cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental determinants of malaria transmission in African villages

Malaria transmission is complex, involving a range of hydroclimatological, biological, and environmental processes. The high degree of non-linearity in these processes makes it difficult to predict and intervene against malaria. This study seeks both to define a minimal number of malaria transmission determinants, and to provide a theoretical basis for sustainable environmental manipulation to prevent malaria transmission. Using a field-tested mechanistic malaria model, HYDREMATS, a theoretical study was conducted under hypothetical conditions. Simulations were conducted with a range of hydroclimatological and environmental conditions: temperature (t), length of wet season (Twet), storm inter-arrival time (Tint), persistence of vector breeding pools (Ton), and distribution of houses from breeding pools and from each other (Xdist and Ydist, respectively). Based on the theoretical study, a malaria time scale, To, and a predictive theory of malaria transmission were introduced. The performance of the predictive theory was compared against the observational malaria transmission data in West Africa. Population density was used to estimate the scale that describes the spatial distribution of houses. The predictive theory shows a universality in malaria endemic conditions when plotted using two newly-introduced dimension-less parameters. The projected malaria transmission potential compared well with the observation data, and the apparent differences were discussed. The results illustrate the importance of spatial aspects in malaria transmission. The predictive theory is useful in measuring malaria transmission potential, and it can also provide guidelines on how to plan the layout of human habitats in order to prevent endemic malaria. Malaria-resistant villages can be designed by locating houses further than critical distances away from breeding pools or by removing pools within a critical distance from houses; the critical distance is described in the context of local climatology and hydrology.
Do Clinical Practice Guidelines Improve Quality

Controversy exists surrounding how to best define and assess quality in the health care setting. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been developed to improve the quality of medical care by highlighting key clinical recommendations based on recent evidence. However, data linking CPGs to improvements in outcomes in otolaryngology are lacking. Numerous barriers contribute to difficulties in translating CPGs to improvements in quality. Future initiatives are needed to improve CPG adherence and define the impact of CPG recommendations on the quality of otolaryngologic care provided to our patients.
Politics, values, and reflexivity: The case of adaptation to climate change in Hampton Roads, Virginia:

Climate adaptation planning is said to be a necessary and inevitable facet of future societies, and is rapidly occurring across a range of geopolitical scales. Previous scholarship suggests that a ...
Small Bowel Transit Time in Intensive Care Unit Patients: Effect of Cisapride and Erythromycin

Intestinal motility is often disturbed in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This may result in increased morbidity, for example, byway of bacterial overgrowth. This problem may also delay the start of enteral feeding, which is actually considered to be quite important in intensive care unit patients. Although several motility drugs are used in clinical practice in this setting, few data exist concerning their efficiency.
3D gait analysis with and without an orthopedic walking boot

Abstract Introduction Orthopedic walking boots have been widely used in place of traditional fiberglass casts for a variety of orthopedic injuries and post-surgical interventions. These walking boots create a leg length discrepancy (LLD). LLD has been shown to alter the kinematics and kinetics of gait and are associated with lumbar and lower limb conditions such as: foot over pronation, low back pain, scoliosis, and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joints. Past gait analyses research with orthopedic boots is limited to findings on the ipsilateral limb. Thus, the purpose of the study was to examine bilateral gait kinematics & kinetics with and without a walking boot. Methods Forty healthy participants (m = 20, f = 20, age 20.7 ± 1.8 yrs., ht. 171.6 ± 9.5 cm, wt. 73.2 ± 11.0 kg, BMI 24.8 ± 3.2) volunteered. An eight camera Vicon Motion Capture System with PIG model and two AMTI force plates were utilized to record the walking trial conditions: (1) bilateral tennis shoes (2) boot on right foot, tennis shoe on left foot (3) boot on right foot, barefoot on left foot. Data were processed in Nexus 2.2.3 and exported to Visual 3D for analysis. Results When wearing the boot, there were significant differences in most joint angles and moments, with larger effects on long limb. Conclusion The walking boot alters the gait in the same way as those with existing LLD, putting them at risk for development of secondary knee, hip, and low back pain during treatment protocol.
Executive functioning in low birth weight children entering kindergarten.

Poor executive functioning is associated with life-long difficulty. Identification of children at risk for executive dysfunction is important for early intervention to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study is designed to examine relationships between birthweight and executive functioning in US children during kindergarten. Our hypothesis was that children with higher birthweights would have better executive function scores. We evaluated data from 17506 US children from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten 2011 cohort. Birthweight and gestational age were obtained by parental survey. Executive functions were directly assessed using the number reverse test and card sort test to measure working memory and cognitive flexibility, respectively. Teacher evaluations were used for additional executive functions. Data were analyzed using SAS to run all linear and logistical regressions. For every kilogram of birthweight, scores of working memory increased by 1.47 (P<0.001) and cognitive flexibility increased by 0.28 (P<0.001) independent of gender, gestational age, parental education, and family income. Low birthweight infants were 1.5 times more likely to score in the bottom 20% of children on direct assessment OR=1.49 (CI 1.21−1.85) and OR=1.55 (CI 1.26−1.91). Infants born low birthweight are at increased risk of poor executive functioning. As birthweight increases executive function scores improve, even among infants born normal weight. Further evaluation of this population including interventions and progression through school is needed.
The Origins of the Architectural Metaphor in Computing: Design and Technology at IBM, 1957–1964

