cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variation in the management of adolescent patients with blunt abdominal solid organ injury between adult versus pediatric trauma centers: an analysis of a statewide trauma database

Background: Optimal management of adolescent trauma patients with blunt abdominal solid organ injury (SOI) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to identify management differences in adolescents with SOI treated at adult trauma centers (ATC) versus pediatric trauma centers (PTC). We hypothesized that adolescents with SOI would undergo different treatment at ATC and PTC. Materials and methods: Retrospective review of the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation database from 2005e2010 was performed. Adolescent patients (13e18 y old) with SOI (spleen, liver, and kidney injury) were included. Patient baseline characteristics and care processes for each injury were compared between ATC and PTC. Results: A total of 1532 patients with at least one SOI were identified: 946 patients had a splenic injury, 505 had a liver injury, and 424 had a kidney injury. Spleen and liver procedures were performed more often at ATC than at PTC irrespective of injury grade (respectively, 16.1% versus 3.2%, 5.9% versus 0%; P < 0.01). Transarterial embolization for splenic injury was more frequently performed at ATC (2.8% versus 0.6%; P ¼ 0.02). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, care at PTC was significantly associated with lower odds of splenic procedure for patients with splenic injury (OR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.08e0.36, P < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis of nontransfer patients, care at PTC remained significantly associated with lower odds of splenic procedure (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10e0.59, P ¼ 0.002) despite higher median injury severity score than ATC. Conclusions: Significant differences in the management of adolescents with SOI were identified in Pennsylvania. Operative intervention for SOI was more often performed at ATC than at PTC. Further study will be needed to address the impact of these disparities on patient outcomes.
Want to be Retweeted? Large Scale Analytics on Factors Impacting Retweet in Twitter Network

Retweeting is the key mechanism for information diffusion in Twitter. It emerged as a simple yet powerful way of disseminating information in the Twitter social network. Even though a lot of information is shared in Twitter, little is known yet about how and why certain information spreads more widely than others. In this paper, we examine a number of features that might affect retweetability of tweets. We gathered content and contextual features from 74M tweets and used this data set to identify factors that are significantly associated with retweet rate. We also built a predictive retweet model. We found that, amongst content features, URLs and hashtags have strong relationships with retweetability. Amongst contextual features, the number of followers and followees as well as the age of the account seem to affect retweetability, while, interestingly, the number of past tweets does not predict retweetability of a user's tweet. We believe that this research would inform the design of sensemaking and analytics tools for social media streams.
Angular-momentum theory and projective geometry

The Desarguesian nature of angular-momentum theory is illustrated by drawing correspondences between relations satisfied by then-j symbols and various collinearity properties of the appropriate diagrams. No examples of Pappus' theorem have been found. A relation is suggested between the operations of angular-momentum theory and Hilbert's constructions for the addition and multiplication of points on a line.
Auditory visualization of landmine detector sensor data

A desktop computer based simulation of landmine detection was constructed to evaluate a series of visualizations that graphically display landmine detector auditory output. Data were collected from eighteen student participants regarding the perceptual matching of the visualizations to the pitch and volume of the auditory output, as well as the ability to recall the visualizations after one week. Results indicated a high level of mental recall of the visualizations, but did not reveal a distinct perceptual matching. Recommendations are made for visualization refinement and reevaluation. Language: en
Chamber measurements find plants are potentially important methane sink

As a greenhouse gas, methane has a much higher heat-trapping potential than carbon dioxide when considered over the course of a few decades. In recent years, researchers discovered a potentially important new source of atmospheric methane—emissions from green plants. Although estimates of the extent of vegetative methane emissions vary greatly, previous research suggests they could amount to as much as a tenth of global annual emissions. The mechanism behind such emissions is a matter of considerable debate, with questions remaining regarding the effects of atmospheric or soil conditions, local hydrological influences, and variability for different plant species. Also under investigation are various potential plant methane uptake mechanisms and the effects of methane-consuming bacteria—aspects of the methane cycle that could dampen plants’ role as a methane source.
Regulatory models of RhoA suppression by dematin, a cytoskeletal adaptor protein.

