cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the behavior of steel structures using distributed optical fiber sensors

Abstract Creation of a new generation of structures capable of continuous real-time monitoring of their own structural behavior will be a major advancement in structural engineering. The research presented herein lays the groundwork for monitoring the behavior of steel structures using distributed optical fiber sensors. The properties of light traveling through an optical fiber can be affected by very small changes in fiber geometry caused by conditions such as elongation, bending, or twisting. These are also conditions that are encountered in steel structures. To demonstrate the viability of using surface-mounted fiber optic sensors to monitor the behavior of steel structures, an experimental research program was carried out on a sample steel structure. The sample structure consisted of a simply supported W-shape test beam and an optomechanical system for monitoring the structural behavior of the test beam. The optomechanical system consisted of five primary components: a light emitter and circuitry, optical fiber, a light detector and circuitry, an analyzer, and bypass circuitry. The indirectly measured loading on the test beam (as determined by the optomechanical system) compared well with the directly measured loading.
Involvement of AMPK in alcohol dehydrogenase accentuated myocardial dysfunction following acute ethanol challenge in mice.

OBJECTIVES Binge alcohol drinking often triggers myocardial contractile dysfunction although the underlying mechanism is not fully clear. This study was designed to examine the impact of cardiac-specific overexpression of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) on ethanol-induced change in cardiac contractile function, intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis, insulin and AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) signaling. METHODS ADH transgenic and wild-type FVB mice were acutely challenged with ethanol (3 g/kg/d, i.p.) for 3 days. Oral glucose tolerance test, cardiac AMP/ATP levels, cardiac contractile function, intracellular Ca(2+) handling and AMPK signaling (including ACC and LKB1) were examined. RESULTS Ethanol exposure led to glucose intolerance, elevated plasma insulin, compromised cardiac contractile and intracellular Ca(2+) properties, downregulated protein phosphatase PP2A subunit and PPAR-gamma, as well as phosphorylation of AMPK, ACC and LKB1, all of which except plasma insulin were overtly accentuated by ADH transgene. Interestingly, myocardium from ethanol-treated FVB mice displayed enhanced expression of PP2Calpha and PGC-1alpha, decreased insulin receptor expression as well as unchanged expression of Glut4, the response of which was unaffected by ADH. Cardiac AMP-to-ATP ratio was significantly enhanced by ethanol exposure with a more pronounced increase in ADH mice. In addition, the AMPK inhibitor compound C (10 microM) abrogated acute ethanol exposure-elicited cardiomyocyte mechanical dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS In summary, these data suggest that the ADH transgene exacerbated acute ethanol toxicity-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction, intracellular Ca(2+) mishandling and glucose intolerance, indicating a role of ADH in acute ethanol toxicity-induced cardiac dysfunction possibly related to altered cellular fuel AMPK signaling cascade.
The information content of trading halts

Abstract We investigate the impact of trading halts of NYSE-listed stocks on informationally related securities that continue to trade during the period of the halt. Informational relationships are established for companies in the same four-digit SIC industry based on the correlation of returns, volume, volatility, and the adverse selection components of spreads. We find a significant liquidity impact on informationally related securities with spreads and price impact of trades having substantial increases. However, we also find that quoted depths, the number of trades, and trade volume significantly increase. Our results are consistent with the trading halt model of Spiegel and Subrahmanyam [2000. Asymmetric information and news disclosure rules. Journal of Financial Intermediation 9, 363–403] and with the informed trading model of Tookes [2008. Information, trading, and product market interactions: cross-sectional implications of informed trading. Journal of Finance 63, 379–413]. In addition, our results indicate that there is a common liquidity response of informationally related securities to firm-specific trading halts.
Automata-based representations for arithmetic constraints in automated verification

In this paper we discuss efficient symbolic representations for infinite-state systems specified using linear arithmetic constraints. We give new algorithms for constructing finite automata which represent integer sets that satisfy linear constraints. These automata can represent either signed or unsigned integers and have a lower number of states compared to other similar approaches. We experimentally compare different symbolic representations by using them to verify non-trivial specification examples. In many cases symbolic representations based on our construction algorithms outperform the polyhedral representation used in Omega Library, or the automata representation used in LASH.
Osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease

Bone disease is heterogenous and highly prevalent among those with chronic kidney disease, stage V (CKD-V) patients. Although we know much regarding the risk factors and outcomes associated with renal osteodystrophy, less is known about osteoporosis in CKD-V. Factors that predict bone loss in the CKD-V population are similar to those in the general population and include female gender, Caucasian race, older age, chronic disease, and immobility. In addition, some studies suggest that chronic acidosis and renal osteodystrophy may also increase the risk for bone loss. Little is known about associated adverse outcomes or the impact of therapeutic interventions for osteoporosis. Although we know that the risk for hip fracture is high among CKD-V patients and that fracture is associated with an increased risk for death, the role that bone loss plays is largely unknown. Current recommendations suggest that risk-factor modification is the most appropriate course of treatment for CKD-V-associated osteoporosis.
Genetics of reovirus: the relationship of interference to complementation and reassortment of temperature-sensitive mutants at nonpermissive temperature.