The familiarity of the term computer architecture makes it easy to forget the fundamental strangeness of the comparison it implies. When we speak about a buildings architecture, we suggest that it has an aesthetic as well as a utilitarian function. An architect seeks not just to shelter the users of a building from the elements but also to give shape and meaning to the activities that take place within and around the building. Architects use a vocabulary of design elements grounded in a rich historical tradition to achieve this. The notion that a computer can have an architecture implies that a computer is in some sense like a building. But how? Can a computer be grounded in an historical tradition in the same way that a building can be? If not, why not? In this study, I argue that computer architecture represents more than a simple terminological transfer from one field of practice to another. When the architectural metaphor entered the computing domain, it changed in ways that are specific to computing machinery. Computing absorbed the architectural metaphor into its practice and made (a subset of) architectural concepts its own.
A Review of Graph Approaches to Network Security Analytics.

There is a line of research extending over the last 20+ years applying graph-based methods for assessing and improving the security of operational computer networks, maintaining situational awareness, and assuring organizational missions. This chapter reviews a number of key developments in these areas, and places them within the context of a number of complementary dimensions. These dimensions are oriented to the requirements of operational security, to help guide practitioners towards matching their use cases with existing technical approaches. One dimension we consider is the phase of security operations (prevention, detection, and reaction) to which an approach applies. Another dimension is the operational layer (network infrastructure, security posture, cyberspace threats, mission dependencies) that an approach spans. We also examine the mathematical underpinnings of the various approaches as they apply to security requirements. Finally, we describe architectural aspects of various approaches, especially as they contribute to scalability and performance.
Life Prediction of Electric Energy Meter Based on Electric Power Big Data

Based on the data of measurement of integrated production dispatching system(MDS), electric data acquire system and marketing system, this paper analyzes the field reliability data, failure mode, failure mechanism, external induced stress and their characteristics with time, and establishes the combined stress life prediction model of electric energy meter under different stress conditions. The life prediction model can predict the residual life, expose potential failures and provide technical support for the state replacement of the electric energy meter. In addition, it provides theoretical and data support for fast troubleshooting and failure priority handling.
Mechanisms of grain boundary migration and growth in nanocrystalline metals under irradiation

Abstract Atomistic simulations of radiation damage uncover how grain boundaries (GBs) migrate and coalesce under irradiation in bicrystalline Cu. Planar GB migration biased by defect cluster-mediated attraction first leads to slow and steady motion. Subsequently, adjoining GBs coalesce into curved surfaces, where curvature-driven migration with a velocity three orders of magnitude higher than that of a planar boundary dominates motion, triggering rapid grain growth. This study reveals the atomistic mechanisms of radiation-induced grain growth, and has practical implications towards engineering radiation-tolerant nanostructures.
The interaction of cadmium with calcium and cisplatin with chloride

Changes in the locomotor rate of the ciliateTetrahymena pyriformis were used to quantitatively evaluate chemical interactions produced by: cadmium in combination with varying amounts of calcium, andcis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) (cisplatin) with varying amounts of sodium chloride. Cadmium (as CdCl2) produces a measurable decline in the locomotor rate of the cells. Cadmium's detrimental effect can be reduced by the addition of calcium (as CaCl2) in combination with cadmium. At a ratio of 30∶1 (calcium: cadmium), cadmium's negative effect upon motility is essentially nullified. It is suggested that the “protective” action afforded by calcium stems from the chemical similarity of the two cations and their involvement/competition for molecular sites responsible for the energy release and/or delivery of ciliary activity. Cisplatin will also effect a reduction in ciliary activity. However, the interaction between cisplatin, sodium chloride, and the cell appears more complex than that found with cadmium-calcium. At the lower range of chloride (as NaCl) used in this study, increased chloride concentration produces an increase in cisplatin's action against ciliary activity. At the higher levels, the chloride reduced cisplatin's negative effects. It is suggested that the increases in cisplatin's effects are caused by mass chemical action of increased chloride, which increases the concentration of the nonpolar cisplatin. The reduced effects found with the higher concentrations of sodium chloride may be because of the presence and action of elevated NaCl in/on the cell. This study clearly demonstrates differences in biologically relevant chemical interactions occurring with the two sets: cadmium-calcium and cisplatin-chloride.
Development of vibrational metrics for internal damage scenarios of a scaled Transnuclear-32 dry storage cask for spent nuclear fuel

