cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Dextran-40 on Blood Viscosity in Experimental Macroglobulinaemia

BLOOD viscosity may be raised in many diseases. This rise may compromise the perfusion and nutrition of organs throughout the body1–3; therefore there is great interest in any agent capable of reducing blood viscosity. Dextran-40 has been thought to be unique in performing this function3–7, but since its introduction as a plasma expander it has been the object of controversy because of conflicting reports about both its actual effect on viscosity and its mode of action2,3,7–14. Solutions of this type of dextran, with an average molecular weight of 40,000 (also known as low molecular weight dextran8, low viscosity dextran4,5 and ‘Rheomacrodex’6), were said to reduce blood viscosity by inhibiting or reversing the formation of erythrocyte (RBC) aggregates1–7 the presence of which is thought to contribute to the elevated viscosity levels found in pathological states1,2. The evaluation of dextran-40 is complicated, however, by the multiplicity of its effects, and particularly by its ability to expand the volume of plasma and reduce the haematocrit, alterations which in themselves lower blood viscosity1,2,3,4,6–8. Indeed, many investigators have concluded that all the beneficial effects of dextran-40 can be ascribed to blood dilution8,10–14, and evidence has appeared showing that this agent, like dextrans of higher molecular weight, will actually increase blood viscosity if the haematocrit is not permitted to fall3,10,12,15. Nevertheless, some workers still feel that infusions of dextran-40 are of special value in the treatment of hyperviscous states, and that the beneficial effects of this agent are mediated, at least in part, through the dissolution of RBC aggregates7.
Accurate computation of individual and tables of 3-j and 6-j symbols

By rewriting the formulas for 3-j and 6-j symbols in terms of several possible alternating binomial sums, it is possible to calculate these quantities quickly and accurately, often exactly, using floating point operations. The binomial sums can be calculated by direct summation or by recursion. A simple method for uniquely parameterizing the well-known Regge symmetries of the 3-j and 6-j symbols makes it possible to systematize the choice of the smallest magnitude binomial sum (which enhances the accuracy of floating point calculations and speeds up exact calculations using large integer routines). Formulas for special cases of the 3-j symbols enable the construction of recursion sequences which are often substantially faster than direct summation, especially for very large angular momentum arguments. For both 3-j and 6-j symbols, recursion offers several advantages over direct summation in exact calculations and for calculating tables.
Scenistic Methods in Training: Definitions and Theory Grounding.

Purpose – The aim of this article is to describe the scenistic approach to training with corresponding activities and the theory bases that support the approach.Design/methodology/approach – Presented is the definition of the concept of scenistic training along with the step‐by‐step details of the implementation of the approach. Scenistic methods, while clear examples of situated cognition and learning, are derived from several other important theory bases to include constructivism, experiential learning, mental models, transformative learning, and action theory.Findings – The theory base offers support for the activities and steps contained in scenistic training methods. The theories, in combination, address motivation, distinct learning tasks and activities, and the regulation of learning. To an extent, scenistic methods invite the trainee to create and manage learning with guidance and support from trainers. This delegation of responsibility to the trainee has powerful motivational consequences.Researc...
"I Was There:" Competing Indigenous Imaginaries of the Past and the Future in Oaxaca's Sierra Mazateca

En este articulo, examino las diferentes formas por las cuales dos individuos Mazatecos representan la cultura, la autenticidad, y una conceptualizacion Mazateca de la historia durante sus interacciones con gente no Mazateca.Ambos adaptan estilos metaculturales diferentes para crear naraciones de autenticidad. Para el primero, la autenticidad es una cualidad compartida por individuos que sirven de mediadores entre grupos culturales diferentes y que se extiende a sus representaciones culturales; para el segundo, la autenticidad nace en la cultura reificada que sobrevive del pasado. Estos discursos diferentes se manifiestan en discusiones sobre los anos sesenta en la Sierra mazateca?una epoca cuando miles de estrangeros asociados con la contracultura de esta decada visitaron la region para experimentar con los hongos alucinogenicos.
Characteristics of responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy: the impact of echocardiographic left ventricular volume.

