cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sentence interference in the Stroop task

In two experiments on Stroop interference, we examined whether sentences can be processed without the intention of the reader. Participants named the ink colors in which words in sentences were printed, and the ink colors in which the same words, randomly arranged, were printed. In Experiment 1, sentences yielded longer response times (RTs) and more errors than did nonsentences, but only when they included words that were highly relevant to the color-naming task (i.e., color and color-related words). In Experiment 2, sentences yielded more errors than did nonsentences, and sentences in which the color words matched the set of ink colors yielded longer RTs than did nonsentences. The results indicate that sentence processing can be obligatory when the component words are highly relevant to the task.
An analytical queuing network computer program for the optimal egress problem

An analytical queuing network algorithm for the optimal egress problem within buildings is presented with an example of its use and potential application to more general facility types.
CeNSE: A central nervous system for the earth

The internet enabled a communication revolution. But the data moving around this network is largely generated and input by humans. Banking records, shopping habits, blog and news postings, pictures, email, tweets - all records of human activity by humans. The expansion of the internet and the power of exchanging information has lead to a commoditization of networking hardware enabling even the most mundane devices to become web or net enabled. Many of our mobile devices include two or more ways to access the broad network of information. The practice of extending the net has led to an internet beyond computers; its now an internet of things (IoT).
Coastal response to the Holocene transgression in the Bahamas: episodic sedimentation versus continuous sea-level rise

Abstract Sedimentological and petrographic study of Holocene deposits in the Eastern Bahamas shows that sedimentation occurred episodically during this period of continually rising sea-level. The Holocene stratigraphic record exposed on the islands of San Salvador, Lee Stocking and Cat consists of two distinctive units separated by a paleosol: (1) 5000 year-old oolitic eolianites deposited when sea-level was lower than today, and (2) 3000 to 500 year-old bioclastic paleo-beaches and dunes that are congruent with the present stand of sea-level. A five-stage model that reconciles intermittent sedimentation pattern with continuous sea-level rise is presented. Pre-Holocene topography and changes in the rate of the transgression seem to regulate local 4 hydrodynamic conditions, which in turn control onset and offset of sedimentary processes. This Holocene example of episodic sedimentation during an uninterrupted transgression should be considered when studying ancient discontinuities that are systematically interpreted in terms of relative sea-level fall.
Optimal aeration control in a post-aeration basin

Abstract The optimal aeration policy in a post-aeration basin is investigated. The physical problem is formulated using a dispersion model to describe the dissolved oxygen and the pollutant concentrations. The mathematical model is amenable to the Pontryagin's continuous maximum principle which reduces the optimization problem to a boundary value problem. The optimal aeration policy is determined by numerically integrating the boundary value problem. Simulations are made to show the important effects of the inlet waste strength, the flow pattern and the flow retention on the optimal aeration policy.
The Bed Expansion and Particle Velocity Analysis in the Swirling Fluidized Bed Combustor (SFBC) Cold Model

Flow visualization and analysis was extensively conducted in a bench-scale swirling fluidized bed combustor (SFBC) cold model. An advanced laser-based particle image velocimetry (PIV) system was used to visualize the gas-particle flow in SFBC cold model. The robust experiment design method was applied to study the bed expansion in the SFBC cold model in relationship with secondary airflow ratio. It was found that the secondary airflow ratio did not affect the bed expansion in the SFBC cold model. Based on the PIV velocity profiles analysis, it was observed that particle velocities increased when secondary airflow ratio is increased. The secondary air was definitely generating the high tangential particle velocity. On a procede a la visualisation et a l'analyse extensives d'ecoulements dans un banc d'essai (modele froid) de combusteur a lit fluidise tourbillonnant (SFBC). On a employe une technique avancee de velocimetrie par images de particules (PIV) pour visualiser l'ecoulement gaz-particule dans le modele SFBC froid. Une methode de plan d'experience robuste a ete appliquee a l'etude de l'expansion du lit dans le modele SFBC froid en relation avec le taux de debit d'air secondaire. On a trouve que le taux de debit d'air secondaire n'influait pas sur l'expansion du lit dans le modele SFBC froid. D'apres l'analyse des profils de vitesse par PIV, on a observe que les vitesses de particules augmentaient lorsque le taux de debit d'air secondaire augmente. L'air secondaire est sans aucun doute responsable de la vitesse de particules tangentielle elevee.
Direct and indirect estimates of Leaf Area Index (LAI) for lodgepole and loblolly pine stands

We compared direct and indirect estimates of leaf area index (LAI) for lodgepole and loblolly pine stands. Indirect estimates of LAI using radiative methods of the LI-COR LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer (PCA) did not correlate with allometric estimates for lodgepole pine, and correlated only weakly with litter-trap estimates for loblolly pine. The PCA consistently under-estimated LAI in lodgepole pine stands with high LAI, and over-estimated LAI in the loblolly pine stands with low LAI. We developed a physical model to test the hypothesis that the PCA may under-estimate LAI in high leaf area stands because of increased foliage overlap and, therefore, increased selfshading. Radiative estimates of LAI using the PCA for the physical model were consistenly lower than allometric measures. Results from the physical model suggested that increased foliage overlap decreased the ability of the PCA to accurately estimate LAI. The relationship between allometric and radiative measures suggested an upper asymptote in LAI estimated using the PCA. The PCA may not accurately estimate LAI in stands of low or high leaf area index, and the bias or error associated with these estimates probably depends on species and canopy structure. A species specific correction factor will not necessarily correct bias in LAI estimates using the PCA.
Limits of stimulation of proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow cells of mice treated with swainsonine.

