cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fiber Threshold Accommodation as a Mechanism of Burst and High-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation.

OBJECTIVES Burst and high-frequency spinal cord stimulation (SCS), in contrast to low-frequency stimulation (LFS, < 200 Hz), reduce neuropathic pain without the side effect of paresthesia, yet it is unknown whether these methods' mechanisms of action (MoA) overlap. We used empirically based computational models of fiber threshold accommodation to examine the three MoA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Waveforms used in SCS are composed of cathodic, anodic, and rest phases. Empirical studies of human peripheral sensory nerve fibers show different accommodation effects occurring in each phase. Notably, larger diameter fibers accommodate more than smaller fibers. We augmented our computational axon model to replicate fiber threshold accommodation behavior for diameters from 5 to 15 μm in each phase. We used the model to predict threshold change in variations of burst, high frequency, and LFS. RESULTS The accommodation model showed that 1) inversion of larger and smaller diameter fiber thresholds produce a therapeutic window in which smaller fibers fire while larger ones do not and 2) the anodic pulses increase accommodation and perpetuate threshold inversion from burst to burst and between cathodic pulses in burst, high frequency, and variations, resulting in an amplitude "window" in which larger fibers are inactivated while smaller fibers fire. No threshold inversion was found for traditional LFS. CONCLUSIONS The model, based on empirical data, predicts that, at clinical amplitudes, burst and high-frequency SCS do not activate large-diameter fibers that produce paresthesia while driving medium-diameter fibers, likely different from LFS, which produce analgesia via different populations of dorsal horn neural circuits.
Public opinion matters: mining social media text for environmental management

Social media mining has proven useful in multiple research fields as a tool for public opinion extraction and analysis. Such mining can discover knowledge from unstructured data in booming social media sources that provide instant public responses and also capture long-term data. Environmental scientists have realized its potential and conducted various studies where public opinion matters. We focus our discussion in this article on mining social media text on environmental issues, with particular emphasis on sentiment analysis, fitting the theme of Data Science and Sustainability. The data science community today is interested in topics that overlap with environmental issues and their broader impacts on sustainability. Such work appeals to scientists focusing on areas such as smart cities, climate change and geo-informatics. Future issues emerging from this research include domain-specific multilingual mining, and advanced geo-location tagging with demographically focused sentiment analysis.
Breastfeeding trends, influences, and perceptions among Italian women: a qualitative study.

Purpose: Breastfeeding behaviours are routinely assessed in worldwide capacities, and the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region has the lowest rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Rates in I...
Exploring the relationship between global Twitter campaigns and domestic law: methodological challenges and solutions

This study uses nearly one million Tweets from eight campaigns targeting seven countries to explore the relationship between social media and domestic legal change, specifically in the area of wome...
Christian Personalism versus Utilitarianism: An Analysis of Their Approaches to Love and Suffering.

Although Christian ethics and contemporary utilitarian ethics both employ terms such as “love” and “compassion” in their efforts to deal with human suffering, they are in fact polar opposite ethica...
Limitation of ROC in Evaluation of Classifiers for Imbalanced Data

Purpose ROC is a common evaluation metric for risk scores and classifiers for mortality and adverse events. However, ROC can provide a misleadingly optimistic view of the performance of a classifier when the data are imbalanced, for example when proportion of adverse events is very small. This study illustrates the ambiguity of ROC through a case study of a classifier for post-LVAD Right Heart Failure (RHF), and illustrates the utility of the Precision Recall Curve (PRC) as a supplemental evolution tool. Methods This study included 11,967 patients recorded in INTERMACS who received a continuous-flow LVAD between 2006 and 2016 (mean age of 57; 21% female and 79% male) in which the incidence of RHF was only 9% at 1 year (1,079 patients). These data were randomly split into a training set (60%) and test set (40%). A logistic regression was developed using the training data to predict the post-LVAD RHF. Results ROC in Fig.1.A indicates good performance of the RHF classifier with Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.83. This is in contrast with the PRC in Fig.1. B with AUC of 0.33 shows the precision of the classifier drops rapidly from 1 (100%) to 0.4 (40%) as recall (sensitivity) increases slightly greater than 0%. The gray dot in Fig.1. A indicates the optimized point of equalized sensitivity and specificity of approximately 76-77%. In contrast, the corresponding precision of the classifier for the same sensitivity (76%) is only 23%. (See gray point in Fig.1.B) This means that only 23% of predicted RHF by this classifier is correct (True RHF). Thus, the preponderance (77%) of patients predicted to experience RHF are incorrectly classified (False RHF). The enormous predicted False RHF was not captured by ROC because False RHF in calculation of specificity is overwhelmed by the huge number of observed patients in the denominator who are free from RHF. Conclusion The ROC can portray an overly-optimistic performance of a classifier or risk score when applied to imbalanced data. The PRC provide informative insight about the performance of classifier by focusing on the minority class.
Numerical Optimization of High Head Pump-Turbines