Background: One-third of patients who receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are classified as nonresponders. Characteristics of responders to CRT have been studied in multiple clinical trials. Hypothesis: Independent predictors of CRT response may be identified by studying a series of patients in routine clinical practice. Method: One hundred twenty-five patients were examined retrospectively from a multidisciplinary CRT clinic program. Echocardiographic CRT response was defined as a decrease in left ventricular (LV) end-systolic volume of ≥15% and/or absolute increase of 5% in LV ejection fraction at the 6-month visit. Results: There were 81 responders and 44 nonresponders. By univariate analyses, female sex, nonischemic cardiomyopathy etiology, baseline QRS duration, the presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) index predicted CRT response. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that only QRS duration, LBBB, and LVEDV index were independent predictors (QRS width, odds ratio [OR]: 1.027, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.004–1.050, P = 0.023; LBBB, OR: 3.568, 95% CI: 1.284–9.910, P = 0.015; LVEDV index, OR: 0.970, 95% CI: 0.953–0.987, P = 0.001). Although female sex and nonischemic etiology were associated with an improved CRT response on univariate analyses, after adjusting for LV volumes they were not independent predictors. Conclusions: QRS width, LBBB, and LVEDV index are independent predictors for echocardiographic CRT response. Previously reported differences in CRT response for sex and cardiomyopathy etiology are associated with differences in baseline LV volumes in our clinical practice. Dr. Heist has received research grants (modest) from Biotronik, Boston Scientific, and St. Jude Medical; honoraria (modest) from Biotronik, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Sorin, and St. Jude Medical; and consultant/advisory board positions (modest) from Boston Scientific, Sorin and St. Jude Medical. Dr. Singh has received research grants (significant) from Biotronik, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and St. Jude Medical; and consultant/advisory board positions (modest) from Biosense Webster, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, CardioInsight, Medtronic, Sorin, St. Jude Medical, and Thoratec Inc. The statistical analysis was conducted with support from Harvard Catalyst. The Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center (National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health Award UL1 RR 025758, and financial contributions from Harvard University and its affiliated academic healthcare centers). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Computerized design of speech prostheses

The use of computerized techniques to assist in the design of palatal and/or glossal prostheses is described. Patients with oropharyngeal resection and associated speech impairment are candidates for such prostheses. Procedures discussed allow for the design of some features of the prosthesis, such as shape, location, and tests of its effect on certain speech parameters, prior to actual fabrication. Advantages and current limitations of the techniques are also discussed.
THORACIC AND LUMBAR TRAUMA: Rationale for Selecting the Appropriate Fusion Technique

Despite recent advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation, two issues in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar remain contested: (1) the indications for surgical intervention; and (2) the optimal approach to obtain decompression, realignment, and fusion of the disrupted segment (anterior, posterior, or combined). Choosing among the options requires the ability to define accurately the extent of the injury to both the structural and the neurologic elements of the spine as well as an appreciation of the historic rationale of individual treatment methods.
Turbulence structure in a deciduous forest

Three-dimensional wind velocity components were measured at two levels above and at six levels within a fully-leafed deciduous forest. Greatest shear occurs in the upper 20% of the canopy, where over 70% of the foliage is concentrated. The turbulence structure inside the canopy is characterized as non-Gaussian, intermittant and highly turbulent. This feature is supported by large turbulence intensities, skewness and kurtosis values and by the large infrequent sweeps and ejections that dominate tangential momentum transfer. Considerable day/night differences were observed in the vertical profiles of the mean streamwise wind velocity and turbulence intensities since the stability of the nocturnal boundary layer dampens turbulence above and within the canopy.
The complete set of tRNA species in Nanoarchaeum equitans.

The archaeal parasite Nanoarchaeum equitans was found to generate five tRNA species via a unique process requiring the assembly of seperate 5′ and 3′ tRNA halves [Randau, L., Munch, R., Hohn, M.J., Jahn, D. and Soll, D. (2005) Nanoarchaeum equitans creates functional tRNAs from separate genes for their 5′- and 3′-halves. Nature 433, 537–541]. Biochemical evidence was missing for one of the computationally-predicted, joined tRNAs designated as tRNATrp. Our RT-PCR and sequencing results identify this tRNA as tRNALys (CUU) joined at the alternative position between bases 30 and 31. We show that the intron-containing tRNATrp was misidentified in the initial Nanoarchaeum equitans genome annotation [E. Waters et al. (2003) The genome of Nanoarchaeum equitans: insights into early archaeal evolution and derived parasitism. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100, 12984–12988]. Along with a previously unidentified joined tRNAGln (UUG), Nanoarchaeum equitans exhibits 44 tRNAs and is enabled to read all 61 sense codons. Features unique to this set of tRNA molecules are discussed.
NMR detection of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in 1-(β-hydroxyethoxy)-2,4-dinitrobenzene

Abstract The rate of hydroxylic proton exchange of 1-(β-hydroxyethoxy)-2,4-dinitrobenzene ( 1 ) in acetonitrile solution is retarded by the formation of intermolecular -NO 2 ⋯HO-hydrogen bonds. This retardation in rate is sufficient to allow the observation of spin-spin coupling ( J H-O-C-H ) between the hydroxylic and methylene protons.
On some diffraction efficiency equations for a thick grating or hologram

Abstract It is shown that the diffraction efficiency relations for a thick sinusoidal grating can be calculated using just conventional, linear scattering theory in the first Born approximation to obtain the coupling relations between plane waves in the grating, and simple rate equations to account for the multiple scattering phenomena. The results of this analysis agree with the conventional coupled wave analysis based on Raman-Nath theory.
Tissue engineering a clinically useful extracellular matrix biomaterial