Cell motility, adhesion, and actin cytoskeletal rearrangements occur upon integrin-engagement to the extracellular matrix and activation of the small family of Rho GTPases, RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42. The activity of the GTPases is regulated through associations with guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), and guanine dissociation inhibitors (GDIs). Recent studies have demonstrated a critical role for actin-binding proteins, such as ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM), in modulating the activity of small GTPases through their direct associations with GEFs, GAPs, and GDI’s. Dematin, an actin binding and bundling phospho-protein was first identified and characterized from the erythrocyte membrane, and has recently been implicated in regulating cell motility, adhesion, and morphology by suppressing RhoA activation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Although the precise mechanism of RhoA suppression by dematin is unclear, several plausible and hypothetical models can be invoked. De...
Anatomic grading of nerve sparing during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Abstract Background Because of the lack of intraoperative visual cues, the amount of nerve sparing (NS) intended by the surgeon does not always correspond to what is actually performed during surgery. Objective Describe a standardized NS grading system based on intraoperative visual cues. Design, setting, and participants A total of 133 consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) by a single surgeon were evaluated. The surgeon intraoperatively graded the NS independently for either side as follows: 1=no NS; 2= Surgical procedure RARP; detailed description of a five-point NS grading system. Measurements The area of residual nerve tissue on prostatectomy specimens was compared with the intraoperative NS score (NSS). The rate of positive surgical margins (PSMs) according to the NSS is also reported. Results and limitations In all, 52.6% of operated sides (140 of 266 sides) had NSS 5, 30.1% (80 of 266) had NSS 4, 2.3% (6 of 266) had NSS 3, 13.2% (35 of 266) had NSS 2, and 1.9% (5 of 266) had NSS 1. The area of residual nerve tissue was significantly different among the different NSSs: median area (interquartile range) for NSS 5: 0.5 (0–2) mm 2 ; for NSS 4: 3 (0–8) mm 2 ; for NSS 3: 13 (7–23) mm 2 ; for NSS 2: 14 (8–24) mm 2 ; and for NSS 1: 57 (56–165) mm 2 ( p Conclusions We believe that the visual cues exposed in this article will help surgeons achieve more consistent NS during RARP.
A simple, sensitive, and specific assay for free choline in plasma

Abstract This paper describes a sensitive and specific enzymatic-radioisotopic method for determining plasma choline. Assays may be performed without prior extraction of the tissue. Plasma is first heated to destroy enzymes that would otherwise produce free choline from that which is normally bound. The free choline in plasma is then converted to phosphorylcholine [ 32 P], in the presence of ATP-γ- 32 P, in a reaction catalyzed by choline kinase. Phosphorylcholine [ 32 P], isolated by ion-exchange chromatography, is measured as an index of the concentration of free choline. The concentration of plasma choline in man and in several species of laboratory animals was determined, and found to range from 5.5 nmoles/ml in dogs to 15.4 nmoles/ml in guinea pigs. The concentration of free choline in plasma of adult rats raised on a choline-deficient diet was half that of littermate controls raised on a control diet supplemented with free choline.
Real-Time 4D Full-Range Complex Fourier-domain OCT with Non-Uniform Fast Fourier Transform Based on Dual Graphics Processing Units Architecture

We implemented real-time 4D full-range complex FD-OCT with non-uniform fast Fourier transform processed in dual graphics processing units architecture. With a 128,000 A-scan/second line scan spectrometer, we obtained 5.0 volume/second C-scan speed.
Irx4 Forms an Inhibitory Complex with the Vitamin D and Retinoic X Receptors to Regulate Cardiac Chamber-specific slow MyHC3Expression

The slow myosin heavy chain 3 gene (slow MyHC3) is restricted in its expression to the atrial chambers of the heart. Understanding its regulation provides a basis for determination of the mechanisms controlling chamber-specific gene expression in heart development. The observed chamber distribution results from repression of slow MyHC3 gene expression in the ventricles. A binding site, the vitamin D response element (VDRE), for a heterodimer of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and retinoic X receptor α (RXRα) within the slow MyHC3 promoter mediates chamber-specific expression of the gene. Irx4, anIroquois family homeobox gene whose expression is restricted to the ventricular chambers at all stages of development, inhibits AMHC1, the chick homolog of quail slow MyHC3, gene expression within developing ventricles. Repression of the slow MyHC3 gene in ventricular cardiomyocytes by Irx4 requires the VDRE. Unlike VDR and RXRα, Irx4 does not bind directly to the VDRE. Instead two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation assays show that Irx4 interacts with the RXRα component of the VDR/RXRα heterodimer and that the amino terminus of the Irx4 protein is required for its inhibitory action. These observations indicate that the mechanism of atrial chamber-specific expression requires the formation of an inhibitory protein complex composed of VDR, RXRα, and Irx4 that binds at the VDRE inhibitingslow MyHC3 expression in the ventricles.
Saturation Effects in Resonant Three Photon Ionization of Potassium

The intensity and polarization dependence of the ion production due to three quantum ionization was investigated in potassium. The energy of two of the photons was tuned into resonance with n2D levels for 4 < n < 22. The ratio of the ion signals produced with circular polarization to that found with linear polarization was significantly less than that predicted by a single rate approximation. The discrepancy is explained by the increased linewidth of the resonant 2D level due to the ionization process itself. Single quantum photoionization cross sections for the excited levels calculated by means of quantum defect theory are shown to be consistent with the experimental results.
Vibration-rotation Hamiltonian of the bent XYZ molecule

Abstract A study is presented of the vibration-rotation Hamiltonian for the bent XYZ molecule to the second order of approximation of the Darling-Dennison Hamiltonian in the Amat-Nielsen-Goldsmith expansion. A discussion of the fourth order of approximation is also given.
Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian model

