cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resection Technique Does Affect Resection Symmetry and Thickness of the Patella During Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of three patellar resection techniques: cutting guide, free hand with haptic feedback, and a novel technique utilizing four quadrant measurements. Ninety patients undergoing TKA were randomized to receive patellar resurfacing by one of the three study techniques. The novel four quadrant technique resulted in least post-resection asymmetry (0.85 mm, P = 0.001). The most accurate methods for obtaining desired thickness were haptic feedback (0.66 mm mean discrepancy [MD]) and novel four quadrant technique (0.66 mm MD) followed by the patellar cutting guide (1.40 mm MD) (P < 0.001). Use of a patellar cutting guide resulted in increased patellar asymmetry and decreased accuracy in obtaining desired patellar thickness in this prospective trial.
Radiation Damage to Normal Canine Brain Induced by Radiation from Interstitially-Implanted 125I Sources

The effects of 10–100 Gy of radiation delivered from interstitially implanted I125 sources on canine brain were evaluated using quantitative computed tomographic techniques. Dose related changes in edema and contrast enhancement were observed.
An empirical examination of the Arbitrage Pricing Theory: Using Japanese data

Abstract We present an empirical investigation of the Arbitrage Pricing Theory (henceforth APT) in the Japanese equity market using Japanese macroeconomic factors. Factors examined include (1) industrial production, (2) inflation, (3) investor confidence, (4) interest rate, (5) foreign exchange, and (6) oil prices. These are chosen in view of a simple financial theory of asset pricing. Our procedure allows us to examine the international robustness of the theory and hence to compare the results with those for the U.S. Evidence of the risk premia on multiple factors is presented. Priced and non-price factors in the Japanese economy are also discussed. We further test the validity of the CAPM beta in this context. The result shows that the CAPM beta does not capture any extra risk that may have been missed by the macroeconomic factors.
Robustness of a moving-bank multiple model adaptive algorithm for control of a flexible space structure

The robustness capabilities of moving-bank multiple model adaptive estimation and control algorithms are investigated for application to a flexible space-structure in which parameter uncertainties dictate a need for online adaptivity. For both estimation and control, the algorithms are sufficiently robust to allow a six-state dynamics design model to yield excellent performance against a 24-state truth model of the actual system. Particularly for control, where nonadaptive controllers were shown to lead readily to unstable closed-loop systems, the moving-bank MMAC (multiple model adaptive control) provided control that was essentially equivalent to that of an artificially informed benchmark controller. It is pointed out that the values of the measurement noise covariance play an important role in the performance potential of the moving-bank algorithms. A range of admissible measurement precisions exists beyond which the effective movement of the bank in parameter space is seriously impaired. >
Standards of the Industry Continued

(2007). Standards of the Industry Continued. Journal of Police Crisis Negotiations: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 117-122.
Explosive Roots in Level Vector Autoregressive Models

Level vector autoregressive (VAR) models are used extensively in empirical macroeconomic research. However, estimated level VAR models may contain explosive roots, which is at odds with the widespread consensus among macroeconomists that roots are at most unity. This paper investigates the frequency of explosive roots in estimated level VAR models in the presence of stationary and nonstationary variables. Monte Carlo simulations based on datasets from the macroeconomic literature reveal that the frequency of explosive roots exceeds 40% in the presence of unit roots. Even when all the variables are stationary, the frequency of explosive roots is substantial. Furthermore, explosion increases signicantly, to as much as 100% when the estimated level VAR coecients are corrected for small-sample bias. These results suggest that researchers estimating level VAR models on macroeconomic datasets encounter explosive roots, a phenomenon that is contrary to common macroeconomic belief, with a very high frequency. Monte Carlo simulations in the paper reveal that imposing unit roots in the estimation can substantially reduce the frequency of explosion. Hence one way to mitigate explosive roots is to estimate vector error correction models.
A new method for estimating race/ethnicity and associated disparities where administrative records lack self-reported race/ethnicity.

Efforts to measure, monitor, and address racial/ethnic disparities in health care have been limited by the paucity of data regarding the race/ethnicity of users of the health care system. Indeed, until recently, many viewed the collection of such data as illegal (Fremont and Lurie 2004). One result is that the preponderance of studies on racial/ethnic differences in quality of care and patient outcomes has been limited to patients enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid. Several reports from the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences recommend universal collection of self-reported data regarding race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status as a first step toward addressing disparities (Institute of Medicine 2002; National Research Council 2004). While self-reported data are widely considered to be the gold standard, absent a mandate to do so, collection of such data will be slow and inconsistent. Several efforts to collect and use such data are underway. For example, the Health Research and Educational Trust, an independent research affiliate of the American Hospital Association, has developed a toolkit for and is assisting a growing number of hospitals with collection of racial, ethnic, and language data. Similarly, a group of hospitals funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to address disparities in cardiovascular care have committed to collecting race/ethnicity data and monitoring quality of care for different racial/ethnic groups. State policy has also moved toward collecting racial/ethnic data. For example, as part of the Massachusetts health care reform legislation, collection of race/ethnicity data from all hospitalized patients is required by law (Boston Public Health Commission 2006). In California, SB 853 and related regulations require HMO plans to collect race, ethnicity, and language information (California State Senate 2007). Finally, several of the plans participating in the National Health Plan Collaborative to Improve Quality and Eliminate Disparities have begun voluntary collection of self-reported data on the race/ethnicity of their enrollees (National Health Plan Collaborative 2006). Aetna has the most experience in doing so, but even with a mandate from their CEO and significant investment of resources over the past 4 years, the plan has been able to obtain data on only one-third of their enrollees thus far. Although a few smaller regional plans that followed Aetna's lead have obtained a similar proportion of self-reported data in less time, completing the process will likely take several more years.
Biosensors and Bioassays for Ecological Risk Monitoring and Assessment