Implantable biomaterials are one of the most useful tools in the surgeon’s armamentarium, yet there is much room for improvement. Chronic pain, tissue erosion, and late infections are just a few of the serious complications that can occur with conventional, inert materials. In contrast, tissue-inductive materials exist today. Combinations of biologically important molecules for directing cell growth and providing structural stability can be found in naturally occuring extracellular matrices. These “soft-tissue skeletons” of Mother Nature can be harvested, processed, and provided in a medically safe and biologically active form for repairing many different tissues in the human body. The future of surgical practice may well be determined by how well these new implant materials recreate the tissues they replace.
The value of MRA images for identifying intraplaque hemorrhage in carotid plaque

Introduction MR angiography (MRA) has become a standard workup for carotid atherosclerosis, using either contrast-enhanced (CE) or time-of-flight (TOF) techniques. This provides a measure of narrowing but does not identify plaque components that indicate risk of rupture, such as the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH). CE and TOF techniques employ highly T1-weighted 3D gradient-echo sequences, and have the potential to detect IPH because of T1 short blood products.
The origin of pterygotid eurypterids (Chelicerata: Eurypterida)

Abstract: The Silurian and Lower Devonian pterygotid eurypterids were the largest of all arthropods, but their origin and early evolution are poorly understood. Pterygotus? ventricosus from Kokomo, Indiana, is shown to be the most basal of the pterygotids and constitutes the sister taxon to the rest of the clade. P.? ventricosus has walking appendages similar to those of Slimonia, which is the sister taxon of pterygotids. There is no evidence in P.? ventricosus of the dorsal median pretelson carina characteristic of other pterygotids, but the taxon does have the typical pterygotid undivided genital appendage. The status of the iconic pterygotid character (and presumed synapomorphy), the enlargement of the chelicerae, is uncertain in the Kokomo pterygotid. All the diagnostic characters of pterygotids did not develop simultaneously. A new genus Ciurcopterus is erected to accommodate the Kokomo pterygotid and Pterygotus? sarlei Ciurca and Tetlie.
Effortful Control and Parents' Emotion Socialization Patterns Predict Children's Positive Social Behavior: A Person-Centered Approach

Research Findings: We examined relations of effortful control with parent emotion socialization practices and child social behavior using a person-centered approach in children ages 18 months to 5 years. A total of 76 parents (66 mothers, 10 fathers) completed questionnaires at screening and 6-month follow-up. There were no age differences in change in effortful control. K-means cluster analysis identified 2 clusters for parent emotion socialization: low-involvement parents (lower levels on emotion coaching/dismissing and positive/negative expressivity) and high-involvement parents (higher levels on all such practices). Parent socialization profile was indirectly associated with children's positive social behaviors through children's change in effortful control. These associations did not extend to aggressive behavior. Children with parents who actively engage in a variety of emotion socialization practices may increase more in regulatory capacities and engage in more positive social behavior. Practice or...
Crystallization of calcium sulfate on polymeric surfaces.

Surface crystallization of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) on a series of polymeric surfaces was studied using a quartz microbalance system. Polyelectrolyte multilayer films (positively and negatively charged surfaces) were formed on the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors utilizing a layer-by-layer spin-assembly method. The kinetics of gypsum surface crystallization was quantified in terms of the evolution of gypsum mineral scale on the different surfaces. For comparison mineral scaling was also evaluated on silica and polyamide surfaces. For surfaces of the same charge polarity (+/-), the mass density of gypsum scale was lower (PSS < PAA, PEI < PAH) for smoother surfaces. The extent of surface mineral scaling (quantified in terms of both mass density and aerial coverage) were the combined result of the rate of nucleation and crystal growth kinetics. Although aerial scale coverage correlated with the crystal mass density, the crystal number density did not correlate with the extent of surface scaling. Surface crystal size, morphology and crystal number density varied significantly at similar roughness levels, suggesting that surface chemical functionality may also affect surface crystallization. The present results suggest that there is merit in exploring methods for mitigation of mineral scaling on polymeric surfaces via alteration of surface both surface topography and chemistry. In this regards, an expanded systematic study is needed in order to quantitatively clarify the interplay between the above two factors in controlling surface crystallization.
Structural, spectroscopic, and redox consequences of a central ligand in the FeMoco of nitrogenase: a density functional theoretical study.

Broken symmetry density functional and electrostatics calculations have been used to shed light on which of three proposed atoms, C, N, or O, is most likely to be present in the center of the FeMoco, the active site of nitrogenase. At the Mo4+4Fe2+3Fe3+ oxidation level, a central N3- anion results in (1) calculated Fe−N bond distances that are in very good agreement with the recent high-resolution X-ray data of Einsle et al.; (2) a calculated redox potential of 0.19 eV versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) for FeMoco(oxidized) + e- → FeMoco(resting), in good agreement with the measured value of −0.042 V in Azotobacter vinelandii; and (3) average Mossbauer isomer shift values (ISav = 0.48 mm s-1) compatible with experiment (ISav = 0.40 mm s-1). At the more reduced Mo4+6Fe2+1Fe3+ level, the calculated geometry around a central N3- anion still correlates well with the X-ray data, but the average Mossbauer isomer shift value (ISav = 0.54 mm s-1) and the redox potential of −2.21 eV show a much poorer ag...
The energetics of La4LiAuO8