The assessment of the internal structural integrity of dry storage casks for used high burnup nuclear fuel assemblies is of critical importance before transporting these to permanent repositories. The large size and structural complexity of the Transnuclear-32 (TN-32) cask as well as the inability to access its interior make this a challenging task. To address these difficulties, we use an active acoustics approach to develop metrics that are sensitive to the internal configuration of these casks. A 6:1 scaled model of the TN-32 cask was constructed in order to study the internal configuration of the fuel assemblies including various damage scenarios. Each mock-up fuel assembly consists of bundled steel rods, and their structural failure is mimicked by steel shot of equal weight. This talk will report the amplitude- and phase-based active acoustics metrics that we developed to characterize different levels of internal damage. Our studies indicate that vibrometric signatures of various internal conditions can be measured using sources and sensors mounted on the exterior shell. Our current methodology is sensitive enough to detect structural failures at the single fuel assembly level. [Work supported by DOE NEUP Award No. DENE0008400.]
Image-Guided Open Cerebrovascular Surgery

Image guidance is an indispensable tool in cerebrovascular neurosurgery. Commonly used intraoperative imaging adjuncts include digital subtraction angiography (DSA), indocyanine green video angiography (ICG-VA) and frameless stereotaxy. The latter is routinely used to guide resection of vascular malformations, particularly arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and cavernous malformations (CMs). While DSA is historically the gold standard for assessing obliteration of aneurysms, resection of arteriovenous shunts and patency of extracranial–intracranial (EC–IC) bypasses, its relatively high costs, time consumption, and associated risks have limited its routine use. ICG-VA is a relatively new technique that overcomes these limitations. Given its ability to enable real-time visualization of angioarchitecture in high spatial resolution, ICG-VA has been broadly applied to assess aneurysm obliteration, guide resection of arteriovenous shunts, and confirm EC–IC bypass patency. It is nevertheless not used as a means to confirm obliteration of an arteriovenous shunt (AVM or AVF).
Exploiting Adaptive Data Compression to Improve Performance and Energy-Efficiency of Compute Workloads in Multi-GPU Systems

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) performance has relied heavily on our ability to scale of number of transistors on chip, in order to satisfy the ever-increasing demands for more computation. However, transistor scaling has become extremely challenging, limiting the number of transistors that can be crammed onto a single die. Manufacturing large, fast and energy-efficient monolithic GPUs, while growing the number of stream processing units on-chip, is no longer a viable solution to scale performance. GPU vendors are aiming to exploit multi-GPU solutions, interconnecting multiple GPUs in the single node with a high bandwidth network (such as NVLink), or exploiting Multi-Chip-Module (MCM) packaging, where multiple GPU modules are integrated in a single package. The inter-GPU bandwidth is an expensive and critical resource for designing multi-GPU systems. The design of the inter-GPU network can impact performance significantly. To address this challenge, in this paper we explore the potential of hardware-based memory compression algorithms to save bandwidth and improve energy efficiency in multi-GPU systems. Specifically, we propose an adaptive inter-GPU data compression scheme to efficiently improve both performance and energy efficiency. Our evaluation shows that the proposed optimization on multi-GPU architectures can reduce the inter-GPU traffic up to 62%, improve system performance by up to 33%, and save energy spent powering the communication fabric by 45%, on average.
Abstract 364: Klotho Gene Deficiency Causes Heart Failure via Disruption of Phosphate Metabolism

Heart failure is the major cause of mortality for patients with chronic kidney damage (CKD). Although a decrease in plasma klotho levels has been linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD), the relatio...
Numerical Simulations of LEAP Dynamic Centrifuge Model Tests for Response of Liquefiable Sloping Ground

This paper presents numerical simulations (modified Type-B) related to LEAP-UCD-2017 (Liquefaction Experiments and Analysis Projects) dynamic centrifuge model tests for a liquefiable sloping ground conducted by various institutions. The numerical simulations are performed using a pressure-dependent constitutive model implemented with the characteristics of dilatancy and cyclic mobility. The soil parameters are determined based on a series of available stress-controlled cyclic triaxial tests during the Type-A simulation phase for matching the liquefaction strength curves of Ottawa F-65 sand. The computational framework for the dynamic response analysis is discussed. Computed results are presented for the selected centrifuge experiments (modified Type-B simulations). Measured time histories (e.g., displacement, acceleration and excess pore pressure) of these experiments are reasonably captured. Comparisons between the numerical simulations and measured results showed that the pressure-dependent constitutive model as well as the overall employed computational framework have the potential to predict the response of the liquefiable sloping ground, and subsequently realistically evaluate the performance of an equivalent soil system subjected to seismically induced liquefaction.
Sleep Disordered Breathing in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

