cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal biocatalyst loading in a fixed bed

The optimal distribution of biocatalyst in a fixed bed operating at steady state was determined to minimize the length of the bed for a fixed conversion of 95%. The distribution in terms of the biocatalyst loading on an inert support depends upon the axial distance from the bed entrance (continuous solution) as well as a set of dimensionless parameters that reflect the bed geometry, the bulk flow, reaction kinetics and diffusional characteristics. A mathematical model of the system with the following features was used to obtain the results: (1) convective mass transfer and dispersion in the bulk phase; (2) mass transfer from the bulk phase to the surface of the catalyst particle; and (3) simultaneous diffusion and chemical reaction in the catalyst particle with Michaelis-Menton kinetics and a reliable diffusion model (Zhao and DeLancey in Biotechnol Bioeng 64:434-441, 1999, 2000). The solution to the mathematical model was obtained with Mathematica utilizing the Runge Kutta 4-5 method. The dimensionless length resulting from the continuous solution was compared with the optimal length restricted to a uniform or constant cell loading across the entire bed. The maximum difference in the dimensionless length between the continuous and uniform solutions was determined to be 6.5%. The model was applied to published conversion data for the continuous production of ethanol that included cell loading (Taylor et al. in Biotechnol Prog 15:740-751, 2002). The data indicated a minimum production cost at a catalyst loading within 10% of the optimum predicted by the mathematical model. The production rate versus cell loading in most cases displayed a sufficiently broad optimum that the same (non-optimal) rate could be obtained at a significantly smaller loading such as a rate at 80% loading being equal to the rate at 20% loading. These results are particularly important because of the renewed interest in ethanol production (Novozymes and BBI International, Fuel ethanol: a technological evolution, 2004).
The impact of prices and macroeconomic policies on agricultural supply: a synthesis of available results

Abstract This paper reviews the literature dealing with the link of agricultural prices and macroeconomic policies to agricultural supply with particular emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. Although the study echoes the stylized facts on price elasticities underlined in previous literature reviews, the paper points out that our understanding of the quantitative dimensions of agricultural supply response is weak given the importance of this assumed response for growth, poverty alleviation, and the environment. Indeed, issues such as simultaneity of variables, data pooling, omission of variables, and asymmetry in supply responses to price changes have not been adequately addressed in many instances.
Sequence of a mouse embryo cDNA clone encoding proteolipid subunit 9 (P1) of the mitochondrial H+-ATP synthase

Abstract A cDNA clone to an abundantly expressed mRNA in cleavage stage mouse embryos has been sequenced and identified as encoding subunit 9 (P1) of the mitochondrial H + -ATP synthase. The deduced amino acid sequence of the mature subunit 9 protein differs in a single residue from the corresponding rat, ovine, bovine and human subunits.
Structure development in melt spinning of poly(ethylene-co-octene) filaments with various comonomer contents

An experimental study of the spinnability and the variation in crystallinity and orientation of melt spinning of poly(ethylene-co-octene) with different contents of comonomers was carried out. The spinning behavior of these polymers was investigated under different draw-down ratios and temperatures and correlated to spinline stress. The melt-spun filaments were characterized by wide-angle X-ray diffraction birefringence, and differential scanning calorimetry. S-1 is a high-density polyethylene and S-2, S-3, and S-4 have 16, 22, and 38 wt % octene. An orthorhombic unit cell was found in all four polymers, but a dominant hexagonal structure (perhaps mesophase) was found for the highest octene level (S-4). The orientation factors for the a-, b-, and c-axis of the orthorhombic crystal structure and a-axis of the hexagonal phase were then calculated. The crystalline orientation behavior of the lower octene copolymers (S-1, S-2, and S-3) are similar and can be represented as a “row-nucleated“ structure. However, the orientation behavior of S-4 was different. The uniaxial mechanical properties were also measured. The Young's modulus and tensile strength generally increased with birefringence for all polymers. With increasing content of octene, the Young's modulus showed a decrease from semicrystalline thermoplastic toward an elastomer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 9–22, 2004
Treatment Updates in Advanced Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma

Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are rare diseases of the anterior mediastinum. Although some thymomas are quite indolent and able to be resected in a curative fashion, the treatment of metastatic disease remains a challenge, especially for the more aggressive thymic carcinoma histology. Based on the results of single-arm trials, combination chemotherapy is the standard of care in the first-line, and anthracycline-based treatments should be used if patients are reasonably fit. Several single-agent cytotoxic chemotherapy agents have some effectiveness in subsequent lines of therapy, especially pemetrexed and, in octreotide scan-positive patients, octreotide. Prospective trials of new agents are difficult to conduct given the rarity of thymoma, but various targeted therapies do show promise. Greater international research collaboration, as well as modern techniques in molecular and genomic characterization, should help to advance the treatment of thymic malignancies in the near future.
CRITICAL AGE OF LACTASE DEFICIENCY IN CAUCASIANS