The limits of stimulation of the immunomodulatory alkaloid swainsonine (8αβ-indolizidine-1α,2α,8β-triol) were studied in inbred C57BL/6 mice for potential support of intense high dose cancer chemotherapy and/or radiation because of its attractive pharmacologic profile on the hematopoietic system. Specifically, the effects of swainsonine on bone marrow cellularity and on in vitro progenitor cell proliferation to total colony forming units (CFU) and differentiation to different lineages were studied as a function of number of days post drug administration. The lineages evaluated were colony forming units-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), erythroid-burst forming units (BFU-e) and CFU-granulocyte-erythrocyte-monocyte-megakaryocyte (CFU-GEMM or CFU-Mix). Groups of mice were treated with swainsonine or plain vehicle, phosphate buffered saline for 10 consecutive days. The effects of these agents on the hematopoietic system were studied up to 60 days following their discontinuation. The magnitude of the effects of swainsonine on bone marrow system gradually declined with increasing duration of days following its discontinuation. Nevertheless, its residual stimulatory effects on bone marrow cellularity, total CFU, CFU-GM, BFU-e and CFU-Mix continued to be significant (P<0.0001) up to 45, 50, 50, 55 and 50 days, respectively, compared to those of diluent buffer or untreated controls. Since cancer chemotherapeutic agents or radiation are normally given in schedules and/or cycles, these results strongly suggest that swainsonine effects are sustained long enough to potentially support and facilitate hematopoietic recovery during anti-cancer cytotoxic treatment.
Psychiatry in the People's Republic of China: A Propectus

A prospective examination of the current theory and practice of institutional psychiatry and the status of mental health in the People's Republic of China are presented. Topics for future investigation and methodological provisos are discussed and evaluated.
Maintaining proficiency after Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery training: A 1-year analysis of skill retention for surgery residents

Background The purpose of this study was to determine performance retention after initial and ongoing Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) skills training. Methods Surgery residents (postgraduate year [PGY] 1–5; n = 91) initially underwent proficiency-based training during a 2-month period for all 5 FLS tasks. Subsequently, available residents (PGY 2–5; n = 44) were enrolled in a follow-up curriculum for Tasks 4 and 5, with retention testing at 6.5 ± 1.0 months (Retention 1) and 12.5 ± 1.3 months (Retention 2), followed by mandatory retraining if needed. Results Forty-two residents participated in the follow-up curriculum. For Task 4, retraining was required for 55% of trainees after Retention 1 and for 40% after Retention 2 testing. For Task 5, retraining was required for 86% of trainees after Retention 1 and for 48% after Retention 2 testing. Compared with posttest performance, skill retention was 86% and 96% for Task 4 and 87% and 96% for Task 5 at Retentions 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusion A modest decrement in performance was detected at 6.5 months, but a small amount of additional structured practice reinforced skill acquisition and minimized skill loss at 12.5 months. In addition to clinical experience, trainees may benefit from ongoing FLS simulator training to optimally maintain proficiency.
Wedge Optics in Flat Panel Displays

Liquid crystal display (LCD) technology will struggle to display high resolution on screens as big as whiteboards. Yet there is demand also for less power consumption, 3-D images, and that the display should be able to see gestures and feel touch. Most of these features are possible with projection and wedge light guides make projection slim, but picoprojectors are so dim that many will be needed for such a big screen. For now, we use instead a hybrid of technologies: light guides look out from behind an LCD to see where the viewers' hands and eyes are, and a collimated backlight lets us illuminate one view at a time to each eye. This lets us synthesize 3-D with achievable increases in LCD frame rate. We expect that this combination of a multiview 3-D display and a view-dependent rendered image will give us the potential to televise the experience of looking through a window.
Haloperidol exaggerates proprioceptive-tactile support reflexes and diminishes vestibular dominance over them