La4LiAuO8 is a stable Au3+ oxide that was recently examined as a possible model compound for the role of Au3+ in heterogeneous catalysis. Due to the paucity of thermodynamic data, the energetics of La4LiAuO8 and its likely decomposition product, LiLaO2, were investigated. The ΔHf−ox, of La4LiAuO8 and LaLiO2 are both exothermic at −187.7 ± 5.8 and −41.4 ± 9.6 kJ/mol, respectively. From the thermodynamic data, the decomposition temperature of La4LiAuO8 was calculated as either 979 ± 95 or 1331 ± 43 °C for the formation of LiLaO2 or Li2O, respectively. Thus, LiLaO2 is the expected decomposition product.
Surgical approach to diaphragmatic metastases from ovarian cancer

Fourteen patients underwent surgical debulking of diaphragmatic metastases as part of cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian epithelial cancer from 1983 to 1984. The surgical technique is described. Morbidity from this approach was not excessive in this small series of patients. It is suggested that this technique can be safely used and may benefit a few patients with advanced ovarian cancer.
The emergence of xenotransplantation.

Abstract The field of transplantation is faced with a growing shortage of human organs as the list of potential recipients continues to increase. Those currently listed can already expect long waits; some die waiting. Xenotransplantation is a potential solution to this widening donor-recipient disparity. Consequently, in recent years, there have been several clinical attempts using organs from nonhuman primates and pigs. The results with nonhuman primates as donors have been encouraging, but it is unlikely that these species will provide a long-term solution to the organ shortage. Most recent xenotransplantation research has therefore shifted to more phylogenetically disparate species, such as pigs, as potential donors. The major barrier to transplantation between members of disparate species combinations has been hyperacute rejection (HAR). The elements of humoral immunity involved in this rejection process include (1) naturally occurring antibodies directed against carbohydrate and other antigen expressed on pig endothelium, and (2) the complement system, which is activated by binding of natural antibodies to their targets. Several elegant strategies to prevent HAR are being developed. The creation of transgenic pigs, whose cells express human regulators of complement activation, is one such strategy. Another promising approach has been to remove antidonor antibodies from the recipient by absorption with some recently characterized carbohydrate epitopes of porcine endothelial xenoantigens. Recent experimental work indicates that HAR can successfully be prevented by inhibition or depletion of complement. A delayed type of xenograft rejection, characterized by endothelial cell antibody deposition and cellular infiltration, occurs over the next three to four days. The likely mechanisms involved in delayed xenograft rejection include antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and the phenomenon of endothelial cell activation.
Language support for Morton-order matrices

The uniform representation of 2-dimensional arrays serially in Morton order (or {\eee} order) supports both their iterative scan with cartesian indices and their divide-and-conquer manipulation as quaternary trees. This data structure is important because it relaxes serious problems of locality and latency, and the tree helps to schedule multi-processing. Results here show how it facilitates algorithms that avoid cache misses and page faults at all levels in hierarchical memory, independently of a specific runtime environment.We have built a rudimentary C-to-C translator that implements matrices in Morton-order from source that presumes a row-major implementation. Early performance from LAPACK's reference implementation of \texttt{dgesv} (linear solver), and all its supporting routines (including \texttt{dgemm} matrix-multiplication) form a successful research demonstration. Its performance predicts improvements from new algebra in back-end optimizers.We also present results from a more stylish \texttt{dgemm} algorithm that takes better advantage of this representation. With only routine back-end optimizations inserted by hand (unfolding the base case and passing arguments in registers), we achieve machine performance exceeding that of the manufacturer-crafted {\tt dgemm} running at 67% of peak flops. And the same code performs similarly on several machines.Together, these results show how existing codes and future block-recursive algorithms can work well together on this matrix representation. Locality is key to future performance, and the new representation has a remarkable impact.
Transcriptional Regulation of the rsbV Promoter Controlling Stress Responses to Ethanol, Carbon Limitation, and Phosphorous Limitation in Bacillus subtilis

The sigma(B)-dependent promoter in front of the rsbV gene of Bacillus subtilis is induced approximately 5-fold in response to (1) the addition of 4% ethanol, (2) carbon starvation, and (3) phosphorous starvation. Binding sites for the global carbon and nitrogen regulators, CcpA and TnrA, were mutated, and the consequences of their loss and that of CcpA or TnrA were studied using rsbV-lacZ fusions. These responses proved to be dependent on CcpA, TnrA, and their putative binding sites upstream of the promoter. Induction in response to glucose limitation was largely abolished by loss of CcpA or the upstream region, while induction in response to phosphorous limitation was largely abolished only by the upstream mutations. The results suggest that CcpA directly influences the carbon starvation response and that both proteins exert indirect effects on all three stress responses. The integrity of the DNA sequence is important for all three responses.
Multiresolution fusion of FLIR and ladar data for target detection with JDEF