Small intestinal lactase activity in the healthy adult is either the same as in early infancy or may drop to very low levels. The incidence varies with the ethnic qroup studied but very little information is available as to the age lactase decreases. We selected 150 specimens with normal histologic appearance out of 1047 mucosal biopsies. They were derived from a heterogenous white ethnic group with failure to thrive, healthy siblings and parents, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 50 years. Mucosal lactase activity and sucrase/lactase ratios in these 150 subjects were plotted against their age. In the first 3 years of life lactase activity averaged 32.1±10.1 Mmoles/αP/min. and sucrase/lactase ratio was 1.7 ± 0.5. There was no significant difference in mean or S.D.from year to year in the first three years. After the age of 5, two separate groups emerged. One group with low lactase activity and the other with the same mean value as in the first three years. The group with low lactase included children and adults with clinical lactose intolerance and some (8) upon testing, had a flat lactose tolerance test. They consumed relatively small amounts of milk. The other qroup with high lactase activity consumed an average of one ouart of milk a day, and some (3) on testing, had a normal lactose tolerance test. This study implies that healthy Caucasian children up to age of 5 can safely consume milk without fear of lactose intolerance.
Calcium Channel Blockers as Inhibitors of Drug Metabolism

Interaction des antagonistes calcium avec le metabolisme des marqueurs biologiques, de la theophylline, des β-bloquants, de la prazosine, de la carbamozepine et de la ciclosporine
Assessment of coronary conductance and resistance vessel reactivity in response to nitroglycerin, ergonovine and adenosine: In vivo studies with simultaneous intravascular two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the differential effects of nitroglycerin, ergonovine and adenosine on the resistantce vessels in vivo by using a Doppler-tipped guide wire in combination with an ultrasound imaging catheter. Background. Catheter-based two-dimensional intravascular ultrasound yields images of the coronary arteries from which cross-sectional areas can be measured. Intravascular Doppler ultrasound techniques allow measurement of coronary blood flow velocity. The simultaneous use of the two techniques can yield anatomic and physiologic information on conductance and resistance vessels but has not been tried in the coronary arteries. Methods. In 15 dogs, we studied coronary Bow and vascular reactivity in response to pharmacologic agents using two approaches: 1) a 30-MHz, 4.3F imaging catheter placed alongside a 0.018-in. (0.046 cm) Doppler wire in the circumflex or left anterior descending coronary artery (n = 5); 2) the ultrasound imaging catheter introduced directly over a 0.014-in. (0.036 cm) Doppler wire (n = 10). Vasodilator and vasoconstrictor responses were studied by using intracoronary nitroglycerin (50,100 and 200 μg), ergonovine (200 μg) and adenosine (6 mg). Results. Nitroglycerin caused a dose-dependent increase in epicardial coronary artery cross-sectional area and, to a lesser extent, in average peak flow velocity, resulting in an increase in volumetric coronary blood flow of 39% and 59% at the doses of 100 and 200 μg, respectively. With these doses of nitroglycerin, the decrease in diastolic to systolic velocity ratio and the increased change in cross-sectional area from end-diastole to end-systole suggested an enhanced epicardial coronary artery compliance. With ergonovine, a 12% reduction in epicardial coronary artery cross-sectional area was seen, without a significant change in average peak velocity, resulting in a 15% decrease in volumetric coronary blood flow. Adenosine caused a 270% increase in average peak velocity but no change in epicardial coronary artery cross-sectional area, resulting in a 270% increase in volumetric bood flow. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that nitroglycerin and ergonovine predominantly influence coronary conductance arteries whereas adenosine mainly dilates coronary resistance vessels. These findings also demonstrate that the combined use of a two-dimensional and a Doppler ultrasound transducer within one catheter assembly can provide information on the differential effects of vasoactive agents on the epicardial and microvascular coronary circulation.
Location-based access control systems for mobile users: concepts and research directions

Many organizations require that sensitive information only be accessed on the organization premises or in secure locations. Access to certain information is thus allowed to authorized users, provided that these users are in specific locations when accessing the information. The GEO-RBAC model addresses such requirement. It is based on the notion of a spatial role, that is, a geographically bounded organizational function. The boundary of a role is defined as a geographical feature, such as a hospital or a classified facility; it specifies the spatial extent in which the user must be located in order to use the role. Besides a physical position obtained from a mobile terminal, users are assigned a logical and device independent position, representing the feature where the user is located. Logical positions are computed from real positions by specific mapping functions. If the user is present within the spatial boundary of a role, the role is said to be enabled. The user is allowed to select (activate) a role and exercise the associated permissions only once the role is enabled. The deployment of an access control system based on GEO-RBAC entails addressing several challenges: (1) access policies may require that access be conditioned not only by the user location but also on the presence or absence of other users; (2) enforcing location-based access control requires making the access control server aware of user locations, which may lead to privacy breaches; (3) trustworthy information about user locations must be obtained. This paper elaborates on these challenges and outlines related research directions.
Adjustable release of mitomycin C for inhibition of scar tissue formation after filtration surgery.