Rats made immobile and cataleptic by haloperidol, a dopamine receptor blocker, maintain their static stable equilibrium by employing a variety of allied postural support reflexes. Under some test conditions, competition between such reflexes occurs, and in haloperidol-treated rats, unlike undrugged controls, proprioceptive-tactile stimuli appear to be dominant over vestibular stimuli. We investigated this relationship in rats by testing their air-righting with and without simultaneous contact of the tail on a wooden platform. The rats were lightly held in a supine position by the shoulders and pelvis, with or without tail contact on a small wooden platform 47 cm above the ground. Undrugged rats showed the normal pattern of righting which involves axial rotation with cephalocaudal recruitment whether the tail is contacting the platform or not. Upon release, the haloperidol-treated rats (2.5 mg/kg) gripped the platform with their tail, which interfered with the air-righting reflex. This demonstrates that in haloperidol-treated rats, the dominance of tactile-proprioceptive postural support reflexes over those triggered vestibularly.
Individualizing therapy of monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins: emerging potential in the age of personalized medicine

Personalized medicine is an emerging and promising alternative to standard therapy regimens with the potential to significantly influence therapeutic interventions for many diseases. An extensive literature review of studies that focused on pharmacogenomics of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and immunoglobulin-containing fusion proteins (igFPs) was conducted. A comprehensive survey of the US FDA-approved labels revealed that pharmacogenomics information has also been incorporated into the label of some mAbs to guide therapy. In addition, treatment-emergent adverse events for mAbs and igFPs were analyzed that showed an association with the drugs’ individual mechanism of action as well as molecular nature. The identification of the signaling pathways linked to the specific target of each mAb or igFP may help accelerate clinical successes in predicting and managing treatment-associated severe adverse events in individual patients. Incorporating pharmacogenomics into drug development of mAbs and igFPs will impro...
Gauge theory, gravitation, and symmetry

The coupled Einstein-Yang-Mills (or Einstein-Maxwell in the case of an Abelian internal symmetry) theory is shown to be the unique gauge theory of T/sub 4/ x G, where T/sub 4/ is the 4-dimensional translation group and G is an internal-symmetry group. In the case of P/sub 4/ x G where P/sub 4/ is the 4-dimensional Poincare group one obtains Einstein-Cartan theory coupled with the internal gauge fields. As in the Abelian case internal Yang-Mills fields do not create any extra torsion, owing to the gauge invariance of the internal symmetry. The arguments are given in terms of the conventional gauge formalism, without using the bundle language. (AIP)
tranny boyz: cyber community support in negotiating sex and gender mobility among female to male transsexuals

Female-to-male transsexuals (FTMs) are aware that manhood is a test that is separate from simple anatomical maleness. Failure to pass the test carries a penalty of exclusion from the desired rank as well as stigmatization as deviant for having attempted such a feat. Armed with this awareness, they are utilizing modern technology to form a community of virtual support, a study group of sorts, that will facilitate passing that test. This project identifies, through content analysis, various themes of concerns of female-to-male transsexuals who post on the Internet. The themes include concerns about gender status production, including issues such as “passing,” surgical worries, legal avenues and blockades, and social support. These themes relate directly to FTMs’ real-world ideologies about themselves as men. They recognize their central problem as one which debates the nature of manhood as either an ascribed or achieved status, and in self-reflexive fashion are able to see themselves as non-deviant in one g...
Nontechnical problems in knowledge engineering: Implications for project management

Abstract Building knowledge-based systems is generally seen as a technical process. While technical difficulties do arise in the course of this process, nontechnical aspects of project development can also be problematic. However, the latter may be harder for technically trained project personnel to recognize as such and solve. This paper addresses some nontechnical issues that can arise in the course of expert systems projects. Some are already well known in the expert systems world; others may not normally be thought of as issues at all, but we urge that they be considered as such. Since all such issues waste time, money, and goodwill, project personnel have reason to identify and avoid them.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation should be controlled and monitored by the medical profession

On the basis of the accompanying case presentation of a 75-year-old widowed male nursing home resident with hemodynamically significant aortic stenosis, heart failure, angina, and a high surgical risk for a conventional aortic valve replacement, I support the proposition that the newly emerging transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) should be ‘‘rationed,’’ or at least monitored and controlled. The Placement of AoRTic TraNscathetER Valve (PARTNER) trial assessed both the clinical outcomes and resource use results from this multicenter prospective, randomized trial of transcatheter aortic valve insertion in both patients at ‘‘high risk’’ for open heart aortic valve replacement and in surgically ‘‘inoperable’’ patients. The results of the trial indicated that in surgically inoperable patients receiving a transcatheter aortic valve compared with ‘‘medically treated’’ patients (most with balloon valvotomy alone), the 1-year mortality for patients undergoing TAVI was 30.7% versus 50.4% for ‘‘medically treated’’ patients. The stroke rate was 5% in the patients undergoing TAVI versus 1.1% in the medical group, and the major vascular complication rates were 16.2% versus 1.1% for TAVI and medically treated patients, respectively. The average total cost for the TAVI procedure itself was $46,238, and the average total hospitalization cost for the admission at which TAVI was performed was $78,540. The 1-year average resource use after the TAVI admission was $29,352 versus $52,724 for those treated medically. The study showed that this therapy added on average 1.59 incremental life years at a cost of $50,212 per added life year. The increment in quality-adjusted life years was 1.29 years at a cost of $61,889 per added quality-adjusted life year. For this patient, my recommendation regarding the use of TAVI would rest on an assessment of his ‘‘frailty’’ and the presence of other comorbidities that would exert the dominant impact on his survival and quality of life. Being a widower and living in a nursing home alone do not represent sufficient comorbid conditions to preclude treatment.
Weather and Reliability