Abstract Temperature-sensitive mutants of reovirus type 3 are capable of interfering with the replication of wild-type reovirus type 3. The interfering activity correlated with the ability of pairs of mutants to complement at 39°: Pairs of noninterfering mutants (tsD × tsE) yielded efficient complementation (indexes of 10–50); pairs of interfering mutants (including members of groups ts A, B, G) did not produce significant complementation (indexes ∼ 1). The ability of pairs of mutants to reassort at 39° generally followed a similar pattern. Thus interference is an important property of ts mutants of reovirus and needs to be considered when genetic interactions are being studied at 39°.
Self-assembled monolayers of an aryl thiol : Formation, stability, and exchange of adsorbed 2-naphthalenethiol and bis(2-naphthyl) disulfide on Au

The adsorption of 2-naphthalenethiol and bis(2-naphthyl) disulfide onto bulk Au has been indirectly quantified from the adsorbate solution by liquid chromatography. A study of the kinetics of monol...
Two-dimensional radiation in a cylinder with spatially varying albedo

The 'discrete ordinates', or S(N) method is presently used to develop a general, accurate scheme for determining two-dimensional radiative transfer in an axisymmetric cylindrical enclosure that contains an absorbing, emitting, and anisotropically scattering medium with spatially varying albedo. The spatial variation of albedo is noted to have significant effects on the heat flux for the optically thick case; for the optically thin case, however, the effects are negligible. 6 refs.
Cervical Deformity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis leads to progressive synovial inflammation and joint destruction, with the cervical spine being the third most commonly affected area. Atlantoaxial instability is the most common presenting diagnosis, followed by subaxial instability and atlantoaxial impaction. Patients present with a range of symptoms from axial neck pain to frank myelopathy. Treatment begins with medical management in the early stages, which has shown promise in preventing or delaying atlantoaxial instability. Surgical treatment has shown good results but is reserved for patients with severe pain, instability, and progressive neurologic deficits and should adequately decompress the neural elements and fuse the unstable segments.
HIV-related diarrhea is multifactorial and fat malabsorption is commonly present, independent of HAART.

HIV-related diarrhea is multifactorial and fat malabsorption is commonly present, independent of HAART
Cranial lesions and maxillofacial asymmetry in an archaeological skeleton from Peru: A paleopathological case of possible trauma-induced epidermal inclusion cysts

Background: In 2010, the Lambayeque Valley Biohistory Project recovered the skeletal remains of an elderly adult man who died probably during the late 19 th century in Eten, on the north coast of Peru. This individual's cranium exhibited a constellation of highly unusual lytic cranial lesions spanning the left aspect of the frontal bone, nasal region, and right aspect of the superior orbit. Simultaneously, the midfacial and orbital regions exhibited marked asymmetry. In this paper, we describe these dry bone lesions and evaluate various differential diagnosis. Lesion characteristics and patterning is inconsistent with more familiar pathological processes such as infections (i.e., tuberculosis, treponematosis, and leprosy). Lesion morphology most closely resembles cystic development, such as those produced by an epidermal or dermal cyst. Metastatic processes are also examined, but represent remote diagnostic options. The cyst-like lesion morphology, combined with facial asymmetry may be most consistent with a complex etiology involving development of epidermal inclusion cysts secondary to facial trauma. This case describes a very rarely reported kind of craniofacial lesion in archaeological skeletons, highlights the process of differential diagnosis in paleopathology, and contributes to a more complete accounting of craniomaxillary disorders in the Andean past. Context: An archaeologically recovered 19 th century human skeleton, designated Burial CNS U3-5B, documented from the Colonial-era site of Eten, Peru. Aim: Describe, identify, and provide plausible differential diagnosis of a set of highly anomalous craniofacial lesions. Settings and Design: Meticulous observation, description, and differential diagnosis of dry bone lesions in Burial CNS U3-5B. Materials and Methods: The entire skeleton was visually examined and recorded, using standardized data collection protocols involving detailed skeletal and dental inventories, age and sex estimation, development and growth, anthropometry, and pathological conditions of the skeleton and dentition. Pathological features of the lesions were described in terms of abnormal bone size, abnormal bone formation, and abnormal bone loss. Lesion distribution was then mapped throughout the skeleton. Statistical Analysis Used: None. Results: The individual's cranium exhibited a constellation of highly unusual lytic cranial lesions spanning the left aspect of the frontal bone, nasal region, and right aspect of the superior orbit. The midfacial and orbital regions exhibited marked left-side asymmetry. Conclusions: Lesions appear to be most consistent with epidermal inclusion cysts, perhaps secondary to a well-healed traumatic midfacial injury. Infectious disease processes and cancer metastases are ruled out. Through a process of careful description and differential diagnosis, this study presents plausible diagnosis of a condition rarely encountered in archaeological remains.
Review: Development of Reproductive Biotechnologies in Domestic Animals from Artificial Insemination to Cloning: A Perspective