The aim of this study is to demonstrate a drug delivery system with the capacity to adjust the release of mitomycin C (MMC), based on polymer composition, and inhibit fibroblast proliferation to a better effect than is currently used in glaucoma filtration surgery. The polymer used in this work is made from the oligosaccharide cyclodextrin, from which others and we have demonstrated adjustable release of small molecule drugs due to specific molecular interactions or “affinity” between drug and the cyclodextrin polymer. To adjust release rate, cyclodextrin polymers were synthesized in either dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethyl sulfoxide, (DMSO) at a crosslinking ratio of 1:0.16 or 1:0:32 (molecule of glucose: molecule of crosslinker). The polymers were then loaded with mitomycin C, dried, and release evaluated in a physiological environment. Drug release was determined by visible spectroscopy. Released aliquots of mitomycin C were incubated with 3T3 fibroblast cells to determine cytotoxic or inhibitory effect through a cell proliferation assay. We show that by using affinity between drug and polymer, we can adjust MMC release rates to be slower and more sustained than from conventional, diffusion-only polymers, for both the DMF polymers (p = 0.00526) and the DMSO polymers (p = 0.0113). The incorporated and released MMC maintains inhibition of fibroblast proliferation much longer than is possible with a one-time application. Affinity polymers with 1:0.16 and 1:0.32 crosslink ratio showed significant inhibition of proliferation for up to 100 h (p = 0.018 and p = 0.014 respectively). The use of our controlled drug delivery technology applied after surgery could have a greater therapeutic impact than the current one-time applications of MMC.
Effects of Antenatal Steroids on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Early and Late Gestation Ovine Fetuses

Effects of Antenatal Steroids on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Early and Late Gestation Ovine Fetuses
Effect of freezing on organic acid contents and lipolytic index of plain soft and Monterey Jack goat milk cheeses

Abstract Three lots of plain soft (PS) goat cheeses were purchased, and three lots of Montery Jack (MJ) goat milk cheeses were manufactured at the University dairy plant. The two varieties were subdivided into two equal portions to study effects of freezing and thawing on changes in organic acid profiles and lipolytic properties. One portion was stored at 4 °C as the nonfrozen control and the other half was immediately frozen (−20 °C) and subsequently thawed the next day at 4 °C and stored at 4 °C for 0, 14 and 28 days. Organic acids were quantified using a HPLC (Hewlett-Packard; LC-1100 Series) equipped with auto sampler, quaternary pump, vacuum degasser and diode array detector. The column was reverse phase Hewlett-Packard ODS Hypersil 5 μm (125 mm × 4 mm), and solvent was 0.5% ammonium phosphate. Freezing MJ cheese reduced ( P P
Nonivamide, a Constituent of Capsicum oleoresin

Nonivamide (2) has been isolated from capsicum oleoresin for the first time and has been characterized through comparison with an authentic synthetic sample. This work confirms that nonivamide occurs naturally in Capsicum species.
Destruction of Vitamin E in Cottonseed Oil

Abstract THE addition of linoleic acid to poultry diets increases the requirement for vitamin E or other biologically active antioxidants for prevention of encephalomalacia (Machlin and Gordon, 1960) and maintenance of egg production and hatchability (Marr et al., 1961). In order to conduct more extensive studies on the effect of linoleic acid on this antioxidant requirement, large quantities of a source of linoleic acid low in vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) are required. Vegetable oils often contain high levels of linoleic acid but also contain vitamin E which must be removed or destroyed. This has usually been accomplished by treating oils with ferric chloride, or by oxidation. However these procedures are either expensive or may result in undesirable side reactions if not very carefully controlled. Lauryl peroxide has been used as a bleaching agent for vegetable oils because of its property of forming destructive free radicals upon heating (Anonymous, 1960). The bleaching…
Development of a Fiber Optic Sensor Based on Gold Island Plasmon Resonance

We present an optical fiber chemical sensor based on gold- island surface plasmon excitation. The sensing part of the fiber is a one inch portion on which cladding has been removed and onto which a thin layer of gold (40 angstroms) has been deposited to form a particulate surface. Annealing the gold reshapes the particles and produces an absorbance near 535 nm when the only medium residing outside the surface is air. A range of wavelengths provided by a white light source and monochromator is launched through the optical fiber. The transmitted spectra display shifts in the resonance absorption due to any changes in the medium surrounding, or adsorbed onto the fiber. Experimental results for the sensitivity and dynamic range in the measurement of liquid solutions are in agreement with a basic theoretical model which characterizes the surface plasmon using nonretarded electrodynamics. Furthermore, the model assumes the particles are isolated oblate spheroids with a distribution of eccentricities.
Q values of inverse reactions involving alpha particles

