cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hip Fracture−Related Pain Strongly Influences Functional Performance of Patients With an Intertrochanteric Fracture Upon Discharge From the Hospital

Objective To examine whether functional performance upon hospital discharge is influenced by pain in the region of the hip fracture or related to the fracture type. Design Prospective observational study. Setting A 20-bed orthopedic hip fracture unit. Patients Fifty-five cognitively intact patients (20 men and 35 women; ages 75.8 ± 10 years), 33 with a cervical hip fracture and 22 with an intertrochanteric hip fracture, all of whom were allowed to bear full weight after surgery. Methods All patients were evaluated upon discharge from the hospital to their own homes at a mean of 10 ± 6 days after surgery. Main Outcome Measurements The Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, supervised by a physical therapist, was used to evaluate functional performance, and a 5-point verbal ranking scale (0 = no pain to 4=intolerable pain) was used to evaluate pain. Results Patients took an average of 22.7 ± 11.7 seconds to perform the TUG. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics or pain medication given for patients with a cervical versus an intertrochanteric fracture ( P ≥ .22), but patients with an intertrochanteric fracture presented more often with moderate to severe pain during testing ( P Conclusions Hip fracture−related pain primarily compromises the functional performance of patients with an intertrochanteric hip fracture upon discharge from hospital. Physical therapists should be involved in new and optimized fracture-type stratified pain management strategies.
Research on Teaching: Issues and Trends

The research on teaching is becoming an important part of the teacher educa tion curriculum. Ornstein identifies selected findings from the research liter ature and discusses some of the prob lems facing educators as they attempt to formulate generalizations based on these findings to guide teaching prac tice. The author concludes the article with a list of problem areas that teacher educators need to consider if they are to develop preparation experiences that are responsive to an emergent and ex panding knowledge base.
Relationship of Facility Characteristics and Presence of an Ombudsman to Missouri Long-Term Care Facility State Inspection Report Results

This study analyzes existing data describing general facility characteristics, the presence of an ombudsman in the facility, and the number of deficiencies/violations reported for long-term care facilities in the state of Missouri. The model that predicted the rate of deficiencies/violations best was one that included the following characteristics: “contained more than 50 beds” and “considered a Skilled Nursing facility.” Findings suggest that the characteristics that are significantly associated with fewer deficiencies are larger size (more than 50 beds) and being classified as Skilled Nursing. While those facilities that housed an ombudsman were found to have fewer deficiencies per bed in the general analysis, further investigation found this to be an artifact mostly due to the higher rate of ombudsmen at larger facilities.
A physics-based temperature model for ultrasonic vibration-assisted pelleting of cellulosic biomass

Temperature in ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting of cellulosic biomass has a significant impact on pellet quality. However, there are no reports on temperature models for UV-A pelleting of cellulosic biomass. The development of a physics-based temperature model can help to explain experimentally determined relations between UV-A pelleting process variables and temperature, and provide guidelines to optimize these process variables in order to produce pellets of good quality. This paper presents such a model for UV-A pelleting of cellulosic biomass. Development of the model is described first. Then temperature distribution is investigated using the model, and temperature difference between the top and the bottom surfaces of a pellet is explained. Based on this model, relations between process variables (ultrasonic power and pelleting duration) and temperature are predicted. Experiments were conducted for model verification, and the results agreed well with model predictions.
Medial orbitofrontal cortex gray matter is reduced in abstinent substance-dependent individuals.

Background Chronic exposure to drugs of addiction induces cellular adaptations in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and associated limbic-prefrontal pathways that might underlie abuse-related behavior. A propensity to make risky decisions in spite of substantial negative consequences might be mediated by medial OFC dysfunction in substance-dependent individuals (SDI). We tested the hypothesis that medial OFC gray matter (GM) volume would be lower in SDI compared with control subjects. Methods Nineteen SDI and 20 control subjects participated. The SDI were dependent on two or more substances, most often cocaine, amphetamine, and alcohol, with mean duration of abstinence 4.7, 2.4, and 3.2 years, respectively. High-resolution T1-weighted images were acquired on a 3-T magnetic resonance system. Image processing and analyses were conducted with voxel-based morphometry (VBM) implemented in Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) 5. Differences in regional GM volume were tested with an analysis of covariance model, co-varying for global GM and age. Statistical maps were set at p Results There was lower GM volume specifically in bilateral medial OFC in SDI compared with control subjects. There was a small but significant correlation between medial OFC GM and persistence of playing high-risk decks on a modified gambling task. Conclusions This is the first study to use VBM with whole brain correction for multiple comparisons in SDI after prolonged abstinence. Reduced medial OFC GM might reflect long-term adaptations within the reward-learning circuit underlying pathological decision-making in substance dependence.
Persistence, reticence, and opportunism of place-field activity in hippocampal neurons