In order to cope with the technical challenges of high head pump-turbines, new methods like simultaneous engineering and numerical studies are required. In this paper the application of simultaneous engineering is shown with an example, as well as typical pump-turbine concepts and design features.
Venous Thromboembolism in Total Hip Arthroplasty

With the high prevalence of osteoarthritis and the aging population, surgery about the hip is becoming exceedingly more common particularly total hip arthroplasty. Despite advances in surgical techniques and technologies, complications do arise, one of the most common being venous thromboembolism (VTE). Even with mechanical and pharmacologic prophylaxis the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is reported to be between 43.7 and 145.0 per 100,000, and the annual incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) is estimated to range from 20.8 to 65.8 per 100,000. As the signs and symptoms of DVT and pulmonary embolism are frequently nonspecific, various imaging studies have been utilized in assisting with accurate and timely diagnoses. Numerous anticoagulation agents are employed in attempts to prevent symptomatic venous thromboembolic events, including aspirin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), fondaparinux, direct factor Xa inhibitors, and direct thrombin inhibitors. While it is widely accepted that patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty should receive prophylaxis, the questions of the ideal agent and duration still remain.
HPcc as High Performance Commodity Computing on Top of Integrated Java, CORBA, COM and Web Standards

We review the growing power and capability of commodity computing and communication technologies largely driven by commercial distributed information systems. These systems are built from CORBA, Microsoft’s COM, JavaBeans, and rapidly advancing Web approaches. One can abstract these to a three-tier model with largely independent clients connected to a distributed network of servers. The latter host various services including object and relational databases and of course parallel and sequential computing. High performance can be obtained by combining concurrency at the middle server tier with optimized parallel back end services. The resultant system combines the needed performance for large-scale HPCC applications with the rich functionality of commodity systems. Further the architecture with distinct interface, server and specialized service implementation layers, naturally allows advances in each area to be easily incorporated. We illustrate how performance can be obtained within a commodity architecture and we propose a middleware integration approach based on JWORB (Java Web Object Broker) multi-protocol server technology. Examples are given from collaborative systems, support of multidisciplinary interactions, proposed visual HPCC ComponentWare, quantum Monte Carlo and distributed interactive simulations.
Hybrid zero dynamics based multiple shooting optimization with applications to robotic walking

Hybrid zero dynamics (HZD) has emerged as a popular framework for the stable control of bipedal robotic gaits, but typically designing a gait's virtual constraints is a slow and undependable optimization process. To expedite and boost the reliability of HZD gait generation, we borrow methods from trajectory optimization to formulate a smoother and more linear optimization problem. We present a multiple-shooting formulation for the optimization of virtual constraints, combining the stability-friendly properties of HZD with an optimization-conducive problem formulation. To showcase the implications of this recipe for improving gait generation, we use the same process to generate periodic planar walking gaits on two different robot models, and in one case, demonstrate stable walking on the hardware prototype, DURUS-R.
Sarcoidosis: an update for the primary care physician.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by the formation of noncaseating granulomas, multisystem involvement, intrathoracic (pulmonary and lymph node) involvement in more than 90% of cases, and activation of T cells and macrophages at sites of granulomatous inflammation with the release of various chemokines and cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Despite the fact that sarcoidosis is seen all over the world, the study of its epidemiology has been a challenge for several reasons, including the lack of consistency in case definition, variability in disease presentation, the lack of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests, underrecognition and misdiagnosis of the disease, and a dearth of systematic epidemiologic studies.[1] The ACCESS (A Case Control Etiologic Study of Sarcoidosis) study,[2] a multicenter study done at 10 centers in the United States, is an attempt to better characterize the disease. A study of a subset of patients in the ACCESS study showed that there was a delay in making the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, even when patients presented with pulmonary symptoms. The role of the primary care physician includes the establishment of a supportive physician-patient relationship. The morbidity and psychosocial problems associated with this condition necessitate educating patients about the disease because of the overwhelming concerns about its etiology, prognosis, and potential adverse effects of medication. This supportive role enhances patients' roles in the process of shared decision making during testing and treatment decisions.
Synthesis of Color Textures for Multimedia Applications

An algorithm for synthesizing color textures from a small set of parameters is presented in this paper. The synthesis algorithm is based on the 2-D moving average model, and realistic textures resembling many real textures can be synthesized using this algorithm. A maximum likelihood estimation algorithm to estimate parameters from a sample texture is also presented. By combining the estimation and synthesis algorithms, a color texture can be synthesized from a sample texture without human intervention. Using the estimated parameters, a texture larger than the original image can be synthesized from a small texture sample. The synthesis algorithm does not require an expensive iterative algorithm, and the quality of synthesized textures may be acceptable for many multimedia applications. In the experiment, various textures suitable for multimedia applications are synthesized from parameters estimated from real textures.
Co-design optimization of laminate substrates for high speed applications