There is a paucity of scientific knowledge regarding the presence and nature of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) amongst patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). SDB may contribute to morbidity and mortality in patients with HCM. The goal of this study was to characterize SDB among HCM patients and evaluate treatment patterns of, and adherence to, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapies. An additional aim was to characterize if PAP therapy was associated with mortality in patients with HCM. Retrospective review of consecutive adults with idiopathic HCM undergoing polysomnography (PSG) at the Mayo Clinic over a 10 year period. Type of PAP therapy and PAP adherence were obtained if PAP therapy was prescribed. Ninety-four patients with HCM underwent PSG (age 56.3 ± 12.4 years; 62 males, [66%]). Median follow-up was 6 years. Most patients (n = 75, 80%) had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), followed by a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea (n = 6; 6%), and central sleep apnea (n = 1; 1%). Twenty-four percent (n = 18) of patients with OSA had treatment emergent central sleep apnea. The rest (n = 12, 13%) had normal PSG studies. Continuous PAP (n = 60) was the most commonly prescribed PAP modality followed by adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV; n = 10). For those patients with known adherence (n = 43), adherence was greater than 4 h a night for greater than 70% of the days for a majority of patients (n = 36; 83%). Mortality was not associated with SDB, PAP treatment or PAP adherence over the 10 year period. SDB is highly prevalent in patients with HCM. Continuous PAP therapy was the most common PAP therapy and PAP adherence was high. There was no association between SDB and mortality in this limited data set of patients with HCM.
Barks & Rec: A Dog Park Socio-Technical System

The dog park going experience has the potential for many positive experiences for dogs. Through observations, interviews and focus groups, we designed Barks & Rec, a cooperative system that encourages community connections and behaviors awareness in dogs park goers through interweaving the dog park community. With activity tracking integration, our design allows for owners to keep tabs on their dog's activity while contributing to community goals and encourages pet awareness.
Governance by true believers: supreme duties with and without totalitarianism

This paper analyzes how governance by true believers differs from that by ordinary idealists and pragmatists. To do so, the paper develops a semi-lexicographic framework for analyzing behavior of persons who have internalized belief systems with “supreme” duties. It uses that framework to analyze the extent to which such duties tend to affect private behavior and demands for public policies. Bernholz’s research on totalitarian systems demonstrates that many of the least attractive governments in human history have been motivated by totalitarian belief systems. This paper agrees with that conclusion but suggests that many other results are also possible and that some of the most attractive governments in human history also have been motivated by belief systems with supreme duties.
Biofilm and cell adhesion strength on dental implant surfaces via the laser spallation technique.

Abstract Objective The aims of this study are to quantify the adhesion strength differential between an oral bacterial biofilm and an osteoblast-like cell monolayer to a dental implant-simulant surface and develop a metric that quantifies the biocompatible effect of implant surfaces on bacterial and cell adhesion. Methods High-amplitude short-duration stress waves generated by laser pulse absorption are used to spall bacteria and cells from titanium substrates. By carefully controlling laser fluence and calibration of laser fluence with applied stress, the adhesion difference between Streptococcus mutans biofilms and MG 63 osteoblast-like cell monolayers on smooth and rough titanium substrates is obtained. The ratio of cell adhesion strength to biofilm adhesion strength (i.e., Adhesion Index) is determined as a nondimensionalized parameter for biocompatibility assessment. Results Adhesion strength of 143 MPa, with a 95% C.I. (114, 176), is measured for MG 63 cells on smooth titanium and 292 MPa, with a 95% C.I. (267, 306), on roughened titanium. Adhesion strength for S. mutans on smooth titanium is 320 MPa, with a 95% C.I. (304, 333), and remained relatively constant at 332 MPa, with a 95% C.I. (324, 343), on roughened titanium. The calculated Adhesion Index for smooth titanium is 0.451, with a 95% C.I. (0.267, 0.622), which increased to 0.876, with a 95% C.I. (0.780, 0.932), on roughened titanium. Significance The laser spallation technique provides a platform to examine the tradeoffs of adhesion modulators on both biofilm and cell adhesion. This tradeoff is characterized by the Adhesion Index, which is proposed to aid biocompatibility screening and could help improve implantation outcomes. The Adhesion Index is implemented to determine surface factors that promote favorable adhesion of cells greater than biofilms. Here, an Adhesion Index ≫ 1 suggests favorable biocompatibility.
Control of N Concentrations in Cape Cod Estuaries by Nitrogen Loads, Season, and Down-Estuary Transit: Assessment by Conventional and Effect-Size Statistics

