cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A combined probabilistic/time series model for wind diesel systems simulation

Abstract This article describes a new simulation model for wind/diesel systems. It involves a combined time series and statistical approach to estimate the fuel use of diesel generators. In addition to provision for modeling non-identical diesels, the model allows the inclusion of multiple, non-identical wind turbines whose output may or may not be correlated. Three diesel dispatching strategies are provided. One assumes no storage, and when storage is employed, either a peak shaving or cycle charge control option can be used. The storage module uses a flexible battery model specially designed for time series simulation codes. A key assumption for the main analytical model is that, within each time step, the load and wind power are assumed to be normally distributed. The mean net load is the mean load less the mean wind power and its variance is found from the variance of the load and the wind power. A loss of load probability is used to find the maximum and minimum anticipated values of the net load. In addition to summarizing the overall analytical model, this article presents the results of a number of simulations demonstrating the performance prediction (diesel fuel usage) capabilities of the model. For one of these cases (a no storage system), the results show excellent correlation between the model and actual data. Other cases summarized show that the use of the model greatly facilitates the integration of storage into the control scheme, and gives the fuel saving potential for several different wind/diesel system configurations.
Studies of the Protein Binding of Testosterone in Plasma in Disorders of Thyroid Function: Effect of Therapy

ABSTRACT Results of studies of the percentage binding of testosterone in plasma and the fractional distribution of 3H-testosterone among the plasma proteins are given in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism before and after return to the euthyroid state. The percentage binding of testosterone was significantly increased and decreased in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, respectively. The in vitro testosterone saturation curves showed a remarkable increase in testosterone binding capacity of plasma in hyperthyroidism with a decrease in hypothyroidism. The fractional distribution of 3H-testosterone among the plasma proteins revealed an increase and decrease in the radioactivity associated with the β-globulins (peak II) in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, respectively. These measurements returned to or toward normal following return to the euthyroid state. This study demonstrates that the state of thyroid function has a significant effect on the binding of testosterone in plasma and provides an explanatio...
Insights Gleaned From NRC-BNL Benchmark Evaluation of Seismic Analysis Methods for Non-Classically Damped Coupled Systems

Under the auspices of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) developed a comprehensive program to evaluate state-of-the-art methods and computer programs for seismic analysis of typical coupled nuclear power plant (NPP) systems with non-classical damping. In this program, four benchmark models of coupled building-piping/equipment systems with different damping characteristics were developed and analyzed by BNL for a suite of earthquakes. The BNL analysis was carried out by the Wilson-θ time domain integration method with the system-damping matrix computed using a synthesis formulation as presented in a companion paper (Xu, J., 2003). These benchmark problems were subsequently distributed to and analyzed by program participants applying their uniquely developed methods and computer programs. This paper presents the insights gleaned from the participants' analyses, and the comparison of their results to the BNL time history solutions. The participant's results established using complex modal time history methods showed close agreement with the BNL solutions, while the analyses produced with either complex-mode response spectrum methods or classical normal-mode response spectrum method, in general, produced relatively conservative results, when averaged over a suite of earthquakes. However, when coupling due to damping is significant, complex-mode response spectrum methods performed better than the classical normal-mode response spectrum method. Furthermore, as part of the program objectives, a parametric assessment is performed aiming at evaluating the applicability and sensitivity of various analysis methods to problems with different dynamic characteristics unique to coupled NPP systems. It is believed that the findings and insights learned from this program are useful in developing new acceptance criteria and providing guidance for future regulatory activities involving licensing applications of these alternate methods to coupled systems.
The other transistor: early history of the metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor

The silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET or MOS transistor) did not become significant commercially until two decades after the 1948 announcement of the invention of the transistor by Bell Laboratories. The underlying concept of the MOSFET-modulation of conductivity in a semiconductor triode structure by a transverse electric field-first appeared in a 1928 patent application. It was confirmed experimentally in 1948. However early devices were not practical due to surface problems. Although these were solved at Bell Laboratories in 1958, Bell remained committed to earlier transistor technology. Development of the 'other transistor' was first pursued elsewhere. It was finally the needs of computers and the opportunities created by integrated circuits that made the silicon MOSFET the basic element of late 20th-century digital electronics.
Das Zungenbein und seine Erhaltung im Rahmen der supraglottischen Teilresektion des Kehlkopfes