A joint detection and estimation filter (JDEF) is proposed for fusing Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) and Laser Radar (Ladar) data for target detection. The JDEF has two main components: minimum mean square error estimator followed by a Bayesian detector. The estimator is a 2-D adaptive Kalman filter based on conditional Markovian field (CMF) modeling. The detector is a recursive maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) detector based on the generalized likelihood ratio. The estimator removes the noise and provides the detector with the estimated mean and variance at each pixel. The detector combines the information from the estimator as well as the information from the neighboring pixels to decide whether the current pixel belongs to targets or clutter. By fusing the data from FLIR and Ladar images with the JDEF, the locations of the possible targets are efficiently determined and the targets are accurately segmented. The filter has successfully been applied to both synthetic data and real data. The results are presented.
Validation of a Model of Extramusical Influences on Solo and Small-Ensemble Festival Ratings:

This is the fourth in a series of studies whose purpose has been to develop a theoretical model of selected extramusical variables' ability to explain solo and small-ensemble festival ratings. Authors of the second and third of these (Bergee & McWhirter, 2005; Bergee & Westfall, 2005) used logistic regression as the basis for their model-building strategy. Modeling in these two studies strongly converged, demonstrating that performing as a soloist later in the day and entering from a large, metropolitan-area, relatively well-financed school were success indicators. The present study constitutes the validation phase of this series. First, the 2004 ratings data from a large Midwestern state's solo and small ensemble music festival were analyzed using binomial logistic regression. Model variables retained to this point in the process-time of day (morning/afternoon), geographical district (metropolitan/nonmetropolitan), district expenditure per average daily attendance (defined with two categorical variables)...
Validation of the Harvard Cancer Risk Index: a prediction tool for individual cancer risk

Abstract Objective Risk appraisal tools are increasingly being used in the clinical setting to estimate individuals' risks of developing and dying from diseases. The Harvard Cancer Risk Index is one such tool constructed to predict the risks of individuals, aged 40 and above, for developing the leading types of cancer in U.S. men and women relative to the general population. To date, the Risk Index has not been prospectively validated. Study design and setting Over a period of 10 years' follow-up in the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals' Follow-up Study, age-standardized incidence ratios for cancer of the ovary, colon, and pancreas were calculated for the Risk Index's relative risk categories to assess goodness of fit for risk prediction at the aggregate level. Age-adjusted concordance statistics were determined as measures of discriminatory accuracy at the individual level. Results The Risk Index was well calibrated with observed relative risks across categories for ovarian and colon cancer in women and pancreatic cancer in men, while it performed moderately for colon cancer in men. Discriminatory accuracy was modest for ovarian cancer (age-adjusted concordance statistic = 0.59), and relatively good for pancreatic cancer (concordance statistic of 0.72), and colon cancer in men and women (concordance statistics of 0.71, 0.67 respectively). Conclusion The results of this prospective validation provide evidence for the validity of the Risk Index in predicting individuals' risks of cancers, and thereby offer support for future applications of this risk appraisal tool.
Bcr - Abl-mediated resistance to apoptosis is independent of PI 3-kinase activity.

The Bcr - Abl tyrosine kinase is responsible for the oncogenic phenotype observed in Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia and induces resistance to apoptotic cell death in a variety of cell types. Recent evidence supports the hypothesis that these two properties of Bcr - Abl are derived from cooperative but distinct signaling pathways. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), which has been suggested to associate with and become activated by Bcr - Abl, has been shown to be required for Bcr - Abl-mediated cell growth. Also, PI3K has been implicated in resistance to apoptosis induced by some growth factors. We therefore examined the role of PI 3-kinase in the anti-apoptotic effect of Bcr - Abl. First, we confirmed that expression of p185(bcr - abl) in HL-60 cells, which renders these cells resistant to apoptosis, induces tyrosine phosphorylation of the p85 subunit of PI3K. Consistent with this result, we observed a 20-fold increase in PI3K activity upon immunoprecipitation of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins from cells expressing Bcr - Abl versus control cells. Nevertheless, treatment of HL-60.p185(bcr - abl) cells with wortmannin, a potent inhibitor of PI3K, eliminated PI3K activity but did not interfere with the resistance of these cells to apoptosis. Similar results were obtained with the CML line K562 and with the BaF3.p185 (bcr - abl) line. We conclude that while PI3K participates in the anti-apoptotic response mediated by some growth factors and also seems to be important for the growth of Bcr-Abl-positive cells, it does not play any role in Bcr - Abl-mediated resistance to apoptosis.
Uncertainty about Probability: A Decision Analysis Perspective