To assess effects of N loads, season, and down-estuary transit on estuarine concentrations of nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), we sampled three estuaries within Waquoit Bay, MA (USA), subject to different N loads, from spring to fall, at nine stations spanning the salinity range. Conventional statistical analysis on the basis of entire data for the three estuaries suggested significant effects of N loads on concentrations, but comparisons with effect size measures suggested that the effects were minor, largely an artifactual result from the large number of samples. Constraining variation by binning data into weekly means, and partitioning data by season (summer vs. spring-fall) and down-estuary transit (based on salinity) improved interpretations, allowing emergence of detectable increases in NO3 concentrations in estuaries subject to larger N loads, confirmed interactions between N load and season (seasonal increases in NO3 larger in estuaries subject to higher N loads), and down-estuary gradients (highest NO3 concentrations in fresher reaches and significant down-estuary decreases in NO3). NH4 and DON were less responsive to N loads, with rapid uptake of NH4 and seasonal trajectories of DON subject to within-estuary features. TDN concentrations decreased down-estuary, with 13–36% of loss attributable to within-estuary interception, a considerable effect in spite of short water residence times. Management implications include the need to sample seasonally and cover the salinity gradient, checking conventional statistical analyses of pooled data from large databases, using effect size measures to ensure meaningful biological and management results, and attention to the limited lability of DON often included in considering estuarine TDN and N loads.
Survey of curriculum models in gifted education: Frameworks for developing and implementing differentiated curricula.

This chapter suggests a definition of curriculum models in gifted education, surveys descriptively the major models in current use, describes selected examples of curriculum development and implementation projects guided by one or more of the models, and summarizes briefly the efficacy research supporting specific curricular models or projects, particularly those developed under the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Program. In existence for more than four decades, currently applied curriculum models in gifted education are structured to challenge and to enrich the educational experiences of talented learners. The Talents Unlimited model was put into practice beginning in 1971 by Carol Schlichter to develop students' creative and critical thinking skills in the five "talent" areas of productive thinking, decision making, planning, forecasting, and communication in addition to basic academic talents.
Evidence for an Endogenous Activator of Inositol Phospholipid Phospholipase C in Intact Rat Corpora Lutea

The inositol phospholipid-phospholipase C transmembrane signalling system provides second messengers that regulate cellular differentiation as well as metabolic and secretory activities (reviewed in references 1,2). These cellular events are presumably mediated by increases in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol, the two immediate products of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis. Both products contribute to the cellular activity by regulating intracellular calcium mobilization and the activities of protein kinases.
Co-op Co-op

Co-op Co-op evolved over a period of 10 years. It originated as a way of increasing the involvement of university students in traditional psychology courses by allowing them to explore in depth topics in which they were particularly interested. The use of topic teams (groups of students who cover closely interrelated topics and who develop a coordinated presentation to the whole class) evolved not out of a philosophical commitment to cooperative learning but as a practical solution to the problem of how to fit student presentations into the time usually allotted for a university course. As soon as the use of teams was introduced, however, it was immediately apparent that the teams were far more than a time-saving, practical solution. The teams increased student learning tremendously (as measured by the quality of individual papers), probably because they allowed student communication on topics of mutual interest; the sharing of references, resources, and ideas; and increased involvement in and investment in learning. For many students, knowing that they would share what they learned with other students appeared to be a far more powerful motivational device than the traditional letter grade.
Antigen and receptor-driven regulatory mechanisms: IX. T cell-T cell interaction in the generation of first-order idiotype-bearing suppressor T cells

Abstract We have studied the influence of allogeneic effects directed at specific intra-I region gene products on the stimulation of suppressor cells. Intravenous administration of low doses (1.26 m M ) of azobenzenearsonate (ABA)-derivatized spleen cells, but not ABA-protein conjugates, induces a population of thymus-derived suppressor cells (pre-Ts) which can be activated by an I-J-specific allogeneic effect. After the allogeneic effect such Ts express their antigen-specific suppressive capacity. These cells were found to be Lyt 1 + 2− and I-J+ by antiserum plus complement treatment. In A/J mice, which express a major cross-reactive idiotype to ABA, these pre-Ts also bear idiotypic determinants on the cell surface. Evidence is presented which shows that the pre-Ts are allotype but not H-2 restricted in their ability to transfer suppression to other strains. The pre-Ts are also able to suppress the afferent (sensitization) but not the efferent (elicitation) limb of the immune response. The cell(s) which induce the allogeneic effect were found to be radioresistant (1500 R), Lyt 1 + 2− T cells. These results indicate that a population of Lyt 1 I-J+ cells unable to suppress Lyt 1 DTH reactions can be induced to do so by specific allogeneic effects mediated by an Lyt 1 population.
Synthesis and Properties of Several New Molecular Conductors

The preparation of highly-conducting materials which contain stacks or chains of coordinated metal ions continues to challenge synthetic chemists. As a synthetic aid, Keller (1) has developed guidelines for the preparation of such materials. These guidelines derive from both experimental observations and interpretations of the excitonic theory of superconductivity (2). This theory requires that a spine of delocalized charge carriers interacts via an excitonic mechanism with a proximal array of polarizable molecules (or ions) which will largely determine the exciton frequency. Although Little (3) has proposed several specific model compounds in which the essential features of the model might be realized, to date theoretical expectations are more nearly realized for the “organic metal” conductors than for the columnar transition-metal complexes. The latter materials possess a more-or-less conducting spine which is not strongly coupled (mechanically or electronically) to other molecules or ions in the lattice. Although this “insulation” of the conducting spine may lead to enhanced anisotropy in the electrical conductivity, it may also drastically lower the superconducting transition temperature of the material (by way of a Peierl’s distortion or similar mechanisms.)
Local Borel summability of Euclidean 311-1311-1311-1a simple proof via differential flow equations

It is shown how the differential flow equation (or, equivalently, the continous renormalization group) method can be employed to give an astonishingly easy proof of the local Borel summability of the renormalized perturbative Euclidean massiveΦ44.
Pyridine Nucleotide Transhydrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii

A method is described for the partial purification of pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii (ATCC 9104) cells. The most highly purified preparation catalyzes the reduction of 300 μmoles of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) per min per mg of protein under the assay conditions employed. The enzyme catalyzes the reduction of NAD+, deamino-NAD+, and thio-NAD+ with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as hydrogen donor, and the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) and thio-NAD+ with reduced NAD (NADH) as hydrogen donor. The reduction of acetylpyridine AD+, pyridinealdehyde AD+, acetylpyridine deamino AD+, and pyridinealdehydedeamino AD+ with NADPH as hydrogen donor was not catalyzed. The enzyme catalyzes the transfer of hydrogen more readily from NADPH than from NADH with different hydrogen acceptors. The transfer of hydrogen from NADH to NADP+ and thio-NAD+ was markedly stimulated by 2′-adenosine monophosphate (2′-AMP) and inhibited by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and phosphate ions. The transfer of hydrogen from NADPH to NAD+ was only slightly affected by phosphate ions and 2′-AMP, except at very high concentrations of the latter reagent. In addition, the transfer of hydrogen from NADPH to thio-NAD+ was only slightly influenced by 2′-AMP, ADP, ATP, and other nucleotides. The kinetics of the transhydrogenase reactions which utilized thio-NAD+ as hydrogen acceptor and NADH or NADPH as hydrogen donor were studied in some detail. The results suggest that there are distinct binding sites for NADH and NAD+ and perhaps a third regulator site for NADP+ or 2′-AMP. The heats of activation for the transhydrogenase reactions were determined. The properties of this enzyme are compared with those of other partially purified transhydrogenases with respect to the regulatory functions of 2′-AMP and other nucleotides on the direction of flow of hydrogen between NAD+ and NADP+.
Intra-His bundle block in 2:1 atrioventricular block

Intra-hisian atrioventricular (AV) block is not a common phenomenon, but it is important for the development of advanced or complete AV block. We observed a 77-year-old female patient with the 2:1 AV block due to an intra-hisian block. In this case we tried to detect the block site, but an alternating pattern of the AH conduction was noted on the His-electrogram in the electrophysiological study (EPS). The cause of the confusing finding might have been the instability of the catheter to record a His potential. We could detect a splitting of the His-electrogram with an intra-hisian block after minimal manipulation of the catheter. The authors' observations suggest that catheter stability is important for a precise recording in the EPS and radiofrequency catheter ablation procedure.
Intelligent interactive video simulation of a code inspection

The need for technological solutions to learning, in the software engineering field is increasing. The Advanced Learning Technologies Project (ALT) has developed a highly interactive, high-fidelity simulation of group process communication. The first course demonstrating these techniques is on the formal technical review known as code inspection.
Modeling of fiber optic-based pH sensors

The fiber-optic-based pH sensors have many advantages over the traditional pH electrodes. They are rigid, self-calibrating, and show negligible drift. In addition, they are capable of detecting pH changes with a precision of 0.001 pH units. These features make fiber optic pH sensors especially suitable for on-line industrial applications. The pH sensor consists of an indicator dye immobilized in a polymer matrix. The pH of the solution is related to the relative fraction of the protonated and the dissociated species of the dye, whose absorption spectrum changes according to the pH of the surroundings. The response of the sensor is determined by the dissociation equilibrium of the immobilized dye and its interaction with the polymer matrix. In order to have meaningful pH measurements it is important to understand the sensing mechanisms and the corresponding absorption spectra. In this paper a model is reported for the chemical reaction taking place within the membrane during the course of pH measurements. The model takes into consideration the interaction between the indicator dye and the membrane and identifies the key parameters to be used in the design of membranes for pH sensing. In addition, the absorption spectra of the dye in solution are deconvoluted and analyzed for reference purposes.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Matching Prescription Drugs and Consumers: The Benefits of Direct Advertising