BACKGROUND Whether to remove the hyoid bone as part of the horizontal partial laryngectomy is a question which is discussed controversially. Pathohistological examination of the region involved should help to answer this question. MATERIAL AND METHODS Regarding the involvement of the hyoid bone, 71 surgical specimens of supraglottic carcinoma invading the pre-epiglottic space were studied by whole-organ serial sections. RESULTS Only four specimens demonstrated mandatory resection of the hyoid bone because of its proximity to the advancing border of the tumor. In these cases, large tumor masses were palpable directly under the thyrohyoid membrane after the strap muscles had been dissected during the operation. DISCUSSION Except for these rare cases in which the tumor was already palpable from outside the larynx, preservation of the hyoid bone during horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy is oncologically safe. It provides a more secure closure of the pharyngotomy and promotes earlier return of the swallowing function because of the maintenance of the normal position of the larynx and pharynx.
Digital Control of a Front-End Loader Linkage

A control system for a front-end loader linkage is specified and developed. Using a microcomputer, the controller is capable of positioning the linkage in either Cartesian or angular motion with the ability to store and recall trajectories. The hardware and software used in a scale model, and the typical response of the linkage are shown.
Automatic segmentation of microcystic macular edema in OCT

Microcystic macular edema (MME) manifests as small, hyporeflective cystic areas within the retina. For reasons that are still largely unknown, a small proportion of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop MME—predominantly in the inner nuclear layer. These cystoid spaces, denoted pseudocysts, can be imaged using optical coherence tomography (OCT) where they appear as small, discrete, low intensity areas with high contrast to the surrounding tissue. The ability to automatically segment these pseudocysts would enable a more detailed study of MME than has been previously possible. Although larger pseudocysts often appear quite clearly in the OCT images, the multi-frame averaging performed by the Spectralis scanner adds a significant amount of variability to the appearance of smaller pseudocysts. Thus, simple segmentation methods only incorporating intensity information do not perform well. In this work, we propose to use a random forest classifier to classify the MME pixels. An assortment of both intensity and spatial features are used to aid the classification. Using a cross-validation evaluation strategy with manual delineation as ground truth, our method is able to correctly identify 79% of pseudocysts with a precision of 85%. Finally, we constructed a classifier from the output of our algorithm to distinguish clinically identified MME from non-MME subjects yielding an accuracy of 92%.
Measuring Left Ventricular Pressure in Late Embryonic and Neonatal Mice

Blood pressure increases significantly during embryonic and postnatal development in vertebrate animals. In the mouse, blood flow is first detectable around embryonic day (E) 8.51. Systolic left ventricular (LV) pressure is 2 mmHg at E9.5 and 11 mmHg at E14.52. At these mid-embryonic stages, the LV is clearly visible through the chest wall for invasive pressure measurements because the ribs and skin are not fully developed. Between E14.5 and birth (approximately E21) imaging methods must be used to view the LV. After birth, mean arterial pressure increases from 30 - 70 mmHg from postnatal day (P) 2 - 353. Beyond P20, arterial pressure can be measured with solid-state catheters (i.e. Millar or Scisense). Before P20, these catheters are too big for developing mouse arteries and arterial pressure must be measured with custom pulled plastic catheters attached to fluid-filled pressure transducers3 or glass micropipettes attached to servo null pressure transducers4. Our recent work has shown that the greatest increase in blood pressure occurs during the late embryonic to early postnatal period in mice5-7. This large increase in blood pressure may influence smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype in developing arteries and trigger important mechanotransduction events. In human disease, where the mechanical properties of developing arteries are compromised by defects in extracellular matrix proteins (i.e. Marfan's Syndrome8 and Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis9) the rapid changes in blood pressure during this period may contribute to disease phenotype and severity through alterations in mechanotransduction signals. Therefore, it is important to be able to measure blood pressure changes during late embryonic and neonatal periods in mouse models of human disease. We describe a method for measuring LV pressure in late embryonic (E18) and early postnatal (P1 - 20) mice. A needle attached to a fluid-filled pressure transducer is inserted into the LV under ultrasound guidance. Care is taken to maintain normal cardiac function during the experimental protocol, especially for the embryonic mice. Representative data are presented and limitations of the protocol are discussed.
BOLD Signal in Both Ipsilateral and Contralateral Retinotopic Cortex Modulates with Perceptual Fading

Under conditions of visual fixation, perceptual fading occurs when a stationary object, though present in the world and continually casting light upon the retina, vanishes from visual consciousness. The neural correlates of the consciousness of such an object will presumably modulate in activity with the onset and cessation of perceptual fading.
Leadership and spirituality: business in the USA

Despite so many Americans regarding religion as very important, the spirituality of Sunday seldom finds any conscious intentional expression in American business from Monday to Friday. Business leaders operate in a culture where notions of spirituality run counter to the models of organisational effectiveness that they learn and are expected to follow. The author shares experiences of introducing American business leaders to the ways in which spirituality can be added to their arsenal of leadership tools.
Temperature regulation in the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

The echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) maintained a body temperature of 30.7°C ± 1.03 s.d. (N = 23) at ambient temperatures (TA) between 0 and 25°C. It may, however, also become hypothermic at low TA. At TA = 30°C or above the echidna became hyperthermic. The thermoneutral range was about 20–30°C. At low TA the metabolic rate might be increased several fold. The thermal conductance was at a minimum at TA = 20°C, and was not further reduced at lower TA. At higher TA the thermal conductance increased up to five-fold. The evaporation showed little change with increasing TA. At the highest TA we used (33°C) the evaporation on the average accounted for the dissipation of only about one-third of the metabolic heat produced. These findings suggest that the echidna, although it can maintain its body temperature at low ambient temperature, cannot rely upon evaporation as the major avenue for heat loss at high ambient temperature.
Duloxetine use in painful conditions

Introduction: Antidepressants offer substantial analgesic benefits for a wide range of chronic pain conditions. Areas covered: The serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, duloxetine, is well established for reducing pain in patients with diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Indications were recently expanded also to include the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain related to osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. In addition, animal studies and postoperative pain data indicate possible additional uses of duloxetine for the management of acute pain. Expert opinion: Antidepressants, such as duloxetine, offer a valuable therapy for patients with chronic pain, regardless of whether comorbid mood disorders are present or not. Clinicians must set reasonable expectations for anticipated improvements with duloxetine. In general, a 30% improvement in average nonmalignant pain severity represents a clinically meaningful improvement target. About 50 – 60% of patients with chronic osteoarthritis or chro...
Phacoemulsification cataract surgery: is routine review necessary on the first post-operative day?

Purpose To determine the value of routine review on the first post-operative day following phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
The effects of hyperoxia on the biosynthesis of cyclooxygenase products and haemodynamic response to nitric oxide synthase inhibition with L‐NAME in endotoxaemic pigs

The interaction between constitutive nitric oxide and oxygen may depend on the degree of tissue oxygenation and may play a critical role in the pathophysiological response to endotoxaemia. We investigated if hyperoxia (100% O2) attenuated the systemic and pulmonary vasoconstriction and increased biosynthesis of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1alpha induced by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) in a porcine model of endotoxaemia. Twenty-two domestic, random source pigs, weighing 15.4 +/- 2.7 kg (mean +/- standard deviation) were the subjects of this study. Pigs were anaesthetized with isoflurane in 100% O2, orotracheally intubated and ventilated to maintain normocapnia, and then instrumented for haemodynamic monitoring. Following instrumentation, pigs were maintained at an end-tidal isoflurane concentration of 2%. Pigs were randomly assigned to treatment groups: saline + 30% O2 (Control, n = 6); Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (5 microg/kg/h from 1 to 2 h followed by 2 microg/kg/h from 2 to 5 h) + 30% O2 (LPS, n = 4); L-NAME (0.5 mg/kg/h, from 0 to 5 h) + LPS + 100% O2 (n = 6); and L-NAME + LPS + 30% O2 (n = 6). L-NAME and endotoxin significantly (P < 0.05) increased mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance index beginning at 90 min. When results were pooled across all time periods, mean arterial pressure and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were significantly higher in the L-NAME + LPS + 30% O2 group than all other groups, reflecting pulmonary and systemic vasoconstriction. Hyperoxia attenuated the L-NAME + LPS-induced increases in TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha concentrations at 90 and 120 min and 120 min, respectively, although the differences were not statistically significant. These results support the observation that nitric oxide synthase inhibition with L-NAME has deleterious haemodynamic effects in this model of endotoxaemia. The temporal attenuation of L-NAME-induced pulmonary and systemic vasoconstriction by hyperoxia suggested that the haemodynamic effects of acute endotoxaemia were in part influenced by the relative amounts of nitric oxide and oxygen present.
Improving adherence to injectable disease-modifying drugs in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disorder leading to permanent disability in early adulthood and premature pension. Prophylactic treatment should be initiated early in the disease process to prevent permanent disability at best. Injectable drugs, i.e., interferon beta preparations and glatiramer acetate, belong to the first-line therapeutics in MS. Autoinjection devices, available for all disease-modifying drugs, can improve injection tolerability and patient's satisfaction compared with manual injection. In one study, the use of an autoinjector has been found to be the strongest predictor of adherence at 24 months. Nevertheless, long-term adherence to injectable MS therapies is generally suboptimal for various barriers with an impact on efficacy of these treatments. Improvements concerning drug delivery by innovative features could be achieved by the first electronic autoinjector RebiSmart(™) and may help to increase adherence. Patients' rating of the new electronic device and short-term adherence data convey some evidence that patients' treatment satisfaction and adherence may increase by its use. Long-term studies, already under way, are awaited to show, if long-term adherence will be positively influenced. A further achievement of the new electronic device is the possibility to monitor adherence objectively allowing a discussion between the patient and health care provider about nonadherence reasons. The necessity of improving adherence to injectable disease-modifying drugs within the growing field of oral MS therapeutics will also be discussed.
Treatment of Melasma with Topical Agents, Peels and Lasers: An Evidence-Based Review