Network-centric infrastructure demands robust systems that can respond automatically and dynamically to natural, accidental and deliberate faults, be they on a local scale, regional or national. The effects of weather, from heat waves and cold fronts to hurricanes and ice storms, on the electrical infrastructure are expected to escalate. The consequent power interruptions are an economic hardship of +100 billion dollars annually on the states affected and pose a significant threat to public safety nationally. The electrical infrastructure is fragile, and as each adverse weather system passes over our critical electrical infrastructure it becomes increasingly difficult to supply energy and restore service in case of disruption. A transformative research initiative will be discussed that will begin to protect and harden our nation's critical electrical infrastructure. This vision would lead to next generation power systems to come into being that are flexible, reliable, and intelligent electrical energy delivery systems. A revolutionary new way of sensing, intelligence gathering, and corrective actions is envisioned. The goal is to provide near uninterruptible service during severe weather events and make feasible monitoring of the critical electrical infrastructure in real time.
Average carbon-13 chemical shifts in benzenoid dications

Abstract The resonance energies and the average carbon-13 chemical shifts for a number of dications of benzenoid hydrocarbons are examined. The resonance energies have been derived by applying a graph theoretical approach based on enumeration of conjugated circuits present in the collection of Kekule valence structural formulas for the dications, while carbon-13 chemical shifts have been taken from the literature. Average carbon-13 chemical shifts decrease sharply with increase in the molecular resonance energy. The derived correlation allows one to discuss the relative changes in the average carbon-13 chemical shifts and relative differences in resonance energies at a quantitative level.
Deep mixing in the Gulf of Lions, Revisited

The Gulf of Lions, south of France, is a preferred location for deep convection in late winter as documented by the so-called MEDOC studies during 1969-73. During 23 January to 5 March 1987 a renewed investigation was carried out in this region to investigate the occurrence of deep convection with new technology. Vertical and horizontal currents were measured over a range of several hundred meters with moored upward-looking acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs); full-depth horizontal current profiles were obtained by PEGASUS profiler; and CTD hydrography combined with measurements of some biological and chemical parameters to delineate watermass properties in the convection regime. A deep-mixed patch had already developed at the beginning of the experiment, following a particularly intense mistral on 10/11 January. During a second mistral, 15-20 February, vertical current events of 5-15 cm/s downward were observed. Events were of short duration but large vertical scale.
Procedural sedation with propofol: a retrospective review of the experiences of an emergency medicine residency program 2005 to 2010.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the types and rates of adverse events associated with the use of propofol for procedural sedation by physicians from our emergency medicine residency program and compare those adverse event rates with those rates already published for all moderate and deep sedatives for procedural sedation, including propofol. Methods This study was a retrospective chart review of all 215 procedural sedations performed with propofol in our emergency department (ED) from June 2005 to December 2010. The mean patient age was 29 years (SD, 22.1 years; range, 1-91 years). Adverse events were compiled and examined from chart data and compared with similar published studies on adverse event rates using propofol. Results Of the 215 patients, 10 (4.65%) experienced adverse events related to procedural sedation with propofol. Our frequency of adverse events was not statistically different from the published rate for all moderate and deep sedatives ( P = .407). Of all the adverse events, hypotension was the most common, occurring in 5 (2.33%) of the 215 patients. Of the 215 patients, 3 (1.40%) experienced brief hypoxia, with 2 (0.93%) of 3 patients requiring jaw thrust airway repositioning. Two (0.93%) of the 215 patients developed brief apnea that required brief bag valve mask–assisted ventilation. No patient required any advanced airway management. All 215 patients recovered completely from the procedural sedation and were discharged from the ED in stable and improved condition. Conclusions The adverse event rates from our study correlate with those of numerous earlier as well as recently published studies of moderate and deep sedatives, including propofol. The disciplined use of propofol by emergency physicians should continue to provide ED patients with the best available management options and care while additional focused and larger scale research is conducted to definitively confirm the premise that emergency physicians can continue to safely perform procedural sedation with propofol.
α2-macroglobulin-proteinase complexes as correlated with α1-proteinase inhibitor-elastase complexes in synovial fluids of rheumatoid arthritis patients