Abstract Precision Q value measurements were made on three pairs of inverse reactions involving alpha particles. Errors arising from charge change and high energy loss of alpha particles were thus investigated. The mass differences obtained are compared with mass spectrometer values, other Q value measurements and a compilation of atomic masses. The Q values obtained (in MeV) are: 24 Mg( α , p) 27 Al, −1.5989±0.0010; 27 Al(p, α ) 24 Mg, 1.5984±0.0010; B( α , ( α , d 12 C, 1.3406±0.0015; 12 C(d, α ) 10 B, -1.3401±0.0012; 9 Li( α , p) 9 Be, −2.1256±0.0012; 9 Be (p, α ) 6 Li, 2.1254±0.0018. The energy scale is based on a 210 Po alpha particle energy of 5.3045 MeV. Errors may be considered as standard deviations but include estimates of systematic errors. They do not include the uncertainty (±0.5 keV) in the calibration energy. No experimental discrepancy arising from the use of alpha particles was found. No charge change effects were observed. Mass spectrometer values and the mass compilation values agree with these results within the respective uncertainties. These measurements provide the most accurate mass differences yet given for the atoms involved.
Jump dynamics and the isotope effect in solid-state diffusion.

Calcul des vitesses de saut de lacune dans les solides fcc sur la base de la theorie de la vitesse memoire-courte amelioree. Les effets isotopiques et de saut en retour observes sont domines par une petite fraction de trajectoires hautement anharmoniques et dependant de la temperature
Molecular and continuum hydrodynamics in graphene nanopores

An ultrathin graphene membrane is a promising candidate for various applications such as gas separation, water purification, biosensors, etc. In this study, we investigate water transport mechanisms and hydrodynamic properties such as water flux, pressure variation, velocity, viscosity, slip length, etc. Due to the unique water structure, confined in the radial direction and layered in the axial direction of the pore, water viscosity and slip length increase with a decrease in the pore radius, in contrast to water confined in a carbon nanotube. As the diameter of the pore increases, the water transport mechanism transitions from collective diffusion to frictional flow described by the modified Hagen–Poiseuille equation. Graphene membrane is shown to be ultra-efficient by comparing the permeation coefficient of graphene membrane to that of a carbon nanotube and an ultrathin silicon membrane. We envision that the study presented here will help to understand and design various membrane separation processes using graphene membrane.
The influence of amosite asbestos exposure on lung permeability

The effect of amosite asbestos on permeability of the blood/air barrier in the lung was studied using an acute animal model. The ultrastructural tracer selected for the study was horseradish peroxidase which was given intravenously in animals that had been exposed intratracheally to asbestos. The acute period of study was either 1/2, 1, 2, 3, or 4 hr, or 1-7 or 14 days postexposure. The barrier in the normal lung was at the level of the alveolar epithelial lining. Leakage of exudate and tracer occurred through the altered barriers following asbestos exposure and the extent of leakage related directly to the degree of alveolitis and the asbestos present in the area. A trend toward recovery of the barrier occurred with the reestablishment of a more normal-appearing epithelial lining during the second week postexposure.
Embryonic Survival in Relation to Number and Size of Implantation Swellings in the Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus.

SummaryVariable numbers of fertilized healthy ova (3 to 20) were transferred into 49 recipient rabbits of a synchronous stage of pseudopregnancy. The recipients were laparotomized at 8 days post coitum (p.c.) to record number and diameter of implantation sites. At 15 days p.c., the recipients were killed and number of viable embryos recorded. In 3 groups of recipients the number of implantations at 8 days p.c. was 3.3, 7.6 and 12.3 and rate of embryonic survival was 56%, 74% and 76% respectively with no significant difference between the groups. Embryonic survival tended to be positively related to number of implantations. Nonviable implantations were not located at specific sites along the uterine horn. Diameter of implantation swellings was not related to number of implantations per recipient. In 75 to 83% of the cases, the degenerating embryos (15 days p.c.) had implantation diameters (8 days p.c.) less than the average of viable implantation swellings.Thanks are due to Ayerst Laboratories for donation...
Distribution, abundance, and metabolic states of microorganisms in the water column and sediments of the Black Sea1

The vertical distribution, abundance, and metabolic states of microorganisms have been measured within the water column of the Black Sea. Samples collected from the O2–HS− interface revealed a vertically restricted layer (<20–30 m) of metabolically active cells. Within the anoxic portion of the water column (200–2,100 m), ATP concentrations were 5–10 times greater than in oxygenated environments of comparable depth; biomass and various metabolic activities increased with increasing water depth, implying a vertical gradient in specific organic substrates required for bacterial growth and metabolism. The vertical distribution of ATP was also measured in two sediment cores raised from the western basin of the Black Sea. The ATP concentration within the uppermost sediment layer (0–10 cm) was 4 orders of magnitude greater than in the overlying water column, on a per volume basis (150 ng ATP · cm−3 for the sediments, vs. 10 ng ATP · liter−1 for the water column). Scanning electron micrographs are presented depicting early stages in the diagenesis of framboidal iron sulfide.
Reducing the Number of Inferior Treatments in Clinical Trials