The need for optimization of electronic package solutions for digital applications is rapidly increasing as the electrical interfaces advance in complexity, speed, cost, and performance. Higher density and integration of functionality within a single chip requires the balance of various requirements for several different interfaces. Optimization of a laminate organic package for high speed application is presented. Results of this optimization are presented, as well as a discussion of the choices from the study.
A Review of “Science and Technology Resources: A Guide for Information Professionals and Researchers”

There seems to have been a dearth of subject bibliographies released within the field of science and technology in the last several years, so Science and Technology Resources: A Guide for Informati...
Regulation of Mammalian Deoxyribonucleotide Biosynthesis by Nucleotides as Activators and Inhibitors

The effects of several nucleoside triphosphates as activators and inhibitors of the enzymic reduction of ribonucleoside diphosphates to deoxynucleotides was studied. The enzyme was a partially purified preparation of the ribonucleotide reductase system from the Novikoff ascites rat tumor, with dithioerythritol used as a model reducing agent. The reduction of cytidine diphosphate and uridine diphosphate to the corresponding deoxyribonucleotides required activation of the enzyme by adenosine triphosphate; reduction of guanosine diphosphate required activation by low concentrations of deoxythymidine triphosphate with ATP giving further stimulation; and reduction of ADP required activation by low concentrations of dGTP or dTTP. Reduction of CDP and UDP was inhibited by dTTP, dUTP, dGTP, and dATP; reduction of GDP was inhibited by dGTP and dATP; and reduction of ADP was inhibited by dATP. Only slight inhibition by dCTP was seen. The results are interpreted in terms of metabolic control of the biosynthesis of deoxynucleotides by these nucleoside triphosphates serving as regulatory effectors.
Efficacy of Chicken Litter and Wood Biochars and Their Activated Counterparts in Heavy Metal Clean up from Wastewater

It is known that properties of activated biochars are tightly associated with those of the original feedstock as well as pyrolysis and activation conditions. This study examined two feedstock types, pine wood shavings and chicken litter, to produce biochars at two different pyrolysis temperatures and subsequently activated by steam, acid or base. In order to measure activation efficiency, all materials were characterized for their properties and ability to remediate two well-known heavy metals of concern: copper and arsenic. Base activated biochars were superior in arsenic adsorption, to acid or steam activated samples, but increase in adsorption was not significant to warrant use. For wood biochars, significant increases of surface functionality as related to oxygen bearing groups and surface charge were observed upon acid activation which led to increased copper ion adsorption. However, oxygen bearing functionalities were not sufficient to explain why chicken litter biochars and steam activated biochars appeared to be significantly superior to wood shavings in positively charged metal ion adsorption. For chicken litter, functionality of respective biochars could be related to phosphate containing groups inherited from feedstock composition, favorably positioning this feedstock in metal ion remediation applications.
Studies of ${\rm Nb}_{3}{\rm Sn}$ Strands Based on the Restacked-Rod Process for High Field Accelerator Magnets

A major thrust in Fermilab's accelerator magnet R&D program is the development of wires which meet target requirements for high field magnets, such as high critical current density, low effective filament size, and the capability to withstand the cabling process. The performance of a number of strands with 150/169 restack design produced by Oxford Superconducting Technology using the Restacked-Rod Process was studied for round and deformed wires. To optimize the maximum plastic strain, finite element modeling was also used as an aid in the design. Results of mechanical, transport and metallographic analyses are presented for round and deformed wires.
Energetics of kaolin polymorphs

The enthalpy of formation of kaolin polymorphs at 298 K has been determined by drop-solution calorimetry into molten lead borate at 975 K. Corrections have been made for impurities in the samples. The standard enthalpy of formation from the elements is: kaolinite {minus}4120.2 {+-} 6.6 kJ/mol, dickite {minus}4107.6 {+-} 5.7 kJ/mol, nacrite {minus}4104.0 {+-} 7.6 kJ/mol, and halloysite {minus}4097.5 {+-} 5.6 kJ/mol. Using entropy data from the literature, the standard free energy of formation from the elements at 298 K is /{minus}3799.4 {+-} 6.4 kJ/mol for kaolinite, {minus}3785.1 {+-} 5.6 kJ/mol for dickite, and {minus}3776.8 {+-} 5.8 kJ/mol for halloysite. The effect of crystallinity (Hinckley index ranging from 1.6 to 0.4) on the enthalpy of formation of kaolinite is smaller than 5 kJ/mol, the experimental error. The relative stability of the polymorphs probably does not change significantly with pressure and temperature over their range of occurrence. Thus the geological occurrence of halloysite, nacrite, and dickite, which are metastable phases, must be interpreted in terms of kinetics or as the result of a specific synthesis path, rather than as resulting from changes in the thermodynamically stable phase assemblage.
PTH receptor signaling in osteocytes governs periosteal bone formation and intracortical remodeling.