The experiments described here were done to determine if the nature of hippocampal place-cell activity is consistent with O’Keefe and NadeFs theory that the hippocampus serves as a cognitive map. The results indicate that place fields respond in ways similar to the animal’s behavior in processing information from the environment. Both place fields and behavior are determined more by extramaze than by intramaze cues on the elevated radial-arm maze. The fields are opportunistic in selecting any information available to the organism. Like the behavior, the place-field activity is disrupted by lesions of hippocampal connections. The place-field activity is apparently so specific that the cells are virtually silent in most environments. Finally, the place fields are extremely stable for periods of time approaching the life of the organism in stable environments. Thus, the system appears to be well designed to serve as a cognitive map.
Performance comparison of single and dual frequency closely coupled GPS/INS relative positioning systems

Single and dual frequency closely coupled GPS/INS relative positioning systems have been developed for use in automated ground vehicle convoys. The accuracy of the GPS carrier phase measurement is exploited to produce a high precision relative position vector between vehicles. The inertial systems of the lead vehicle and following vehicle are aligned using closely coupled GPS/INS filters on each vehicle and are used to output a high rate solution.
A data visualization course at an art school

We describe an online class at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design on data visualization. The class aims to give a visual, intuitive, hands-on understanding of statistical data presentation suitable for art students. Formal mathematics is kept to an absolute minimum. The curriculum is divided into three sections: a section on fundamentals of what graphs mean, a section on three graphical designers, and a section on state-of-the-art visualization. We use a system developed at MCAD to encourage community-building and mutual critique in an online enviroment. At the time of this writing, the class is beginning its third year and is doing well.
Early detection of evolving system failures and temporal conflicts using parameterized formal specifications and bounded constraint-solving

This paper describes an analysis technique for a system consisting of a collection of formal specifications. The goal of the analysis is to provide early discovery of system states from which the system will inevitably fail in the future by violating some formal specification. This goal can also be formulated as a form of temporal specification conflicts. The technique utilizes SAT-solver based bounded constraint solving within a custom search algorithm. The proposed technique is also compared to an alternative model checking of Computational Tree Logic technique. The proposed technique can assist in providing an early warning for a mission critical system such as the power grid prior to an emerging catastrophic failure.
Dual role for Fas ligand in the initiation of and recovery from experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

We have previously demonstrated a role for Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) in the pathogenesis of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, using an active induction paradigm we could not distinguish between FasL expressed on activated CD4+ T cells from that expressed on other inflammatory or resident central nervous system (CNS) cells. To address this issue, we have conducted reciprocal adoptive transfer experiments of nontransgenic or myelin basic protein–specific T cell receptor transgenic wild-type, lpr, or gld lymphocytes into congenic wild-type, lpr, and gld hosts. We found that FasL expressed on donor cells is important for the development of EAE, as FasL-deficient lymphocytes transfer attenuated disease. Furthermore, Fas expressed in the recipient animals is important for the progression of EAE, as clinical signs of disease in lpr recipients were dramatically attenuated after transfer of either wild-type or lpr T cells. Surprisingly, these experiments also identified CNS cells as a source of functional FasL. Host-derived FasL appears to be especially important in the recovery from EAE, as many gld recipients of wild-type lymphocytes develop prolonged clinical signs of disease. Thus it appears that FasL plays distinct roles in EAE during the initiation of and recovery from disease.
Spinal Interneurons That Are Selectively Activated during Fictive Flexion Reflex

Behavioral choices in invertebrates are mediated by a combination of shared and specialized circuitry, including neurons that are inhibited during competing behaviors. Less is known, however, about the neural mechanisms of behavioral choice in vertebrates. The spinal cord can appropriately select among several types of limb movements, including limb withdrawal (flexion reflex), scratching, and locomotion, and thus is conducive to examination of vertebrate mechanisms of behavioral choice. Flexion reflex can interrupt and reset the rhythm of scratching and locomotion, suggesting that a combination of shared and specialized circuitry contributes to these behaviors, but little is known about the interneurons involved. Here, I used in vivo intracellular recording and dye injection to identify a group of spinal interneurons that are strongly activated during fictive flexion reflex but inhibited during fictive scratching and fictive swimming. These flexion-selective interneurons are typically rhythmically hyperpolarized during fictive scratching and fictive swimming. This hyperpolarization can be maximal during the ipsilateral hip flexor bursts of rhythmic limb motor patterns, although these cells are strongly activated during the ipsilateral hip flexor bursts of fictive flexion reflex. Thus, these interneurons are relatively specialized for fictive limb withdrawal, rather than contributing to the hip flexor phase of multiple types of limb movements. These flexion-selective cells are physiologically and morphologically distinguishable from a recently described group of spinal interneurons (transverse interneurons) that are strongly activated during both fictive flexion reflex and fictive scratching. Thus, spinal interneurons with distinct behavioral roles may to some extent be morphologically distinguishable.
Keynote address: Building RF sensor networks

An RF sensor network is a sensor network, which measures the radio frequency (RF) channel at its sensor nodes, and infers properties of the network or the surrounding environment. General wireless sensor networks sense using other modalities — an RF sensor network uses its radio as a sensor. Applications include sensor localization, network management, secret key establishment, and device-free localization. This talk will explore RF sensor network applications, with an emphasis on received-signal strength (RSS)-based device-free localization, that is, locating moving people and objects based on measurements of RSS between pairs of nodes in the sensor network. We will describe 1) new multipath channel fading models which provide the basis for our ability to accurately estimate a person's location; 2) algorithms for RSS-based device-free localization; and 3) lessons learned from prototype development and deployment.
The Dynamics Of Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction Intensity Behaviour As A Probe Of Crystal Growth: Computer Simulations And Measurements During Molecular Beam Epitaxial Growth Of GaAs/AlXGa1-XAs(100)

The dynamics of the reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) intensities during molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth potentially contains significant information regarding the dynamics of growth and the morphology of the growth front. Results of computer simulations based upon an atomistic model of the MBE growth kinetics are presented, along with measurements of the specular beam intensity behaviour during growth of GaAs/AlxGai-xAs(100) system. The measurements are shown to be a practical, real-time monitor for optimizing growth conditions for realization of high quality normal and inverted interfaces in heterojunctions, multiple quantum wells and superlattices. When combined with the computer simulations, they provide an understanding of the role of atomistic and collective surface kinetic processes of critical importance to MBE growth.
Process planning interface for a shop floor control architecture for computer-integrated manufacturing

Many researchers have developed ‘standard’ computer-integrated manufacturing architectures in order to reduce the cost associated with software development and maintenance. Since a process plan provides the principal input to a Shop Floor Control System (SFCS), it is necessary to provide the process plan information in a manner suitable for use by the SFCS. However, research in interfacing process planning with different SFCSs has been extremely limited. The reason for this is that proper integration hooks and a generic vision for process plans do not exist. A deterministic description of what process plans are, and how they should be represented is yet to evolve. We describe an information interface between process planning and shop floor control. The functionality, scope, and information content of process plans are discussed in order to provide a clear functional distinction between process and planning and shop floor control. An information architecture for interfacing process plans and SFCSs built. T...
Suppression of the basophil response to allergen during treatment with omalizumab is dependent on 2 competing factors.

Background A recent study of subjects with peanut allergy treated with omalizumab generated some results that were concordant with a study of subjects with cat allergy treated with omalizumab. However, there were differences that provided additional insight into the nature of the cellular responses in allergic subjects. Objective We sought to determine the cause for failure to suppress the allergen-induced basophil response during treatment with omalizumab. Methods Patients with peanut allergy were treated with omalizumab. Clinical, serologic, and cellular indices relevant to the response of the subjects and their peripheral blood basophil values (specific/total IgE ratio, cell-surface FceRI expression, and histamine release responses to anti-IgE antibody or peanut allergen) were obtained at 3 times. Results After treatment, approximately 60% of the subjects' basophil responses to peanut allergen did not significantly decrease. In 40% of cases, the in vitro basophil response to peanut allergen increased 2- to 7-fold. The increases were associated with 2 primary factors: a high (>10%) specific/total IgE ratio and an increase in the intrinsic response of the basophil to IgE-mediated stimulation. The extent to which the basophil response to peanut allergen increased was inversely correlated with improvement in the patient's ability to tolerate ingestion of peanut. Conclusion The basophil response during treatment with omalizumab is a consequence of 2 competing factors: suppression of allergen-specific IgE on the cell surface versus increased intrinsic sensitivity to IgE-mediated stimulation. In subjects with peanut allergy, the basophil response appears to mitigate against the ability of omalizumab to improve the patient's tolerance of oral allergen.
Ultrasonographic estimation of fetal body composition for children of diabetic mothers.

The authors hypothesized that ultrasound-generated measurements of the fetus could be used to predict body composition for children of diabetic mothers. Seven ultrasonically identifiable fetal morphometric parameters were measured on 21 fetuses of diabetic mothers within 7 days of delivery. These se
The Age of Hiring and Deferred Compensation: Evidence from Australia

The factors affecting age of hiring are estimated using Australian establishment data. Lower ages of new hires are associated with training and with workplaces using steeper tenure–wage profiles. Lower ages of hires are associated with steeper profiles throughout the age of hire distribution, whereas lower ages of hires are associated with the provision of training only among younger hires. Moreover, the evidence confirms that larger employers are more likely to hire younger workers but that lower ages of hire continue to be associated with steeper tenure–wage profiles even among larger employers. The robust role of the tenure–wage profile suggests that it is too early to conclude, as some have, that specific training is the paramount reason for the reduced hiring prospects of the old.
Screening: Screening flexible sigmoidoscopy effective in a UK RCT.