The levels of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor-elastase and alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M)-proteinase complexes were measured in synovial fluids from arthritis patients by use of specific immunosorbent assays. Both types of proteinase inhibitor-proteinase complexes were significantly correlated with each other as well as with the total neutrophil count in synovial fluids of rheumatoid arthritis patients but were discordant in synovial fluids of patients with osteoarthritis. One synovial fluid sample showed active (inhibitory) alpha 2M as well as active collagenase. We purified alpha 2M from pooled synovial fluids obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This alpha 2M retained approximately 90% of its proteinase binding (inhibiting) capacity, compared with that of normal plasma alpha 2M. We found no evidence that alpha 2M was inactivated by means other than proteinases.
Beyond Food Deserts Measuring and Mapping Racial Disparities in Neighborhood Food Environments

Given the emerging focus on improving food environments and food systems through planning, this article investigates racial disparities in neighborhood food environments. An empirical case of Erie County, New York tests the hypothesis that people belonging to different racial groups have access to different neighborhood food destinations. Using multiple methods—Gini coefficients and Poisson regression—we show that contrary to studies elsewhere in the country there are no food deserts in Erie County. However, like other studies, we find an absence of supermarkets in neighborhoods of color when compared to white neighborhoods. Nonetheless, our study reveals an extensive network of small grocery stores in neighborhoods of color. Rather than soliciting supermarkets, supporting small, high-quality grocery stores may be a more efficient strategy for ensuring access to healthful foods in minority neighborhoods.
Toward intelligent music information retrieval

Efficient and intelligent music information retrieval is a very important topic of the 21st century. With the ultimate goal of building personal music information retrieval systems, this paper studies the problem of intelligent music information retrieval. Huron points out that since the preeminent functions of music are social and psychological, the most useful characterization would be based on four types of information: genre, emotion, style,and similarity. This paper introduces Daubechies Wavelet Coefficient Histograms (DWCH)for music feature extraction for music information retrieval. The histograms are computed from the coefficients of the db/sub 8/ Daubechies wavelet filter applied to 3 s of music. A comparative study of sound features and classification algorithms on a dataset compiled by Tzanetakis shows that combining DWCH with timbral features (MFCC and FFT), with the use of multiclass extensions of support vector machine,achieves approximately 80% of accuracy, which is a significant improvement over the previously known result on this dataset. On another dataset the combination achieves 75% of accuracy. The paper also studies the issue of detecting emotion in music. Rating of two subjects in the three bipolar adjective pairs are used. The accuracy of around 70% was achieved in predicting emotional labeling in these adjective pairs. The paper also studies the problem of identifying groups of artists based on their lyrics and sound using a semi-supervised classification algorithm. Identification of artist groups based on the Similar Artist lists at All Music Guide is attempted. The semi-supervised learning algorithm resulted in nontrivial increases in the accuracy to more than 70%. Finally, the paper conducts a proof-of-concept experiment on similarity search using the feature set.
Total synthesis of indole-3-acetonitrile-4-methoxy-2-C-β-D-glucopyranoside. Proposal for structural revision of the natural product

Indole-3-acetonitrile-4-methoxy-2-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), a novel C-glycoside from Isatis indigotica with important cytotoxic activity, has been prepared in ten steps from ethynyl-β-C-glycoside 3 and 2-iodo-3-nitrophenyl acetate 6. Key steps in the synthesis include a Sonogashira coupling and a CuI-mediated indole formation. NMR spectroscopic data for synthetic 1 differs from that reported for the natural product. A revised structure for the natural product, containing an alternate carbohydrate substituent, is proposed.
Transatlantic ideas on the philosophy of therapeutics in the middle of the 19th century.

Early in the 19th century the move toward seeking numerical evidence in support of judgments on the efficacy of treatments advanced sharply with Pierre-Charles-Alexandre Louis' advocacy of la methode numerique (the numerical method) through his case studies of blood-letting as a treatment.1 This movement had begun prominently in the preceding century with Jurin's collection of numerical data on mortality from smallpox inoculation,2 Lind's trial on the treatment of scurvy3 and various British calls for numerical evidence on treatments.4 But Louis' strong advocacy provoked passionate debates in the Academie des Sciences in Paris, which had their own important consequences. Among these was the publication in 1840 of Principes Generaux de Statistique Medicale by Jules Gavarret.5
Metabolic-Stress-Induced Rearrangement of the 14-3-3ζ Interactome Promotes Autophagy via a ULK1- and AMPK-Regulated 14-3-3ζ Interaction with Phosphorylated Atg9

14-3-3ζ promotes cell survival via dynamic interactions with a vast network of binding partners, many of which are involved in stress regulation. We show here that hypoxia (low glucose and oxygen) triggers a rearrangement of the 14-3-3ζ interactome to favor an interaction with the core autophagy regulator Atg9A. Our data suggest that the localization of mammalian Atg9A to autophagosomes requires phosphorylation on the C terminus of Atg9A at S761, which creates a 14-3-3ζ docking site. Under basal conditions, this phosphorylation is maintained at a low level and is dependent on both ULK1 and AMPK. However, upon induction of hypoxic stress, activated AMPK bypasses the requirement for ULK1 and mediates S761 phosphorylation directly, resulting in an increase in 14-3-3ζ interactions, recruitment of Atg9A to LC3-positive autophagosomes, and enhanced autophagosome production. These data suggest a novel mechanism whereby the level of autophagy induction can be modulated by AMPK/ULK1-mediated phosphorylation of mammalian Atg9A.
Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environmental Simulator (NTREES)