The periosteal and endocortical surfaces of cortical bone dictate the geometry and overall mechanical properties of bone. Yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate activity on these surfaces are far from being understood. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has profound effects in cortical bone, stimulating periosteal expansion and at the same time accelerating intracortical bone remodeling. We report herein that transgenic mice expressing a constitutive active PTH receptor in osteocytes (DMP1-caPTHR1 mice) exhibit increased cortical bone area and an elevated rate of periosteal and endocortical bone formation. In addition, DMP1-caPTHR1 mice display a marked increase in intracortical remodeling and cortical porosity. Crossing DMP1-caPTHR1 mice with mice lacking the Wnt coreceptor, LDL-related receptor 5 (LRP5), or with mice overexpressing the Wnt antagonist Sost in osteocytes (DMP1-Sost mice) reduced or abolished, respectively, the increased cortical bone area, periosteal bone formation rate, and expression of osteoblast markers and Wnt target genes exhibited by the DMP1-caPTHR1 mice. In addition, DMP1-caPTHR1 lacking LRP5 or double transgenic DMP1-caPTHR1;DMP1-Sost mice exhibit exacerbated intracortical remodeling and increased osteoclast numbers, and markedly decreased expression of the RANK decoy receptor osteoprotegerin. Thus, whereas Sost downregulation and the consequent Wnt activation is required for the stimulatory effect of PTH receptor signaling on periosteal bone formation, the Wnt-independent increase in osteoclastogenesis induced by PTH receptor activation in osteocytes overrides the effect on Sost. These findings demonstrate that PTH receptor signaling influences cortical bone through actions on osteocytes and defines the role of Wnt signaling in PTH receptor action. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of a Single Inhaled Dose of Zanamivir in Children

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of zanamivir in children. Background Zanamivir is a potent inhibitor of viral neuraminidase that is effective against both influenza A and B infections. Methods A pediatric study was conducted to examine the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of zanamivir in children who had signs of respiratory illness. Twenty-four children aged 3 months to 12 years received zanamivir administered as a single, orally inhaled, 10-mg dose either by nebulizer (in patients ® (in patients ≥5 years of age). Serum and urine zanamivir concentrations were analyzed both before dosing and from 0.5 to 8 hours after dosing. Results The rate and extent of absorption of zanamivir were independent of the inhalation formulation or of the patient's age. Median maximum serum concentrations were 47 ng/mL in younger patients (aged ≥3 months to Conclusions Results of the present study suggest that a 10-mg dose of zanamivir is safe and well tolerated when used in children who have signs and symptoms of respiratory illness.
Durability of replicated distributed storage systems

We study the problem of guaranteeing data durability [2] in distributed storage systems based on replication. Our work is motivated by several several recent efforts [3, 5, 1] to build such systems in a peer-to-peer environment. The key features of this environment which make achieving durability difficult are (1) data lifetimes may be several orders of magnitude larger than the lifetimes of individual storage units, and (2) the system may have little or no control over the participation of these storage units in the system. We use a model-based approach to develop engineering principles for designing automated replication and repair mechanisms to implement durability in such systems.
Interlaminar Fracture of Random Short-Fiber SMC Composite

In the experimental phase of the present study of the interlaminar fracture behavior of a randomly oriented short fiber sheet molding compound (SMC) composite, the double cantilever beam fracture test is used to evaluate the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of different composite thicknesses. In the analytical phase of this work, a geometrically nonlinear analysis is introduced in order to account for large deflections and nonlinear load deflection curves in the evaluation of interlaminar fracture toughness. For the SMC-R50 material studied, interlaminar toughness is an order of magnitude higher than that of unreinforced neat resin, due to unusual damage mechanisms ahead of the crack tip, together with significant fiber bridging across crack surfaces. Composite thickness effects on interlaminar fracture are noted to be appreciable, and a detailed discussion is given on the influence of SMC microstructure.
The Determination of Policy and Politics in the American States, 1948–1974*

SUMMARY The picture of the American state policy-making process which emerges from this analysis is one of a system where politics as well as economics matter a great deal. Partisanship and legislative competition are shown to have demonstrable effect on policy output. The control partisan preference exerts over policy decisions is severely constrained in taxing and spending areas, however, and is conditional on forces external to the model presented here. Surpassing the control over policy output exhibited by partisanship is the extent to which the electorate, or the electoral process, holds the parties responsible for policy performance. Apparently the public doesn't believe that “politics doesn't matter.”
The patient experience of treatment for hepatitis C