There has been a remarkable increase in knowledge resulting in the application of reproductive biotechnologies in animals, with profound implications for human beings. The major accomplishments in domestic animals, particularly with cattle, are reviewed here. An attempt is made to examine these, in perspective, to indicate the steps by which progress was made, and to appreciate that the explosion of new findings today would not have been possible without the careful studies of yesteryears.
Fast volt-VAR control on PV dominated distribution systems

This paper investigates the impact of high penetration Photovoltaic (PV) systems on the voltage profile of a distribution feeder. The paper shows that power fluctuations caused by intermittent PV output can affect the operation of volt-VAR devices and cause unacceptable voltage variations on the feeder. The paper also investigates the adoption of a Dynamic VAR Compensator (DVC) to mitigate these impacts. Simulations performed on a prototype feeder indicate that the DVCs will be quite effective in smoothing out even the fast voltage variations caused by cloud cover on the PV systems.
Mucormycosis: Oral and prosthodontic implications. A report of 14 patients

This report includes 14 patients with rhinocerebral mucormycosis treated at the UCLA Medical Center since 1970. This disease has an extremely high mortality and morbidity. It is of interest to dentists because of the common presenting symptoms of periorbital cellulitis and sinusitis and the occasional presenting symptoms of dental pain or subperiosteal swelling. It is of further interest because of the intraoral and extraoral midfacial defects that result from disease extension and the necessary surgical debridement. The resultant facial and oral defects are far more difficult to restore than similar defects secondary to resection of head and neck neoplasms.
Technological innovations for a sustainable business model in the semiconductor industry

Increasing costs of wafer processing, particularly for lithographic processes, have made it increasingly difficult to achieve simultaneous reductions in cost-per-function and area per device. Multiple patterning techniques have made possible the fabrication of circuit layouts below the resolution limit of single optical exposures but have led to significant increases in the costs of patterning. Innovative techniques, such as self-aligned double patterning (SADP) have enabled good device performance when using less expensive patterning equipment. Other innovations have directly reduced the cost of manufacturing. A number of technical challenges must be overcome to enable a return to single-exposure patterning using short wavelength optical techniques, such as EUV patterning.
Fast one-pass algorithm to label objects and compute their features

In many image processing applications, labeling objects and computing their features for recognition are crucial steps for further analysis. In general these two steps are done separately. This paper proposes a new approach to label all objects and computer their features (such as moments, best fit ellipse, major and minor axis) in one pass. The basic idea of the algorithm is to detect interval overlaps among the line segments as the image is scanned from left to right, top to bottom. Ambiguity about an object's connectivity can also be resolved with the proposed algorithm. It is a fast algorithm and can be implemented on either serial or parallel processors.
Effects of maternal unavailability on mother-infant interactions☆

Abstract To determine the differential effects of maternal emotional and physical unavailability on infant interaction behavior, 4-month-old infants were subjected to the mothers' still-face and to a brief separation from the mother. Although the infants became more negative and agitated during both conditions, the still-face was more stressful.
Can corporate governance save distressed firms from bankruptcy? An empirical analysis

We examine financially distressed firms and document how governance characteristics affect (1) a firm’s ability to avoid bankruptcy and (2) the power of financial/accounting information to predict bankruptcy. Overall, our findings indicate that a distressed firm’s governance characteristics significantly affect its probability of bankruptcy. We find that smaller and more independent boards with a higher ratio of non-inside directors and with larger ownership stakes of inside directors are more effective at avoiding bankruptcy once distress is indicated. These results are consistent with the belief that these types of governance structures induce more effective monitoring. The results are also consistent with the view that the inclusion of governance characteristics enhances the power of financial accounting models in predicting bankruptcy.
El Niño flood deposits at Batán Grande, northern Peru

Recent construction of a 10 × 3 irrigation canal across the Batan Grande–Poma archaeological complex of northern Peru provided an opportunity for inspection of soil profiles and detailed sampling along a five km transect bisecting an important concentration of ceremonial structures built during the past 3000+ years. From laboratory analysis of 80 soil samples we conclude no long-term irrigation agriculture was practiced in this area and it was unimportant as a resource base. Stratigraphic studies indicate few sediments survive from the 1925 El Nino event, but a massive bed attributable to prehistoric slack-water flood sediments has been identified and can be bracketed between ca. A. D. 650–1000 by associated diagnostic funerary ceramics. Other flood deposits representing the same or different events are described, but we conclude intervalley correlations will be difficult until more precise dating methods are available.
Mosquito odorant receptor for DEET and methyl jasmonate