In a large, randomized, controlled trial conducted in the UK, screening flexible sigmoidsocopy led to substantial reductions in the incidence of and mortality from distal colorectal cancer. Both fecal occult blood testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy screening are now proven to reduce colorectal cancer mortality.
Characters, coprime actions, and operator groups

In this paper, we answer the following question posed by G. Navarro: suppose that S acts on G coprimely, and that A acts on SG so that S and G are both A-invariant. If $\chi $ is an S-invariant irreducible character of G, then must $\chi $ extend to AG if and only if $\chi ^*$ extends to A C G (S), where $\chi ^*$ is the Glauberman-Isaacs Correspondent for $\chi $ under the action of S? We prove that the answer to this question is yes.
Seeing the whole in parts: text summarization for web browsing on handheld devices

We introduce five methods for summarizing parts of Web pages on handheld devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), or cellular phones. Each Web page is broken into text units that can each be hidden, partially displayed, made fully visible, or summarized. The methods accomplish summarization by different means. One method extracts significant keywords from the text units, another attempts to find each text unit's most significant sentence to act as a summary for the unit. We use information retrieval techniques, which we adapt to the World-Wide Web context. We tested the relative performance of our five methods by asking human subjects to accomplish single-page information search tasks using each method. We found that the combination of keywords and single-sentence summaries works best for a variety of search tasks.
Age-related changes in durability and function of vaccine-elicited influenza-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses.

Abstract The major antigenic component of licensed influenza vaccines, hemagglutinin (HA), elicits predominantly type-specific antibody responses, thus necessitating frequent antigenic updates to the annual vaccine. However, accumulating evidence suggests that influenza vaccines can also induce significant cross-reactive T-cell responses to highly divergent, heterosubtypic HA antigens not included in the vaccine. Influenza vaccines are less effective among the elderly and studies that characterize cross-reactive T-cell immunity in this vulnerable population are much needed. Here, we systematically compare the ex vivo frequency, cytokine profile and phenotype of vaccine-elicited HA-specific T-cell responses among a cohort of young (18–49 years old) and elderly (≥70 years old) vaccinees, as well as the maturation and activation phenotype of total CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells. IFN-γ production after in vitro expansion and HA-specific Ab titers were also determined. We find that vaccine-elicited ex vivo frequencies of CD4 + T-cells elicited by vaccination reactive to any given homo- or heterosubtypic Ag were comparable across the two age groups. While, no differences were observed between age groups in the phenotype of Ag-specific or total CD4 + T-cells, PBMC from young adults were superior at producing IFN-γ after short-term Ag-specific culture. Significantly, while vaccine-elicited T-cell responses were durable among the younger vaccinees, they were short-lived among the elderly. These results have important ramifications for our understanding of vaccine-induced changes in the magnitude and functionality of HA-specific CD4 + T-cells, as well as age-related alterations in response kinetics.
The Internationalization of Terrorist Campaigns

Many scholars have examined terrorism as a conflict between a state and a nonstate actor. However, during terrorist campaigns, terrorists often seek sanctuary from target attacks by crossing into foreign host states. This action effectively transforms the conflict from a purely domestic contest into an international issue. This paper explores why terrorist organizations make the choice to internationalize conflicts by adopting a foreign host. Further, this paper examines why host governments accept terrorist organizations. To address these questions, this research develops a simple game theoretic model to explain the decision to internationalize terrorism. The paper concludes with an empirical test of the model's predictions.
Membrane Trafficking of the Cystic Fibrosis Gene Product, Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator, Tagged with Green Fluorescent Protein in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells

The mechanism by which cAMP stimulates cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-mediated chloride (Cl−) secretion is cell type-specific. By using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) type I epithelial cells as a model, we tested the hypothesis that cAMP stimulates Cl− secretion by stimulating CFTR Cl− channel trafficking from an intracellular pool to the apical plasma membrane. To this end, we generated a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-CFTR expression vector in which GFP was linked to the N terminus of CFTR. GFP did not alter CFTR function in whole cell patch-clamp or planar lipid bilayer experiments. In stably transfected MDCK type I cells, GFP-CFTR localization was substratum-dependent. In cells grown on glass coverslips, GFP-CFTR was polarized to the basolateral membrane, whereas in cells grown on permeable supports, GFP-CFTR was polarized to the apical membrane. Quantitative confocal fluorescence microscopy and surface biotinylation experiments demonstrated that cAMP did not stimulate detectable GFP-CFTR translocation from an intracellular pool to the apical membrane or regulate GFP-CFTR endocytosis. Disruption of the microtubular cytoskeleton with colchicine did not affect cAMP-stimulated Cl− secretion or GFP-CFTR expression in the apical membrane. We conclude that cAMP stimulates CFTR-mediated Cl− secretion in MDCK type I cells by activating channels resident in the apical plasma membrane.
Controversies in thromboembolic disease during pregnancy: a critical review

Objective: To critically appraise the body of literature concerning strategies for the prevention of thromboembolism during pregnancy. Data Sources: We used the Medline data base and reference lists of articles to identify all English-language papers examining thromboembolism during pregnancy. Methods of Study Selection: We identified 156 articles in the obstetric literature and 29 articles in the medical literature that referenced nonpregnant populations. Together, these articles form the primary data base on which most recommendations are based. Data Extraction and Synthesis: There are no level 1 trials (large randomized trials with definitive results) in the obstetric literature examining the efficacy of thromboembolism prophylaxis during pregnancy. There are only two level 2 trials (small randomized trials with uncertain results because of moderate to high alpha or beta error) that address prophylactic strategies in pregnant women with histories of thromboembolism or the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The remainder of the published trials are observational, some prospective but predominantly retrospective. Many of the recommendations from consensus panels regarding prophylactic strategies in pregnancy were based on level 1 trials in nonpregnant populations. Conclusion: Although women with a history of thromboembolic disease are at appreciable risk of recurrence during pregnancy, the exact incidence is unknown and there are no adequate efficacy trials demonstrating that prophylactic regimens are effective. Heparin is the anticoagulant of choice in pregnancy; however, changes in metabolism and clearance make adequate dosing problematic. Expert consensus panels disagree over the optimal management of pregnant women at risk for thromboembolism. Randomized controlled trials during pregnancy are needed if any progress is to be made in combating this lethal disorder.
Malignant Polyp in a Colonic Diverticulum: a Rare Cause of Diverticular Hemorrhage.

Colonic diverticula and colonic polyps are two of the most common causes of lower gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage [1, 2]. Colonic polyps or carcinoma can arise from the normal mucosa near or within a diverticulum [3]. Case reports describe colonic tumors found within a diverticulum, e.g., colon polyps [4], carcinoids [5], lymphoma [6], and adenocarcinoma [3, 7–13]. Rarely adenocarcinoma in a diverticular colonic abscess has been reported [14, 15]. None of the cases has presented as hematochezia or been associated with diverticular bleeding. We report a case of malignant colon polyp within a diverticulum presenting as diverticular hemorrhage.
The comparative psychology of uncertainty monitoring and metacognition.

Researchers have begun to explore animals' capacities for uncertainty monitoring and metacognition. This exploration could extend the study of animal self-awareness and establish the relationship of self-awareness to other-awareness. It could sharpen descrip- tions of metacognition in the human literature and suggest the earliest roots of metacognition in human development. We summarize research on uncertainty monitoring by humans, monkeys, and a dolphin within perceptual and metamemory tasks. We extend phyloge- netically the search for metacognitive capacities by considering studies that have tested less cognitively sophisticated species. By using the same uncertainty-monitoring paradigms across species, it should be possible to map the phylogenetic distribution of metacognition and illuminate the emergence of mind. We provide a unifying formal description of animals' performances and examine the optimality of their decisional strategies. Finally, we interpret animals' and humans' nearly identical performances psychologically. Low-level, stim- ulus-based accounts cannot explain the phenomena. The results suggest granting animals a higher-level decision-making process that in- volves criterion setting using controlled cognitive processes. This conclusion raises the difficult question of animal consciousness. The results show that animals have functional features of or parallels to human conscious cognition. Remaining questions are whether ani- mals also have the phenomenal features that are the feeling/knowing states of human conscious cognition, and whether the present par- adigms can be extended to demonstrate that they do. Thus, the comparative study of metacognition potentially grounds the systematic study of animal consciousness.
Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of (E)-2-Methyl-1,2-syn- and (E)-2-Methyl-1,2-anti-3-pentenediols via Allenylboronate Kinetic Resolution with (dIpc)2BH and Aldehyde Allylboration

Enantioselective hydroboration of racemic allenylboronate (±)-1 with 0.48 equiv of (dIpc)2BH at −25 °C proceeds with efficient kinetic resolution and provides allylborane (R)-Z-4. When heated to 95 °C, allylborane (R)-Z-4 isomerizes to the thermodynamically more stable allylborane isomer (S)-E-7. Subsequent allylboration of aldehydes with (R)-Z-4 or (S)-E-7 at −78 °C followed by oxidative workup provides 1,2-syn- or 1,2-anti-diols, 2 or 3, respectively, in 87–94% ee.
Spindle Positioning: Actin Mediates Pushing and Pulling

To divide asymmetrically, the mitotic spindle is moved from the cell center to the cortex, a process that requires astral microtubules and the microtubule-based motor dynein. New work examining spindle positioning in large oocytes shows that in these cells actin and actin polymerization plays a key role.
Risk, the spirit of capitalism and growth: The implications of a preference for capital

This paper incorporates the “spirit of capitalism,” or a “preference for capital” into a stochastic growth model. In a non-stochastic model, such as Zou (1994) , this “preference for capital” accelerates growth by reducing the rate of time preference. In a stochastic setting, however, the desire for accumulation affects growth in more complicated ways. An increase in the capitalist spirit always reduces the rate of time preference, but it may increase or decrease risk aversion. In turn, growth may accelerate or decelerate, depending upon consumers' willingness to substitute over time, and upon the range of investments in the economy.
Chronic use of the calcium channel blocker nifedipine has no significant effect on bone metabolism in men

Abstract Calcium channel blockers have been reported to have such diverse effects as reduction in protein synthesis, diminished incorporation of proline into new collagen, and decreased hormone release in vitro. The chronic affect of the calcium channel blocker nifedipine was examined in vivo to determine the possible impact of pharmacologic calcium channel blockade on bone metabolism. Eleven Caucasian males treated with an average of 40 mg/d nifedipine for an average of three years were compared to 11 control males matched for age, height, weight, activity level, cardiovascular status, and calcium intake. No significant differences between groups were noted in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine (L2–4), proximal femur (femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanter), and proximal and distal radius. There were also no significant differences in parameters of bone turnover (alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, urine calcium creatinine , and hydroxyproline creatinine ratio), or hormones that might affect calcium metabolism and bone (testosterone, PTH, 25(OH) vitamin D, and calcitonin). In summary, chronic nifedipine use in males is not associated with either a beneficial or adverse effect on bone metabolism.
Basic Quality Control In A Radiological Facility

BASIC QUALITY CONTROL IN A RADIOLOGICAL FACILITYE. Dale TroutRadiological PhysicsX -Ray Science and Engineering LaboratoryOregon State UniversityCorvallis, Oregon 97331This paper was presented at the meeting,but is not being published in these Proceedings.Herewith are the questions and answers which followed the oral presentation:Question from C. S. McCamy, Macbeth:(General Comment) You have stated that the performance specifications of modern densi-tometers exceed the needs of radiology for routine densitometric checks. If the accepta-ble range of density variation in the finished radiograph is of the order of 0.2 as hasbeen stated by some speakers, and if you accept the usual rule that the precision of ameasuring instrument should be ten times as good as that of the process being measured,then the instrument should have a precision of 0.02, which is axactly what is specified bydensitometer manufacturers.Question from T. Sandor, Harvard Medical School:The light intensity fluctuates in a viewbox considerably. This would affect your den-sity measurements. Also, what is your opinion or experience with the plastic Kodak cas-settes?Answer by E. Dale Trout:
Chest wall trauma.

Sufficient trauma to the chest can result in injury to the bony thorax and soft tissues of the chest wall, increasing patient morbidity and mortality. Fractured ribs can lacerate the pleura, lung, or abdominal organs. Fractures to upper ribs, clavicle, and upper sternum can signal brachial plexus or vascular injury. Paradoxical movement of a flail chest can impair respiratory mechanics, promote atelectasis, and impair pulmonary drainage. Most patients with thoracic spine fracture-dislocations have complete neurologic deficits. Scapular fractures, associated with other injuries in almost all patients, are frequently overlooked on supine chest radiographs. Sternal fractures, associated with clinically silent myocardial contusion, are best visualized on chest computed tomography (CT). Severe trauma to the chest wall can be associated with large chest wall hematomas or collections of air within the chest wall that can communicate with the intrathoracic space. CT scanning can easily distinguish chest wall from parenchymal or mediastinal injury, whereas this differentiation my not be possible with chest radiography.
Normal immune function in young and old DNA polymerase-β deficient mice

Abstract The effect of the DNA polymerase-β (β-pol) deficiency on mitogenic response and cytokine production was studied in spleen lymphocytes from 4–5- and 20–22-month-old β-pol −/+ mice and their age-matched wild-type littermates. The proliferative response of lymphocytes to Concanavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was measured by [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation, and the induction of cytokine production (interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and interferon necrosis factor (IFN)-γ) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. There was no significant difference in Con A- or LPS-induced proliferation or cytokine production in young β-pol −/+ mice compared with young wild-type littermates or in old β-pol −/+ mice compared with old wild-type littermates. However, mitogen-induced proliferation and cytokine production changed significantly with age. The proliferative response to Con A and to LPS, and the IL-2 production was significantly lower, and IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in lymphocytes from old β-pol −/+ mice and old wild-type mice than in lymphocytes from young β-pol −/+ mice and young wild-type littermates. In addition, flow cytometric analysis showed no significant differences between young β-pol −/+ mice and young wild-type littermates or between old β-pol −/+ mice and old wild-type littermates in the proportion of B- and T-cell populations, and T-cell subsets. However, the number of lymphocytes expressing CD4 + phenotype slightly decreased and the proportion of lymphocytes expressing CD44/Pgp-1 (memory) phenotype increased with age. Thus, we found no evidence for alteration in immune function in DNA polymerase-β deficient mice, although they exhibit a decline in immunologic function with age.
A model for predicting maximum and 8 h average ozone in Houston

Abstract The objective of this research was to develop a statistical model to predict one day in advance both the maximum and 8 h (10 am–5 pm) average ozone for Houston (TX). A loess/generalized additive model (GAM) approach was taken to model development. Ozone data (1983–1991) from ten stations in the immediate Houston area were used in the study. The meteorological data came from the Houston International Airport. The models were developed using data for April through October for 1983–1987 and 1989–1990. Forecasts were developed for 1988 and 1991. The final model, which was multiplicative in nature, contained three interaction terms for the west/east and south/north wind components (average of hourly values from 8 pm to 5 am, 6 am to 9 am, and 10 am to 5 pm). Opaque cloud cover (averaged over the period 10 am to 5 pm), yesterday’s maximum ozone, today’s maximum temperature and morning mixing depth were also important variables in the model. Individual forecasts were generated for all ten stations in the Houston area using observed meteorology. In addition forecasts were produced for three measures of the network as a whole. The root-mean-square prediction error for the 8 h average forecasts ranged from 13.2 to 16.3 ppb (with R 2 ranging from 0.66 to 0.73) for the individual stations and from 18.5 to 22.0 ppb (with R 2 ranging from 0.61 to 0.68) for maximum ozone. A detailed examination was undertaken for a day on which the forecast was much too low.
Representations and Algorithms for Cognitive Learning

Abstract This is a report summarizing our progress towards a theory of cognitive learning. It is concerned with an algorithm that recognizes, selects and formulates in an internal language problems that arise in an external environment. This algorithm revises its representation of the environment and uses it to cope with self-selected problems. The algorithm depends on the formation of hypotheses and their use to select actions. The key ideas of this project are major new additions to a theory of representation of knowledge built on an inductive predicate logic.
A stochastic based voltage collapse indicator

The voltage collapse of a power system is analyzed as the result of the eventual push of the system operating point beyond the boundary of voltage security due to random fluctuations in the system load characteristics. The effect of different fluctuation intensity levels at load buses on the eventual voltage collapse of a power system is studied with the help of a stochastic based voltage collapse indicator. It is shown that this indicator, will provide further insights into the power system's vulnerability due to the high degree of uncertainty that exists in present day voltage collapse load models. >
A trace formula for multiplication operators on invariant subspaces of the Bergman space

Supposef is a bounded analytic function in the unit disk andMf is the multiplication operator on an invariant subspaceI of the Bergman space. We show that wheren=dim(I⊝zI).
Exchange Rate Rules, Black Market Premia and Fiscal Deficits: The Bolivian Hyperinflation

With dual exchange rates, where a managed official exchange rate co-exists with a floating black market rate, a given budget deficit may be consistent with many different inflation rates rather than two, which is the normal result in closed economy systems. Further, all these inflation equilibria are saddle-point stable. A policy of adjusting the official exchange rate towards the black market rate may cause the economy to converge to a high-inflation, saddle-point stable equilibrium where money inflation elasticity exceeds unity. The analytics are motivated and illustrated by the Bolivian hyperinflation of 1984–1985.
Synthesis of 1,2,4-triazine-(2H,4H)-3,5,-dione anticoccidial agents via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions

Abstract Palladium-mediated coupling of 2-(4-iodoaryl)-1,2,4-triazine-(2H,4H)-3,5-diones with variously substituted vinylstannanes has been examined in efforts to explore the SAR of novel triazine anticoccidials. Conventional procedures were employed for the large-scale preparation of key iodoaryltriazine intermediates while a new method - employing a modified Shapiro reaction - was developed for the synthesis of 1,1-substituted vinylstannanes.
Gene expression of apolipoprotein E in human brain tumors

Samples of normal brain, two meningiomas, one medulloblastoma and seven astrocytomas were analyzed along with two glioma lines to determine the genic expression of apolipoprotein E, which in addition to its major function in lipid metabolism has been postulated to be a marker for astrocytomas. Messenger ribonucleic acid encoding apolipoprotein E was found to be expressed in significant amounts in all of the brain tumor specimens and in the normal brain, but in only one of the two glioma lines. Although the role of apolipoprotein-E in the brain and in brain tumor growth remains undefined, it is clear that this gene is expressed in substantial amounts in a variety of brain tumors and is not specific for astrocytomas.
Evaluation of wash treatments for survival of foodborne pathogens and maintenance of quality characteristics of fresh-cut apple slices☆