In clinical trials comparing two treatments, one would often like to control the probability of erroneous decision while minimizing not the total sample size but the number of patients given the inferior treatment. To do this obviously requires that one use a datadependent allocation rule for the two treatments rather than the conventional equal sample size scheme, whether fixed or sequential. We show here how this may be done in the case of deciding which of two normally distributed treatment effects has the greater mean, when the variances are assumed to be equal and known. Similar methods can be used under other hypotheses on the underlying probability distributions, and will provide a considerable increase in flexibility in the design of sequential clinical trials.
Surface and curvature properties of neutron-rich nuclei

Abstract We use the extended Thomas-Fermi approximation and Skyrme-type interactions to describe the energy density of a semi-infinite slab of neutron-rich nuclear matter at zero temperature. We allow for the existence of a drip phase at low proton fractions in addition to the more dense nuclear phase. We determine various bulk properties of both phases when the system is in equilibrium. We extend the usual definition of the surface energy to apply to the case where drip is present. Assuming the density profile has the form of a Fermi function to a power, we perform a constrained variational calculation to determine the parameters of the density profile. The surface and curvature energies are calculated for proton fractions ranging from 0.5 (symmetric nuclear matter) to 0 (pure neutron matter) for typical Skyrme-type interactions. We find significantly different asymmetry dependences for different interactions. For proton fractions close to 0.5, our results are in close agreement with the predictions of the droplet model. We also present results of calculations for fission barrier properties and phase transitions between nuclei and bubbles to highlight the role of surface and curvature energies in the neutron-rich regime.
P101Doppler flow velocimetry in fetal and maternal circulation in relation to blood serum and amniotic fluid erythropoietin levels

Objective To correlate arterial Doppler flow velocimetry with amniotic fluid and umbilical cord erythropoietin levels and umbilical cord gasometry. Material and methods The study compromised 80 pregnant woman who delivered in cesarean section without prior uterine contractions. The AB, PI and RI indexes of fetal umbilical, cerebral arteries as well as uterine arcuate arteries was assessed max. 24 h before delivery. Amniotic fluid was collected during the cesarean section before the uterine incision and umbilical cord blood was retrieved after the delivery, 1 min after the cord was clamped. Results The correlation was found between umbilical arteries AB ratio and amniotic erythropoietin levels, fetal serum erythropoietin levels as well as umbilical artery pO2 and apgar score 5 min after delivery. The correlation was also found between fetal blood and amniotic fluid erythropoietin levels. Conclusions Doppler flow velocimetry of umbilical artery reflects the fetal and newborn well being. Umbilical cord and amniotic fluid erythropoietin levels reflect fetal oxygenation. Erthropoietin levels may be checked in amniotic fluid beceause amniocentesis is related to lower incidence of complications in comparisone with cordocentesis.
Economics of export subsidies under costly and imperfect enforcement

The present paper builds on the published literature on agricultural policy ana- lysis under costly and imperfect enforcement by introducing enforcement costs and misrepresentation into the economic analysis of export subsidies. Specifi- cally, the present paper examines the economic causes of cheating on export sub- sidies and the consequences of enforcement costs and misrepresentation for the welfare effects and the transfer efficiency of this policy instrument. Policy design and implementation is modelled as a sequential game between a government that designs and enforces the policy and the recipients of the payments. Two alternative policy implementation scenarios are considered. In the first scenario, export subsidies are paid to private trading firms while in the second scenario subsidies are paid directly to the producers of the subsidised commodity. Analy- tical results show that the introduction of enforcement costs and cheating changes the welfare effects of export subsidies and their efficiency in redistributing income to producers. The analysis also shows that, contrary to what is traditionally believed, the incidence of export subsidies depends on the group that is subsidised to export the surplus quantity - the way the policy is implemented. The results provide additional support for the contention that the economic consequences of cheating are highly policy-specific. Finally, the analysis reveals that when the gov- ernment faces restrictions on either the volume or the value of export subsidies, cheating reduces the distortionary effects of the policy on international markets. This is true irrespective of whether subsidies are paid to trading firms or to producers.
Seizure propagation in a patient with musicogenic epilepsy.