Insect repellents are important prophylactic tools for travelers and populations living in endemic areas of malaria, dengue, encephalitis, and other vector-borne diseases. DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) is a 6-decade-old synthetic repellent, which is still considered the gold standard of mosquito repellents. Mosquitoes use their sense of smell to detect DEET, but there are currently two hypotheses regarding its mode of action: activation of ionotropic receptor IR40a vs. odorant receptor(s). Here, we demonstrate that DEET, picaridin, insect repellent 3535, and p-menthan-3,8-diol activate the odorant receptor CquiOR136 of the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. Electrophysiological and behavioral assays showed that CquiIR40a knockdown had no significant effect on DEET detection and repellency. By contrast, reduction of CquiOR136 transcript levels led to a significant decrease in electroantennographic responses to DEET and a complete lack of repellency. Thus, direct activation of an odorant receptor, not an ionotropic receptor, is necessary for DEET reception and repellency in Culex mosquitoes. Interestingly, methyl jasmonate, a repellent derived from the nonvolatile jasmonic acid in the signaling pathway of plant defenses, elicited robust responses in CquiOR136•CquiOrco-expressing Xenopus oocytes, thus suggesting a possible link between natural products with long insect–plant evolutionary history and synthetic repellents.
A model of how the sickle-cell gene produces malaria resistance.

A model of resistance to falciparum malaria provided by the sickle-cell gene in heterozygous state is presented based on earlier hypotheses, the life cycle of P. falciparum within its human host, and the nature of host response. Falciparum populations are reduced in size with each cycle of erythrocytic schizogony in sicklers because many parasitized cells are sequestered, sickled, and phagocytized within areas of low Pea following host vasoconstriction induced by antigen release during schizogony. Populations highly synchronous in their timing of schizogony grow more rapidly than asynchronous populations because a smaller proportion of their members will be trapped, sickled, and phagocytized following vasoconstriction. Differences in synchronicity of schizogony, combined with survival of early ring forms and differences between hosts in time of onset of vasoconstriction, can account for differences in the height of parasitemia between infected sicklers. The sickle-cell gene provides resistance only to falciparum malaria because other forms undergo schizogony in the peripheral circulation where PO% is too high to allow sickling, and/or their synchrony of schizogony is too great to allow a sufIicient proportion of their infecting populations to be destroyed with each cycle of erythrocytic schizogony. Resistance to falciparum malaria based upon the sickle-cell gene is restricted to early childhood because internal organs atrophy consequent to successive sickling episodes brought on by febrile diseases, including falciparum malaria itself. The gradually acquired immunity of both non-siclclers and sicklers reduces the differences in resistance between them until siclclers enjoy no advantage in falciparum resistance. Ways of testing the model are considered.
Analysis of Forest Structure Using Thematic Mapper Simulator Data

Remotely sensed data from forested landscapes contain information on both cover type and structure. Structural properties include crown closure, basal area, leaf area index, and tree size. Cover type and structure together are useful variables for designing forest volume inventories. The potential of Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) data for sensing forest structure has been explored by principal components and feature selection techniques. Improved discrimination over multispectral scanner (MSS) data proved possible in a mixed conifer forest in Idaho for estimating crown closure and tree size (saplings/seedlings, pole, sawtimber). Classification accuracy increased monotonically with the addition of new channels up to seven; the four optimum channels were 4, 7, 5, and 3. The analysis of TMS data for 123 field sites in Sequoia National Park indicated that canopy closure could be well estimated by a variety of bands or band ratios (r = 0.62-0.69) without reference to forest type. Estimation of basal area was less successful ( r = 0.51 or less) on average, but improved for certain forest types when data were stratified by floristic composition. To achieve such a stratification, sites were ordinated by a detrended correspondence analysis (DECORANA) based on the canopy of dominant species. Within forest types, canopy closure continued to be the best predictor of spectral variation. Total basal area could be predicted in certain forest types with improved or moderate reliability using various linear ratios of TMS bands (e. g., red fir, 5/4, r = 0.76; lodgepole pine, 4/3, r = 0.82).
Cation interactions in gellan: an X-ray study of the potassium salt

Gellan belongs to a new generation of nonsulfated, microbial, texturing polysaccharides of potential interest to the food industry. The influence of monovalent cations on its molecular geometry has been investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis of oriented fibers of the potassium salt. The molecule forms a parallel, half-staggered, double helix in which each polysaccharide chain is a left-handed, 3-fold helix of pitch 5.63 nm. The potassium ion is coordinated to the carboxylate group, which is in turn involved in interchain hydrogen-bonds to stabilize the duplex. There are two such duplexes, packed antiparallel to each other, cross-linked by a network of duplex-water-duplex interactions, in the trigonal unit cell, a = b = 1.575 nm, and c = 2.815 nm. The present study not only confirms the correctness of the basic structure of gellan reported previously for the lithium salt but also furnishes a clear insight into the critical interactions taking place between the polymer chains, cations, and water molecules which are of importance for industrial utilization.
Microstructure and flow stress of deformed polycrystalline metals

The end goal of many microstructural studies is to relate the microstructure to flow stress behavior. This relation is not always straightforward, since most deformation microstructures are quite complex and rich in detail, encompassing many more structures than the simple cell structure. Thus it is first necessary to have a simplifying framework to identify and classify the important microstructural components and their functions. A key example of this classification is the idea of geometrically necessary boundaries and incidental boundaries. These two types of boundaries have separate roles in deformation strengthening and in accommodating the imposed shape change during deformation. Secondly, it is necessary to consider each microstructural component's relative strength contribution. The relative strength contribution will depend on such parameters as the distribution of that structure, volume fractions, morphology (i.e. equiaxed or planar), macroscopic orientation to the deformation axis, the misorientations and dislocation densities of boundaries. The morphology and macroscopic orientation of deformation structures have further implications in calculating.
Meta-analysis research

Beginning with Florence Nightingale, nurses have attempted to base their practice on the best evidence. Research findings often form part of the evidence for practice. The proliferation of studies and the frequent contradictory findings between studies make it difficult to determine the scientific basis for practice. Increasingly, nurses are finding meta-analysis research reports on important practice topics. This article provides an overview of key features of meta-analyses to enable nurses to determine whether meta-analyses findings are valid and useful for their practice.
The sqlLoader Data-Loading Pipeline

Using a database management system (DBMS) is essential to ensure the data integrity and reliability of large, multidimensional data sets. However, loading multiterabyte data into a DBMS is a time-consuming and error-prone task that the authors have tried to automate by developing the sqlLoader pipeline-a distributed workflow system for data loading.
The association of injury with substance use disorder among women of reproductive age: an opportunity to address a major contributor to recurrent preventable emergency department visits?

OBJECTIVES: Substance use disorder (SUD) among women of reproductive age is a complex public health problem affecting a diverse spectrum of women and their families, with potential consequences across generations. The goals of this study were 1) to describe and compare the prevalence of patterns of injury requiring emergency department (ED) visits among SUD-positive and SUD-negative women and 2) among SUD-positive women, to investigate the association of specific categories of injury with type of substance used. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of a large, multisource health care utilization data set developed to analyze SUD prevalence, and health and substance abuse treatment outcomes, for women of reproductive age in Massachusetts, 2002 through 2008. Sources for this linked data set included diagnostic codes for ED, inpatient, and outpatient stay discharges; SUD facility treatment records; and vital records for women and for their neonates. RESULTS: Injury data (ICD-9-CM E-codes) were available for 127,227 SUD-positive women. Almost two-thirds of SUD-positive women had any type of injury, compared to 44.8% of SUD-negative women. The mean (±SD) number of events also differed (2.27 ± 4.1 for SUD-positive women vs. 0.73 ± 1.3 for SUD-negative women, p CONCLUSIONS: The presence of SUD increases the likelihood that women in the 15- to 49-year age group will present to the ED with injury. Conversely, women with injury may be more likely to be involved in alcohol abuse or other substance use. The high rates of injury that we identified among women with SUD suggest the utility of including a brief, validated screen for substance use as part of an ED injury treatment protocol and referring injured women for assessment and/or treatment when scores indicate the likelihood of SUD. Language: en
Segmentation of thermal images for non-destructive evaluation of bridge decks

The objective of the project presented in this paper is to automate the detection of subsurface defects in concrete bridge decks using infrared thermography. The algorithm developed for this purpose is based on the region growing approach, which segments the image and identifies the voids without human interference or prior knowledge of the conditions. The segmentation algorithm starts with the hottest pixels in the image as seed points, and then regions are grown around them based on a neighborhood selection criterion. The algorithm was tested on images collected from concrete bridge deck specimens containing various man-made defects and also on a defect-free control model. The experimental work successfully identified defects in concrete bridge decks up to 3 in. below surface using thermograph imaging.
Coulomb effects on one-dimensional peierls instability: The peierls-hubbard model

A novel approach to dimerization is developed, based on a many-body valence-bond approach, that predicts enhancement of the dimerization on inclusion of the on-site electron repulsion. Exact numerical calculations are presented to substantiate this conclusion.
Rates of convergence of B-processes: some simulation results

This paper reports simulation results on the B-process of Hurwicz, Radner and Reiter (1975). In economies with indivisible goods, (where a competitive equilibrium need not exist) simulations indicate that the B-process converges quite rapidly to Pareto optimal outcomes. Furthermore, in an example of Gale (1963) with two divisible goods and convex preferences, the B-process yields equitable outcomes, in contrast to the Walrasian tatonnement, which converges to very ‘unfair’ allocations.
Interferon-γ and interleukin-1β induce nitric oxide formation from primary mouse astrocytes

Abstract An inducible form of nitric oxide synthase ( i NOS) capable of producing large quantities of nitric oxide (NO) exists in some cell types. We demonstrate by immunoprecipitation and nitrite formation that interleukin-1β (IL1β) plus interferon-γ (INFγ) induce the expression of nitric oxide synthase in primary cultures of murine cortical astrocytes. This induction is time and dose dependent, and inhibited by the NOS inhibitor N G -nitro- l -arginine and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide.
Mutations in the RET protooncogene in sporadic pheochromocytomas

Mutations in the RET protooncogene have recently been demonstrated in families with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) types 2A and 2B. We have studied pheochromocytomas from 29 individuals who had no clinical evidence of MEN-2A or -2B to determine the frequency of germline and/or somatic mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 of the RET protooncogene. Of the 29 tumors examined, 3 (10%) were found to have a mutation in 1 of the 3 exons. These mutations were not found in the DNA from the peripheral blood from these individuals, indicating that the mutations in the tumors were somatic in origin. Although we cannot exclude the possibility of mutations in other regions of the RET protooncogene, our data suggest that 1) individuals presenting with apparently sporadic pheochromocytomas are not likely to have undiagnosed MEN-2A or -2B; and 2) somatic mutations in exons 10, 11, and 16 in the RET protooncogene contribute to the process of tumorigenesis in a small percentage of sporadic pheochromocytomas.
Late doxorubicin‐associated cardiotoxicity in children

Background. The most frequently encountered doxorubicin related cardiac toxicity is a dose-related myocardial dysfunction occurring 1-6 months after chemotherapy. Recently, late cardiotoxicity has been the focus of interest. This paper explores the possibility that acute intercurrent viral illness may trigger late cardiotoxicity. Methods. Thirty selected pediatric patients were followed for changes in their echocardiographically measured fractional shortening (FS) for 2-10 years after completion of their doxorubicin chemotherapy. They were divided according to the dose of doxorubicin they received (<300 mg/m2 or ≥ 300 mg/m2) and to whether the manifestations of an acute intercurrent viral illness during the observation period were documented. Eleven patients experienced such infections. Results. Changes in FS demonstrated two different responses. The usual response to doxorubicin was a gradual, dose-related fall in FS, followed by recovery; while the second response included an unexpected, late, sudden decrease in FS. Four patients in the low dose subgroup experienced an acute intercurrent viral illness, but none of these demonstrated the unexpected decrease. Of the seven patients who acquired such illness in the high dose subgroup, five demonstrated the sudden, late decrease in FS, with two of them developing severe, reversible congestive heart failure. Conclusions. The most likely explanation for the late, sudden decrease in FS is an additional stress in patients who already have sustained subclinical cardiac damage as a result of their doxorubicin chemotherapy. An acute intercurrent viral illness may have triggered late cardiac dysfunction in some of these patients.
Epidural-evoked potentials: a more specific indicator of spinal cord ischemia.

The purpose of this experimental study was to examine the differences between peripheral nerve stimulation and direct spinal stimulation in generating cortical somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) responses for monitoring spinal cord ischemia during thoracic aorta cross-clamping. Adult mongrel dogs (n = 6) were placed under general anesthesia and a left thoracotomy was performed. A conventional stimulating electrode was placed over the posterior tibial nerve (PN-SEP), and a special bipolar electrode was placed epidurally over the spinal cord at L1-2 (SC-SEP). The aorta was cross-clamped proximal to the left subclavian artery. Stimulations were alternately performed through both electrodes, and SEP responses were continuously monitored. The cross-clamp was released after one hour and the animal was observed for another hour prior to sacrifice. Excellent SEPs were obtained with six stimuli over 3 sec via the SC-SEP stimulus in contrast to the 200 stimulations over 90 sec required for the PN-SEP stimulus. Aortic cross-clamping resulted in a significantly longer mean time to loss of SEPs for SC-SEP (mean ± SEM, 13.7 ± 1.0 min for SC-SEP vs 11.3 ± 0.7 min for PN-SEP, P < 0.05). Likewise, unclamping of the aorta consistently resulted in a shorter mean time to return of SEPs for SC-SEP compared with PN-SEP. These data indicate that direct epidural stimulation for evoked cortical responses is a more sensitive means of determining the adequacy of posterior spinal cord blood flow as reflected by posterior spinal cord function. Thus, direct stimulation of the spinal cord to produce cortical-evoked potentials may enable the surgeon to differentiate more easily between distal hypotension or factors associated with a preexisting peripheral neuropathy and the inadvertent exclusion of critical intercostals during SEP monitoring for intraoperative spinal cord ischemia.
Parallel solution of the chemical master equation

In general the chemical master equation gives an accurate stochastic description of biochemical systems. However, the dimension of the equation is often on the order of 105 to 109, which implies great computational effort to solve the equation. This paper investigates the use of parallel machines to solve the chemical master equation for a typical biochemical model. Several different numerical algorithms are discussed here with their numerical results included.
The determination of five steroids in avian plasma by radioimmunoassay and competitive protein-binding