A commercial and three experimental wash treatments for fresh-cut apple slices were evaluated for their ability to affect survival of foodborne pathogens and to maintain quality characteristics measured instrumentally and by sensory analysis. For each apple variety (Fuji and Granny Smith), instrumental firmness, cut surface color, and sensory scores for firmness and flavor of fresh-cut apple slices treated with the commercial and experimental wash solutions were similarly maintained during storage (6 days at 5°C). Prior to their use with apple slices, all three experimental wash solutions reduced the survival of Salmonella serovar Typhimurium and Vibrio cholera by 5 logs or more and the experimental solution at pH 2.0 also reduced survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella flexneri by at least 5 logs, whereas the commercial wash solution had antibacterial activity only against V. cholera. During treatment of apple slices, the wash solutions changed compositionally over time as indicated by a decrease in conductivity, increases in soluble solids content and osmolality, and changes in pH; and they lost their antibacterial activity. Keeping microbial safety in view, wash solutions should not be reused on multiple batches of sliced apples. Instead, alternative washing strategies that maintain the antimicrobial properties of the wash solutions need to be developed for fresh-cut apple slices.
MARKOV ANALYSIS OF RADIATIVE TRANSFER IN ENCLOSURES WITH BIDIRECTIONAL REFLECTIONS

This paper uses Markov chains in the modeling of radiative heat transfer in enclosures consisting of bidirectionally reflecting surfaces containing nonparticipating gases. After a brief review of previous literature in that area of investigation, bidirectional reflectivity functions are discussed. Two enclosure geometries are then modeled, and the paper concludes with a report of selected implementation results
Thermal expansion and phase transformations of the U3O8−z phase in air☆

Abstract Detailed thermal expansion data have been obtained by high temperature X-ray diffractometry of U3O8 and U3O8−z in air between 22 and 1100°C. Stoichiometric U3O8 changes continuously, reversibly and anisotropically above room temperature with expansion along the a-axis and contraction along the b-axis from orthorhombic to hexagonal symmetry at 350 ± 10°C. A small but continuous contraction along the c-axis occurs up to 1100°C. Both parameters of the hexagonal phase expand smoothly and reversibly to approximately 875°C and exhibit no discontinuity as a result of loss of oxygen which begins near 600°C. At 875–925°C the structure changes to lower symmetry by contraction along the a-axis and expansion along the b-axis. This structural change is accompanied by a more extensive loss of oxygen and is usually irreversible unless the crystallite size is sufficiently small, ∼0.05 μm for which both the compositional and structural changes are reversible with temperature. Calculated unit cell volumes undergo slight expansion and contraction up to 350°C, with a broad maximum at approx. 200°C and a smooth expansion at a decreasing rate from 350–875°C. The irreversible transition beginning at 875°C is ostensibly associated with an expansion-contraction anomaly in the temperature range 875–925°C, followed by smooth expansion at a decreasing rate to 1100°C. The thermal expansion characteristics have been interpreted in terms of rotation of octahedral linkages in the orthorhombic and hexagonal structures and the irreversible transition has been tentatively explained in terms of two U3O8−z phases, one orthorhombic and one monoclinic. The apparently contradictory structural analyses for the U3O8 and U3O8−z phases in the literature can be reconciled on the basis of the thermal expansion results which involve both changes in temperature and composition.
Optic nerve head melanocytoma with microtropia in the fellow eye

Abstract A 56-year-old male presented with a deeply pigmented lesion overlying the optic nerve head in the left eye and decreased visual acuity in the right eye. He was diagnosed as having a melanocytoma of the optic nerve head O.S. and amblyopia/eccentric fixation due to microtropia O.D. Although these two entities are not related clinically, they both present interesting and challenging differential diagnoses and management strategies.
Relation of β-Blocker Use With Frequency of Hospitalization for Heart Failure in Patients With Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction (from the Heart and Soul Study)

Heart failure (HF) is a common public health problem, and many new cases are now recognized to occur in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. β Blockers improve the outcomes of patients with known left ventricular systolic dysfunction, but whether β blockers provide similar protection among patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is unclear. We studied the association between use of β blockers and subsequent hospitalization for HF in patients with diastolic dysfunction and stable coronary heart disease. We evaluated medication use and performed echocardiography at baseline in a prospective cohort of 911 outpatients with known coronary heart disease from the Heart and Soul Study. Hospitalizations for HF were assessed by blinded review of the medical records during an average follow-up of 5.2 years. Of the 911 participants, 118 (13%) had diastolic dysfunction, of whom 2 were lost to follow-up. Of the 116 remaining patients, 19 (25%) of the 77 using β blockers were hospitalized for HF compared to 16 (41%) of the 39 not using β blockers (age-adjusted hazard ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.26 to 1.00; p = 0.05). This association remained after additional adjustment for gender, smoking, history of myocardial infarction, diabetes, and creatinine (hazard ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0.93; p = 0.03). The results were similar after excluding 31 participants with a history of self-reported HF (hazard ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.13 to 0.86; p = 0.02) and 24 participants with concurrent systolic dysfunction (hazard ratio 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.14 to 0.89; p = 0.03). In conclusion, the use of β blockers is associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization for HF in patients with diastolic dysfunction and stable coronary heart disease.