Abstract Musicogenic epilepsy (ME) is a condition in which seizures are triggered by music. We describe a novel investigation of the mechanisms of ME using noninvasive (ictal 2-flurodeoxyglucose (2-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)) and invasive (subdural arrays and depth electrodes) methodology in one patient with ME. Ictal PET defined onsets in the right mesial temporal lobe. This was confirmed by intracranial electrode recordings, where there was onset in the right mesial temporal lobe, followed by sequential spread to the lateral temporal cortex, Heschel’s gyrus, insula, and frontal lobes. Right temporal lobectomy resulted in Engel class 1 outcome.
Updating and confirming an industry-sponsored pharmacoeconomic model: comparing two antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Abstract Objective This study updated a 2001 decision economic model that used indirect data and confirmed its findings by developing a new cost-effectiveness model by using now available head-to-head data. The models compared olanzapine with ziprasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia in the United States. Methods A decision analytic modeling approach was used to estimate annual health-care costs and health outcomes, incorporating events such as response, relapse, and suicide. Patients without response to first-line treatment switched to the other comparator. Decision tree probabilities were extracted from head-to-head studies and other published clinical literature. Direct health-care costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated on the basis of resource use and utility weights for initial and relapse episodes, maintenance therapy, and extended episodes of illness. Disutilities associated with treatment-emergent adverse events were included. Results Consistent with the 2001 model, this model found that first-line treatment with olanzapine is associated with fewer hospital days, fewer days with extrapyramidal symptoms, and higher QALYs than is first-line treatment with ziprasidone. Total costs were lower for the olanzapine pathway ($70,232–$72,776 vs. $73,086–$73,310 in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale analysis) due to the cost savings associated with reduced health-care resource use. The incremental cost per QALY gained indicated that the olanzapine pathway dominated the ziprasidone pathway. Conclusions Decision analytic models should be continuously assessed against new data. This case study shows that incorporating new data confirmed results of a previously published model in which olanzapine was associated with better expected health outcomes and lower total health-care costs than was ziprasidone.
A Software Reliability Model with Multiple-Error Introduction & Removal

This paper considers a stochastic model for a software system where multiple errors can be introduced and removed from the software system during repairs. It assumes that the software failure rate is proportional to the number of software errors present in the system. A general Markov model is developed. Expressions for software reliability measures are derived and corresponding computational procedures are developed. A numerical example is given.
Video Games as Technical Communication Ecology

With an ecological approach to the genres that circulate within communities of practice, this article traces the overlap between technical communication and online gaming communities in terms of their rhetorical uses of technical communication genres. Through shared practices, technologies, and epistemologies, online gaming environments call upon gamers to become technical communicators and provide opportunities for technical communicators to apply their expertise within the gaming industry.
Providing fertility care to men seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus: reviewing 10 years of experience and 420 consecutive cycles of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Objective To review 10 years of experience providing fertility care to men seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using sperm washing and in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI). Design Retrospective study. Setting University-based practice. Patient(s) HIV-seropositive men with HIV-seronegative partners. Intervention(s) IVF-ICSI, HIV testing of females and infants. Main Outcome Measure(s) IVF performance, pregnancy rates, obstetrical outcomes, infection rates. Result(s) We initiated 420 cycles (355 fresh and 65 frozen cycles) in 181 couples. Due to poor ovarian response, 16% of stimulations were canceled. The number of oocytes collected per retrieval was 15.0 ± 0.5, providing 12.1 ± 0.5 mature oocytes suitable for ICSI, yielding 9.0 ± 0.3 embryos per couple. The overall clinical pregnancy rate/embryo transfer was 45%; ongoing/delivered pregnancy rate/embryo transfer was 37%. The most frequent obstetric complication was multiple gestation (41%), with 5% experiencing high order multiple birth. An attendant high rate of preterm delivery was noted, as 43% of infants were born premature. No maternal or neonatal HIV infections or deaths occurred. Conclusion(s) We have found IVF-ICSI to be an expeditious and safe means for HIV-serodiscordant couples to achieve pregnancy with minimal risk of viral infection. Risks and liabilities of IVF-ICSI relate to multiple gestations and will occur in a significant number of participants.
Parallelized Implicit Nonlinear FEA Program for Real Scale RC Structures under Cyclic Loading

Parallel computing in civil engineering has been restricted to monotonic shock or blast loading with explicit algorithm which is characteristically feasible to be parallelized. In the present paper, efficient parallelization strategies for the highly demanded implicit nonlinear finite-element analysis (FEA) program for real scale reinforced concrete (RC) structures under cyclic loading are proposed. Quantitative comparison of state-of-the-art parallel strategies in terms of factorization were carried out, leading to the problem-optimized solver, which successfully embraces the penalty method and banded nature. Particularly, the penalty method employed imparts considerable smoothness to the global response, which yields practical superiority of the parallel triangular system solution over those of advanced solvers such as the parallel preconditioned conjugate gradient method. Other salient issues on parallelization are also addressed. By virtue of the parallelization, the analysis platform offers unprecedented access to physics-based mechanisms and probabilistic randomness at the entire system level and realistically reproduces global degradation and localized damage, as reflected from the application to a RC structure. Equipped with accuracy, stability and scalability, the parallel platform is believed to serve as a fertile ground for the introducing of further physical mechanisms into various research fields, as well as the earthquake engineering community.
Dexamethasone attenuation of the cortisol response to nicotine in smokers

The effect of corticosteroids upon the cortisol response to nicotine from smoking was investigated in five heavy smokers. Corticosteroid activity was manipulated by administering dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocortoicoid (1 mg orally, 14 h before), in a doubleblind, placebo-controlled procedure. Testing took place in the middle of the day and involved the smoking of two high-nicotine (2.87 mg) research cigarettes over a 15-min period. The dexamethasone condition was characterized by a pronounced suppression of baseline plasma cortisol, as expected, and by a significant dampening of the cortisol response to nicotine, indicating diminished sensitivity to nicotine under conditions of enhanced corticosteroid activity.
Predictors of Commitment to Athletic Training Education