To support the eventual development of a nuclear thermal rocket engine, a state-of-the-art experimental test setup has been constructed to evaluate the performance characteristics of candidate fuel element materials and geometries in representative environments. The test device simulates the environmental conditions (minus the radiation) to which nuclear rocket fuel components will be subjected during reactor operation. Test articles mounted in the simulator are inductively heated in such a manner as to accurately reproduce the temperatures and heat fluxes normally expected to occur as a result of nuclear fission while at the same time being exposed to flowing hydrogen. This project is referred to as the Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environment Simulator or NTREES. The NTREES device is located at the Marshall Space flight Center in a laboratory which has been modified to accommodate the high powers required to heat the test articles to the required temperatures and to handle the gaseous hydrogen flow required for the tests. Other modifications to the laboratory include the installation of a nitrogen gas supply system and a cooling water supply system. During the design and construction of the facility, every effort was made to comply with all pertinent regulations to provide assurance that the facility could be operated in a safe and efficient manner. The NTREES system can currently supply up to 50 kW of inductive heating to the fuel test articles, although the facility has been sized to eventually allow test article heating levels of up to several megawatts.
Determining Object Translation Information Using Stereoscopic Motion

Stereoscopic motion is an approach for comparing image change due to motion in a stereo pair of image sequences. Qualitatively, the relative image change shows that an object point is approaching, receding, or remaining at constant depth. Quantitatively, the relative change predicts where the object point will pass with respect to the camera system.
Late onset venous thoracic outlet syndrome following clavicle non-union fracture: A case report.

A 59-year-old woman was admitted three times over a six-month period with recurrent upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT). It was determined that this patient was suffering from an unusual presentation of Paget-Schroetter syndrome secondary to a 20-year-old non-union of a midshaft clavicle fracture. Following thrombolysis the patient underwent resection and plate fixation of the clavicle fracture non-union. Despite the anatomic proximity of the subclavian vessels to the clavicle, vascular complications from fracture are rare. Treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures is often non-operative. Non-union rates are generally less than 10%, and easily treated secondarily without complication. Clavicular pseudo-arthroses from trauma have been implicated in the development of the thoracic outlet syndromes, however, onset 20 years after fracture has never before been reported.
Treatment considerations in anticonvulsant monotherapy.

Summary: The long-standing practice of polypharmacy in treating epilepsy is giving way to use of monotherapy. Monotherapy can improve seizure control as well as reduce the risk of serious idiosyncratic reactions, dose-related side effects, and complex drug interactions. Monotherapy also offers improved compliance and cost-effectiveness. The basis of monotherapy is accurate diagnosis and assessment of the patient's seizure type(s), followed by selection of a single appropriate anticonvulsant drug. Many patients currently treated with multiple anticonvulsants can be successfully converted to monotherapy with a carefully monitored program in which troublesome and redundant drugs are gradually withdrawn from the therapeutic regimen.
Blind source separation with CMA+AMA equalizer over correlated MIMO channels

The blind estimation of digital communication channels together with the problem of signal separation in correlated MIMO communication links is considered here. In this work, a method of blindly estimating the impulse response of a frequency selective digital channel is proposed and used for MIMO equalization. The most powerful data source is recovered from received signal mixture by using a modified CMA equalization method. The channel impulse response is then estimated based on the autocorrelation of the received signal block and the equalizer weight vector. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the separation method. Equalizer performance is evaluated in terms of the MSE (mean square error) and SER (symbol error rate) of the recovered sequences.
Intrinsic parameter and modal characteristics of asymmetric cladding ridge waveguide lasers

This work investigates the performance of asymmetric cladding ridge waveguide lasers with varied ridge waveguide geometries. Through a parametric study of upper cladding thicknesses and ridge etch depths, we determine the range of useful geometries and the optimal waveguide design for asymmetric cladding ridge waveguides in PICs
Novel self-regulation of human chorionic gonadotropin biosynthesis in term pregnancy human placenta.