This study has used qualitative hermeneutics to explore the patient's experience of treatment for hepatitis C. Hepatitis C treatment may pose numerous physical and emotional challenges. There is a need to understand the experience from a holistic nursing perspective in order to facilitate the patient's well-being. Individuals undergoing combination treatment for hepatitis C participated in a hermeneutic dialogue, which provided the investigators with an emic perspective. Dialogue content, reflection, and preunderstanding were hermeneutically analyzed. Similar treatment experiences elicited four common emotions (sadness, anger, fear, and frustration). Analyzing the similar experiences led to two emerging themes: (1) "That is not who I am," connoted by rejecting the notion of being a "typical" patient, seeing treatment as not so bad, being "different" during treatment, and feeling abandoned because of treatment; and (2) "looking beyond the experience" was noted by looking for faith beyond traditional healthcare and looking for understanding. The hepatitis C treatment experience was seen as a process: having a start, a middle, and an end, without being all-consuming. Implications for holistic nursing care are presented.
Gene Expression Profiling Elucidates a Specific Role for RARγ in the Retinoic Acid Induced Differentiation of F9 Teratocarcinoma Stem Cells

The biological effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a major active metabolite of retinol, are mainly mediated through its interactions with retinoic acid receptor (RARs alpha, beta, gamma) and retinoid X receptor (RXRs alpha, beta, gamma) heterodimers. RAR/RXR heterodimers activate transcription by binding to RA-response elements (RAREs or RXREs) in the promoters of primary target genes. Murine F9 teratocarcinoma stem cells have been widely used as a model for cellular differentiation and RA signaling during embryonic development. We identified and characterized genes that are differentially expressed in F9 wild type (Wt) and F9 RARgamma-/- cells, with and without RA treatment, through the use of oligonucleotide-based microarrays. Our data indicate that RARgamma, in the absence of exogenous RA, modulates gene expression. Genes such as Sfrp2, Tie1, Fbp2, Emp1, and Emp3 exhibited higher transcript levels in RA-treated Wt, RARalpha-/- and RARbeta2-/- lines than in RA-treated RARgamma-/- cells, and represent specific RARgamma targets. Other genes, such as Runx1, were expressed at lower levels in both F9 RARbeta2-/- and RARgamma-/- cell lines than in F9 Wt and RARalpha-/-. Genes specifically induced by RA at 6h with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide in F9 Wt, but not in RARgamma-/- cells, included Hoxa3, Hoxa5, Gas1, Cyp26a1, Sfrp2, Fbp2, and Emp1. These genes represent specific primary RARgamma targets in F9 cells. Several genes in the Wnt signaling pathway were regulated by RARgamma. Delineation of the receptor-specific actions of RA with respect to cell proliferation and differentiation should result in more effective therapies with this drug.
Reproductive roles in the simultaneous hermaphrodite Aplysia dactylomela.

THE opisthobranch gastropod Aplysia is a simultaneous hermaphrodite with internal fertilisation. The functional morphology of the reproductive system1–4 has been well studied and oviposition is known to be under some hormonal control5–7. Adults may assume the role of sperm donor or recipient, or both at the same time. Recent discussions of the evolutionary significance of simultaneous hermaphroditism2,8–14 as well as considerations of the relative roles of sperm donors and recipients in selecting partners15,16, have suggested that Aplysia offers an opportunity to investigate the processes involved in the assumption of different sex roles in the same animal. Accordingly we analysed data collected several years ago during other field studies of Aplysia dactylomela17,18. We found that most animals were as likely to be sperm donors as recipients during different copulations, and there was a significant relationship between frequency of copulation and number of different partners in the total population studied. A few individuals, however, were found to copulate with fewer partners than sperm recipients.
Publication trends of interlocking directorate studies

The rate of publication of interlocking directorate research in recent years is examined. The data show that the rate of reporting research on interlocking directorates has been leveling off since 1983. Methodological, theoretical, and sociology of knowledge explanations of this trend are provided. The future of interlocking directorate research is discussed, and theoretical reasons are posited to show that there is a need to continue these studies. Suggestions for future research are also offered.
Unconventional superconductivity in UPt3: ultrasound and electromagnetic response

Abstract UPt3 has become a paradigm for an unconventional superconductor in recent years. This paper reviews the results of the phase-diagram obtained through high-resolution ultrasound experiments and examines their implications to various theoretical models that have been proposed. The results of electromagnetic absorption experiments in the radio frequency range are also discussed.
Two crises and two Chinas

To paraphrase Tolstoy, every crisis is a crisis in its own way, but good comparisons often sharpen our understanding. This paper contrasts the approaches taken to the crises with Saddam Hussein and in East Asian ®nancial markets. Since the East Asian crisis is the more general subject of this symposium, this presentation borrows some duality from the East. In the spirit of yin and yang, we address two topics, each with two parts. After addressing the two crises, we compare two Chinas, the one before the East Asian crisis, and the China of today (April 1998). We discuss China because it could set off a new round of competitive currency depreciation in Asia, because, as the world's most populous country, its relationship with the United States is likely to be crucial to U.S. security interests in Asia and worldwide, and because it has received relatively little attention in relation to the East Asian crisis. We start by comparing the two crises.
Understanding the Differences among Academic Disciplines