The issue of how to think about uncertainty about probability is framed and analyzed from the viewpoint of a decision analyst. The failure of nuclear power plants is used as an example. The key idea is to think of probability as describing a state of information on an uncertain event, and to pose the issue of uncertainty in this quantity as uncertainty about a number that would be definitive: it has the property that you would assign it as the probability if you knew it. Logical consistency requires that the probability to assign to a single occurrence in the absence of further information be the mean of the distribution of this definitive number, not the medium as is sometimes suggested. Any decision that must be made without the benefit of further information must also be made using the mean of the definitive number's distribution. With this formulation, they find further that the probability of r occurrences in n exchangeable trials will depend on the first n moments of the definitive number's distribution. In making decisions, the expected value of clairvoyance on the occurrence of the event must be at least as great as that on the definitive number. If onemore » of the events in question occurs, then the increase in probability of another such event is readily computed. This means, in terms of coin tossing, that unless one is absolutely sure of the fairness of a coin, seeing a head must increase the probability of heads, in distinction to usual thought. A numerical example for nuclear power shows that the failure of one plant of a group with a low probability of failure can significantly increase the probability that must be assigned to failure of a second plant in the group.« less
Radiological Evaluation of A Failing Dialysis Fistula

Sununary • 5urgeons must have vested interest in the E5RD patient population and not just serve as the "Access Technician" • Role of the surgeon: • Early placement of autogenous AVF if possible • Early evaluation and revision of AVF if needed • Consistenr, personal involvement w/ HD Unit • 5urgeons must be familiar with aU upper extremity AVF options • Pre-operative evaluation and anatomical choice of AVF is critical • Don't forget Vascular 5urgery Basics: • INFLOW • CONDUIT .OUTFLOW • 5tart distaUy; move proximaJJy • Look at anatomy, not patient
Entropy production in sonic-nozzle expansions

Abstract Entropy production in a free-jet expansion of monatomic gas is found, via Monte Carlo calculations, to be finite and equal to 2.83 entropy units.
Preparation and structural characterization of three tetrakis(triazeno)diruthenium compounds

Abstract Three closely related diruthenium triazeno complexes, Ru2[(p-tolyl)NNN(p-tolyl)]4(CH3CN) (1), Ru2(PhNNNPh)4 (2) and Ru2[(p-tolyl)NNN(p-tolyl)]4(CH3CN)·BF4 (3), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Direct cocrystallization of Ru2[(p-tolyl)NNN(p-tolyl)]4 with CH3CN affords the dark red 1 in space group P4/n with a=14.851(3), c=11.942(7) A, V=2634(2) A3 and Z=2. The purple 2 was crystallized in space group P 1 with a=13.720(5), b=15.901(4), c=10.388(4) A, α=103.92(3), β=94.56(3), γ=99.11(3)°, V=2155(1) A3 and Z=2. The dark green 3 was obtained by oxidizing Ru2[(p-tolyl)NNN(p-tolyl)]4 with Ag(CH3CN)4BF4, and crystallized in space group P2/n with a=13.280(2), b=16.816(5), c=13.095(4) A, β=90.16(2)°, V=2924(2) A3 and Z=2. The RuRu bond lengths determined through diffraction studies are 2.407(1), 2.3994(6) and 2.373(1) A for 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The results of both magnetic susceptibility and EPR measurements on 3 consistently confirm a π*3 ground state configuration as previously predicted.
Piagetian and psychometric development of 12 month old disadvantaged infants in an enrichment program

A Piagetian cognitive‐developmental curriculum was implemented with black infants from low‐education, low‐income families. The infants entered child care at six months. Their scores at 12 months on Piagetian Infancy Scales and on the Cattell Infant Intelligence Scale were compared with the scores of 12 month old infants carefully matched with intervention infants on variables of age, sex, ethnicity, maternal marital status and ordinality. No mother had completed a high school education at time of birth of the child. On the Object Permanence and Means‐End Scales the program infants showed superior performance in comparison with controls. They did not show differences on the other scales, nor were there differences between program and control infants on group IQ scores. Sex differences were found. Females scored higher than males regardless of group status. The special vulnerability of male infants to lack of maternal nurturance, responsivity, and intellectual stimulation is discussed. The feasibility of im...
Instabilities of Slowly Rotating Galaxies

The location of instabilities in flattened, pressure-supported stellar systems is discussed. Oblate, prolate, and triaxial models of slowly rotating galaxies is examined. The role of instabilities in explaining the structure of observed galaxies is briefly considered. 47 refs.
Thermal conductivity of wet composite porous media

Abstract A model for the thermal conductivity of two-phase composite porous media, such as adsorbing desiccant bed with inert material, is presented. The unit cell model is extended to account for the inert materials and moisture sorbed in pores; and the effect of porosity, water content and presence of inert material is determined. The prediction of the effective thermal conductivity from this proposed model is compared with that given by other available models and experimental data and the proposed model is used to investigate the effect of porosity, water content and presence of inert material.
Drug insight: Nucleoside and nucleotide analog inhibitors for hepatitis B.