Melasma is an acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation occurring on the face and predominantly affecting women of childbearing age. It is a chronic, often relapsing condition with a negative impact on quality of life. Current treatments for melasma are unsatisfactory. The aim of this article was to conduct an evidence-based review of interventions available for the treatment of melasma. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and the keywords ‘melasma’ or ‘chloasma’ in the title. The search was further refined by using a filter for ‘controlled clinical trials’ and ‘randomized controlled trial’. The included studies were used to develop recommendations for treatment. The electronic search yielded a total of 80 citations. Forty studies were included in this review, which had a total of 2,912 participants. Three different therapeutic modalities were investigated—topical agents, chemical peels, and laser and light therapies. Topical depigmenting agents were found to be the most effective in treating moderate-to-severe melasma, with combination therapies, such as triple-combination therapy (hydroquinone, tretinoin, and fluocinolone acetonide), yielding the best results. Chemical peels as well as laser and light therapies were found to have moderate benefit but more studies are needed to determine their efficacy and long-term safety. Adverse events associated with treatment were mild and short-lasting and included skin irritation, dryness, burning, and erythema. The data could not be statistically pooled because of the heterogeneity of treatments and lack of consistency across study designs. Topical combination therapies were found to be more effective than monotherapy. Triple combination therapy was found to be the most effective, but approximately 40 % of patients develop erythema and peeling. Chemical peels and laser and light therapies produced mixed results, with increased risk of irritation and subsequent hyperpigmentation, particularly in darker-skinned individuals. Hence, current treatments available for melasma remain unsatisfactory. Many of the studies lacked long-term follow-up. Limitations of current literature include the heterogeneity of study designs, small sample sizes, and poor follow-up rates. Additional evidence for the effects and role of sunscreens is needed. Categorization or stratification of demographic data should also be included in future studies, such as age, melasma type, and duration of melasma prior to initiation of treatment. Patient’s perception of improvement versus investigator’s assessment of improvement should also be included in future studies and standardized methods of study design and assessment of outcomes are needed to form definitive conclusions on the efficacy of different treatment modalities.
The effect of solar drying and heating on the hardness of Phaseolus beans during storage

Abstract Small white beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) were dried and heat processed before storage. Water removal in a solar drier was four times faster than conventional field drying in the pods. Heat treatments included particle-to-particle roasting using hot sand, and microwave heating. All samples stored for 212 days at low moisture contents (4–5%) showed a slow rate of hardening at a low temperature of 18°C and a high temperature of 34°C. However, heat treated and control beans became much harder when stored at a humidity of 9% and a temperature of 34°C. Heating and solar drying are effective treatments prior to bean storage, as they greatly reduce moisture to safer levels.
Improving the quality of cancer care in an aging population: recommendations from an IOM report.

Findings from the recently released report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Improving the Quality of Cancer Care: Addressing the Challenges of an Aging Population, titled Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a Course for a System in Crisis,1,2 underscore that the United States has entered a new era in cancer care. The complexity of challenges that US society will confront in achieving the quality of care and outcomes individuals seek and deserve have been magnified because cancer is now an integral part of the aging phenomenon. As the earliest wave of baby boomers enters Medicare, cancer is diagnosed at a higher rate (53%), accounts for a higher percentage of survivors (59%), and results in more deaths among individuals 65 years and older (68%), compared with younger individuals.3,4 With 10 000 individuals reaching age 65 years each day, the incidence of cancer is expected to increase by 67% among this population from 2010 to 2030.5 Unquestionably, this major shift in demographics further complicates the crisis in cancer care. As members of the aforementioned IOM Committee, we highlight issues unique to the older adult population that will substantially affect the capacity to effectively implement the committee�s proposed roadmap.1
Interstitial Irradiation for Unresectable Carcinoma of the Lung

From 1963 to 1971, 105 patients with histologically proved cancer of the lung were explored at Memorial Hospital and underwent interstitial implantation using encapsulated sources of radon 222 (53 patients) or iodine 125 (52 patients). These lung cancers were considered unresectable because of extension of the disease into the mediastinum with fixation or invasion of the major vessels, trachea, and esophagus or chest wall involvement. No apical lesions, which have a better prognosis, are included in this review. Sixty-nine patients had epidermoid cancer, 24 had adenocarcinoma, and the remaining 12 had various other histological types. All patients were staged according to the criteria proposed by the American Joint Committee using the TNM definitions (standing for tumor, nodes, and metastasis). Local control was obtained in 8 of 10 patients (80% with clinical Stage I and II unresectable cancers of the lung and in 44 of the 95 (46%) with clinical Stage III lung cancer. The two-year survival was 50% for Stages I and II and 7% for Stage III. Five patients have survived for five years or more. The complications, disease-free interval, local recurrences, distant metastases, and survival are presented and indications for this type of therapy outlined.
Development of a fiber optic chemical dosimeter network for use in the remote detection of hydrazine propellant vapor leaks at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

Fiber optic chemical dosimeters are being developed for use in the remote detection of toxic rocket propellant vapors, (hydrazine and its derivatives, and nitrogen tetroxide) that are used at Air Force and civilian rocket launch sites. The dosimeters employ colorimetric indicators that react selectively and irreversibly with the propellant vapors to yield chemical compounds that absorb laser light launched into a fiber optic network. The dosimeters are fabricated by dispersing the reagent within either a porous cladding or a porous distal end coating, that is prepared by a low temperature sol-gel technique. Remote field- scale detection of hydrazine vapor in a few hundreds of ppb-min integrated dose regime has been demonstrated with a network that is approximately equals 1 kilometer in length and the use of a low power (10 mW) diode laser. We have also assembled a computer model of a multimode fiber optic dosimeter network for prediction of the operational capabilities of a multiplexed system containing 100 dosimeters. The model was encoded in both spreadsheet and BASIC formats. It was used to evaluate the performance of a field-scale, remote fiber optic detection system incorporating discrete chemical vapor dosimeters in serial, parallel, or hybrid serial/parallel topologies. Additionally, we have begun exploratory work utilizing chemical reagents that react reversibly with hydrazine vapor to develop hydrazine vapor concentration sensors that could be deployed in a similar fashion on a remote fiber optic network to detect hydrazine vapor in the ppb regime.
The right to health care: some cross-national comparisons and U.S. trends in policy.

Abstract All developed, industrialized nations provide some system of health care for the treatment of acute and chronic illness. However, nations differ in terms of their policy toward the provision and distribution of health services. Basic to policy regarding access to medical care is the notion of health care as a right. This paper examines the evolution of the concept of a right to health care in three industrialized nations—the U.S.S.R., Great Britain and the U.S. Trends in the U.S. health care delivery system suggest an emerging policy which favors equity through federally subsidized care for the indigent. However, the U.S. health care system tolerates unequal distribution of services. The U.S.S.R. and U.K. health care systems have adopted explicit policies which support the right of all their citizens to health care. U.S. policy supporting the right to health care has been hampered by two primary factors. First is opposition within the medical profession toward the notion of health care as a right. Second is the inability of federal agencies to develop a comprehensive plan for health care delivery.
Digital image smoothing and the sigma filter

Abstract A conceptually simple but effective noise smoothing algorithm is described. This filter is motivated by the sigma probability of the Gaussian distribution, and it smooths the image noise by averaging only those neighborhood pixels which have the intensities within a fixed sigma range of the center pixel. Consequently, image edges are preserved, and subtle details and thin lines such as roads are retained. The characteristics of this smoothing algorithm are analyzed and compared with several other known filtering algorithms by their ability to retain subtle details, preserving edge shapes, sharpening ramp edges, etc. The comparison also indicates that the sigma filter is the most computationally efficient filter among those evaluated. The filter can be easily extended into several forms which can be used in contrast enhancement, image segmentation, and smoothing signal-dependent noisy images. Several test images 128 × 128 and 256 × 256 pixels in size are used to substantiate its characteristics. The algorithm can be easily extended to 3-D image smoothing.
Tem characterization of nanodiamond thin films

The microstructure of thin films grown by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) from fullerene C60 precursors has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), bright-field electron microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM), and parallel electron energyloss spectroscopy (PEELS). The films are composed of nanosize crystallites of diamond, and no graphitic or amorphous phases were observed. The diamond crystallite size measured from lattice images shows that most grains range between 3–5 nm, reflecting a gamma distribution. SAED gave no evidence of either sp2-bonded glassy carbon or sp3-bonded diamondlike amorphous carbon. The sp2-bonded configuration found in PEELS was attributed to grain boundary carbon atoms, which constitute 5–10% of the total. Occasionally observed larger diamond grains tend to be highly faulted.
An efficient algorithm for computing Pisarenko's harmonic decomposition using Levinson's recursion