This article describes the development and use of portable recognition element (RE)-based assays for environmental biosensing. It will focus on using portable optical biosensors; specifically surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based biosensors for detecting a wide variety of analytes that may pose environmental risks. Portable SPR-based biosensor systems are suitable for real-time environmental monitoring as well as for many other applications including biodefense, medical diagnostic applications, food safety, and general laboratory research.
iNKT cells in microbial immunity : recognition of microbial glycolipids

Natural killer T cells expressing an invariant T cell antigen receptor (iNKT cells) are cells of the innate immune system. After recognizing glycolipid antigens presented by CD1d molecules on antigen presenting cells (APCs), iNKT cells rapidly produce large quantities of cytokines, thereby stimulating many types of cells. Recent studies have described several mechanisms of iNKT cell activation and the contribution of these cells to antimicrobial responses. iNKT cells can be activated by endogenous antigens and/or inflammatory cytokines from APCs. However, iNKT cells also recognize certain microbial glycolipids by their invariant T cell antigen receptor (TCR), and they contribute to pathogen clearance in certain microbial infections. These findings indicate that the iNKT TCR is useful for detecting certain microbial pathogens. Moreover, recent studies suggest that iNKT cell glycolipid antigens may be useful in antimicrobial therapy and vaccines.
TCP Performance over Satellite Channels

Technological advances are enabling new satellite communications systems that combine broadband data rates with small terminals. These novel systems are being designed to provide affordable "last-mile" network access to home and small business users worldwide. In particular, two types of advanced broadband satellite systems are under development: high-power satellites deployed at traditional geostationary (GEO) orbits, and large constellations of satellites deployed at much lower (LEO) orbits. In this report, we explore research problems that have arisen from the attempt to use GEO satellites to provide Internet access. In particular, performance of the Internet''s Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is degraded by the high latency and high degree of bandwidth asymmetry present in such systems, and the degradation is compounded by the packet-level congestion found in today''s Internet. We first study whether TCP''s congestion avoidance algorithm can be adjusted to provide better fairness when satellite connections are forced to share bottleneck links with other (shorter delay) connections. Our data suggests that adjustments of the policy used in that algorithm may yield substantial fairness benefits without compromizing utilization. We next demonstrate how minor variations in TCP implementations can have drastic performance implications when used over satellite links (such as a reduction in file transfer throughput by over half), and from our observations construct a satellite-optimized TCP implementation, using standardized options, that achieves good file transfer performance when congestion is light. We explore the performance of TCP for short data transfers such as Web traffic, and find that two experimental options relating to how TCP starts a connection, when used together, could reduce the user-perceived latency by a factor of two to three. However, because not all of these options are likely to be deployed on a wide scale, and because even the best satellite-optimized TCP implementation is vulnerable to the fairness problems identified above, we explore the performance benefits of splitting a TCP connection at a protocol gateway within the satellite network, and find that such an approach can allow the performance of the satellite connection to approach that of a non-satellite connection. Our results illustrate many of the remaining challenges facing TCP performance over GEO satellite links while also demonstrating techniques that can be used to optimize performance in many satellite networks.
More on Stochastic Inference

Most of the work in Chapters IV and V on inference has focussed on a simple hypothesis versus a simple alternative. When either (or both) of the latter is composite, several new problems arise. In this chapter, we consider some of these questions in detail. The results again depend on likelihood ratios, and an extension of the Neyman-Pearson-Grenander theorem is once more of importance. Parameter estimation plays a key role, often involving uncountable sets of measures, and some of the work of Pitcher and his associates is presented. This utilizes certain abstract methods, and moreover includes some results appearing here for the first time. The Gaussian dichotomy in an alternative form (without separability restrictions) is considered. A general Girsanov theorem is also established because these assertions are needed in many important applications, including the Wiener-Ito chaos, white noise and the Wick products as complements. With further detailed analysis on the more tractable Gaussian processes, the following work substantially advances that of the earlier chapters.
Comparison of thoracic and abdominal cavity volumes during abdominal CO2 insufflation and abdominal wall lift