The past decade has witnessed substantial advances in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, and the nucleoside and nucleotide analog inhibitors lamuvidine and adefovir dipivoxil have been a major part of this. This article discusses the benefits and limitations of treatment with lamuvidine and adefovir dipivoxil, and nucleoside and nucleotide analogs being evaluated in phase II/III clinical trials.
Helicopter Transport in Disaster Care

Extensive coastlines, varied weather conditions, scattered industrial centers and a large rural population create special problems with regard to the delivery of health care services in the Great Lakes area, which are further complicated by the discrepancies in the level and type of care available within the region. Hospital based helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) providing very specialized life support (VSLS) provides safe and rapid transport for patients needing a higher level of care than is available at the accident scene or local hospitals. This service assists local efforts to meet the medical needs of the population. Air transport systems are an integral part of an EMS system. Even though they are costly, they help avoid duplication of more expensive resources, such as hospitals and personnel.
Deceit, distress and false imprisonment: the anatomy of a car sales event

We seldom get the opportunity to record what actually goes on in a car sales event. A deaf customer, who kept all the hand-written notes made by the salesperson and himself, provided such evidence in his civil lawsuit against the car dealer. The linguist was called in originally to validate the sequencing of the 101 written slips of paper that constituted such evidence. Using speech event analysis along with various context clues, the sequence of the notes was established. In addition, speech act analysis and topic-response analysis made clear the respective agendas of the customer and the salesperson, since a major part of the dispute concerned whether the customer was a serious, potential buyer or merely a price shopper, seeking information at that time. This article outlines the linguistic analysis that was presented at trial.
Vedatridine enhancement of agonist-induced synaptic membrane depolarization in electroplax

Abstract Veratridine in low concentrations (20 μ M ) and at high pH (pH 9) acts as a synergist for carbamylcholine-induced depolarizations in the electroplax of electric eel. This potentiation is not sensitive to tetrodotoxin, but is significantly reduced by d-tubocurarine. Veratridine alone does not depolarize this preparation at the concentration used (20 μ M ). The increased carbamylcholine depolarization arising in the presence of veratridine does not simply sum with the carbamylcholine depolarization; the fractional contribution of veratridine to the total depolarization decreases as the carbamylcholine concentration is increased, and at 50 μM carbamylcholine no significant difference is apparent between groups with and without veratridine. Depolarization with increased external K + , unlike carbamylcholine depolarization, is not potentiated by veratridine.
Pathogenicity of ten strains of bacteria to larvae of the southern pine beetle

Abstract The pathogenicity of 10 strains of bacteria to larvae of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, was determined by orally inoculating healthy larvae. Except for 3 Bacillus spp., these strains had been isolated from healthy or diseased beetles. The Bacillus spp. (B. cereus, B. thuringiensis var. thuringiensis, and B. thuringiensis var. kenyae) as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. fluorescens, and Serratia marcescens, all from diseased beetles, were pathogenic. Alcaligenes faecalis and Aerobacter aerogenes, both from diseased beetles, and A. faecalis (IK) and S. marcescens (HY), both from healthy beetles, were not pathogenic.
Thermal Analysis of Cancerous Breast Model

Breast cancer is one of the most common and dangerous cancers. Subsurface breast cancer lesions generate more heat and have increased blood supply when compared to healthy tissue, and this temperature rise is mirrored in the skin surface temperature. The rise in temperature on the skin surface, caused by the cancerous lesion, can be measured noninvasively using infrared thermography, which can be used as a diagnostic tool to detect the presence of a lesion. However, its diagnostic ability is limited when image interpretation relies on qualitative principles. In this study, we present a quantitative thermal analysis of breast cancer using a 3D computational model of the breast. The COMSOL FEM software was used to carry out the analysis. The effect of various parameters (tumor size, location, metabolic heat generation and blood perfusion rate) on the surface temperature distribution (which can be measured with infrared thermography) has been analyzed. Key defining features of the surface temperature profile have been identified, which can be used to estimate the size and location of the tumor based on (measured) surface temperature data. In addition, we employed a dynamic cooling process, to analyze surface temperature distributions during cooling and thermal recovery as a function of time. In this study, the effect of the cooling temperature on the enhancement of the temperature differences between normal tissue and cancerous lesions is evaluated. This study demonstrates that a quantification of temperature distributions by computational modeling, combined with thermographic imaging and dynamic cooling can be an important tool in the early detection of breast cancer.
Optical Interconnects for Intrachip Global Communications

The challenges faced by on-chip metal wiring are quantified and opportunities for optical interconnects identified. Scalable solutions are proposed and demonstrated to meet future on-chip interconnect requirements and prevent the saturation of Moore's Law.
Reflections on the "voice of authority" in leisure research and practice.