This was the first paper to discuss the benefits of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising. It was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1985. The authors are Alison Masson (AKA Alison Keith) and Paul H. Rubin, and the paper was written when the authors were economists at the Federal Trade Commission. The argument was that there were pieces of information available to patients that might not be available to physicians, and DTC advertising could make use of this information. For example, a patient might have stopped taking a drug because of side effects. In that case, he would not be contact with a physician, and so might not obtain information about new drugs lacking that side effect. Similarly, a new treatment for a previously untreatable condition might become available, but the patient would not be in a position to learn of this new treatment if he were not in contact with a physician. It was also argued that DTC advertising could increase competition between various medications, and so lead to lower prices. When the paper was written, the FDA had in place a moratorium on DTC advertising. The paper as later cited by the FDA in its decision to allow such advertising. The arguments can still explain the benefits of most DTC advertising.
Use of PSA nadir to predict subsequent biochemical outcome following external beam radiation therapy for T1-2 adenocarcinoma of the prostate

Abstract Purpose . This study assessed the ability of nadir prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to act as an early surrogate for subsequent freedom from biochemical failure following radiation therapy for T1-2 prostatic adenocarcinoma. Methods and materials . A retrospective analysis was performed on the biochemical outcome of 314 consecutive men with T1-2 disease treated by conventional external beam radiation at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Minimum follow up was 2 years, and failure was defined as three successive rises in serum PSA of greater than 10%. Kaplan-Meier actuarial analysis of outcome was employed. Results . The overall 5-year freedom from biochemical progression was 63%. For those who achieved a PSA nadir of ≤0.5 ng/ml ( n = 123) it was 90%, for 0.6–1.0 ng/ml ( n = 103) it was 55%, and for > 1.0 ng/ml ( n = 88) it was 34%. Multivariate analysis showed an undetectable PSA nadir to be independent of Gleason grade and initial PSA in predicting subsequent outcome ( P Conclusion . A PSA nadir of ≤0.5 ng/ml represents an early endpoint strongly predictive of a favorable outcome following radiation therapy which may be used for the rapid assessment of new radiation strategies.
Structural Studies on Related Argemone Alkaloids

Abstract The alkaloids argemonine, C 16 H 10 (OCH 3 ) 4 NCH 3 ; norargemonine, C 16 H 10 (OCH 3 ) 3 -(OH)NCH 3 ; and bisnorargemonine, C 16 H 10 (OCH 3 ) 2 (OH) 2 NCH 3 are considered to be tetrahydroisoquinolines based on oxidation products and the inability to hydrogenate argemonine further. The benzoylation reaction of bisnorargemonine is typical of aporphine alkaloids. Oxidation studies indicate that the hydroxyl group of norargemonine is in ring D while the two hydroxyl groups of bisnorargemonine are in rings A and D. The Hofmann degradation of argemonine yielded successively a vinyl dihydrophenanthrene methine and an unexpected pyran. Oxidation of the pyran gave an expected tricarboxylic acid. Hydrogenation of the methine followed by the Hofmann degradation gave the expected ethyl phenanthrene. It is tentatively proposed that argemonine has a 6,7 placement of methoxyl groups in ring A and of the three possible vicinal placements of methoxyl groups in ring D, the 2,3 positions appear to be the most likely.
The bactericidal effect of 470-nm light and hyperbaric oxygen on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

It has been shown that, in vitro, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) suppresses 28 % bacterial growth, while 470-nm blue light alone suppresses up to 92 % methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in one application in vitro. Therefore, we determined if combined 470-nm light (55 J/cm2) and HBO will yield 100 % bacterial suppression in experimental simulation of mild, moderate or severe MRSA infection. We cultured MRSA at 3 × 106, 5 × 106, 7 × 106, 8 × 106, or 12 × 106 CFU/ml and treated each concentration in four groups as follows: (1) control (no treatment) (2) photo-irradiation only, (3) photo-irradiation then HBO, (4) HBO only, and (5) HBO then photo-irradiation. Bacteria colonies were then quantified. The results showed that at each bacterial concentration, HBO alone was significantly less effective in suppressing MRSA than photo-irradiation or combined HBO and photo-irradiation (p 0.05), neither did HBO treatment either before or after irradiation make a difference. Furthermore, at no bacterial concentration was 100 % MRSA suppression achieved. Indeed, the maximum bacterial suppression attained was in the mild infection model (3 × 106 CFU/ml), with blue light producing 97.3 ± 0.2 % suppression and HBO + 55 J/cm2 yielding 97.5 ± 2.5 % suppression. We conclude that (1) HBO and 470-nm light individually suppress MRSA growth; (2) 470-nm blue light is more effective in suppressing MRSA than HBO; and (3) HBO did not act synergistically to heighten the bactericidal effect of 470-nm light.
Corrosion Problems with Fuming Nitric Acid: ROCKET FUEL REQUIRES NEW TESTS

In view of the increasing use of fuming nitric acid, particularly as a rocket fuel, it becomes a matter of importance to study the corrosive effects of the acid upon the materials which handle it. Some interesting research on this problem was recently undertaken by the author on behalf of the United States Air Force. The report has been made available in this country through the Technical Information and Documents Unit of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
SALT ABSORPTION AND ACCUMULATION IN VARIOUS REGIONS OF ROOTS