Objective To compare thoracic and abdominal cavity volumes during abdominal CO2 insufflation and abdominal wall lift (AWL) conditions. Study Design In vitro cadaveric study. Animals Mature medium-to-large breed fresh canine cadavers (n = 6). Methods Each cadaver was imaged with computed tomography (CT) under baseline, abdominal CO2 insufflation, and AWL conditions. Measurements of thoracic and abdominal cavities were performed for each condition using image-analyzing software. Resulting volumes for each cadaver were converted to percent change from baseline to normalize the data. The t-tests were used to compare percent changes of both thoracic and abdominal volumes. Results Thoracic volume significantly decreased from baseline during CO2 insufflation (P < .01). No significant difference in thoracic volume occurred with AWL when compared with baseline. Abdominal volume increased by 80% with CO2 insufflation (95% CI: 56.4–107.0%) but only 25% with AWL (95% CI: 12.3–37.8%). Conclusions Abdominal CO2 insufflation results in decreased thoracic volume when compared with baseline. AWL preserved thoracic volume similar to baseline. Abdominal volumes achieved with abdominal CO2 insufflation are significantly greater than those attained with AWL.
Formation of phospholipid-rich HDL: a model for square-packing lipoprotein particles found in interstitial fluid and in abetalipoproteinemic plasma.

The major bovine HDL subfraction, fraction I-HDL, was incubated with increasing amounts of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC). HDL size, as determined by gradient gel electrophoresis and electron microscopy, increased with increasing HDL-phospholipid to DMPC mole ratios. Control fraction I-HDL were spherical, hexagonally-packing particles with a peak on gradient gel electrophoresis at 12.3 ± 0.1 nm; at a ratio of 1:0.5, larger, mainly spherical particles with a peak at 12.9 ± 0.08 nm were formed. At a ratio of 1:1, occasional square-shaped particles were seen by electron microscopy; by gradient gel analysis, the mean diameter of the HDL-product increased to 13.7 ± 0.1 nm. At the 1:2 ratio, extensive domains of squarepacking particles were noted; the major size peak of this product was 14.6 ± 0.08 nm. In all incubations with DMPC, a small 9.4 ± 0.08 nm product was formed; it was most pronounced at the 1:2 ratio. The large, less dense particles generated by incubation contained apolipoprotein A-I and small molecular weight proteins. The 9.4 nm product contained only apolipoprotein A-I. The less dense product formed during incubation at the 1:2 ratio had a decreased protein-to-lipid ratio relative to control HDL and a 2-fold increase in percent phospholipid. At a 1:2 ratio, incorporation of DMPC into fraction I-HDL results in the loss of one molecule of apolipoprotein A-I; the resultant particle is a stable phospholipid-rich and protein-poor HDL which has a square-packing geometry. These phospholipid-laden HDL are morphologically similar to lipoproteins isolated from interstitial fluid or from plasma of abetalipoproteinemic patients. Our data suggest that the unusual morphological properties of the latter biologically formed particles may be due to increases in the polar lipid contents, and concomitant decreases in surface protein.
Containing Symbolic Powers in Regular Rings

We extend some results of Ein–Lazarsfeld-Smith, Hochster–Huneke, and Takagi-Yoshida concerning the containments of symbolic powers of ideals in ordinary powers in regular rings.
Application of Scaled World Model for Usability Testing of Fall Arrest System in Residential Construction

Falls from heights in residential construction continue to be a leading cause of fatalities and severe injuries. Field studies are difficult to implement in residential construction, because companies are hesitant to allow observers on site to collect data while tasks are being conducted. Use of scaled world models has been recommended for experimental contexts that require high levels of ecological validity as well as internal (control) validity . In this project, we explored several attributes to design a scaled world model of residential roofing that would support controlled trials to evaluate usability and to conduct load testing, in a realistic setting. Features of the scaled world model were selected to support validity and ease-of-measurement while participants conducted roofing tasks. Several validity constraints were explored, including ecological, structural, psychological and process validity. Possible in-lab roofing task attributes were discussed and heuristic guidelines for scaled world models were provided. Lastly, an example of a scaled-world model was assembled to test the fall arrest system. The design team continues to develop the model, which will be reviewed by residential roofing experts for realism and accuracy. Language: en
Left ventricular assist device implantation after acute anterior wall myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock: a two-center study.

Objective Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion after anterior wall myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock is an accepted modality of support in select patients. Results of primary revascularization for these patients are poor. We seek to determine the outcomes of patients with myocardial infarction and shock who undergo LVAD insertion alone versus surgical revascularization before LVAD insertion. Methods Seventy-four patients at 2 institutions underwent LVAD implantation for myocardial infarction and shock over a 12-year period. Twenty-eight underwent direct LVAD placement, and 46 underwent revascularization through coronary artery bypass grafting before LVAD placement. Variables examined included patient demographics, myocardial infarction–LVAD interval, bridge to transplantation, early mortality (≤30 days), survival after LVAD placement, and posttransplantation survivals. Results There were no differences in demographics between the 2 groups. The group undergoing revascularization before LVAD placement had a lower bridge to transplantation, higher early mortality, and lower overall 6- and 12-month survivals after LVAD placement compared with the group undergoing direct LVAD placement (45.50% vs 70.40%, P = .041; 39.10% vs 14.30%, P = .020; 89.3% and 82.1% vs 54.4% and 52.2%, respectively, P = .006). Posttransplantation survival and LVAD explantation rates were equivalent in both groups. Conclusions Coronary artery bypass grafting before LVAD insertion for cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction adversely affects survival. Confirmation of these findings would require conducting a large, multicenter, randomized clinical trial comparing revascularization versus LVAD support as primary therapy in this setting.
“simple‐approximate” battle‐outcome‐prediction conditions for variable‐coefficient lanchester‐type equations of modern warfare