Despite similar norms, academic disciplines vary significantly in many characteristics and output measures. I explain these variations analyzing how publication-maximizing professors would allocate...
Estimating statistical properties of Eddy-current signals from steam generator tubes

We develop a model for characterizing amplitude and phase probability distributions of eddy-current signals and propose a maximum likelihood (ML) method for estimating the amplitude and phase distribution parameters from measurements corrupted by additive complex white Gaussian noise. The squared amplitudes and phases of the potential defect signals are modeled as independent, identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables following gamma and von Mises distributions, respectively. Newton-Raphson iteration is utilized to compute the ML estimates of the unknown parameters. We also compute Crame/spl acute/r-Rao bounds (CRBs) for the unknown parameters and discuss initialization of the Newton-Raphson iteration. The proposed method is applied to analyze rotating-probe eddy-current data from steam-generator tube inspection in nuclear power plants. The obtained estimates can be utilized for maximum a posteriori (MAP) signal phase and amplitude estimation, as well as efficient feature extractors in a defect classification scheme. We present numerical examples with both real and simulated data to demonstrate the performance of the proposed methods.
Early diagnosis of myocardial infarction with MB CK isoforms.

Caring for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a dedicated critical care unit was introduced in 1962 and over the next decade became widespread throughout North America and Europe. There was a significant reduction in mortality from between 30% and 35% to about 20% within 5-6 years of introducing the coronary care unit (CCU). As these results became available and more knowledge accrued of the mechanisms involved with sudden death and cardiac failure, it became the accepted norm for patients with AMI to be admitted to the CCU. However, due to the lack of distinguishing features of chest pain and the lack of diagnostic specificity of the electrocardiogram (ECG), it was often necessary to admit the patient to the CCU to subsequently exclude myocardial infarction. Initially the diagnostic enzymatic markers performed in the CCU consisted of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SCOT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK), which were performed daily for 3 days for exclusion of infarction
Parental Locus of Control and Family Functioning in the Quality of Life of Children with Sickle Cell Disease

The objective was to examine the association of parental locus of control (PLOC) with pediatric quality of life (QOL) for children with sickle cell disease (SCD), specifically addressing the potential mediating role of family functioning. Associations with disease severity were also investigated. Thirty-one primary caregivers completed standard measures of parental locus of control, family functioning, and quality of life during their child's inpatient admission for pain or fever. Results indicated that the PLOC total score was significantly associated with QOL in terms of self-competence and showed marginal significance with QOL social competence; it was significantly negatively correlated with family functioning. The association of the PLOC with QOL subscales was maintained when controlling for family functioning. Disease severity was not associated with PLOC scores. Primary caregivers endorsed more external parental locus of control beliefs. Further investigation of the association of caregiver appraisals and family functioning is warranted with the goal of addressing the stress that disease management with sickle cell may add to parent–child relationships.
Particle release from respirators, part I: determination of the effect of particle size, drop height, and load.

In late 2001, some U.S. Postal Service workers and a few members of Congress were exposed to anthrax spores. This led to an increased effort to develop employable methods to protect workers from exposure to anthrax. Some investigations focused on selection and use of respirators to protect workers against airborne anthrax. The present study evaluated the potential for several types of half-mask respirators to release deposited particles. Four brands of the most commonly used filtering facepiece respirators (hereafter termed masks) were loaded with 0.59-μm, 1.0-μm, and 1.9-μm polystyrene latex (PSL) microspheres (nominally 0.6, 1.0, and 2.0 μm) and then dropped onto a rigid surface. The load conditions were 10, 20, or 40 million particles, and drop heights were 0.15, 0.76, and 1.37 m. For the average conditions of 0.76 m, 1.15 μm size and 22 million particles loaded, the average particle release was 0.604 particles per 10,000 (95% CI: .552, .662) particles loaded for all of the filtering facepieces tested....
Selective photocatalytic oxidation of alcohols by heteropolytungstates

Abstract A series of primary, secondary, saturated and unsaturated alcohols have been selectively oxidized photocatalytically to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones by a series of heteropolytungstates using near visible and UV light. Stoichiometrically, one photon adds two electrons onto the heteropolytungstates and produces one molecule of aldehyde or ketone. Using oxygen-saturated solutions, the photocatalytic cycle is obtained at the early stage of the photoredox reaction, with optimization of the quantum yield for the oxidized organic product being ∼ 0.1. After at least 20 photocatalytic cycles, when the production of the organic oxidation product was 20 times the amount of catalyst, there was no sign of decomposition of the catalyst.
Reconstitution of Clq after bone marrow transplantation in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency

Abstract The serum concentration of Clq, a subunit of the first component of complement, was followed in six patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (CID) prior to, during, and after bone marrow transplantation. The serum level of Clq was found to be diminished in all patients prior to transplant (27–44% of normal). Agematched controls had a serum concentration of 20.2±4.9 μg N/ml, whereas our patients with CID had an average level of 6.3 μg N/ml. One patient failed to have a graft “take” with no evidence of immunological reconstitution, and the Clq remained very low. Of the other five patients with partial or full immunological reconstitution, four of these five had increased serum Clq levels to normal after transplantation. Clear evidence for engraftment was present in three of these four patients. Our data demonstrate the increase of serum Clq after bone marrow transplantation, and the possible usefulness of the serum level of Clq as a marker for evaluating engraftment. Although the etiology of the deficiency of Clq in this group of patients is unknown, an understanding of the mechanism(s) for “reconstitution” of Clq after marrow transplant has important clinical implications.
Pulsed Injector Induced Mixing in High Aspect Ratio Microchannel Flow

Micro-fluid mixing is an important aspect of many of the various micro-fluidic systems used in biochemical production, biomedical industries, microenergy systems and some electronic devices. Active or highly effective passive mixing techniques are often required. In this study, two pulsed injectors are used to actively enhance mixing in a high aspect ratio microchannel (125 μm deep and 1 mm wide). The main channel has two adjacent flowing streams with 100% dye and 0% dye concentrations, respectively. Two injectors (125 μm deep and 250 μm wide) are located on opposite sides of the channel and off-set in the downstream direction. A dye solution is used to map local mixing throughout the channel by measuring concentration variations as a function of both space and time. Images of the concentration variations within the channel are used to quantify mixing. It is shown that there is a high degree of repeatability of concentration distribution as a function of phase of the pulsing cycle. The flow rate ratio between the injectors and main channel is found to be the most influential parameter on overall mixing, and evidence of an optimal flow rate ratio and frequency is presented. A nondimensional correlation is presented that could be used to predict the level of mixing for the conditions studied.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Ada and the graphical kernel system

The Graphical Kernel System (GKS) is a general purpose, Device-Independent, two-dimensional graphics system currently in the final stages of standardization by both the International Organization for Standerdization (ISO) [ISO 1982] and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) [ANSI 1984c]. Associated with each GKS standardization effort are programming language bindings which standardize language-specific interfaces fro implementations of GKS. Currently in the draft proposed phase of standardization is the Ada language binding to ANSI GKS [ANSI 1985]. This paper describes the effort to produce the ada language binding to ANSI GKS and an implemention of GKS in Ada (GKS/Ade) which conforms to this draft proposed Ada language binding. This work will be the first standerdized Ade graphics capability.
Structure-activity relationships on the induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes in the mouse by 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane(DDT) analogs.

Abstract The structure-activity relationships among 28 compounds structurally related to DDT with respect to induction of the microsomal mixed function oxidases m mice have been examined utilizing NADPH oxidation, cytochrome P450 level and aniline hydroxylation as indices of mixed function oxidase activity. Eleven of these compounds stimulated the mixed function oxidase system at the dose applied (100 mg/kg, i.p.). The structural requirements for maximal induction were a halogen on each phenyl ring and three halogens on the α-position of the ethane bridge. Substitutions on the β-carbon of the ethane moiety did not prevent induction, but changing substituents on the α-position greatly affected the inductive ability of the analog. The molecular dimensions, between phenyl substituents, varied from 10.1 to 11.7 A for maximal induction. The molecular dimensions between the phenyl substituent and the ethane substituents for maximal induction varied between 7.4 and 9.0 A. No correlations were found between toxicity of compounds and their inductive effects. DDE, a major metabolite of DDT and an important contaminant of animal fat, increased microsomal enzyme activity at a treatment level of 200 mg/kg, but DDD had no effect even at this level. DDA, the major water soluble metabolite of DDT, also did not induce the mixed function oxidases.
SIV/DeltaB670 transmission across oral, colonic, and vaginal mucosae in the macaque.