Context: In order for athletic training students to be successful in any athletic training education program (ATEP), a certain level of commitment to the program and profession is required. Objecti...
Long-Line Effect and Pulsed Magnetrons

A simplified theory of long-line effect is developed leading to expressions for maximum tolerable line length and vswr. The theory is verified experimentally and photographic evidence of the deleterious effect of long-line behavior is presented. The prevention of long-line effect by various methods, includkg decouplingthe magnetron, attenuation, phase shifter, and ferrite isolators, is discussed.
DEGENDERING THE PROBLEM AND GENDERING THE BLAME: Political Discourse on Women and Violence

This article describes political discourse on domestic violence that obscures men's violence while placing the burden of responsibility on women. This perspective, which the author calls patriarchal resistance, challenges a feminist construction of the problem. Using a qualitative analysis of men's and political magazines, the author describes two main discursive strategies used in the resistance discourse: degendering the problem and gendering the blame. These strategies play a central role in resisting any attempts to situate social problems within a partiarchal framework. It is argued that this is a political countermovement to the feminist constructions of domestic violence as opposed to a serious concern about women's violence and male victims. Three major implications this resistance discourse has are the normalization of intimate violence, the diversion of attention from men's responsibility and cultural and structural factors that foster violence, and the distortion of women's violence.
Brittle Deformation of Solid and Granular Materials with Applications to Mechanics of Earthquakes and Faults

Crustal fault zones are complex regions of localized deformation with fractured, cataclastic and pulverized rocks having evolving geometries and altered rheological properties from those of the host material. At some level of fracture density (damage) the cohesive matrix of the material is destroyed and the associated volume becomes granular. The occurrence of seismic ruptures, and healing phases in the interseismic periods, continually modify the damage and granularity. This produces evolution of the elasticity, permeability and geometry of the actively deforming regions. The evolution of fault zone structures leads, in turn, to changes in the properties of dynamic earthquake ruptures, seismic radiation, inter- and post-seismic deformation, and local seismicity patterns. Many fundamental aspects of brittle deformation in crustal rocks remain unsolved. Basic examples include: What are the proper metrics to characterize brittle rock damage and the transitions between damaged rock and granular material? What are the main similarities and differences between the dynamics of damaged rocks and granular media? What are the characteristics of nonlinear stress–strain behavior of damaged rocks and how can they be modeled quantitatively? How much slip is localized on main rupture surfaces and how much is distributed in the bulk for various fault environments? The 16 papers in this volume provide recent theoretical and observational perspectives that address the above and related issues. Topics include damage rheology models, high-resolution measurements of nonlinear evolving elasticity, high-resolution experiments on frictional instabilities and dynamic ruptures, theoretical and observational results on different dynamic regimes of sheared solids and granular materials, effects of fluids and roughness on fault zone rheology, seismic radiation near fault kinks, and geological and laboratory characterizations of fault surfaces and damaged rocks.
Synthesis and liposome encapsulation of a novel 18F-conjugate of ω-conotoxin GVIA for the potential imaging of N-type Ca2+ channels in the brain by positron emission tomography

ω-Conotoxin GVIA is a potent, irreversible antagonist of N-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels. A radiofluorinated analogue of GVIA could be useful in assessing regional synaptic density of the brain, in vivo, using positron emission tomography. N-hydroxy succinimidyl 4-[18F]fluorobenzoate was employed to site-specifically label GVIA, preserving native binding affinity. The tracer was characterized with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and colorimetric protein assay. Radiochemical decay-corrected yield of the lysine-24 labeled analogue of [18F]GVIA was 5%. Specific activity of this species was determined to be 1.2 × 105 Ci/mmol. Encapsulation of the tracer in sulfatide containing liposomes, a potential method for enhancing blood–brain penetrance, was accomplished with 40% efficiency. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pore structure and glass transition temperature of nanoporous poly(ether imide)

The effect of nanopores on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of poly(ether imide) was studied with differential scanning calorimetry. Nanoporous poly(ether imide) samples were obtained through the phase separation of immiscible blends of poly(ether imide) and polycaprolactone diol and by the removal of the dispersed minor phase domains with a selective solvent. Microscopy and statistical methods were used to characterize the pore structure and obtain the pore structure parameters. The pore size was found to depend on the processing time and the initial blend composition, mainly because of phase-coarsening kinetics. A decrease in Tg was observed in the nanoporous poly(ether imide) in comparison with the bulk samples. The change in Tg was strongly influenced by the pore structure and was explained by the percolation theory. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 3546–3552, 2006
Contractility and ischemic response of hearts from transgenic mice with altered sarcolemmal KATP channels

The functional significance of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels is controversial. In the present study, transgenic mice expressing a mutant Kir6.2, with reduced ATP sensitivity, were used to examin...
Differential affinities of 5-(2-halogenovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridines for deoxythymidine kinases of various origins.

The inhibition constants (Ki) of a series of 5-(2-halogenovinyl)-29-deoxyuridines, including E-5-(2-chlorovinyl)-dUrd, E-5-(2-bromovinyl)-dUrd, E-5-(2-iodovinyl)-dUrd, and Z-5-(2-bromovinyl)-dUrd, have been determined for the dThd kinases of human cytosol or mitochondria, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2), or varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The E-5-(2-halogenovinyl)-29-deoxyuridines had a much higher affinity for HSV-1 (or VZV) dThd kinase than for HSV-2 dThd kinase, and the affinity of E-5-(2-bromovinyl)-dUrd for HSV-1 dThd kinase was also much higher than that of its stereo-isomer, Z-5-(2-bromovinyl)-dUrd. The relative affinities of these compounds for the virus-induced dThd kinase correlated closely with their inhibitory effects on these viruses, suggesting that the selectivity of E-5-(2-bromovinyl)-dUrd and its congeners toward herpes viruses (HSV and VZV) is to a large extent dependent on their phosphorylation by the virus-induced dThd kinase.
∈-Adaptive Dynamic Programming for discrete-time systems

Dynamic programming for discrete-time systems is difficult due to the ldquocurse of dimensionalityrdquo: one has to find a series of control actions that must be taken in sequence. This sequence will lead to the optimal performance cost, but the total cost of those actions will be unknown until the end of that sequence. In this paper, we present our work on dynamic programming for discrete-time system, which is referred as epsiv-adaptive dynamic programming. A single controller, epsiv-optimal controller u*(epsiv) is determined from an epsiv-optimal cost J*(epsiv) is given to approximate the optimal controller. The epsiv-optimal controller u*(epsiv) can always control the state to approach to the equilibrium state, while the performance cost is close to the biggest lower bound of all performance costs within an error according to epsiv.
The coordination of multiple constrained fuels

A method is presented for coordinating multiple constrained fuels which compete with one another. This coordination method represents a significant step forward in solving a broad spectrum of fuel-constrained decision problems. A detailed mathematical formulation is presented. The proposed coordination method is outlined. This method is illustrated using an example. >
A 3 mW/GHz near 1-V VCO with low supply sensitivity in 0.18-µm CMOS for SoC applications

A novel pseudo-differential ring Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) with near 1-V supply is realized in standard 0.18-µm CMOS with no low Vt options. The VCO core structure improves the supply noise rejection by 20 dB. The pseudo-differential structure provides rail-to-rail swing, which improves phase noise and eliminates the level shifter needed in fully differential designs. Several new topologies, suitable for near 1-V supply, are proposed for the V-to-I converter and the additional shunt supply regulator that provides additional supply noise isolation. With a 1 V supply, the whole VCO consumes less than 3 mW for 1 GHz operation and provides eight clock phases. The compatibility with digital supply and low supply sensitivity enables it to be an ideal candidate for large System-on-Chip (SoC) integrations.
What is majority/minority network synthesis?

Majority (minority) network synthesis uses majority (minority) gates as logic elements. A majority (minority) gate has three inputs and one output and produces an output value 1 when a majority (minority) of input values are 1. Thus, the majority function, M, corresponding to a majority gate is given byM(x1,x2,x3) = x1x2 + x2x3 + x1x3The minority function, m, is simply given by M' (the complement of M).
Dynamic Growth Models of Self-Esteem and Adolescent Alcohol Use

Latent growth modeling was used to test dynamic relations between self-esteem and alcohol use in 740 middle school youth assessed at four time points. Self-esteem was characterized by a negative growth trajectory, whereas alcohol use increased steadily in a linear fashion. An initial simplified model positing bidirectional influences indicated an inverse relation between changes in self-esteem and alcohol use over time, but that initial levels of neither alcohol use nor self-esteem influenced changes in the other construct. With the addition of external covariates (i.e., gender and indices of social skills and competence risk), findings indicated that high initial levels of self-esteem fostered more increases in alcohol use compared to low initial levels of self-esteem. Findings further indicated that youth with poor competence skills advanced more rapidly in their alcohol use and declined more gradually in their self-esteem, and that poor social skills accelerated the rate of decline in self-esteem. Results indicate that self-esteem is part of a dynamic set of etiological forces that instigate early-stage alcohol use. Self-esteem is defined operationally as an evaluation of the self and includes how the person feels about himself or herself or a personal judgment of worthiness (Beane & Lipka, 1986; Coopersmith, 1967). Whereas self-concept refers to the identity roles and attributes the person attaches to himself or her self (i.e., self-related descriptive beliefs), self-esteem refers to the personal evaluation given to the effectiveness of those roles (Brinthaupt & Erwin, 1992). Developmental studies of adolescents, as well as young adults, indicate that self-esteem is important for promoting physical and mental well