Bayesian inference has been widely applied for phylogenetic and phyloinformatic analysis in recent years. In this paper we build up a high performance computing platform using OpenMPI with free-cost open source Ubuntu Linux operating systems, and then apply the Bayesian inference model to construct a phylogenetic tree of various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical and genetic characteristics. A case study is also conducted and the experimental evaluation results to show that our cluster platform has achieved a good performance in the terms of time complexity when analyzing the molecular data using Bayesian model, leading a pilot inter-disciplinary Bioinformatics education program in between Computer Science and Biology.
A KcsA-hERG Chimera Provides Structural Insights into the Unusual hERG Inactivation Gating Mechanism

In order to provide some structural insights about the molecular basis of the inactivation gating of the hERG channel, we have reasoned that a chimeric approach in which we recreate the cavity of the hERG chanel in to the KcsA channel could potentially lends a structural framework to begin understand the hERG channel inactivation gating. Recently, we have made an important breakthrough by solving the X-ray structure of the bacterial K+ channel KcsA trapped in the open and C-type inactivated state. These results allowed evaluating the structural changes underlying C-type inactivation gating in K+ channels and it could lend a structural explanation to the unusual C-type inactivation process of the hERG channel. We have used the KcsA channel as a structural scaffold to introduce mutations at positions F103Y, G104A, L105S, V106I and L110V, making KcsA more hERG-like at positions (in hERG) Y652, A653, S654, I655 and V659. Additionally, we have solved the crystal structure of the closed (C) state for this KcsA-Herg chimera and surprisingly the selectivity filter in the closed state is collapsed. We have reasoned that the modifications introduced at the KcsA central cavity have strengthened the allosteric coupling between the activation gate and the selectivity filter, a similar phenomenon could underlies the unusual inactivation gating of the hERG channel. A comprehensive functional study will be presented in addition to a more complete structural analysis.Support: AHA-11SDG5440003 (to LGC).
Evaluating contextual patterns of delinquency: Gender-based differences

Prior criminological research on gender-based differences in offending has focused on comparisons of offense frequency and offending patterns. Such research has shown that males offend more frequently than females, but has failed to clarify the distinctiveness of the patterns or the context of that offending. This study analyzes the distinctive context of gender-based offending patterns. The analysis is accomplished by examining differences in offense patterns across specific types of crime. Using data from the National Youth Survey, the authors analyze the offending patterns of 1,543 youths for offenses ranging from truancy to serious assault. The findings of this study show that the more serious the offense, the greater the differences by gender in the context of offending. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
B CELLS FROM PATIENTS WITH MEMBRANOPROLIFERATIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS (MPGN) AND THEIR SIBLINGS ARE PRE-PROGRAMMED TO PRODUCE C3NeF AUTOANTIBODY ASSOCIATED IDIOTYPE. † 2206

C3NeF, produced by patients with MPGN, is an autoantibody bearing a specific and singular idiotype. Recently we studied C3NeF production in identical twin girls, one who had MPGN with circulating C3NeF and the other who was entirely normal. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were transfected with EBV and mRNA was then obtained followed by cDNA isolation using primers specific for VH. Full length H chain DNA was then inserted into a modified lambda bacteriophage vector and introduced into E.coli to yield an expression library. Detection utilized alkaline phosphatase labelled antibody to a decapeptide inserted into VH and a specific anti-id Ab for C3NeF. Similar studies were done from patients with MPGN and normal individuals using PBL's which were not transfected with EBV. In libraries of 107, both transfected and untransfected cells from normal individuals had 10-12% id-positive VH. Utransfected cells from patients with MPGN had 39% id-positive VH. Transfected cells from patients and both twins were 98% id-positive. These data suggest that patients and family members may be pre-programmed to produce id positive autoreactive IgG.(Supported by funds from the Children's Miracle Network).
Acute Myocardial Infarction in Young Adults Who Abuse Amphetamines

Background Case reports suggest a link between methamphetamine abuse and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but no epidemiologic studies have examined this link. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that young adults who abuse amphetamines are at higher risk for AMI.
Portable telescope for surveys of diffuse near-infrared line emission

Spectroscopic studies of degree-scale IR line emission from telescopes on the Earth's surface are very challenging. Not only does the emission from atmospheric OH molecules fluctuate in time and vary spatially, but also the extent of interstellar clouds makes it impossible to establish a zero point for flux measurements close to the emission regions. Beam-switching can solve both problems, but traditional telescopes cannot switch between fields that are several degrees apart before the OH emission changes significantly. We present here the design for a telescope we have constructed in order to obtain quantitative measures of the extended, UV-excited, near-IR line flux from the Galactic Center and from nearby star-forming clouds. It uses a coelostat to beam-switch across angels as large as 10 degrees in less than 1 second. Its 20 arc-minute beamsize, combined with its 150 mm aperture, gives it a surface brightness sensitivity comparable to much larger telescopes, while maintaining portability. This telescope, integrated with a Fabry-Perot spectrometer, has been used successfully at both McDonald Observatory and the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory and has mapped near-IR molecular hydrogen emission over the inner 10 degrees of the Galaxy for the first time.
5.3 Wide-frequency-range resonant clock with on-the-fly mode changing for the POWER8 TM microprocessor