This article considers combat between two homogeneous forces modeled by variable- coefficient Lanchester-type equations of modern warfare and develops new “simple-approximate” battle-outcome-prediction conditions for military engagements terminated by two different types of prescribed conditions being met (fixed-force-level-breakpoint battles and fixed-force-ratio-breakpoint battles). These battle-outcome-prediction conditions are sufficient (but not necessary) to determine the outcome of battle without having to explicitly compute the force-level trajectories, and they are characterized by their simplicity, requiring no advanced mathematical knowledge or tabulations of “special functions” for their application. Integrability properties of the Lanchester attrition-rate coefficients figure prominently in their results, and involved in their development is a generalization of Lanchester's famous square law to variable-coefficient Lanchester-type combat and several other novel mathematical developments for the analysis of ordinary differential equations. Examples are given, with the attack of a mobile force against a static defensive position (both sides armed with weapons whose firepower is range dependent) being examined in detail.
Antioxidant regulation of phorbol ester-induced adhesion of human Jurkat T-cells to endothelial cells.

Regulation of adhesion molecule expression and function by reactive oxygen species via specific redox sensitive mechanisms have been reported. The effects of clinically safe antioxidants in the regulation of adhesion molecule expression in human endothelial cells (ECV), and adherence of human Jurkat T cells to ECV cells were investigated. The thiol antioxidant, α-lipoate, at clinically relevant doses down-regulated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced adhesion molecule expression and cell-cell adhesion. Inhibition of PMA-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression as well as PMA-induced adhesion of Jurkat T-cells to ECV cells by α-lipoate was dose dependent (50–250 μM). The effect was significant for ICAM-1 (p < .01) and VCAM-1 (p < .01) expression in cells pretreated with 100 μM α-lipoate compared to PMA-activated untreated cells. Inhibition of PMA-induced adhesion molecule expression and cell-cell adhesion was more pronounced when a combination of antioxidants, α-lipoate and α-tocopherol, were used compared to the use of either of these antioxidant alone. The regulation of adhesion molecule expression and function by low concentration of antioxidants investigated does not appear to be NF-κB regulated or transcription dependent because no change in the mRNA response was observed. Protein kinase C (PKC) has been suggested to regulate PMA-induced adhesion molecule expression by post-transcriptional stabilization of adhesion molecule mRNA. α-Lipoate pretreatment did not influence the response of PKC activity to PMA. Oxidants are known to be involved in the regulation of cell adhesion processes. Treatment of ECV cells with PMA induced generation of intracellular oxidants. α-Lipoate (100 or 250 μM) treatment decreased PMA-induced generation of intracellular oxidants. The inhibitory effect of low concentration of α-lipaote alone or in combination with α-tocopherol on agonist-induced adhesion processes observed in this study may be of potential therapeutic value.
IgG‐dependent activation of human mast cells following up‐regulation of FcγRI by IFN‐γ

It has been reported that FcgammaRI is up-regulated on human mast cells (huMC) by IFN-gamma and aggregation of this receptor using mouse F(ab')(2) specific for receptor-bound, mouse anti-CD64 F(ab')(2) results in activation. To determine whether huMC can similarly be stimulated by aggregation of FcgammaRI-bound human IgG, IFN-gamma-treated, CD34(+)-derived, cultured huMC were sensitized with human immunoglobulins and activation was evaluated following addition of antibodies specific for each IgG isotype. Degranulation was also examined following simultaneous IgG- and IgE-dependent aggregation of FcgammaRI and Fc(epsilon)RI. Activation of IFN-gamma-treated huMC sensitized with 100 ng/ml IgG(1) resulted in 40% beta-hexosaminidase (beta-hex) release; minimal degranulation was observed using IgG(2), IgG(3) or IgG(4). IgG(1)-dependent activation led to PGD(2) and LTC(4) generation as well as elevated cytokine production, most notably TNF-alpha. Preincubation of cells with F(ab')(2) from CD64-specific clones 10.1 and 32.2 reduced IgG(1)-mediated beta-hex release by 46% and 74%, respectively. While IgG-dependent cell stimulation induced half-maximal degranulation by 11 min, IgE-dependent activation resulted in half maximal responses within 1 min. Simultaneous activation of huMC via FcgammaRI and Fc(epsilon)RI led to additive degranulation using suboptimal concentrations of IgG(1) and IgE. Activation of huMC thus may occur via monomeric IgG and FcgammaRI thereby providing a novel paradigm for huMC recruitment into inflammation.
B cell priming in utero to influenza vaccination

Abstract Rationale Influenza vaccination is recommended for women who are pregnant during the influenza season. Nonetheless, the development of B cell priming to influenza antigens in utero is controversial. We hypothesized that neonatal B cells will exhibit antigen specific immune responses following influenza vaccination of the pregnant mother. Methods Thirty pregnant women were recruited and vaccinated (mean gestation 25.80 ± 0.82 weeks) during the influenza season. Fluzone and Matrix Protein (MP)-antigen specific IgM and IgG titers were measured by ELISA in mothers pre- and postpartum and newborns postpartum. Results 18/30 (60%) mothers showed a positive Fluzone antigens-IgM response (mean Optical Density (OD) ratio 5.57 ± SE 1.11)[Positive response defined as OD post vaccine/OD pre vaccine >2]. 14/30 (46.7%) had a positive response to MP antigens (mean OD ratio 6.93 ± 2.25). In comparison, 9/17 (53%) newborns demonstrated a Fluzone-specific IgM response [OD 2 fold >OD measured in the cohort born to nonvaccinated mothers]. Their mean Fluzone IgM averaged 0.041 ± 0.013 ( p p p Conclusions The increased Fluzone, MP-specific IgM levels suggest that in utero B cell priming to influenza antigens occurs following vaccination of the mother during pregnancy.
Implementing the Transition From Full- to Self-Service Table of Contents Alerts: A Case Study

Health care professionals are committed to maintaining current awareness of developments in their field, and providing electronic Table of Contents (TOC) alerts is a way that medical libraries can create goodwill and market additional services. However, with a small staff and the amount of time required by a hands-on approach to providing TOC alerts, library capacity can be severely challenged. This article outlines one library's process of transitioning its TOC alerts service from mediated to self-service, outlining a Lean problem-solving and information-gathering approach, investigating alternative options, and the eventual method of and reactions to implementing the change.
Effect of dietary copper deficiency on heterozygous female brindled mice

Abstract Weanling female mice of two genotypes, control (+/+) and brindled (Mo br /+), were fed a semipurified diet low in copper (copper-deficient)(−Cu). Half the mice were given copper in the drinking water (20 μg/ml)(copper-adequate)(+Cu). The four groups of mice were compared in four replicate experiments consisting of a five week treatment period. Brindled mice on the +Cu system displayed minor changes in copper status when compared to control mice on the +Cu system including 11% lower liver copper levels and modest reductions in ceruloplasmin (14%) and liver Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (8%) activities. Brindled mice on the −Cu treatment had lower ceruloplasmin activity and hemoglobin levels compared to control mice on the −Cu treatment. Compared to brindled mice on the +Cu treatment, brindled mice on the −Cu treatment had lower activities of ceruloplasmin, bone marrow cytochrome c oxidase, and liver and spleen Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase. Also liver and heart copper concentrations were lower and liver iron higher in the brindled mice on the −Cu treatment. Collectively, these data suggest that when copper is limiting the expression of the brindled gene can be modified, namely, a marginal copper status can be exacerbated leading to lower hemoglobin levels.
Complete and sustained remission of refractory cervical cancer following a single cycle of capecitabine. A case report

Cervical cancer with distant metastasis is almost always incurable. The treatment goal is to palliate the patient's symptoms with pain medications and localized radiation therapy. Chemotherapy generally has a limited role, with responses that are short lived. Newer agents investigated as potential therapy include fluorouracil prodrugs. We report on a case where capecitabine was used in metastatic cervical cancer with progression of disease outside the radiation field, following multiple drug regimens including one dose of cisplatin (discontinued due to transient renal toxicity), paclitaxel, and carboplatin and continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) The patient was treated with capecitabine 1100 mg/m2 twice daily for two weeks. After the first week of the cycle, the patient developed grade 2 toxicities consisting of mucositis and hand-foot Syndrome but she continued on therapy through day 14. On day 20 she was hospitalized with grade 4 toxicity, which included febrile neutropenia, urinary tract infection, pancytopenia, mucositis, hand-foot syndrome, and renal failure, all of which have subsequently completely resolved. Restaging demonstrated complete remission. Although the patient suffered toxicity related to capecitabine, 3.5 years post a single cycle of capecitabine, the patient remains in remission, with no evidence of disease reoccurence.
NONLINEAR ACCELERATOR LATTICES WITH ONE AND TWO ANALYTIC INVARIANTS