Term pregnancy human placenta contains hCG/LH receptor mRNA transcripts and immunoreactive receptor protein. Both the receptor transcripts and receptor proteins are present only in trophoblasts. These findings led us to investigate whether hCG can regulate its own synthesis in term pregnancy human placenta. Treatment of placental tissue in static cultures or in a dynamic superfusion system with increasing concentrations of highly purified hCG provoked a biphasic effect on the steady state hCG subunit mRNA levels. Although low concentrations of hCG ( or = 5000 mIU/ml) either had no effect or actually decreased mRNA levels relative to the control values. This response was specific, because none of the hCG concentrations tested had any effect on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase or beta-actin mRNA levels. The effects of hCG on steady state hCG subunit mRNA levels were paralleled by corresponding changes in tissue hCG protein levels. Endogenous hCG appears to down-regulate alpha-subunit mRNA levels and hCG secretion. The hCG effect is probably receptor mediated, because a receptor antagonist, deglycosylated hCG, partially antagonized the hCG action. Treatment with exogenous hCG also down-regulated its own receptor mRNA and receptor protein levels. hCG regulation of its alpha-subunit and receptor levels involved both transcriptional as well as posttranscriptional mechanisms. In summary, this is the first demonstration of hCG regulating its own synthesis in term pregnancy human placenta. The findings of this study could offer a potential molecular explanation for the profile of hCG levels in normal pregnant women.
TRIMALLEOLAR FRACTURES WITH DISLOCATION OF THE ASTRAGALUS

In the case reports two cases have been included that involved less than one-third of the articular surface and could have been reduced without the pin. This method of maintaining reduction of a trimalleolar fracture with a posterior dislocation of the astragalus has been used for three and onehalf years with complete success in all cases. The method is simple and easily executed. No open reductions have been necessary, and no recurrence of the deformity has resulted.
Influence of metabolic substrate on rat heart function and metabolism at different coronary flows.

The influence of metabolic substrate on contractile strength, myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), high- and low-energy phosphate levels, and intracellular pH were determined in isovolumically con...
Preventing Substance Use and Misuse Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Adolescents: Why Are We Not Addressing Discrimination in Prevention Programs?

Most researchers of the epidemiology and etiology of substance use are aware that adolescents and adults from differing racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, broadly defined, vary in their prevalenc...
Sensitivity of Human T and B Lymphoblasts to Immunoregulatory Drugs

The precise mechanisms by which many clinically useful immunorequlatory aqents produce immunologic dysfunction are not clear, even though many of their cytotoxic and mutagenic effects are well understood. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency and purine nucleoside Phosphorylase (PNP) deficiency are both inborn errors of purine metabolism characterized by severe immunodeficiency with the biochemical derangements in these diseases including the toxic accumulation of dATP or dGTP, respectively, (see Figure 1).1 Under the appropriate conditions, both the biochemcial changes and the selective lymphotoxicity observed in the ADA and PNP deficiency diseases can be reproduced in an in vitro cell culture system. A low concentration of deoxyadenosine in the presence of an ADA inhibitor leads to the accumulation of dATP and toxicity in cultured T lymphoblasts but not in B lymphoblasts, thus mimicking ADA deficiency disease.2 The addition of deoxyguanosine (50 μM) to culture medium leads to a selective increase in the level of dGTP and toxicity for T cells but not for B cells, analogous to changes observed in PNP deficiency disease.2 In the present study, we have used this lymphoblast tissue culture system to determine whether any of a selected group of immunoregulatory drugs were inhibitory to the growth of cultured T and B cells and, if so, to establish whether the toxicity could be attributed to interference with either ADA or PNP activity or related to an accumulation of dATP or dGTP.
Uronic acid-containing polypeptides from the urine of burned patients.

SummaryThe peptides of urine containing uronic acids of burned and normal subjects were investigated by quantitative estimation of the uronic acid, hexosamine and hexose content of the nondialyzable urinary components. The daily excretions of nondialyzable uronic acid, hexosamine, and hexose were all increased after burn injury. The mucopolysaccharides of urine were further investigated by partial isolation with (NH4)2SO4 followed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Material with the mobility and staining characteristics of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate A or C, and chondroitin sulfate B were found in urine from both normal and burned persons. Only the chondroitin sulfate B fraction was consistently elevated after burn injury. There are indications that some of this fraction is incompletely sulfated.
Guest Editorial: Robert N. Bellah's Theory of America's Eschatological Hope

In 1967, Robert N. Bellah wrote an article entitled "Civil Reli gion in America,"1 in which he claimed that there "actually exists alongside of and rather clearly differentiated from the churches an elaborate and well institutionalized civil religion in America."2 This short article has become the seminal work leading to a new interpretation of the role of religion in American society. From this original article, there have come scores of subsequent articles, books, and lectures about most of the theories Bellah has men tioned, resulting in a vigorous debate within academe as to the existence and worth of this thesis. Bellah's concept of America's eschatological hope is one theme of major importance, however, that has been almost completely neglected by the scholars. He has hypothesized that there have been three times of trial and that these crises have produced most of the symbols which are so crucial in understanding the concept of American civil religion. The first time of trial came during the American Revolution and the second occurred as a result of the Civil War. Bellah wrote that in the
Fibrous Xanthoma of the Frontal Sinus

Frontal sinus mucocele was our preoperative diagnosis in a patient who had frontal swelling and downward displacement of the eye. Supporting this were typical roentgenogram changes, a long history of asthma, pansinusitis, and previous multiple-polypectomy surgery. Frontal sinus exploration revealed a locally eroding lesion. It was composed of spindled cells and lipid-laden histiocytes with a pattern of fibrous xanthoma and was treated conservatively. It should not be confused with true malignancies such as fibrous histiocytoma having a similar histopathologic appearance and requiring more aggressive surgical treatment.
Evaluation of lip product performance by image analysis,clinical grading and consumer perception