: The primary mode of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission worldwide is by exposure to the virus at vaginal, rectal, and oral mucosal surfaces. To understand HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) transmission events at mucosal portals of entry, we used the SIV-macaque model to determine if mucosal surfaces function as barriers and select for particular viral genotypes. Rhesus macaques were inoculated intravaginally, intracolonically, intrarectally, or orally with the complex primary viral isolate SIV/DeltaB670. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, collected within the first two weeks postinoculation, were cloned and sequenced from all infected macaques. In the majority of the animals analyzed, multiple genotypes were identified, independent of the route of infection. These findings suggest that the mucosal barrier may play a minor role in the genotypic selection observed during sexual transmission of HIV and emphasize the need to evaluate the viral diversity present within the mucosal secretions of chronically infected individuals.
Another look at the calculation of fallout tephra volumes

The calculation of volumes of fallout tephra layers is difficult because of the nonlinear dependence of thickness on area and because of the extrapolations required at the vent and in distal regions. Calculation using the trapezoidal rule, straight lines on log-log plots of area versus thickness, straight lines on plots of log thickness versus area1/2, and the crystal-concentration method are reviewed and the problems with each method discussed. The method using straight lines on plots of log thickness versus area1/2 is the most geologically reasonable because most deposits thin exponentially from source and therefore plot as straight lines using these coordinates. Errors and uncertainties in previous derivations for using this method are discussed and more general formulas presented. The method is also used to gain perspective on the “missing” distal volumes calculated by the crystal-concentration method compared to those calculated based only on isopach data.
Response of traplining bumble bees to competition experiments: shifts in feeding location and efficiency.

In field experiments, we mapped the regular foraging routes (traplines) of marked bumble bees visiting Aralia hispida. When other bees were removed to create localized “competitive vacuums”, the marked bees shifted their feeding activity toward the removal areas. Bees foraging in these competitive vacuums probed more flowers per inflorescence than control bees. One bee's foraging was studied intensively before and after its local competitors were removed. Compared to four nestmates foraging elsewhere, the focal bee's trip times were shorter (p<0.005) and its food collection rate was marginally higher (P=0.064) during the removal, although all the bees foraged similarly before the removal. These observations indicate that traplining bumble bees opportunistically modify their use of space in response to the activities of other bees in a highly competitive environment.
Maritime limits and boundaries

The Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea is attempting to codify international law for the use of ocean space. While the process of negotiations continues and many political‐legal problems remain to be solved, certain issues appear to be at, or near, a stage of general agreement. A major element of the emerging consensus involves the “baseline,” the line from which all claims to zones of sovereignty or jurisdiction are measured. In addition, the Conference has generally accepted a breadth of 12 nautical miles for the sovereign territorial sea and 200 nautical miles for a coastal state zone of economic competence. An acceptable definition, in a legal sense, of the continental shelf seems to be provided. A major problem in the division of ocean space among States involves the delimitation of boundaries between adjacent States—those sharing a common land boundary—and opposite States—those situated so as to face each other across bodies of water. The issue remains divisive. The final treaty o...
Effect of maturity and processing on the trypsin inhibitor and oligosaccharides of soybeans

Immature soybean seeds are used as human food, but they contain antinutritional factors. The trypsin inhibitory activity (TIA) increased slightly in soybean cv Beeson-80 but remained unchanged in cv Pella, as maturation advanced. Steaming or cooking for 20 min, as commonly practiced, fully eliminated TIA in immature seeds. Soaking (24 hr) plus cooking (20 min) was necessary for the complete disappearance of TIA in mature seeds. Sucrose, raffinose and stachyose concentrations increased significantly with maturation. Steamed or cooked immature seeds contained considerably smaller quantities of raffinose and stachyose, sugars associated with flatulence, than similarly treated mature seeds.
Activations in Visual and Attention-Related Areas Predict and Correlate with the Degree of Perceptual Learning

Repeated experience with a visual stimulus can result in improved perception of the stimulus, i.e., perceptual learning. To understand the underlying neural mechanisms of this process, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to track brain activations during the course of training on a contrast discrimination task. Based on their ability to improve on the task within a single scan session, subjects were separated into two groups: “learners” and “nonlearners.” As learning progressed, learners showed progressively reduced activation in both visual cortex, including Brodmann's areas 18 and 19 and the fusiform gyrus, and several cortical regions associated with the attentional network, namely, the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), frontal eye field (FEF), and supplementary eye field. Among learners, the decrease in brain activations in these regions was highly correlated with the magnitude of performance improvement. Unlike learners, nonlearners showed no changes in brain activations during training. Learners showed stronger activation than nonlearners during the initial period of training in all these brain regions, indicating that one could predict from the initial activation level who would learn and who would not. In addition, over the course of training, the functional connectivity between IPS and FEF in the right hemisphere with early visual areas was stronger for learners than nonlearners. We speculate that sharpened tuning of neuronal representations may cause reduced activation in visual cortex during perceptual learning and that attention may facilitate this process through an interaction of attention-related and visual cortical regions.
Comparison of valence-only model potential and all-electron ab initio LCAO SCF MO studies of Li2 and LiH

Abstract A previously developed gaussian-based model potential theory for a single valence electron outside a core has been extended to the simple two-valence electron systems Li 2 and LiH within the LCAO SCF MO formulation, using an extended valence basis set. Comparisons of the results with corresponding ab initio calculations show excellent agreement of the total valence energy and the orbital energy in both systems, and for the dipole moment in LiH.