Integrable systems appeared in physics long ago at the onset of classical dynamics with examples being Kepler's and other famous problems. Unfortunately, the majority of nonlinear problems turned out to be nonintegrable. In accelerator terms, any 2D nonlinear nonintegrable mapping produces chaotic motion and a complex network of stable and unstable resonances. Nevertheless, in the proximity of an integrable system the full volume of such a chaotic network is small. Thus, the integrable nonlinear motion in accelerators has the potential to introduce a large betatron tune spread to suppress instabilities and to mitigate the effects of space charge and magnetic field errors. To create such an accelerator lattice one has to find magnetic and electric field combinations leading to a stable integrable motion. This paper presents families of lattices with one invariant where bounded motion can be easily created in large volumes of the phase space. In addition, it presents 3 families of integrable nonlinear accelerator lattices, realizable with longitudinal-coordinate-dependent magnetic or electric fields with the stable nonlinear motion, which can be solved in terms of separable variables.
Metallo-organic decomposition for superconductive YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/ film

Polycrystalline Y-Ba-Cu-O thin films were deposited on alumina and sapphire substrates by using a metallo-organic decomposition method. The metallo-organic precursors of yttrium, barium, and copper metal-carboxylates were synthesized and dissolved in a common solvent to make the ink. The ink was deposited by a multilayer spin-on coating technique followed by a thermal treatment. The treated films were polycrystalline, and the electrical results showed an onset temperature of about 90 K and a zero resistance temperature of 75 K. After thermal decomposition of the film in air at 925 degrees C and annealing in oxygen, a superconductive YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 2/O/sub 7-x/ film was obtained. The principle of this method is discussed. >
Excitonic Effects on the Optical Response of Graphene and Bilayer Graphene

We present first-principles calculations of many-electron effects on the optical response of graphene, bilayer graphene, and graphite employing the GW-Bethe Salpeter equation approach. We find that resonant excitons are formed in these two-dimensional semimetals. The resonant excitons give rise to a prominent peak in the absorption spectrum near 4.5 eV with a different line shape and significantly redshifted peak position from those of an absorption peak arising from interband transitions in an independent quasiparticle picture. In the infrared regime, our calculated optical absorbance per graphene layer is approximately a constant, 2.4%, in agreement with recent experiments; additional low frequency features are found for bilayer graphene because of band structure effects.
The SV40 enhancer is composed of multiple functional elements that can compensate for one another

Abstract We present evidence that the SV40 enhancer consists of three functional units, A, B, and C, each of which can cooperate with the others or with duplicates of itself to enhance transcription. We show that, when element C, containing the core consensus sequence, is inactivated by point mutations, revertants with restored enhancer function contain duplications of either one or both of the elements A and B. To search for additional elements, we isolated revertants of a mutant with the three elements mutated. These revertants do not identify any other elements; instead, enhancer function is effectively restored by "double duplications," in which the first duplication event either partially or entirely recreates one of the three elements A, B, and C and the second duplication then creates two copies of the newly created sequence.
Preterm Infant Pain Assessment (PIPA): A New Tool to Accurately Assess Pain in the Preterm Infant

Preterm Infant Pain Assessment (PIPA): A New Tool to Accurately Assess Pain in the Preterm Infant
Endogenously released adenosine regulates excitability in the in vitro hippocampus.

SUMMARY The role of adenosine in regulating epileptiform discharge was studied in the in vitro hippocampal slice preparation. Exogenously applied adenosine appeared to have anticonvulsant properties (EC50∼ 10 μM), in that it slowed or suppressed spontaneous interictal discharges. In addition, the release of adenosine (or related adenine nucleotides) from the slice preparation appeared to exert a tonic inhibitory influence on these types of discharges. This provides further evidence supporting a role for adenosine as an endogenous regulator of the excitability of the central nervous system, particularly in convulsive states. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Die Rolle des Adenosins in der Regulierung epileptiformer Entladungen wurde im in vitro-Versuch an Hippokampusschnittpraparaten untersucht. Exogen appliziertes Adenosin schien zwei antikonvulsive Eigenschaften zu haben (EC50∼ 10 μM): Es verlangsamte oder unterdruckte die spontanen interiktalen Entladungen; zusatzlich schien die Freisetzung des Adenosins (oder verwandte Adeninnukleotide) aus dem Schnittpraparat einen tonischen inhibitorischen Einflus auf diese Art Entladungen auszuuben. Diese Beobachtung bringt einen weiteren Hinweis dafur, das Adenosin eine Rolle als endogener Regulator der Reizbarkeit des ZNS besonders bei Krampfzustanden spielt.
Gas breakdown limit and maximum acceleration gradient for inverse Cherenkov laser accelerator

Abstract Laser intensity thresholds for CO 2 laser-induced gas breakdown, such as tunneling, multiphoton, and cascade ionization have been estimated for the inverse Cherenkov accelerator experiment at the Brookhaven Accelerator Test Facility. The gas breakdown is dominated by cascade ionization and the maximum acceleration gradient is up to 300 MeV/m for a 3 ps CO 2 laser.
A human-murine chimera model for in utero human hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract To date, 16 in utero hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplants for diseases other than immunodeficiency disorders have been reported. No therapeutic level of engraftment was detected in 15 of these transplants. To overcome engraftment failure, we transplanted a very large number (5 billion paternal CD34+ cells/kg) of HSCs to a fetus with leukodystrophy during the first trimester of gestation. As reported previously, the fetus died in utero 7 weeks after the procedure and the cause of death appeared to be overwhelming donor engraftment. In the present investigation, we developed a human-murine chimera model to test for the optimal donor cell dose for human in utero transplantation. We found a strong correlation between the level of donor engraftment in three human fetuses transplanted for leukodystrophy during the first trimester of gestation and the results of parallel xenotransplants of the same human donor cells using the NOD/SCID mouse model. This small animal model appears to predict both extremes of hyperengraftment (seen in the first human fetus transplanted) and engraftment failure (seen in the second and third human fetuses transplanted in utero). These and future correlated clinical and laboratory assay results may be useful for the development of in utero transplants for a variety of congenital disorders. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 1999;5(1):1-7.
On optimal arches

Optimal inextensional buckling of uniformly loaded simply supported arches with large opening angle
Rhythmic respiration in awake vagotomized cats with chronic pneumotaxic area lesions.

Abstract Bilateral pneumotaxic area lesions were placed in fifteen cats under Nembutal anesthesia. Respiratory rate decreased transiently. Brain stem lesions outside the pneumotaxic area were placed in six control lesion cats. After one or three months bilateral vagotomy was effected under Brevital anesthesia. Apneustic breathing was exhibited by all animals with pneumotaxic lesions but not by animals with control lesions. As the animals with pneumotaxic lesions recovered from the anesthetic, their respiratory patterns changed progressively closer to normal patterns. Within four hours after vagotomy, all but one of the pneumotaxic lesion cats exhibited eupneic respiration. Twenty-four hours after vagotomy, the animals were anesthetized with ether and then alpha-chloralose. The cats with pneumotaxic lesions again exhibited apneustic breathing. The data demonstrate that the vagotomized cat with chronic pneumotaxic area lesions is capable of normal respiratory rhythmicity in the awake state. It is concluded that the respiratory neurons of the higher central nervous system have a far greater potential in the genesis and regulation of respiratory rhythmicity than has been appreciated.
Minocycline alleviates hypoxic–ischemic injury to developing oligodendrocytes in the neonatal rat brain

The role of minocycline in preventing white matter injury, in particular the injury to developing oligodendrocytes was examined in a neonatal rat model of hypoxia-ischemia. Hypoxia-ischemia was achieved through bilateral carotid artery occlusion followed by exposure to hypoxia (8% oxygen) for 15 min in postnatal day 4 Sprague-Dawley rats. A sham operation was performed in control rats. Minocycline (45 mg/kg) or normal phosphate-buffered saline was administered intraperitoneally 12 h before and immediately after bilateral carotid artery occlusion+hypoxia and then every 24 h for 3 days. Nissl staining revealed pyknotic cells in the white matter area of the rat brain 1 and 5 days after hypoxia-ischemia. Hypoxia-ischemia insult also resulted in apoptotic oligodendrocyte cell death, loss of O4+ and O1+ oligodendrocyte immunoreactivity, and hypomyelination as indicated by decreased myelin basic protein immunostaining and by loss of mature oligodendrocytes in the rat brain. Minocycline significantly attenuated hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain injury. The protective effect of minocycline was associated with suppression of hypoxia-ischemia-induced microglial activation as indicated by the decreased number of activated microglia, which were also interleukin-1beta and inducible nitric oxide synthase expressing cells. The protective effect of minocycline was also linked with reduction in hypoxia-ischemia-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress as indicated by 4-hydroxynonenal and nitrotyrosine positive oligodendrocytes, respectively. The reduction in hypoxia-ischemia-induced oxidative stress was also evidenced by the decreases in the content of 8-isoprostane in the minocycline-treated hypoxia-ischemia rat brain as compared with that in the vehicle-treated hypoxia-ischemia rat brain. The overall results suggest that reduction in microglial activation may protect developing oligodendrocytes in the neonatal brain from hypoxia-ischemia injury.
SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF BALLOON AORTIC VALVULOPLASTY FOR SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA

The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has renewed interest in balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) for severe aortic stenosis (AS). It is unclear whether technical advances and increased experience associated with TAVR development have resulted in improved BAV outcomes. We
On the abstract processing of strings

A facility capable of describing the basic processing of strings of symbols is introduced. Based upon the primative characteristics of string processing, the proposal is capable of being readily incorporated into a majority of general purpose procedural programming languages currently available. Also, the proposed techniques can be used to define the more sophisticated operations usually associated with specialized string processing languages.
Demographic factors and the pattern of household expenditures in the United States

This study takes as its starting point the hypothesis that demographic characteristics of households are as relevant determinants of the pattern of consumer expenditures in the United States as are measured prices and incomes. Demographic characteristics of households are brought to bear upon their expenditure patterns not via their impact on consumer tastes but rather via their effect on “true” prices and “permanent” incomes faced by households.
Modeling space-charge-limited currents in organic semiconductors: Extracting trap density and mobility