A resonant-clock design for the IBM POWER8 processor core was implemented with 2 resonant modes (and a non-resonant mode), saving clock power over a wide frequency range from 2.5GHz to more than 5GHz. The POWER8 microprocessor is composed of 12 chiplets, each containing a single resonant clock grid for one core and its L2 cache, and a half-frequency, non-resonant clock grid for the L3 cache. The clock grids drive the local clock buffers (LCBs) that in turn drive the latches. The LCBs are gated off to measure the global clock power from the PLL to the LCBs. The resonant core communicates synchronously with the L3, requiring low skew between the domains. The chip was designed in a 22nm SOI process, including two ultra-thick-metal (UTM) layers (3 microns thick) for power distribution, I/O, all long global clock wires, and the resonant clock inductors. The UTM technology reduces wire resistance and simplifies inductor design, but requires accurate transmission line modeling and special routing.
Trichloroethylene and Trichloroacetic Acid Regulate Calcium Signaling Pathways in Murine Embryonal Carcinoma Cells P19

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and its metabolite trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants which have been regarded as risk factors for congenital heart malformations. An increasing body of evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies supports the notion that exposure to TCE and TCA may interfere with normal embryonic heart development. The expression of several genes coding for factors implicated in the regulation of cardiac development has been shown to be modified by TCE or TCA, but the molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects are still obscure. In this study, we investigated the global changes in gene expression caused by exposure of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells to TCE and TCA, and whether or not TCE and/or TCA influence the expression levels of genes encoding for proteins that regulate calcium fluxes in cardiac cells. We report that TCE and TCA disrupt the expression of genes involved in processes important during embryonic development suggesting that exposure to environmentally significant concentrations of TCE may have deleterious effects on specific stages of cardiac differentiation.
Stabilization of Nonlinear Feedback Control Systems

Conventional methods for linear systems may be used for determining the operating characteristics of a nonlinear device near equilibrium, provided the differential equations expressing its operation can be expanded in a Taylor series about the equilibrium point. These methods are justified only for variations about equilibrium sufficiently smnall that all second and higher power terms of the expansions can be neglected, thereby reducing the expansions to linear equations. In linear feedback systems the response is independent of the equilibrium point. If a system is inherently nonlinear, it generally will not have this characteristic. It is shown that these systems can be modified so that the response of the output will also be independent of the equilibrium point, except for an amplitude scale factor, for a given incremental input variation from equilibnum.
Nontraditional lenders in agricultural credit markets.

The strategic behavior of nontraditional lenders in agricultural credit markets is examined, Summary survey findings related to several nontraditional agricultural credit suppliers are presented; resourcebased strategy concepts are introduced to evaluate the competitive implications of nontraditional lending programs. The potential advantages conferred by firms' resource bases are illustrated with descriptions of the difference among lenders of the functional areas of intermediation (funding, delivery, regulatory compliance, risk-bearing capacity, underwriting) and how these relate to competitive advantages. Finally, managerial, sector-level, and customer implications are discussed. ©1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The PVT properties of concentrated aqueous electrolytes IX. The volume properties of KCl and K2SO4 and their mixtures with NaCl and Na2SO4 as a function of temperature

The densities of KCl and K2SO4 were measured from dilute solutions to saturation from 5 to 95°C. The data were combined with literature data to produce density and apparent molal volume, Vφ, equations from 0 to 100°C and to saturation. The standard deviations of the density equations were 30×10−6 g-cm−3 and 32×10−6 g-cm−3, respectively, for KCl and K2SO4. Pitzer equations were used to fit the Vφ data. The resulting infinite dilute partial molal volumes, Vo, were in reasonable agreement with literature data. The densities of the mixtures of the six combinations of the salts KCL, K2SO4 NaCl and Na2SO4 were measured at I=2.0 and t=5, 25, 55 and 95°C. The resulting volumes of mixing were fitted to equations of the form $$\Delta V_m = y(1 - y)I^2 [\nu _0 + \nu _1 (1 - 2y)]$$ wherev 0 andv 1 are interaction parameters. The cross square rule is valid over the entire temperature range although the deviations are larger at higher temperatures. Pitzer θ NaK v and $$\theta _{ClSO_4 }^v $$ parameters were determined from the common ion mixtures. The values of θ NaK v were small and not strongly dependent upon temperature. The values of $$\theta _{ClSO_4 }^v $$ were also small and changed considerably with temperature.
Annealing model of elasto-plastic solids

Abstract The paper develops a model of elasto-plastic solids in which the effect of strain hardening is undergoing relaxation or annealing. A system of constitutive equations of this model is formulated and discussed. It is shown that the existence of annealing implies the existence of creep under constant stress and stress relaxation under constant strain.
Emotion Regulation in Depression: The Role of Biased Cognition and Reduced Cognitive Control

Sustained negative affect and difficulties experiencing positive affect are hallmark features of major depressive disorder. Recent research has suggested that difficulties in emotion regulation are at the core of these cardinal symptoms of major depressive disorder; depressed patients exhibit more frequent use of maladaptive emotion regulation and difficulties effectively implementing adaptive strategies. It remains unclear, however, what underlies these difficulties in emotion regulation. Cognitive theories of depression have a long tradition of focusing on cognitive factors that increase depression risk and maintain depressive episodes, but the link between cognitive and affective aspects of major depressive disorder remains to be explored. We propose that cognitive biases and deficits in cognitive control putatively associated with depression affect emotion regulation in critical ways, thereby setting the stage for maintained negative affect and diminished levels of positive affect. We close with a dis...
THE BROOKHAVEN MUON ANOMALOUS MAGNETIC MOMENT EXPERIMENT

▪ Abstract The E821 Experiment at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron has measured the muon anomalous magnetic moment aμ to a relative precision of 0.5 parts per million. This effort required a new beamline, a super-ferric muon storage ring with a highly uniform magnetic field, a precision magnetic field measurement system, and electromagnetic calorimeters to record the electrons from muon decay, which carry the essential spin precession frequency information. Data obtained over five years resulted in more than nine billion analyzed events, in nearly equal samples of both muon charges. The experimental results aμ + = 11 659 203(8) × 10−10 and aμ− = 11 659 214(9) × 10−10 are consistent with each other, as predicted by the CPT invariance theorem. The combined result aμ ± = 11 659 208(6) × 10−10 is 0.9–2.4 standard deviations higher than predicted by theory; the range depends on the method employed to obtain the hadronic vacuum polarization term in the standard-model calculation. We review the ex...
Disparities in self-reported activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living disability among Asian American subgroups in the United States: results from the National Health Interview Survey 2001-2003.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to compare disability and functional limitations among elderly Asian American subgroups using datasets from the National Health Interview Survey 2001−2003. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed whether activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) disabilities were different among Asian American subgroups in the United States using data retrieved from the 2001−2003 National Health Interview Survey. For comparing all Asian American subgroups, χ2 analysis was applied for the bivariate comparisons. Results Rates of 7.1% and 12.2% for ADL and IADL disability, respectively, within Asian American group were found. The elder Chinese subgroup accounted for the highest ADL and IADL disability (11.6% and 17.3%, respectively, p Conclusions The findings of the study highlight the intergroup variability among the elder Asian American subpopulations.
Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Variant Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Clinical features characteristic of small-cell prostate carcinoma (SCPC), “anaplastic,” often emerge during the progression of prostate cancer. We sought to determine the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in patients meeting at least one of seven prospectively defined “anaplastic” clinical criteria, including exclusive visceral or predominantly lytic bone metastases, bulky tumor masses, low prostate-specific antigen levels relative to tumor burden, or short response to androgen deprivation therapy. Experimental Design: A 120-patient phase II trial of first-line carboplatin and docetaxel (CD) and second-line etoposide and cisplatin (EP) was designed to provide reliable clinical response estimates under a Bayesian probability model with early stopping rules in place for futility and toxicity. Results: Seventy-four of 113 (65.4%) and 24 of 71 (33.8%) were progression free after four cycles of CD and EP, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) was 16 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 13.6–19.0 months]. Of the seven “anaplastic” criteria, bulky tumor mass was significantly associated with poor outcome. Lactic acid dehydrogenase strongly predicted for OS and rapid progression. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration strongly predicted OS but not rapid progression. Neuroendocrine markers did not predict outcome or response to therapy. Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis that patients with “anaplastic” prostate cancer are a recognizable subset characterized by a high response rate of short duration to platinum-containing chemotherapies, similar to SCPC. Our results suggest that CEA is useful for selecting therapy in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer and consolidative therapies to bulky high-grade tumor masses should be considered in this patient population. Clin Cancer Res; 19(13); 3621–30. ©2013 AACR .
Wave-front processing through integrated fiber optics

We process an optical wave front emanating from a monomode optical fiber by fusion splicing several small sections of step-index and graded-index multimode optical fibers. In this way a wave front of an optical wave can be engineered without its leaving the optical fiber. Results for several integrated coherent imaging delivery systems are presented.
A Novel Algorithm Incorporating System Status to Prevent Undesirable Protection Operation during Voltage Instability

A novel algorithm is proposed to prevent undesirable protection operation during voltage instability taking the system status into account. The protection operation, aiming to protect the corresponding unit, may be harmful to the system. Moreover, some protective relays may operate undesirably not because of faults as designed but because of overloads. So the rate of change of voltage is used as the basic criterion to differentiate between faults and overloads. However, it may fail when the system is close to the collapse point. Hence, an indicator detecting the system status is proposed to complement this approach. Meanwhile, control can be applied to stabilize the system. As a result, the undesirable protection operation is avoided and the system is stable. The algorithm is demonstrated through a sample system.
Benzo[e]pyrene-induced alterations in the binding of benzo[a]pyrene to DNA in hamster embryo cell cultures