Lip appearance index(LAI) was used for the quantification of lip product performance and skin benefits based on clinical grading,consumer perception and image analysis. Thirty adult female subjects, using colored lipstick on a regular basis, had participated in the study. The data collected from these subjects were used to establish and test the mathematical model of LAI. Six objectively measured visual properties of the lip skin: a*, ENT, CU, IDM, ASM, and C were combined into a single lip appearance index(LAI) score through a mathematical model. There are meaningful correlations between the trends in LAI, TEWL and consumer perception, indicating the successful establishment of LAI.
Anastrozole: a selective aromatase inhibitor for the treatment of breast cancer

The role of anastrozole, a new selective aromatase inhibitor, in treating hormone-responsive metastatic breast cancer is discussed. Treatment options for hormone-dependent breast cancer focus on interfering with the endocrine system in an attempt to modify the effects of estrogen. Tamoxifen is the drug of choice for primary endocrine therapy, but there is a need for agents with similar or greater efficacy and better tolerability. Anastrozole inhibits the conversion of androgens to estrogens by aromatase. Bioavailability studies have demonstrated almost complete absorption of anastrozole after oral administration. The drug9s terminal half-life after multiple doses is 50 hours. Anastrozole is cleared principally by the liver. Clinical trials comparing anastrozole with megestrol acetate demonstrated no significant differences in clinical efficacy, although a follow-up study revealed a longer median overall survival rate in patients receiving anastrozole. The drug is well tolerated. Among the most frequently reported adverse effects are asthenia, hot flashes, headache, and back pain. The recommended dosage is 1 mg daily. The average wholesale cost of month9s supply of anastrozole is $187.20, compared with approximately $100 for generic megestrol acetate or aminoglutethimide plus hydrocortisone. Although anastrozole will likely become the preferred second-line agent in the treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer in patients with disease progression after tamoxifen therapy, it is not a therapeutic alternative to aminoglutethimide on the basis of approved indications. Anastrozole and other aromatase inhibitors may have multiple applications in treating hormone-responsive breast cancer.
Zinc oxide materials and devices grown by MBE

Owing to its suitable material properties, such as large direct bandgap (3.37 eV) and large exciton binding energy (60 meV), and ease of production compared to other compound semiconductors, ZnO has been a focus of momentous interest for potential applications in optical devices, transparent ohmic contacts, transparent thin film and heterostructure transistors, chemical/bio sensors, and piezotransducers. However, lack of reproducible and sufficient p-type conductivity in ZnO has so far prevented its widespread introduction to the commercial applications. Like for other semiconductor systems, advanced deposition methods such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) has allowed invaluable insight into the growth dynamics and fundamental properties of ZnO thanks to its fine control over growth parameters. This chapter discusses MBE growth of ZnO and related materials on various substrates and the recent progress in the development of high quality epitaxial layers and ZnO-based devices after reviewing the growth-related material properties such as crystal structure, lattice parameters, and thermal properties. In addition, doping and heterostructure devices, mainly optical emitters and transistors based on ZnO are discussed. Although ZnO is facing very stiff competition from GaN in terms of devices, it could address niche applications such as transparent contacts and thin film transistors and polariton lasers. Moreover recent results on p-type conductivity in ZnO achieved by codoping using MBE are very promising and further improvements might in fact pave the way for high efficiency ZnO light emitting devices.
Abstract P110: Medicare/Medicaid Patients are at Increased Risk for Death after Prophylactic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation

Background: If reliable predictors of mortality after prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation were identified, this information could be used to target this therapy to patients (pts) who are most likely to benefit. Methods: The study population consisted of 584 pts who received an ICD for primary prevention from 3/06 to 12/09 at a single center. Clinical and demographic variables were obtained from the ACC-NCDR ICD Registry data. Vital status was obtained from clinic records and the Social Security Death Index. Univariate and multivariable Cox analysis were used to identify significant predictors of mortality. Results: The pts were 76% male with mean age 69±13 yrs. There were 89 deaths after 590±400 days of follow-up. Insurance type was a significant predictor of mortality (p=0.015, figure). Pts with Medicare/Medicaid (M) had more high risk features such as older age, worse renal function, more advanced heart failure, prior stroke, prior bypass surgery, and were more likely to receive biventricular ICDs. After adjustment for these factors, M was independently associated with decreased survival as compared to Commercial (adjusted HR 0.26, p=0.005) but not Health Maintenance Organization (HMO, adjusted HR 0.69, p=0.24). Conclusions: M insurance is independently associated with increased mortality after prophylactic ICD implantation. Additional research is needed to determine if this finding is attributable to quality of care or decreased access to medical services. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif