM-PAC stages were more discriminant in the follow-up visits. Conclusions An IRT-based staging approach appeared feasible and effective in classifying patients throughout long-term follow-up. Although these stages were developed from short forms, this staging methodology could also be applied to improve the meaning of scores generated from IRT-based computerized adaptive testing in future work.
ProteoWizard: open source software for rapid proteomics tools development

Summary: The ProteoWizard software project provides a modular and extensible set of open-source, cross-platform tools and libraries. The tools perform proteomics data analyses; the libraries enable rapid tool creation by providing a robust, pluggable development framework that simplifies and unifies data file access, and performs standard proteomics and LCMS dataset computations. The library contains readers and writers of the mzML data format, which has been written using modern C++ techniques and design principles and supports a variety of platforms with native compilers. The software has been specifically released under the Apache v2 license to ensure it can be used in both academic and commercial projects. In addition to the library, we also introduce a rapidly growing set of companion tools whose implementation helps to illustrate the simplicity of developing applications on top of the ProteoWizard library. Availability: Cross-platform software that compiles using native compilers (i.e. GCC on Linux, MSVC on Windows and XCode on OSX) is available for download free of charge, at http://proteowizard.sourceforge.net. This website also provides code examples, and documentation. It is our hope the ProteoWizard project will become a standard platform for proteomics development; consequently, code use, contribution and further development are strongly encouraged. Contact: gro.draziwoetorp@nerrad; ude.alcu@garap Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
An Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Program for Neuroscience: Heuristics and the Lay Public

An ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) program that follows the model of the Human Genome Project will not likely provide a coordinated program of research to address the implications of...
Quantum state of a nucleating bubble.

We consider a field theory consisting of two interacting scalar fields: {sigma} and {Phi}. The scalar field {sigma} is assumed to undergo a first-order phase transition via the nucleation of bubbles. We solve the Schroedinger equation for the combined system of a bubble plus the field {Phi} with appropriate boundary conditions. This allows us to determine the quantum state of the field {Phi} in the background of the nucleating and subsequently expanding bubble. The simplest description of this quantum state is obtained in the picture where {Phi} is represented as an infinite set of massive scalar fields in a (2+1)-dimensional de Sitter space. We show that the bubble nucleates with all these fields in de Sitter-invariant quantum states and that the resulting quantum state of the field {Phi} is Lorentz invariant.
Pediatric cerebellar pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with anaplastic features: a case of long-term survival after multimodality therapy

Case report A 4-year-old girl had a large midline cerebellar solid and cystic mass partially attached to the meninges. The original diagnosis was glioblastoma multiforme and she was treated by a gross-total surgical resection followed by chemotherapy and radiation theraphy to the posterior fossa during the ensuing 14 months. She has received no further theraphy and appears to be doing well 12 years later. This unusual favorable clinical outcome prompted our review of this case.
Drowned islands downstream from the Galapagos hotspot imply extended speciation times

THE volcanic islands of the Galapagos archipelago are the most recent products of a long-lived mantle hotspot1,2. Little is known, however, of the submarine Galapagos platform on which the islands are built, or of the Cocos and Carnegie submarine ridges produced by past motion of the Cocos and Nazca plates across the hotspot3,4. In 1990 we surveyed selected areas around the Galapagos platform and as far east as 85°30' W on the Carnegie ridge, where we dredged abundant well-rounded basalt cobbles from a small sea-mount with a terraced summit region. Cobbles were also dredged from several other seamounts. We interpret these features, especially the presence of cobbles, as evidence for erosion near sea level and conclude that these seamounts were volcanic islands before subsiding to their present depths. Radiometric ages for these drowned islands range from 5 to 9Myr, consistent with predicted plate motions. They indicate that the time available for speciation of Galapagos organisms is much longer than the age range of the existing islands.
Expression screening of factors binding to the osteocalcin bone-specific promoter element OC box I: isolation of a novel osteoblast differentiation-specific factor.

Contributing to bone-specific expression of the osteocalcin gene is the promoter element OC Box I (-99 to -76), which binds both Hox proteins and another nonhomeodomain factor (designated OCBP for osteocalcin-box binding protein) (Hoffmann et al. [1996] J Cell Biochem 61:310-324). OCBP correlates with increased promoter activity and may, therefore, be important to development or maintenance of the osteoblast phenotype. To identify OCBP candidates, we used a multimerized OC Box I sequence to screen a gammagt11 cDNA expression library, constructed from the rat osteosarcoma osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cell line, for cDNA clones encoding factors that recognize this element. Mutant OC Box I sequences that do not bind OCBP and/or homeodomain proteins were used to counterscreen the cDNA isolates. Clones showing binding specificity were sequenced and further characterized for patterns of expression in different tissues and cell lines. Among the characterized nonhomeodomain-related isolates, we identified a nucleolin, a clone encoding rCAP2 that is related to myogenic differentiation and more importantly, a cDNA clone containing a previously uncharacterized gene that has been designated as a cell differentiation-related factor (DRF). DRF mRNA is highly expressed in ROS 17/2.8 cells and in a developmentally regulated pattern during osteoblast differentiation, being upregulated at the postproliferative maturation transition and coinciding with the induction of osteocalcin gene expression. The 7.7-kb transcript encoded by clone 44 is abundantly expressed in osteoblasts, but the mRNA was not present at detectable levels in bone and soft tissues by Northern blot analysis. However, related expressed sequence tags were recently reported in cDNA libraries of rat lung and mouse sympathetic ganglion. The identification of DRF represents a novel osteoblast differentiation-specific marker related to osteocalcin expression. The identification of DRF may further facilitate definition of gene regulatory mechanisms mediating the final stages of bone cell differentiation
Generation of 18-fs, multiterawatt pulses by regenerative pulse shaping and chirped-pulse amplification.

Transform-limited, 18-fs pulses of 4.4-TW peak power are produced in a Ti:sapphire-based chirped-pulsed amplification system at a repetition rate of 50 Hz. Regenerative pulse shaping is used to control gain narrowing during amplification, and an optimized, quintic-phase-limited dispersion compensation scheme is used to control higher-order phase distortions over a bandwidth of ~100 nm. Seed pulses are temporally stretched >100, 000 times before amplification.
Online Marketing of a Dental Supply E-Store on a Tight Budget

Dental offices have been switching to online purchasing of their dental supplies and equipment. This case presents the marketing strategy for a newly created online store for a dental supply company. The online store provides dentists with over 16,000 different dental products from alloys to dental instruments to x-ray products. Online sales are a more efficient approach to the traditional catalog order method where dentists place orders with a salesperson, call in, or fax their orders. Online, as well as traditional marketing techniques have been incorporated into a marketing campaign to promote online sales. The process and challenges of marketing this Web site with a tight budget are discussed. Results of the first two years of marketing efforts are reported.
Pattern Generation for Post-Silicon Timing Validation Considering Power Supply Noise

In this work, we address the problem of automatic test pattern generation for understanding circuit timing sensitivity to power supply noise (PSN) during post-silicon validation. Pseudo functional test patterns targeting the longest paths captured by each flip-flop are first generated. To determine the sensitivity to on-chip noise, the patterns are intelligently filled to achieve the desired PSN level. Our previous PSN control scheme is enhanced to consider both spatial and temporal information for better correlation with functional PSN. These patterns can be used to understand timing sensitivity in post-silicon validation by repeatedly applying the path delay test while sweeping the PSN experienced by the path from low to high.
History of hypertension in patients treated for end-stage renal disease.

OBJECTIVES: To describe patterns of hypertension history in patients with various types of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and in persons with normal kidney function; and to identify risk factors for the diagnosis 'hypertensive ESRD'. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Population-based. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with ESRD due to hypertension (n = 214), diabetes (n = 239), other specified causes (n = 181), unknown causes (n = 82) and control subjects drawn from the general population (n = 361). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants' history of hypertension. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 90% in ESRD patients and 27% in controls. Only 6% of patients with hypertensive ESRD had a history of malignant hypertension. Patients with hypertensive ESRD were more likely to have been hospitalized because of hypertension (36%) than were other ESRD patients (18%) or controls (5%). ESRD of any cause was more strongly associated with hypertension of > or = 25 years duration (odds ratio 51.0, compared with normal blood pressure) than it was with hypertension of shorter duration (15-25 years: odds ratio 31.8, 5-15 years: odds ratio 16.0, < 5 years: odds ratio 21.2). Among patients who had both hypertension and ESRD, the diagnosis of 'hypertensive ESRD' was associated independently with a long duration of hypertension, greater severity of hypertension, the absence of diabetes, black race, and limited education. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is common among patients with ESRD. The risk of ESRD from any cause increases progressively with the duration of hypertension, and with indicators of severe hypertension. This result supports the hypothesis that nonmalignant hypertension of long duration may cause renal insufficiency. The criteria used to diagnose hypertensive ESRD are consistent with pathophysiologic and epidemiologic evidence.
A proposed classification for heritable human dentine defects with a description of a new entity

Abstract A newly recognized heritable dentine defect is described which is manifested as an amber, translucent colouration and total pulpal obliteration in all primary teeth. Permanent teeth have a thistle-tube pulp configuration with ubiquitous pulp stones and normal colouration. The unusual finding of true denticles in these heritable dentine defects may represent the induction of odontoblastic differentiation by aberrant epigenetic factors produced in the abnormally developing dentine. A classification for the heritable dentine defects is proposed which consists of two distinguishable groups; the dentine dysplasias and the dentinogenesis imperfectas.
Under siege: inter-ethnic relations in Abkhazia

Under siege: inter-ethnic relations in Abkhazia, by Tom Trier, Hedvig Lohm, and David Szakonyi, New York, Columbia University Press, 2010, xiii + 159 pp., US$50.00 (hardcover), ISBN 978-0-231-70130...
Efficient algorithms for molecular sequence analysis.

Abstract Efficient (linear time) algorithms are described for identifying global molecular sequence features allowing for errors including repeats, matches between sequences, dyad symmetry pairings, and other sequence patterns. A multiple sequence alignment algorithm is also described. Specific applications are given to hepatitis B viruses and the J5-C (J, joining; C, constant) region of the immunoglobulin kappa gene.
Probing Early Growth Response 1 Interacting Proteins at the Active Promoter in Osteoblast Cells Using Oligoprecipitation and Mass Spectrometry

Current advances in proteomics have allowed for a rapidly expanding integration of associated methodologies with more traditional molecular and biochemical approaches to the study of cell function. Recent studies on the role of inorganic phosphate have suggested this ion is a novel signaling molecule capable of altering the function of numerous cell types. Elevated inorganic phosphate generated in the extracellular microenvironment by differentiating osteoblasts has recently been determined to act through a largely uncharacterized mechanism as an important signaling molecule responsible for altering the transcription of various genes during osteoblast differentiation. The transcription factor, early growth response protein 1 (EGR1), has previously been shown to be involved in the early response of osteoblasts to inorganic phosphate. To elucidate the role of EGR1 as a potential early regulator of transcription in the inorganic phosphate response, an oligoprecipitation procedure was optimized to capture the DNA bound, transcriptionally active form of EGR1. The interacting proteins thusly captured were identified using mass spectrometry (MS). Proteins involved in transcription, RNA processing, and chromatin modification were identified by this approach. The combined oligoprecipitation-MS approach presented here is highly effective for isolating and characterizing entire transcriptional complexes in the DNA bound state and is broadly extendable to the identification of both known and unknown transcription factor protein complexes.
Twisted roots: The Western impact on Asian higher education

The long historical and contemporary impact of Western academic models, practices and orientations on Asian universities in such countries as India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore shaped the nature of higher education systems in these countries. The Japanese colonial impact in Korea and Taiwan is also significant and an interesting variation on the colonial theme. Several Asian countries, including Thailand, Japan and China were not formally colonized, but the mixture of influence on the academic institutions that has developed in these countries reflects considerable Western influence. Contemporary factors such as the international knowledge system, the numbers of students studying in Western nations and patterns of scientific interaction also have a major impact on the growth of universities in Asia.
The puzzle of manual harvest in Uzbekistan: economics, status and labour in the Khrushchev era

Uzbekistan has attracted international criticism for its use of child labour, defined as labour performed by youth under the Soviet legal limit of 16, to harvest cotton by hand. This article argues that manual labour, mostly performed by low-status children and women, became entrenched in Central Asian agriculture during the 1950s, and investigates the possible reasons for its persistence in the face of global trends to the contrary. The timing is a puzzle, because the 1950s were when mechanization of agriculture became a global development goal. The USSR participated in the mechanization trend. To understand better the roots of rural labour patterns in the Khrushchev period, we must consider how economic incentives and disincentives, gender relations, demographics, and state policy worked together.
Low-loss diamond surface acoustic wave devices using small-grain poly-crystalline diamond

We have developed a poly-crystalline diamond film whose grain size is about 0.5 µm, which is smaller than that of our previously studied diamond films applied in surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. Using the small-grain diamond, three kinds of narrow-band SAW filters were fabricated with the SiO2/interdigital-transducer (IDT)/ZnO/diamond/Si structure at the center frequencies from 2.488 to 5.0 GHz. The insertion losses of these filters were lower by 1.3 to 3.2 dB and the Q values were 200 higher than those obtained using the standard diamond. The Q value is defined as the center frequency divided by the bandwidth at a loss level 3 dB lower than the minimum insertion loss. "Standard diamond" refers to our previously studied diamond. The propagation loss, electro-mechanical coupling coefficient (K2), phase velocity and temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) were investigated on the basis of the measured characteristics of these filters. It was found that the propagation loss was about two thirds of that obtained using the standard diamond film while TCF, K2 and phase velocity were almost the same as those obtained using the standard diamond.
Prosurvival and antiapoptotic effects of PGE2 in radiation injury are mediated by EP2 receptor in intestine.

The biological activities of PGE2 are mediated through EP receptors (EP1–EP4), plasma membrane G protein-coupled receptors that differ in ligand binding and signal-transduction pathways. We investi...
A Novel Low Temperature Synthesis Method for Semiconductor Nanowires

We present a novel synthesis technique to grow bulk quantities of semiconductor nanowires at temperatures less than 500 °C. Gallium is used as the liquid medium in a mechanism similar to vapor-liquid-solid (VLS). We demonstrated this low temperature technique with silicon and carbon nanowires. Gallium exhibits extremely low solubility for several elemental semiconductors. This property enables nucleation and growth of nanometer scale wires from large sized gallium droplets (>1 μm) eliminating the need for creation of quantum sized metal droplets.
SU‐GG‐J‐194: Use of Synchronized Beam Switching for Real‐Time 3D KV‐MV Internal Marker Tracking with Step‐And‐Shoot IMRT

Purpose: Combined kV‐MV imagining can provide real‐time 3D tumor position information during the actual radiotherapy delivery. Since the treatment delivery beam is used for tracking, only one kV x‐ray source is required for full 3D localization, offering total diagnostic dose reduction and cost savings in comparison to other stereoscopic based methods. Currently, kV‐MV tracking requires simultaneous imagining by both kV and MV imaging systems for real‐time 3D marker positioning. However, with step‐and‐shoot IMRT, treatment beam interruption can result in loss of geometric information, preventing accurate 3D localization. This work uses controlled kV beam switching, together with a correlation algorithm, to maintain continuous real‐time 3D internal marker tracking with step‐and‐shoot IMRT.Method and Materials: A Varian Trilogy, equipped with both kV and MV imaging systems, was used to deliver step‐and‐shoot IMRT prostate plans to a pelvic phantom containing embedded gold cylindrical markers. A correlation algorithm, designed to interconnect detected fiducial locations between the kV and MV imagers, was used for spatial estimation. Actual 3D prostate motion data artificially segmented with kV and MV beam interruptions typical to a step‐and‐shoot IMRT plan was tested with the technique. Results: Application of the correlation function to prostate motion data containing artificially placed beam interruptions results in a tracking accuracy of less than < 2 mm RMS in comparison to the actual motion. For kV source‐to‐detector distances < 70 cm MV scatter interference on kV images is significantly reduced with synchronized kV/MV beam switching. Conclusions: In the presence of beam interruption, correlation can be used to compensate for missing spatial information allowing for full real‐time 3D kV‐MV tracking with step‐and‐shoot IMRT. Additionally, controlled kV beam switching is effective in increasing kV image quality by reducing MV scatter interference.
Megagauss magnetic fields and surface plasmas: Physical insight, computational issues

Summary form only given. Megagauss magnetic fields on metallic surfaces form plasmas that have higher temperatures than would be expected based upon simple diffusion models, as has been demonstrated by a series of aluminum “thick-wire,” i.e., rod, experiments that have been conducted on the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Zebra generator (2 TW, 1 MA, 100 ns). One physical situation of current interest where such fields and plasmas may be encountered is Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF), where magnetically driven liners compress magnetized plasmas to fusion temperatures, e.g., the Russian MAGO program, the MagLIF program recently initiated at the Sandia National Laboratories and the FRCHX experiments being conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Computations by Garanin and the UNR team have predicted and/or “matched” many of the previously reported Zebra experimental observations, including an observed magnetic field threshold for surface plasma formation. In this paper we report Eulerian computations that show improved agreement with the observations. It is quite common to use computations that “match the experiment” to interpret the experimental results, and we report an interpretation based upon the Eulerian results. However, we have also compared the Eulerian computations with the Lagrangian calculations of Garanin and Lagrangian calculations performed with the computer code Raven. The comparisons between the codes give rise to serious concerns about the differences between Eulerian and Lagrangian simulations and about the differences between van der Waals and Maxwell-construct equations-of-state.
Three neolignans from the roots of Piper capense

Abstract Three new lignans have been isolated from the roots of the African shrub Piper capense , and characterized by means of spectroscopic studies and, in one case, a single crystal X-ray analysis. These compounds include a new 8.O.3′-neolignan, further distinguished by an uncommon 1,3,5-trisubstituted ring system, and two dihydrobenzofuranoid neolignans.
Systematic characterization of feature dimensions and closing pressures for microfluidic valves produced via photoresist reflow

Multilayer soft lithography (MSL) provides a convenient and low-cost method for fabricating poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic devices with on-chip valves for automated and precise control of fluid flow. MSL casting molds for flow channels typically incorporate small patches of rounded positive photoresist at valve locations to achieve the rounded cross-sectional profile required for these valves to function properly. Despite the importance of these rounded features for device performance, a comprehensive characterization of how the rounding process affects feature dimensions and closing pressures has been lacking. Here, we measure valve dimensions both before and after rounding and closing pressures for 120 different valve widths and lengths at post-rounding heights between 15 and 84 μm, for a total of 1200 different geometries spanning a wide range of useful sizes. We find that valve height and width after rounding depend strongly on valve aspect ratios, with these effects becoming more pronounced for taller and narrower features. Based on the measured data, we provide a simple fitted model and an online tool for estimating the pre-rounding dimensions needed to achieve desired post-rounding dimensions. We also find that valve closing pressures are well explained by modelling valve membranes in a manner analogous to a suspension bridge, shedding new light on device physics and providing a practical model for estimating closing pressures during device design.
Warfarin Anticoagulation in the Perioperative Period: Is It Safe?

This study was undertaken to determine if warfarin anticoagulation could be safely continued during surgery and in the perioperative period. An animal model was followed by a prospective human study of all patients on heparin or warfarin at the time of surgery. Twenty-four rabbits underwent laparotomy, during which a controlled liver injury was created and repaired. Group 1 (Warf) was anticoagulated with warfarin to raise the mean international normalization ratio (INR) to 2.5-3.0. Group 2 (Hep) was anticoagulated with heparin to raise the activated partial thromboplastin time to 1.5-2.0 times control. The heparin was then stopped 6 hr prior to surgery and resumed 6 hr postoperatively without a bolus. Group 3 (control) was not anticoagulated and received saline infusion. For the human study, data were collected on 40 patients undergoing 50 operations from October 1996 to January 1998. The results of this study reveal that (1) bleeding was less in the group anticoagulated with warfarin throughout surgery in the animal model, (2) bleeding complications were less in the patients continued on warfarin through surgery than those on heparin (3) older patients may have an increased risk of bleeding, and (4) an INR of >3 at the time of surgery may increase the risk of bleeding.
Vascular Surgery Training: Is There Enough Case Material?

In recent years, vascular surgery fellowships have changed substantially to meet the requirements for interventional as well as open surgical training. Data from the Residency Review Committee for Surgery indicate that the average vascular fellow performed fewer than 15 interventional procedures in 2000, but that this volume had increased to more than 200 interventional procedures by 2005, an increase of 255%. During the same interval, there was a slight (4%) decrease in the average number of major open vascular reconstructions performed. In 2005, the average vascular fellow performed 450 primary procedures, nearly equally divided between open and interventional cases. Selected open operations, such as aortic aneurysm repair, have decreased in volume due to the substitution by endovascular procedures. Operative volume for vascular fellows has been preserved in part by a 19% reduction in major vascular operations performed by general surgery residents. However, with added overall volume due to the increased prevalence of vascular disease in the aging population, there appears to be adequate case material to train future vascular surgeons, as long as less commonly performed operations continue to be focused on vascular trainees.
Photosynthetically active radiation heterogeneity within a monodominant Congolese rain forest canopy

Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) regimes within vegetation canopies are intrinsically heterogeneous in time and space. Photosynthesis responds to changes in the intensity and temporal variability of PPFD in a non-linear way. Therefore, it is important to quantify PPFD heterogeneity at short time scales in order to better understand and assess plant‐atmosphere carbon exchange from the scale of the individual leaf to the entire canopy. Here, we report the intensity and temporal heterogeneity of sunflecks at three heights within a 42 m tall, monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevreitropical rain forest canopy in central Africa over a 12-day measurement period. Overall, sunflecks occurred during an average of 0.7% of the total sample time and contained 9.5% of the total recorded energy. These values ranged in magnitude with canopy height, as did the average intensity of PPFD contained in sunflecks. Probability distributions of sunfleck intensities were positively skewed at all three measurement heights. The temporal separation of sunflecks was bimodal at all three measurement heights; for example, at 3 m above ground level (AGL), 85% of all sunflecks were separated by either less than 30 s (43%) or more than 32 min (42%). Sunflecks were clustered in time such that 68, 84, and 89% of all sunflecks at respective heights of 3, 24, and 34 m AGL fell within clusters where no more than 2 min of non-sunfleck PPFD separated temporally adjacent sunflecks. This, plus the fact that a large percentage of the time within the clusters is comprised of sunfleck-level PPFD, indicates that sunfleck clusters are of great importance for photosynthesis within the canopy. We discuss the data from this site in the context of recent measurements and models of dynamic photosynthesis and present some possible implications for photosynthetic processes within a dense tropical forest canopy. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The effect of Gratiana boliviana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) herbivory on growth and population density of tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum) in Florida

Abstract The effect of herbivory by Gratiana boliviana Spaeth (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on the invasive, tropical soda apple (TSA) (Solanum viarum Dunal, Solanaceae), was investigated using exclusion methods and by monitoring the density of G. boliviana and the weed at four locations over a period of 40 months. TSA plants protected by insecticide were taller, wider, and had greater canopy cover that unprotected plants, and plants in closed cages were taller and wider than those in open cages. Survival of plants was higher in plots protected with insecticide than in unprotected plots in both years of a 2-year study. In the population dynamics study, the initial density of TSA was 4–5 times higher at one of the locations than at the other three sites, but within 3 years, TSA density at the high density site had declined by 90%. At the three sites which initially had a low abundance of TSA, density remained low throughout the study. The intrinsic rate of increase of G. boliviana varied between –3.9 and 4.5...