Abstract A method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone and corticosterone, or of estrone, estradiol-17β and corticosterone, after separation on a Celite: propylene glycol:ethylene glycol column (6:1.5:1.5 w/v/v). The lower quarter of the column was packed with a Celite:water mixture (3:1 w/v) as a stationary phase (glycol) ‘trap’. This effectively prevented leaching of the glycols into the eluate as the concentration of ethyl acetate in the mobile phase was increased to elute the more polar steroids. In addition, a second system utilizing a Celite:ethylene glycol column (2:1 w/v) for the separation of estrone and estradiol-17β is described. Testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, estrone and estradiol-17β were measured by radioimmunoassay and corticosterone by a competitive protein-binding technique. Reliability criteria are presented showing that the assay systems used are accurate and reproducible. Plasma-steroid levels of eight avian species are also presented and compared with those found by other investigators.
Avalanche-induced drain-source breakdown in silicon-on-insulator n-MOSFETs

A proposed breakdown model includes the effects of floating substrate and finite silicon thickness. The calculated I-V characteristics in the breakdown region agree well with the experimental results. The results show that (1) the drain-source breakdown voltage of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) n-MOSFETs increases with increasing channel length, increasing positive substrate voltage, and decreasing silicon film thickness; and (2) SOI n-MOSFETs have higher breakdown voltage than their bulk-silicon counterparts at large gate bias, but lower breakdown voltage at small gate bias. >
The prediction of complex organizational behavior: A comparison of decision theory with more traditional techniques

Abstract Recently there has appeared in the literature a number of empirical studies using models similar to decision theory to predict behavior. While these models have in general proved successful, little if any research has directly compared the results of this approach with more traditional techniques. In this study, 48 electrical appliance repairmen were interviewed concerning the consequences of bidding or not bidding on the “next highest level job.” They then evaluated the desirability or undesirability of these consequences on a 7-point scale. Expectations of the probability of occurrence of these consequences were indicated by their ratings on a scale of likelihood of occurrence. In addition, each individual responded to two semantic differential scales and the need achievement scale of the Edwards Personal Preference Profile. Results of correlational analyses indicated that the decision theory technique was superior to the SD and need achievement scales in predicting bidding behavior. Problems and implications of the findings for further research were discussed.
Does social capital still matter? Immigrant minority disadvantage in school-specific social capital and its effects on academic achievement.

Using the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988, the authors examine the determinants of social capital and its effects on school achievement for minority and immigrant students. The authors use two measures of social capital—intergenerational closure and parent-school involvement—and distinguish minority groups by generational status. Results indicate that compared to third-generation White students, immigrant Asians and Hispanics and third-generation Black students possess less social capital. Minority and immigrant children receive differential returns to intergenerational closure and parent-school involvement.
Affine transformation registers small scale lung deformation

To evaluate the nature of small scale lung deformation between multiple pulmonary magnetic resonance images, two different kinematic intensity based image registration techniques: affine and bicubic Hermite interpolation were tested. The affine method estimates uniformly distributed deformation metrics throughout the lung. The bicubic Hermite method allows the expression of heterogeneously distributed deformation metrics such as Lagrangian strain. A cardiac triggered inversion recovery technique was used to obtain 10 sequential images of pulmonary vessel structure in a sagittal plane in the right lung at FRC in 4 healthy subjects (Age: 28.5(6.2)). One image was used as the reference image, and the remaining images (target images) were warped onto the reference image using both image registration techniques. The normalized correlation between the reference and the transformed target images within the lung domain was used as a cost function for optimization, and the root mean square (RMS) of image intensity difference was used to evaluate the quality of the registration. Both image registration techniques significantly improved the RMS compared with non-registered target images (p= 0.04). The spatial mean (µE) and standard deviation (σ E ) of Lagrangian strain were computed based on the spatial distribution of lung deformation approximated by the bicubic Hermite method, and were measured on the order of 10−3 or less, which is virtually negligible. As a result, small scale lung deformation between FRC lung volumes is spatially uniform, and can be simply characterized by affine deformation even though the bicubic Hermite method is capable of expressing complicated spatial patterns of lung deformation.
Specific inhibition of phosphate transport in mitochondria by N-ethylmaleimide

N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), a reagent that alkylates free sulfhydryl groups, was shown to be a highly effective inhibitor of the following coupled mitochondrial processes: oxidative phosphorylation, ATP-32Pi exchange, Pi-induced light scattering and configurational changes, State III respiration, valinomycin-induced translocation of potassium with Pi as the anion, and calcium accumulation in presence of Pi. However, NEM was less effective or ineffective in inhibiting some processes that do not require inorganic Pi, namely electron transfer and ATPase activity, ADP binding, energized light scattering changes induced by arsenate and nonenergized light scattering changes induced by acetate. The rate of oxidative phosphorylation and of ATP-32Pi exchange was normal in ETPH particles prepared from NEM-treated mitochondria. Also NEM, even et levels 2–3 times greater than those required to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation in intact mitochondria, did not inhibit coupled processes in submitochondrial particles. We are proposing that NEM alkylates sulfhydryl groups in the mitochondrion that modulate Pi translocation, and that the suppression of Pi translocation blocks oxidative phosphorylation, the Pi-dependent energized configurational change in mitochondria and Pi-dependent transport processes.
New Technique for Determining Cardiac Output with Use of a Miniature Esophageal Scintillation Detector