La presente note de recherche constitue une tentative visant a amener la pratique de la reflexion a l'avant-scene de la recherche sur le loisir. Dans l'article nous presentons les conclusions d'une etude anterieure, puis nous procedons a une deconstruction critique des hypotheses sur lesquelles s'appuie cette analyse. La deconstruction met en lumiere la maniere dont les analyses, meme dans le cadre de la recherche qualitative, sont limitees et passees au filtre de la perception du chercheur, et elle illustre ce qui s'entend par effectuer un « virage reflexif » (Schon, 1991) vers la recherche auto-referentielle dans les etudes sur le loisir. En conclusion, l'article propose une reflexion sur les nouvelles epistemologies et le rapport entre chercheur et sujet de recherche, en examinant la question suivante: «comment s'y prendre pour decentrer la voix de l'autorite dans la recherche et la pratique en matiere de loisir ?»
Hypopnea-dominant sleep-disordered breathing in extreme obesity

Introduction There appears to be a difference in the pathophysiological development of dynamic upper airway obstruction manifested as hypopneas in contrast to the static obstruction of apneas. We designed a study to test the hypothesis that extremely obese patients manifest sleep-disordered breathing predominantly as hypopneas with very few apneas. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective review of the data of 90 adults with obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), and assigned them to one of two groups. Group B had a body mass index (BMI) ⩾ 45 kg/m2, while Group A had a BMI 35 kg/m2, matched for age and gender with Group B. We excluded all those with age 18 years, pregnancy, BMI ⩾ 35 45 kg/m2 and those with ⩾ 5 central apneas/h. The primary outcome measure was the hypopnea/apnea ratio (HAR). The secondary measures were obstructive apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), obstructive and central apnea indices, hypopnea index, oxygen saturation (SpO2) nadir, end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PetCO2), and presence or absence of obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). Data were analyzed with t-test for independent samples, and results expressed as group mean ± standard deviation, with p 0.05 considered significant. Results There were 45 subjects in each group. The mean age was 50.6 ± 11.5 years in Group A and 47.4 ± 12.7 years in Group B. The mean BMI was 28.9 ± 4 kg/m2 in Group A and 54.5 ± 8 kg/m2 in Group B. There were 15 patients with OHS, 4 in Group A and 11 in Group B. The HAR was significantly higher in the extremely obese Group B (38.8 ± 50.7) compared to Group A (10.6 ± 16.5), p = 0.0008, as was the hypopnea index (28.7 ± 28.6 in Group B vs 12.6 ± 8.4 in Group A, p = 0.0005) and AHI (35.5 ± 33.8 vs 22 ± 23, p = 0.03), but not the apnea index (11.2 ± 23.5 in Group A and 6.7 ± 13.6 in Group B, p = 0.25). The SpO2 nadir was lower in Group B (79.1 ± 7.1% vs 83.1 ± 6.7%, p = 0.007). There were no significant differences in sleep capnometry or sleep architecture. The HAR was higher in Group B regardless of gender, race or presence of OHS. There were no significant differences in HAR between OHS and non-OHS subjects, even when matched for BMI. The difference in HAR between Groups A and B was more robust in men than in women. Conclusion Sleep-disordered breathing in extremely obese (BMI ⩾ 45 kg/m2) subjects is manifested predominantly by hypopneas rather than apneas. This suggests a different pathophysiology, with implications for potential directed treatment modalities.
Selection of optimal set of cutting tools for machining of polygonal pockets with islands

Selection of the optimal set of cutting tools is one of the most important steps in process planning for 2.5-D pocket machining. Conventional CAM software requires considerable input from the user in terms of selection of tool sizes and machining strategy. This trial-and-error procedure to determine the optimal process sequence tends to generate conservative and suboptimal results. This paper presents a methodology for optimal selection of a sequence of tools to minimize the total time required to end mill a non-convex polygonal pocket with or without islands using the staircase milling strategy. The algorithm decomposes the pocket geometry into convex regions and mills each region independently by selecting a sequence of tools based on the accessibility of various tools to the region. Strategies have been developed for machining the main pass and the subsequent leftover areas in order to obtain the final pocket geometry. Subsequently, the machining times for each decomposed area are aggregated while accounting for the need to use multiple passes, non-cutting time, and the tool change time. A dynamic programming approach is used to determine the optimal set of tools which minimizes the total processing time. The effect of varying the non-cutting speed and tool change time on the tool path length and number of tool selection is studied.
Surfactant selection for enhancing ex situ soil washing

Ex situ soil washing is commonly used for treating contaminated soils by separating the most contaminated fraction of the soil for disposal. Surfactant-enhanced soil washing is being considered with increasing frequency to actually achieve soil-contaminant separation. In this research eight anionic and nonionic surfactants were evaluated for the enhanced soil washing of three different soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Enhanced soil washing occurred at surfactant concentrations below and above the CMC indicating the occurrence of both soil rollup and solubilization mechanisms. In certain cases the lower CMC of nonionic surfactants made them attractive candidates while in other cases the lower sorption and higher solubilization potential of select anionic surfactants made them the preferred choice. Surfactant-induced foaming and turbidity are operating considerations that can also impact surfactant selection. When selecting a surfactant for a given soil-contaminants system we thus recommend evaluating both anionic and nonionic surfactants at concentrations below and above their CMC, and we suggest that the methodology we describe in this paper is a good approach for making the final surfactant selection.