We have developed and have applied a mobility edge model that takes drift and diffusion currents to characterize the space-charge-limited current in organic semiconductors into account. The numerical solution of the drift-diffusion equation allows the utilization of asymmetric contacts to describe the built-in potential within the device. The model has been applied to extract information of the distribution of traps from experimental current-voltage measurements of a rubrene single crystal from Krellner et al. [Phys. Rev. B 75, 245115 (2007)] showing excellent agreement across several orders of magnitude in the current. Although the two contacts are made of the same metal, an energy offset of 580 meV between them, ascribed to differences in the deposition techniques (lamination vs evaporation) was essential to correctly interpret the shape of the current-voltage characteristics at low voltage. A band mobility of $0.13\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{V}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for holes is estimated, which is consistent with transport along the long axis of the orthorhombic unit cell. The total density of traps deeper than 0.1 eV was $2.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{16}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. The sensitivity analysis and error estimation in the obtained parameters show that it is not possible to accurately resolve the shape of the trap distribution for energies deeper than 0.3 eV or shallower than 0.1 eV above the valence-band edge. The total number of traps deeper than 0.3 eV, however, can be estimated. Contact asymmetry and the diffusion component of the current play an important role in the description of the device at low bias and are required to obtain reliable information about the distribution of deep traps.
Locomotor loading mechanics in the hindlimbs of tegu lizards (Tupinambis merianae): comparative and evolutionary implications

SUMMARY Skeletal elements are usually able to withstand several times their usual load before they yield, and this ratio is known as the bone9s safety factor. Limited studies on amphibians and non-avian reptiles have shown that they have much higher limb bone safety factors than birds and mammals. It has been hypothesized that this difference is related to the difference in posture between upright birds and mammals and sprawling ectotherms; however, limb bone loading data from a wider range of sprawling species are needed in order to determine whether the higher safety factors seen in amphibians and non-avian reptiles are ancestral or derived conditions. Tegus (family Teiidae) are an ideal lineage with which to expand sampling of limb bone loading mechanics for sprawling taxa, particularly for lizards, because they are from a different clade than previously sampled iguanas and exhibit different foraging and locomotor habits (actively foraging carnivore versus burst-activity herbivore). We evaluated the mechanics of locomotor loading for the femur of the Argentine black and white tegu ( Tupinambus merianae ) using three-dimensional measurements of the ground reaction force and hindlimb kinematics, in vivo bone strains and femoral mechanical properties. Peak bending stresses experienced by the femur were low (tensile: 10.4±1.1 MPa; compressive: –17.4±0.9 MPa) and comparable to those in other reptiles, with moderate shear stresses and strains also present. Analyses of peak femoral stresses and strains led to estimated safety factor ranges of 8.8–18.6 in bending and 7.8–17.5 in torsion, both substantially higher than typical for birds and mammals but similar to other sprawling tetrapods. These results broaden the range of reptilian and amphibian taxa in which high femoral safety factors have been evaluated and further indicate a trend for the independent evolution of lower limb bone safety factors in endothermic taxa.
Is Salicylic Acid a Translocated Signal of Systemic Acquired Resistance in Tobacco

Salicylic acid (SA) is a likely endogenous signal in the development of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in some dicotyledonous plants. In tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-resistant Xanthi-nc tobacco, SA levels increase systemically following the inoculation of a single leaf with TMV. To determine the extent to which systemic increases in SA result from SA export from the inoculated leaf, SA produced in TMV-inoculated or healthy leaves was noninvasively labeled with 18O2. Spatial and temporal distribution of 18O-SA indicated that most of the SA detected in the healthy tissues was synthesized in the inoculated leaf. No significant increase in the activity of benzoic acid 2-hydroxylase, the last enzyme involved in SA biosynthesis, was detected in upper uninoculated leaves, although the basal level of enzyme activity was relatively high. No increases in SA level, pathogenesis-related PR-1 gene expression, or TMV resistance in the upper uninoculated leaf were observed if the TMV-inoculated leaf was detached up to 60 hr after inoculation. Apart from the inoculated tissues, the highest increase in SA was observed in the leaf located directly above the inoculated leaf. The systemic SA increase observed during SAR may be explained by phloem transport of SA from the inoculation sites.
Sequencing a One State-Variable Machine: A Solvable Case of the Traveling Salesman Problem

We consider a machine with a single real variable x that describes its state. Jobs J1, ', JN are to be sequenced on the machine. Each job requires a starting state A, and leaves a final state Bi. This means that Ji can be started only when x = Ai and, at the completion of the job, x = Bi. There is a cost, which may represent time or money, etc., for changing the machine state x so that the next job may start. The problem is to find the minimal cost sequence for the N jobs. This problem is a special case of the traveling salesman problem. We give a solution requiring only 0N2 simple steps. A solution is also provided for the bottleneck form of this traveling salesman problem under special cost assumptions. This solution permits a characterization of those directed graphs of a special class which possess Hamiltonian circuits.