The harmonic decomposition of a random process into a sum of sinusoids in white noise is an important problem with applications in a number of different areas. As a result of the work of V. F. Pisarenko, it has been shown that the sinusoidal frequencies and the white noise power are determined by the minimum eigenvalue and the corresponding eigenvector of the autocorrelation matrix. In this paper, an efficient algorithm is presented for finding this eigenvalue and eigenvector. In addition to its being computationally more efficient than the power method, it has a "built-in" criterion for selecting the model order to use in the decomposition. Some examples are presented and the results are compared to those obtained using other approaches.
The use of chlorpromazine for symptom control in dying cancer patients

Terminal restlessness is a significant problem in deaths from advanced cancer, it is difficult not only for patients, but for family and health-care providers also. Chlorpromazine is an antipsychotic phenothiazine, safe at high doses and by many routes. It has also been used as an adjunct to morphine in advanced cancer. We have conducted a study using chlorpromazine in 20 patients, in which the drug was administered intravenously (i.v.) or rectally (PR) in inpatients and outpatients for terminal restlessness and dyspnea. The median PR dose was 25 mg every 4-12 hr. The median IV dose was 12.5 mg every 4-12 hr. Eighteen patients had complete relief and two had partial relief before death. We find chlorpromazine safe and effective for the relief of terminal restlessness and dyspnea in advanced cancer.
“A picture is worth a thousand words”: A strategy for grief education

Abstract This article outlines a strategy for grief education that makes undergraduate college students active participants rather than passive spectators an the barning process. The first section outlines the pedagogical procedure as a spiral of repeated steps in gathering data and constructing visual models describing the grief process. The second section describes far representative models that students have developed.
Some Good and Bad with Spatial Ability in Three Person Teams That Operate Multiple Unmanned Vehicles

This study reports findings regarding the influence of spatial ability of each operator on a three person team on workload and performance. Sixty six participants were randomly assigned to the role of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator, unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) operator, and intelligence officer (leader) to create a total of 22 teams, and spatial ability was assessed with Part 5 of the Guilford-Zimmerman Aptitude Survey. Findings indicated that spatial ability of the UAV operator and UGV operator improved reconnaissance, and while spatial ability of the UAV operator improved reacquisition of objectives after reconnaissance, spatial ability of the intelligence officer hindered team performance on this second task. A rationale for these results was developed with findings from the Multiple Resource Questionnaire (MRQ). Discussion focuses on the relationship between spatial ability and visual perception in complex teams.
Taking Issue with "Chemistry Is Not a Laboratory Science"

In a recent commentary entitled “Chemistry Is Not a Laboratory Science,” Stephen J. Hawkes contends that laboratory courses are not needed in the chemistry curriculum. I have to take issue with thi...
Optical coherence tomography in the gastrointestinal tract

Conventional gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic instruments have provided ready access to the mucosal surface of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, bile duct, and pancreatic duct. The evolution of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has provided an additional dimension to the clinical application of modern endoscopy and imaging technology. However, current endoscopy and imaging modalities have certain limitations. First, typical magnifications provided by standard endoscopes are approximately 10 to 25, with a spatial resolution typically limited to 100 mm. Even with specialized zoom endoscopes with magnifications up to 100, we can get spatial resolutions no better than 50 mm. Second, all images obtained from standard endoscopes are limited to examination from the mucosal surface, and we could not get access to subsurface microstructure of the wall of the GI tract. On the other hand, the current EUS technology, despite its adequate depth of penetration to assess the structures in or around the wall of gut, has a limited spatial resolution, preventing it from being routinely used in assessing surface and subsurface microstructures. It would be ideal if the surface and subsurface microstructures of the gut, such as tumor invasion, architectural alteration, or destruction of tissue planes in diseased states, could be assessed with an imaging modality with high spatial resolution and adequate depth of penetration. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new type of noninvasive optical imaging modality. For the last decade, OCT technology has evolved from an experimental laboratory tool to a new diagnostic imaging modality with a wide spectrum of clinical applications in ophthalmology, urology, cardiovascular medicine, dermatology, gynecology, urology, pulmonology, and gastroenterology. The major advantages of OCT are its higher reso
Development of ZnO-InP heterojunction solar cells for thin film photovoltaics

As a photovoltaic material, InP is nearly ideal for a single junction solar cell in terms of its band gap and absorption coefficient. However, its widespread use is limited due to the expense of substrates and depositing monocrystalline material over large areas. As a route towards reducing the cost, there is interest in examining polycrystalline III-Vs, where film thicknesses ∼1 um could be employed, assuming a reflective back surface. This work examines one aspect towards delivering high efficiency polycrystalline InP-based solar cells by focusing on the use of low-cost, earth-abundant ZnO as the emitter layer. Due to surface Fermi-level pinning in InP, ZnO is an ideal choice for this purpose. We have studied the effects of using aluminum-doped zinc oxide, as well as thin i-ZnO interlayers, deposited onto p-type InP substrates. So far, a maximum power conversion efficiency of 7.3% has been realized, which is a record for this type of heterojunction cell structure. We further discuss the impact of the i-ZnO interlayer on enhancing short wavelength response in the cell.
A Histochemical Study of the Distribution of β‐Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase in Developing Rat Cerebellum

The distribution of beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, EC 1.1.1.30) in the developing rat cerebellum has been determined using a histochemical method. Staining of Purkinje cells, particularly the soma, was seen at all ages examined. Intense staining of the proximal portions of Purkinje dendrites was noted at 8-11 days postnatally, with less prominent staining of Purkinje dendrites and surrounding structures of the molecular layer seen at later times. Development of glomeruli in the granule cell layer could also be observed due to the intense staining of these structures. (Although noncerebellar structures were not the focus of this study, intense staining of the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle was also noted.) the transient external germinal layer of the cerebellum did not show appreciable staining. Since beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase is required for ketone body metabolism, the apparent low level of this enzyme in the external germinal layer suggests that the cells of this layer are not particularly well adapted for utilization of ketone bodies. Thus these results do not provide support for the suggestion that ketone bodies may serve as major substrates for energy metabolism in the external germinal layer of the developing cerebellum. Indeed, the rather restricted distribution of this enzyme in both developing and mature cerebellum (and presumably elsewhere in brain) suggests that ketone body metabolism may be largely confined to relatively few specific cellular compartments.
Abrogation of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) functions as a growth inhibitor for many cell types by inhibiting cell cycle progression. Loss of TGFbeta responsiveness can lead to deregulated cell proliferation and ultimately tumor progression. For example, the TGFbeta signaling pathway is a frequent target for inactivation in pancreatic cancer. Functional connection between the potent growth inhibitory activity of TGFbeta and the tumor suppressor activity of Smads has been well documented. Smads directly modulate transcription of the genes involved in cell cycle progression in response to TGFbeta, and that abrogation of this regulation leads to tumor progression. In this review, we summarize recent research progress on TGFbeta signaling and pancreatic cancer.
Microbial Community Assembly and Succession on Lake Sturgeon Egg Surfaces as a Function of Simulated Spawning Stream Flow Rate

We investigated microbial succession on lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) egg surfaces over the course of their incubation period as a function of simulated stream flow rate. The primary objective was to characterize the microbial community assembly during succession and to examine how simulated stream flow rate affect the successional process. Sturgeon eggs were reared under three flow regimes; high (0.55 m/s), low (0.18 m/s), and variable (0.35 and 0.11 m/s alternating 12 h intervals). Eggs were collected from each flow regime at different egg developmental stages. Microbial community DNA was extracted from egg surface and the communities were examined using 16S rRNA gene-based terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and 454 pyrosequencing. Analysis of these datasets using principal component analysis revealed that microbial communities were clustered by egg developmental stages (early, middle, and late) regardless of flow regimes. 454 pyrosequencing data suggested that 90–98 % of the microbial communities were composed of the phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes throughout succession. β-Protebacteria was more dominant in the early stage, Bacteroidetes became more dominant in the middle stage, and α-Proteobacteria became dominant in the late stage. A total of 360 genera and 5,826 OTUs at 97 % similarity cutoff were associated with the eggs. Midway through egg development, the egg-associated communities of the low flow regime had a higher diversity than those communities developed under high or variable flow regimes. Results show that microbial community turnover occurred during embryogenesis, and stream flow rate influenced the microbial succession processes on the sturgeon egg surfaces.
The effect of intracoronary radiation for the treatment of recurrent in-stent restenosis in patients with diabetes mellitus

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intracoronary radiation therapy (IRT) in diabetic patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). Background Diabetic patients are at an increased risk for restenosis, repeat revascularization procedures and late mortality after percutaneous coronary interventions and stenting. Intracoronary radiation therapy, utilizing both gamma and beta-emitters, has been shown to reduce the rate of ISR. Methods The study group consisted of 749 consecutive patients with ISR who were treated with either IRT or placebo in randomized trials and registries at our center. Diabetic patients (252 radiation and 51 placebo) were compared with nondiabetic patients (371 radiation and 75 placebo). Results In-hospital outcomes were similar between diabetic and nondiabetic patients treated with and without radiation. At six-month clinical and angiographic follow-up, there was a significant reduction in the binary restenosis (63.8% vs. 15.7%, p Conclusions In diabetic patients with ISR, intracoronary radiation significantly reduced the recurrence of ISR compared to placebo. Additionally, similar rates of restenosis and revascularization procedures were achieved in irradiated diabetic and nondiabetic patients. In view of these results, IRT should be considered as a valuable therapeutic alternative in all diabetic patients with ISR.
SAXITOXIN AND OUABAIN BINDING ACTIVITY OF ISOLATED SKELETAL MUSCLE MEMBRANE AS INDICATORS OF SURFACE ORIGIN AND PURITY

Abstract A simple biochemical method for identifying and distinguishing transverse tubule and sarcolemma membranes in preparations of skeletal muscle microsomes is proposed and evaluated. This method is based on the previous observation that the ratio of ouabain to saxitoxin binding sites is five-fold higher in the sarcolemma than the transverse tubule. We measured [ 3 H]saxitoxin and [ 3 H]ouabain binding to microsomes of frog, rat and rabbit muscle in the presence of detergents to expose latent sites. A high density fraction (30–40% sucrose) of membranes was identified as transverse tubule on the basis of a low ouabain/saxitoxin ratio and its association with sarcoplasmic reticulum. A low density fraction (20–30% sucrose) was identified as transverse tubule containing variable amounts of sarcolemma as judged by a higher ratio of ouabain/saxitoxin sites. Our results suggest that this ratio can be used to determine the surface origin of muscle membrane preparations. Several different methods for purifying transverse tubules were compared by this technique.
Combining compile-time and run-time parallelization[1]

This paper demonstrates that significant improvements to automatic parallelization technology require that existing systems be extended in two waysc (1) they must combine high-quality compile-time analysis with low-cost run-time testings and (2) they must take control flow into account during analysis. We support this claim with the results of an experiment that measures the safety of parallelization at run time for loops left unparallelized by the Stanford SUIF compiler’s automatic parallelization system. We present results of measurements on programs from two benchmark suites - \textsc{Specfp95} and \textsc{Nas} sample benchmarks - which identify inherently parallel loops in these programs that are missed by the compiler. We characterize remaining parallelization opportunities, and find that most of the loops require run-time testing, analysis of control flow, or some combination of the two. We present a new compile-time analysis technique that can be used to parallelize most of these remaining loops. This technique is designed to not only improve the results of compile-time parallelization, but also to produce low-cost, directed run-time tests that allow the system to defer binding of parallelization until run-time when safety cannot be proven statically. We call this approach predicated array data-flow analysis. We augment array data-flow analysis, which the compiler uses to identify independent and privatizable arrays, by associating predicates with array data-flow values. Predicated array data-flow analysis allows the compiler to derive “optimistic” data-flow values guarded by predicatess these predicates can be used to derive a run-time test guaranteeing the safety of parallelization. [1]This work has been supported by DARPA Contract DABT63-95-C-0118 and NSF Contract ACI-9721368.
Realizing the benefits of user-level channel diversity

Channel or path diversity is known to improve performance in physical layer designs, channel access strategies, path switching mechanisms, etc. In this paper, we focus on "user-level" mechanisms that operate simply by distributing packet transmissions across multiple channels. We seek to understand when, why, and to what extent this can be of benefit, and equally important, whether these benefits can be realized with as little of an added cost as possible. In that context, our main contribution is not so much in identifying optimal policies for leveraging channel diversity, but in introducing the concept of channel "equivalence" and demonstrating that channel diversity yields substantial benefits mostly when channels are approximately equivalent. We build on this finding to investigate the robustness of these improvements against errors in the characterization of the available channels or changes in their characteristics. We also explore the sensitivity of the results as the number of available channels varies. The findings of the paper demonstrate that by allowing packet transmissions from multiple users to intelligently share channels, it is possible to improve overall performance and robustness through simple and portable user-level mechanisms.
Management of juxtarenal aortic occlusions: technique for suprarenal clamp placement.

Atherosclerotic occlusion of the entire infrarenal abdominal aorta can produce gangrene, rest pain or claudication and can progress to involve the renal artery origins. Features of the operative technique for treating these juxtarenal aortic occlusions include self-retaining retraction, mobilization of the left renal vein with division of all non-renal branches, exposure of the suprarenal aorta and renal arteries by division between clamps of the surrounding paraaortic fibroareolar tissue and fat, sharp division of crural attachments to the aorta, control of the two renal arteries with doubled vessel loops and then direct vertical clamping of the suprarenal aorta. Through an arteriotomy below the renal arteries, 2–4 cm of pararenal aorta are cleared of thrombus and atherosclerotic debris under direct vision. After transfer of the suprarenal clamp to an infrarenal position, conventional aortobifemoral bypass is then performed. In a series of 18 patients with juxtarenal aortic occlusion managed by this technique, suprarenal clamp time ranged from 4 to 25 minutes (mean, 13 minutes). There was no morbidity from renal failure or emboli and no mortality. This technique allows for deliberate, careful disobliteration of the pararenal and infrarenal aorta and minimizes the risk of renal embolization.