A miniature scintillation detector recently designed and constructed in this laboratory can be inserted into the esophagus and under fluoroscopic vision positioned so that radioactivity emitted from the blood in the descending aorta can be detected and a time-concentration curve recorded from which cardiac output can be determined. Twenty simultaneous determinations of cardiac output by the isotope-dilution method with the esophageal scintillation counter probe and the dye-dilution technique were done in 10 dogs. There was a good correlation between the two methods. Among the technical advantages of the isotope-dilution method over the dye-dilution method are avoidance of arterial puncture, only one sample of venous blood required, an easily performed procedure, and ability to permit repeated determinations of cardiac output with a minimum of manipulation and trauma.
C-Terminus of Apolipoprotein A-I Removes Phospholipids from a Triolein/Phospholipids/Water Interface, but the N-Terminus Does Not: A Possible Mechanism for Nascent HDL Assembly

Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) is the principle protein component of HDL, also known as “good cholesterol,” which is an inverse marker for cardiovascular disease. The N-terminal 44 amino acids of ApoA-I (N44) are predicted to be responsible for stabilization of soluble ApoA-I, whereas the C-terminal 46 amino acids (C46) are predicted to initiate lipid binding and oligomerization. In this work, we apply what we believe to be a novel application of drop tensiometry to study the adsorption and desorption of N44 and C46 at a triolein/POPC/water (TO/POPC/W) interface. The amount of peptide that adsorbed to the surface was dependent on the surface concentration of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and pressure (Π) before adsorption. At a TO/POPC/W interface, the exclusion pressure (ΠEX) of C46 was 25.8 mN/m, and was 19.3 mN/m for N44. Once adsorbed, both peptides formed a homogeneous surface with POPC but were progressively ejected from the surface by compression. During a compression, C46 removed POPC from the surface whereas N44 did not. Repeated compressions caused C46 to deplete entirely the surface of phospholipid. If full-length ApoA-I could also remove phospholipid, this could provide a mechanism for the transfer of surface components of chylomicrons and very low density lipoprotein to high density lipoprotein with the assistance of phospholipid transfer protein.
An assessment of re‐randomization methods in bark beetle (Scolytidae) trapping bioassays

1 Numerous studies have explored the role of semiochemicals in the behaviour of bark beetles (Scolytidae). 2 Multiple-funnel traps are often used to elucidate these behavioural responses. Sufficient sample sizes are obtained by using large numbers of traps to which treatments are randomly assigned once, or by frequent collection of trap catches and subsequent re-randomization of treatments. 3 Recently, there has been some debate about the potential for trap contamination to occur when semiochemical treatments (baits), and not trap-treatment units (traps and baits), are re-randomized among existing traps. Due to the volatility of many semiochemicals, small levels of contamination could potentially confound results. 4 A literature survey was conducted to determine the frequency of re-randomizing semiochemical treatments (baits) vs. trap-treatment units (traps and baits) in scolytid trapping bioassays. An experiment was then conducted to determine whether differences in the response of Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte to attractant-baited traps exist between the two methods. 5 The majority of papers examined reported use of a large number of fixed replicates (traps) rather than re-randomization of treatments at frequent intervals. Seventy-five percent of papers for which re-randomization methods could be determined reported relocation of semiochemical treatments (baits) only. 6 No significant differences in trap catch were observed among multiple-funnel traps aged with D. brevcomis baits (Phero Tech Inc., Canada) for 0, 30 and 90 days, suggesting that contamination did not influence the results. 7 It is concluded that re-randomizing baits is a viable cost-effective option to re-randomizing trap and bait units.
A Critique of Theory Z

Ouchi's Theory Z prescribes how employees should be motivated for increased productivity. Based on the theoretical work of Emile Durkheim, it views the modern large corporation as a communal alternative to the shortcomings of other institutions in industrial mass society. Ouchi's assertion that Japan is the industrial society in which Theory Z has flourished received limited support from research findings. Moreover, Ouchi's grounding of the theory in humanistic management seem unwarranted.
Kinetic Vitreous Fluorophotometry in Normals and Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetics

Kinetic vitreous fluorophotometry was performed up to five hours after intravenous injection of fluorescein in seven normal subjects and seven noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients without retinopathy. The leakage of fluorescein into the vitreous was measured, and fluorescein dynamics were assessed after correction for the most important artifacts. A detailed description of the movements of fluorescein between the blood and the chambers of the eye across the blood-ocular barriers was obtained in normal and diabetic eyes. The diabetic population could be differentiated best from the normal one with vitreous fluorophotometry measurements performed close to the retina-choroid one hour after injection.