Benzo[e]pyrene (B[e]P), a weakly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) modifies tumor induction in mouse skin and the induction of mutation in mammalian cells by carcinogenic PAH. To determine how B[e]P alters the metabolic activation of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), early passage Syrian hamster embryo cell cultures were exposed to [3H]B[a]P or [3H]trans-7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxyB[a]P (B[a]P-7,8-diol) in the presence of various concentrations of B[e]P for 24 h. The DNA was isolated, degraded to deoxyribonucleosides and the B[a]P-deoxyribonucleoside adducts were analyzed by h.p.l.c. As the dose of B[e]P increased, the amount of B[a]P bound to DNA decreased and the ratio of anti-B[a]P-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (B[a]PDE)-deoxyguanosine adduct to syn-B[a]PDE-deoxyguanosine adduct decreased. B[e]P treatment inhibited the binding of B[a]P-7,8-diol to DNA to a greater extent than it inhibited the binding of B[a]P and decreased the ratio of anti- to syn-B[a]PDE-deoxyguanosine adducts formed from the 7,8-diol. These results indicate that B[e]P decreases the activation of B[a]P to DNA-binding intermediates in these cells; especially the oxidation of B[a]P-7,8-diol to a diol-epoxide. The B[e]P-induced alterations in the ratio of DNA adducts formed from the syn- and anti-isomers of B[a]PDE suggest that B[e]P selectively inhibited certain pathways of metabolic activation of B[a]P. Thus, B[e]P-induced modifications in the biological activity of PAH may result from alteration in both the amounts and the relative proportions of various isomeric forms of the ultimate carcinogenic metabolites formed from PAH.
Outpatient repetitive intravenous dihydroergotamine.

SYNOPSIS The efficacy of the repetitive intravenous dihydroergotamine (DHE) inpatient protocol for refractory headache is wellestablished. We conducted a retrospective and prospective study of long-term headache patients at our clinic toevaluate this regimen in an outpatient setting. Treatment consisted of oral metoclopramide and four doses of DHE, with the total dose equaling 4 mg.,administered over two days. Patients were followed for up to 10 weeks while they continued to receive prophylacticmedication. Responsiveness was rated in terms of decreased frequency or severity of headache: excellent (75% to100%), moderate (50–75%), mild (25–50%), and none (0–25%). In the retrospective study, 69% (43/62) of patients with chronic daily muscle-contraction-type headache and severemigraine had an excellent response at two days. An excellent or moderate response was sustained over three weeks in65% (32/49) of the study group (13 patients were dropped from the study for failing to comply with record keepingrequirements). At the 6- and 10-week follow-up evaluations, the majority of patients (76% and 70%, respectively)reported mild or no relief. Among patients with refractory daily headache or frequent severe migraine studied prospectively, 80% (28/35)reported an excellent response at two days. After six weeks, 66% (23/35) showed excellent or moderate relief. For bothgroups combined, 73% (71/97) of patients showed an excellent response to DHE at two days, with 43% (33/77)sustaining excellent or moderate relief at six weeks. Side effects, including nausea, leg cramps, facial flushing,increased blood pressure, diarrhea, burning at the injection site, and tightness in the throat and/ or chest, were generallymild and transient. Side effects were milder with outpatient DHE versus our experience with inpatient DHE. Outpatient repetitive IV DHE treatment offers flexibility in the management of severe headache. Our studiesdemonstrate the safety and efficacy of this regimen.
Anatomical constraints for neuromagnetic source models

The localization of neural electromagnetic sources from measurements at the head surface requires the solution of an inverse problem; that is, the determination of the number, location, spatial configuration, strength, and time-course of the neuronal currents that give rise to the magnetic field or potential distribution. In most general form, the neuromagnetic and electrical inverse problems are ill-posed and have no unique solution; however, approximate solutions are possible if assumptions are made regarding the shape and conductivity of the head and the number and configuration of neuronal currents responsible for the surface distributions. To help resolve ambiguities and to reduce the number and range of free parameters required to model complex neuromagnetic sources, the authors are investigating strategies to constrain the locations of allowable sources, based on a knowledge of individual anatomy. The key assumption, justified by both physiological evidence and theoretical considerations, is that the dominant neuromagnetic sources which contribute to surface field distributions reside within the cortex. It is demonstrated that anatomically constrained source modeling strategies can produce significant improvements in source localization; however, the conclusion is that additional improvements in model fitting or source reconstruction procedures are required.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Benchmarking message passing performance using MPI

This paper describes a set of microbenchmarks for measuring the performance characteristics of MPI implementations. We explain the rationale behind the benchmarks and present the benchmark results on the Intel Paragon, IBM SP2, and SGI Power Challenge. Our measurements reveal how the hardware architecture and the underlying MPI implementation affect the message passing performance on the three platforms.
Essential tremor is associated with dementia Prospective population-based study in New York

Background:Mild cognitive deficits, mainly in frontal-executive function and memory, have been reported in patients with essential tremor (ET). Furthermore, an association between ET and dementia has been reported in a single population-based study in Spain. This has not been confirmed elsewhere. Objective:To determine whether baseline ET is associated with prevalent and incident dementia in an ethnically diverse, community-based sample of elders. Methods:Community-dwelling elders in northern Manhattan were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Baseline ET diagnoses were assigned from handwriting samples. Dementia was diagnosed at baseline and follow-up usingDSM-III-Rcriteria. Results:In cross-sectional analyses, 31/124 (25.0%) ET cases had prevalent dementia vs 198/ 2,161 (9.2%) controls (odds ratio [OR] unadjusted !3.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]!2.15‐ 5.09,p"0.001; OR adjusted !1.84, 95% CI!1.13‐2.98,p!0.01). In prospective analyses, 17/93 (18.3%) ET cases vs 171/1,963 (8.7%) controls developed incident dementia (hazard ratio [HR] unadjusted !2.78, 95% CI!1.69‐4.57,p"0.001; HR adjusted !1.64, 95% CI! 0.99‐2.72,p!0.055). Conclusions:In a second population-based study of elders, essential tremor (ET) was associated with both increased odds of prevalent dementia and increased risk of incident dementia. Presence of dementia, therefore, appeared to be greater than that expected for age (i.e., a diseaseassociated feature). Rather than attributing cognitive complaints in patients with ET to old age, assessment and possible treatment of dementia should be routinely incorporated into the treatment plan. Neurology ® 2009;73:621‐625
Tumorigenesis of Diesel Exhaust, Gasoline Exhaust, and Related Emission Extracts on Sencar Mouse Skin

Recent advances in the study of particulate emissions have brought to light several facts concerning their health effects. Many emission sources produce respirable particles with associated organic substances (Waters et al., 1979). These organic substances may be unburned fuel or they may result from pyrosynthetic reactions at or near the combustion source and photosynthetic and oxidative processes that occur after their initial formation (Crittenden and Long, 1976). Some of these organic materials contain known carcinogens and are mutagenic in short-term bioassays (Huisingh et al., 1979). Previous work by Kotin et al. (1966) and by Mittler and Nicholson (1957) gave conflicting results on the mouse skin tumorigenicity of diesel exhaust components. Similar studies with gasoline exhaust revealed a positive tumorigenic response from multiple application of condensates and extracts to mouse skin (Kotin et al., 1964; Mittler and Nicholson, 1957; Hoffmann and Wynder, 1963; Hoffmann et al., 1965). The present study was performed to examine the tumorigenicity of the organics associated with diesel exhaust particulate emissions using a sensitive mouse skin tumorigenesis model (SENCAR) and to compare the tumorigenic potency of the organics from particulate emissions of diesel, gasoline, and related emission sources.
An Innovative Structural Mode Selection Methodology: Application for the X-33 Launch Vehicle Finite Element Model

An innovative methodology for determining structural target mode selection and mode selection based on a specific criterion is presented. An effective approach to single out modes which interact with specific locations on a structure has been developed for the X-33 Launch Vehicle Finite Element Model (FEM). We presented Root-Sum-Square (RSS) displacement method computes resultant modal displacement for each mode at selected degrees of freedom (DOF) and sorts to locate modes with highest values. This method was used to determine modes, which most influenced specific locations/points on the X-33 flight vehicle such as avionics control components, aero-surface control actuators, propellant valve and engine points for use in flight control stability analysis and for flight POGO stability analysis. Additionally, the modal RSS method allows for primary or global target vehicle modes to also be identified in an accurate and efficient manner.
Comment on "Effect of Higher Order Terms in Certain Nonlinear Finite Element Models"

O et al. conclude that convergence will be slowed if terms which characterize nonlinear behavior are approximated by a simpler polynomial than that used for the conventional stiffness matrix. The present Comment offers numerical evidence pertinent to this theoretical conclusion. The problem chosen is of the type used in Ref. 1. A cantilever beam is modeled by ten elements, and at its free end carries an axial compressive load P and a transverse load Q = 0.001. Properties are chosen such that the Euler buckling load is Pcr = 1.000. The solution method is based on convected coordinates, as clearly detailed for plate problems by Murray and Wilson. Thus the technique is "pure" Newton-Raphson iteration; under-relaxation, convergence-acceleration schemes, etc., were not used. Iterative cycling at a given load level was terminated by a convergence test on displacements. The next load level was then applied, and iteration begun again, starting with the displacements obtained at the previous load level. The conventional stiffness matrix of each element (in its convected coordinate system) was based on a cubic polynomial. Two forms of 'geometric' or 'initial stress' stiffness matrix were considered. The first, [kGC], was based on the cubic polynomial, and the second, [kGL], was based on a linear polynomial. In other words, with reference to Eqs. (3) of Ref. 1, [kcc] was based upon the lateral displacement v(x) = (x)\ and [kGL] upon v(x) = ^O)v. Let d/L be the ratio of lateral tip displacement to beam length. With P = 0.99, d/L converged to 0.0606 in 9 cycles when [kGL] was used, and to 0.0701 in 15 cycles when [kGC] was used. With the geometric stiffness matrix omitted altogether, d/L reached 0.0257 at 40 cycles but had not converged. The correct result is d/L = 0.0811, which is some 100 times the value produced by lateral load Q acting alone. Table 1 lists tip rotations obtained by progressive increases in load level, with a milder convergence tolerance than used in the preceding paragraph.
Optical emission study of a directcurrent, atmospheric-pressure nonthermal plasma microjet