THIS STUDY was made to provide more information concerning the relative amounts of salt accumulated in various regions of roots and the amounts translocated to the shoot from various regions of roots. For soine years it was believed that the greatest amount of salt always is accumulated near the root tip and that this also is the region through which most of the salt absorbed enters the plant (Prevot and Steward, 1936; Steward et al., 1942; Overstreet and Jacobson, 1946), Kramer and Wiebe (1952) found, however, that in roots of barley, tomato, and pine there is as much acicumulation of P32 in a region one to several centimeters behind the root tips as in the apical region, and there is typically a region of low accumulation a few millimeters behind the tip. This appears to be in the region of cell enlargement. Later Wiebe and Kramer (1954) found that very little of the salt accumulated in the root tips of barley seedlings was translocated to the shoots, but considerable translocation occurred from the regions 10-60 mm. behind the tip. This was true for Rb86, Is3 and S35, as well as for P32, when roots were exposed to the isotopes for a period of 6 hr. In view of the results obtained with barley seedlings it was decided to study accumulation in and translocation out of various zones of the roots of several other species of plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS.-The plants used were Golden Cross Bantam sweet corn, Thomas Laxton peas, and Pima S-1 cotton. The seeds were surface sterilized for 15 min. in a 5 per cent solution of Clorox (a commercial preparation of sodium hypochlorite) and rinsed several times in distilled water before starting germination. The corn was germinated on moist filter paper in finger bowls in darkness at 25?C. for 48 hr. The cotton seeds were soaked in water for 30 min. and then germinated on moist paper in an incubator at 35?C. for 48 hr. The peas were soaked in water over-night and germinated in dilute nutrient solution (0.02 per cent Hoagland solution) at 25?C. in darkness for 48 hr. The full strength Hoagland solution contained 5 mM. of KNO3, 5 mM. of Ca(NO3)2, 2mM. Of MgSO4, and one mM. of KH2PO4 per liter. After germination the seeds were laid on lucite plates provided with holes through which the roots projected downward into jars of dilute nutrient solution. The jars were wrapped in aluminum foil and the lucite plates were painted with black asphalt to exclude light. Dilute, aerated nutrient solution
A New Animal Model of Hemolytic Hyperbilirubinemia-Induced Bilirubin Encephalopathy (Kernicterus)

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia can cause bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus). Spontaneously jaundiced (jj) Gunn rats treated with sulfonamide (sulfa) to displace bilirubin from serum albumin, develop bilirubin encephalopathy and abnormal brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) comparable with human newborns. We hypothesized phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced hemolysis would significantly elevate total plasma bilirubin (TB) in jj Gunn rat pups and produce BAEP abnormalities similar to those observed after sulfa. PHZ 0, 25, 50, or 75 mg/kg was administered intraperitonealy to 15-d-old jjs. An initial TB was recorded in each animal, and a second recorded 1-4 d postinjection to generate a dose-response curve. After PHZ 75 mg/kg, TB peaked at about 30 mg/dL at 48-72 h. A second group of jjs injected with PHZ (0, 25, 50, or 75 mg/kg) and nonjaundiced controls given PHZ 75 mg/kg had HCT and TB at baseline, and HCT, TB, and BAEPs recorded at 48 h. BAEP wave II and III amplitudes decreased, and I-II and I-III interwave intervals increased indicating abnormal central (brainstem) auditory function. PHZ-induced hemolysis in jaundiced Gunn rat pups produces sufficiently elevated TB levels to produce bilirubin encephalopathy. This new model may be a more clinically relevant experimental model of kernicterus- and bilirubin-induced neurologic disorders.
Determining lightness from an image

A method for the determination of lightness from image intensity is presented. For certain classes of images, lightness corresponds to reflectance, while image intensity is the product of reflectance and illumination intensity. The method is two-dimensional and depends on the different spatial distribution of these two components of image intensity. Such a lightness-judging process is required for Land's retinex theory of color vision, A number of physical models are developed and computer simulation of the process is demonstrated. This work should be of interest to designers of image processing hardward, cognitive psychologists dealing with the human visual system and neurophysiologists concerned with the function of structures in the primate retina.
Time scales of chemical sputtering of carbon

Abstract Chemical sputtering of carbon by D and D2 impact is studied at impact energies ranging from 7.5 to 30 eV/D using molecular dynamics simulations that mimic experiment, as closely as possible. This entails a careful analysis of the time scales involved in the deuterization of carbon by particle bombardment. The substrate structure is heavily modified by cumulative impacts, and the sputtering yields change with bombardment time, eventually reaching a quasi-steady-state. Such state is reached at approximately the same fluence of D and D2 impact. The yields of the hydrocarbons in this quasi-steady-state regime are in good agreement with experiment, and are significantly larger and of different structure than those from the unmodified surfaces.