Over the past few years, various atmospheric-pressure plasma jets were developed, most of which operate at radio frequency or pulsed DC power with inert gases such as He as the working gas of choice. This work aims to study a direct current driven, atmospheric-pressure non-thermal plasma microjet (PMJ) operated in air and in water with a compressed He/O 2 mixture as the working gas. With a typical current of 15-30 mA and a gas flow rate of 3-5 slm, the PMJ is considerably shorter in length (∼1 cm) and weaker in visual appearance than other He plasma jets reported in the literature. Optical emission spectra were taken end-on and side-on (at different distances from the exit nozzle). Preliminary data from end-on spectra show major He emission lines at 492.2 nm, 501.6 nm, 587.6 nm, 667.8 nm, 706.6 nm, and 728.1 nm. Atomic oxygen emissions at 615.8 nm and 777.2 nm were also observed. Similar emissions were observed when the He/O 2 PMJ was submerged in water. The strong emission of oxygen at 777.2 nm can result from direct He∗ penning ionization of O 2 molecules followed by the electron-impact dissociation of O 2 +. The relative intensity of the oxygen 777.2 nm line was found to increase with the increase of the operating current and peaked at an O 2 volume concentration of 0.5%. Spatially resolved side-on OES studies are underway to assess the reactive species at different distances from the exit nozzle of the PMJ device. Detailed results will be presented at the Conference.
On Stabilization of Multi-Layer Hele-Shaw and Porous Media Flows in the Presence of Gravity

Stabilization of multi-layer Hele-Shaw flows is studied here by including the influence of Rayleigh–Taylor instability in our earlier work (Daripa, J. Stat. Mech. 12:28, 2008a) on stabilization of multi-layer Saffman–Taylor instability. Furthermore, this article goes beyond our previous work with few extensions, improvements, new interpretations, and clarifications on the use of some terminologies. Results of two complete studies have been presented: the first investigates the effect of individually unstable interfaces on the overall stability of the flow, and the second studies the cumulative effect of unstable interfaces as well as unstable internal viscous layers. In each case, modal and absolute upper bounds on the growth rate are reported. Next, these bounds are used to investigate (i) stabilization of long waves on various interfaces; (ii) stabilization of all waves on all interfaces in comparison to pure Taylor instability; (iii) stabilization of disturbances on interior interfaces instead of exterior interfaces. In the first study, notions of partial and total stabilization with respect to the pure Taylor growth rate are introduced. Then necessary and sufficient conditions for partial and total stabilizations are found. Proof of stabilization of long waves on one of the two external interfaces in multi-layer flows is also proved. In the second study, an absolute upper bound is obtained in the presence of stabilizing density stratification across each internal interface even though all interfaces and layers have unstable viscous profiles. Exact results on the upper bounds, and necessary and sufficient conditions for control of instabilities driven by stable/unstable density stratification, unstable viscous layers and unstable interfaces are new and may be relevant to explain observed phenomena in many complex flows generating these kinds of viscous profiles and density stratification as they evolve. The present work builds upon and goes much further in details and new results than our previous work. The gravity effect included here brings with it restrictions which have not been addressed before in this multi-layer context.
Host specificity and risk assessment of releasing the decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus as a classical biocontrol agent for imported fire ants.

Host specificity of the decapitating fly Pseudacteon curvatus was studied to determine whether this species is suitable for release as a classical biocontrol agent of imported fire ants in the United States. A series of no-choice tests with 19 species of ants from 12 genera showed that P. curvatus will not develop in ants outside the genus Solenopsis. P. curvatus successfully parasitized the native fire ants Solenopsis geminata and Solenopsis xyloni in no-choice tests, but rates of parasitism were considerably less than those with the imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (6 and 35% of the rate for S. invicta, respectively). Paired preference tests showed that P. curvatus has a three- to fourfold preference for S. invicta over either of the native fire ants. Furthermore, flies reared from native fire ants still strongly preferred imported fire ants. P. curvatus was not attracted to vegetables, fruits, meat, prepared foods, carrion, or dung. This study indicates that release of P. curvatus poses only a small risk to native fire ants. The argument is made that this risk needs to be balanced against potential benefits to numerous other native organisms and a high probability that release of this fly will actually benefit native fire ants because impacts on imported fire ants will almost certainly be much greater than those on native fire ants.